FaultScore

2005 Ford Taurus brake problems

36 of the 1,005 complaints about the 2005 Ford Taurus are about the braking system — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 97,000 miles.

D

36

Complaints

8

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Service Brakes 26 72.2%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 7 19.4%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 3 8.3%

Brakes across every Ford Taurus year

1987 20 1.4%
1988 27 1.9%
1989 39 2.7%
1990 31 2.1%
1991 86 5.9%
1992 102 7.0%
1993 138 9.5%
1994 69 4.7%
1995 99 6.8%
1996 85 5.8%
1997 78 5.4%
1998 93 6.4%
1999 117 8.0%
2000 120 8.2%
2001 99 6.8%
2002 48 3.3%
2003 44 3.0%
2004 26 1.8%
2005 36 2.5%
2006 27 1.9%
2008 15 1.0%
2010 34 2.3%
2011 13 0.9%
2014 10 0.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 164,000 miles Romulus, MI Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR SERVICE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHILE IN SERVICE WITH THE CONTACT INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN ASKED THE CONTACT TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO REVERSED TO CHECK THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE SHIFTED INTO REVERSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSED, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKE FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE BUSINESS FRONT GLASS DOOR AND CAME TO A STOP ON A STREET. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE CONTACTED THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THE VEHICLE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 164,000.

NHTSA complaint #11378424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,000 miles Apopka, FL

SERVICE BRAKES

[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11298935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 195,876 miles Phoenix, AZ Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

DROVE HEAD ON INTO A DITCH THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP.

NHTSA complaint #11269489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,000 miles Tempe, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKES DON'T STOP THE CAR AS THEY SHOULD NORMALLY. THEY TAKE A WHILE TO STOP THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11221905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Beckley, WV

SERVICE BRAKES

THIS ISSUE OCCURRED ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO WHEN DRIVING NORMALLY. THEN, TODAY WE WERE DRIVING UP A HILL AND IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT ME PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO STOP WAS TO PUT IT IN PARK AND TURN THE CAR OFF BUT, KEPT OCCURRING WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON. PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL DID NOT WORK.WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR CITY.

NHTSA complaint #11118939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles EL Paso, TX Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DEER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. ALSO, WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL AND THEN STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE BRAKE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11092221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 189,401 miles Aurora, IL

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,401.

NHTSA complaint #10865669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charlotte, NC

SERVICE BRAKES

HELLO, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS CAR'S ACCELERATOR PETAL WENT OUT OF CONTROL (FORD TAURUS). ON YESTERDAY, I HAD MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR AND THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S ON FASTER, FASTER AND FASTER. IT WAS SO SCARY MY DAUGHTER SAID MOMMY YOU ARE SHAKING. EVEN WHILE HOLDING THE BREAKS DOWN I WAS ABLE TO SLOW IT DOWN BUT THE CAR WAS STILL MOVING. THIS HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY ABOUT 8 MONTHS OR SO AGO. THAT INCIDENT WAS REALLY BAD. I HAD TO CALL 911 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS I WAS SLIDING ON MY BREAKS I ALMOST GOT HIT IN THE BACK AS WELL AS ALMOST HIT SOMEONE ELSE. THIS HAPPENED IN A HIGH SPEED BUSY TRAFFICE AREA. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY FIRST CHARGED ME OVER A HUNDRED DOLLARS TO LOOK AT IT. THEN WHEN HE DID A TEST DRIVE HE REFUNDED MY MONEY. I STILL OWE A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY ON THE CAR. SO, I CAN'T AFFORD PAY THE CAR NOTE AND PURCHASE A NEW CAR. I HAD CONTACTED THE FORD CORPORATE OFFICE. THEY INFORM ME THAT NOT ENOUGH FATALITIES HAVE TAKEN PLACE FOR THEM TO RECALL THE VEHICLE. I AM UNABLE TO GO TO WORK AND HAVE NO WAY OF GETTING THERE AND NO MONEY TO PAY THIS CAR OFF AND PURCHASE A NEW CARD. I CONTACTED PERFORMANCE FORD ON S. BLVD IN CHARLOTTE DURING THE PREVIOUS INCIDENT. THEY WERE NICE BUT SENT ME HOME WITH THE SAME CAR AND NOW THE ISSUES ARE BACK AGAIN. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY CAR, RECENTLY DIVORCED WITH A DAUGHTER AND COLLEGE. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME.

NHTSA complaint #10726586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 129,000 miles Norristown, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW WAS USING THE CAR GOING APPROX. 30MPH, WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO BREAK, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND THE ACCELERATION REMAINED CONSTANT (THERE WAS NO DECELERATION UNTIL THE RPMS RANDOMLY LOWERED AFTER FLOORING THE BREAKS FOR A CONSIDERABLE PERIOD OF TIME) ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WITH THE CAR IN FRONT. I THEN HAD THE CAR CHECKED OUT AND RECEIVED THROTTLE BODY WORK, TOTALING APPROX $450.00 INCLUDING LABOR. THE CONDITION OF THE CAR HAD NOT CHANGED, UPON ARRIVING AT MY HOME THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF BURNT RUBBER AND SMOKE RISING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT HOOD OF THE CAR. I THEN CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD TO GET AN APPOINTMENT WITH A LOCAL DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #10714505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,428 miles Findlay, OH

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS DRIVING MY 05 TAURUS TODAY AND I NOTICED THAT I DID NOT HAVE TO PUSH THE PEDAL TO KEEP GOING. I LET OFF THE GAS AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING AND I HAD TO BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE WHINNED OUT AT 4000 RPM'S. I HAD TO HIT THE GAS PEDAL TWO OR THREE TIMES FOR IT TO SETTLE DOWN. IT WOULD GO OKAY FOR A WHILE AND THEN START UP AGAIN. I WONDERED WHY MY BRAKES WERE WEARING DOWN SO FAST. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND SHE NORMALLY DRIVES IT ALL THE TIME. SHE DID NOT TELL ME IT WAS ACTING UP BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT SHE BROKE IT! THANK GOD SHE DID NOT HAVE A WRECK. I HAVE DEEMED THE CAR NOW UNDRIVEABLE TILL IT GOES IN THE SHOP. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT.

NHTSA complaint #10614630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Collegedale, TN

SERVICE BRAKES

THE CAR TAKES OFF WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE GAS. RPM GOES UP AND CAR CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE DESPITE PRESSING ON THE BRAKES. TOOK CAR TO A MECHANIC AND HAD THE IDLE VALVE REPLACED. 2 WEEKS LATER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO PERSIST AND MECHANIC TOLD ME THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DETACHED BUT SUSPECTS IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MODEL OF CAR AND NEEDED TO BE RECALLED. THE SPEEDING OF THE CAR OCCURS SPORADICALLY, SO DRIVING ON THE ROAD I AM NOT ABLE TO PREDICT WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. THIS IS A MALFUNCTION THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD FOR THE SAKE OF SAFETY.

NHTSA complaint #10607512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,521 miles Spring Hill, TN

SERVICE BRAKES

THE CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE THE CAR WOULD REV AND WHEN PLACED IN NEUTRAL OR PARK IT WOULD REV UP TO 4000 RPM. THIS HAS MADE ME VERY WORRIED THAT THE CAR WILL NOT STOP WHEN IT NEED TO SINCE IT TOOK MUCH FURTHER TO GET THE CAR STOPPED.

NHTSA complaint #10588492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Litchfield Park, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,040.

NHTSA complaint #10588596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Chicago, IL

SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH WITHOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN TO UP TO 75 MPH. I PUMPED THE BRAKES TO REDUCE THE SPEED, BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I TRIED LIFTING THE GAS PEDAL WITH MY FOOT TO SEE IF IT WAS STUCK; IT WAS NOT. I TURNED THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND OFF, BUT CRUISE WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY (ABOUT 10 MILES) TO MY DESTINATION, AND CONTINUED TO PUMP THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM GOING AT A DANGEROUS SPEED. WHEN I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY, I HAD TROUBLE BRAKING. THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD A BUNCH WHEN I TRIED STOPPING COMPLETELY. WHILE BRAKING, THE CAR SHOOK AND THE RPMS SHOT UP TO ABOUT 3500. I DID GET THE CAR TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, BUT ONLY AFTER PUSHING PRETTY HARD ON THE BRAKES. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE RPMS CONTINUED TO REMAIN AROUND 3500. SINCE I WAS IN THE CITY, I CONTINUOUSLY HIT THE BRAKES SO I WOULDN'T GO OVER 40, BUT EACH TIME I DID THIS, THE FRONT OF THE CAR SHOOK VIGOROUSLY. IT WAS TERRIFYING. THE CAR WAS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE, TOO. BY THE TIME I GOT TO MY DESTINATION AND PUT MY CAR IN PARK, IT WAS REALLY LOUD AND THE RPMS REMAINED ABOVE 3000. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 90 MINUTES. LATER, I TURNED IT ON AGAIN AND THE RPMS SHOT TO 2500, DROPPED TO ABOUT 2000, AND THEN JUMPED TO 3500. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED IT OFF. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HAD FALLEN APART/FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO CONTINUOUSLY ACCELERATE. I ALSO HAD TO GET MY FRONT BRAKES COMPLETELY REDONE, BECAUSE MY CONSTANT BREAKING TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM SPEEDING OUT OF CONTROL WARPED THE ROTOR (WHICH MADE THE CAR SHAKE WHEN I BRAKED). THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #10577954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,000 miles Novi, MI

SERVICE BRAKES

THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEED. WHEN I DROVE ON HIGH WAY, I FOUND I DO NOT NEED TO HOLD GAS PEDAL TO KEEP AT HIGH SPEED (SAY 65). IF I BRAKE A LITTLE AND RELEASE BRAKE, THE SPEED WILL AUTOMATICALLY GO UP ITSELF. THERE WERE ALSO A FEW CASES THAT IT WAS VERY HARD FOR ME TO BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. IT SEEMED THE BRAKE IS LOST AT THAT TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10577526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilson, TX Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND KEPT GOING FASTER. BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AND ENDED UP IN A COTTON FIELD. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE ACCELERATION STUCK. TAPPING THE GAS PEDDLE WORKED THE FIRST TWO BUT NOT THE LAST TIME. IT KNOCKED A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION PAN AND DID SOMETHING TO THE BRAKE LINE.

NHTSA complaint #10557807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Iowa City, IA

SERVICE BRAKES

MY FORD TAURUS 05 ACCELERATED ON ITS ON OWN WHEN I DROVE AT 30 MPH ON LOCAL STREET. IT WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS MONTH! LAST TIME WAS ABOUT HALF A MOUTH AGO. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT MAYBE THE MATT STUCK INTO THE PEDAL. I TOOK AWAY THE MATT. BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY! I DID NOT TURN ON THE CRUISE. THE GAS PEDAL LOOKED NOT STUCK SOMEWHERE. I BRAKE HARD, PUT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THEN THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. BUT I AM AFRAID IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN! IT WAS SO DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #10510018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 124,300 miles Clanton, AL

SERVICE BRAKES

AS I WAS EXITING OFF THE INTERSTATE,MY CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO SHUT OFF. APPLYING THE BRAKE I WAS BARELY ABLE TO STOP MY CAR BEFORE REAR ENDING SOMEONE, AND THE RPM WAS STAYING AROUND 2000. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE GAS PEDAL WAS STICKING AND THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NO LONGER COMING ON. NOW THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL COME ON WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD ON ITS ON AND THE GAS PEDAL IS STICKING. THIS ALL OCCURRED WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL STARTED ACTING UP. THIS ALMOST CAUSE A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10505641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 161,200 miles Akron, OH

SERVICE BRAKES

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I ACCELERATED THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AFTER I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. THIS HAPPENED TO MY GIRLFRIEND EARLIER WHEN SHE DROVE THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION BY STOMPING ON THE GAS PEDAL TWICE VERY HARD. MY GIRLFRIEND HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WHEN IT HAPPENED TO HER. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND HAPPENS RANDOMLY AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS. WHEN IT HAPPENS THE ENGINE REVS TO ABOUT 4,000 RPMS WHEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL BEFORE GOING TO NORMAL. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT AS OF MARCH 2012 THERE WERE OVER 395,000 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND THAT THE NHTSA WAS INVESTIGATION. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND WELL DOCUMENTED. I AM A FORD FAN BUT AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED PROPERLY ESPECIALLY IN THE WAKE OF THE TOYOTA RECALLS FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS A FEW YEARS AGO. I CONTACTED THE NHTSA THIS MORNING TO DISCOVER THAT: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: PE12005 "A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. " I AM ASKING THAT THIS CASE BE REOPENED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED AND THAT FORD BE FORCED TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND ISSUE A RECALL IF THEY WON'T DO IT VOLUNTARILY.

NHTSA complaint #10494541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,000 miles Rome, GA

SERVICE BRAKES

STARTING JANUARY 7, 2013 I NOTICED MY GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTING TO ACCELERATE. I PUSHED IN THE GAS PEDAL TO UNSTICK IT. LATER THAT DAY THIS SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE FORD QUICK LANE FOR THEM TO FIGURE OUT WHY MY CAR SUDDENLY STARTED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT MY CONTROL. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR OR WHY THIS ISSUE WAS HAPPENING. THROUGHOUT THE WEEK THIS ISSUE CONTINUED AND ON FRIDAY JANUARY 11, 2013 I DROPPED MY CAR OFF FOR 2 DAYS AT THE QUICK LANE AGAIN. THEY COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR ON SATURDAY I WAS TOLD THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS BROKEN, BUT THAT CABLE SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY AFFECT ON THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF THE CAR. SO AS OF RIGHT NOW TUESDAY JANUARY 15,2013 MY CAR IS STILL ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AND I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL JUST TO GET THE ENGINE TO QUIT ACCELERATING.

NHTSA complaint #10493042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Lake Charles, LA

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE GOING ABOUT 70. I PUT ON THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT IT WOULDN'T ENGAGE. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES THEN GAVE UP. NOT 5 MINUTES LATER I TRIED TO GO SLOWER, ABOUT 65, AND THE CAR SPED UP TO 70 ON ITS OWN. I WAS CONFUSED BECAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS NOT LIT, WHEREAS IT WAS LIT WHEN IT WOULDN'T WORK. I PRESSED THE OFF BUTTON MANY TIMES BUT IT KEPT TRYING TO ACCELERATE. MY FRIEND WAS TRYING TO MAKE ME PULL OVER BUT I WAS SCARED BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS RACING AND IT SEEMED LIKE THE BRAKES WERE SLUGGISH. I FINALLY STOPPED ON THE SHOULDER & TURNED OFF THE CAR. I WAS FREAKING SCARED BECAUSE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON IT IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO RACE, WAY UP OVER THE 3000 RPMS. WHEN I PUT IT INTO DRIVE IT LURCHED FORWARD. WE HAD TO GET SOMEWHERE, SO MY FRIEND STARTED DRIVING. I WAS SHAKING. IT UNSTUCK BY ITSELF BUT CONTINUED TO DO IT SEVERAL TIMES. AND I NEVER TOUCHED THE CRUISE CONTROL AGAIN. IT DOES IT GOING 30MPH, 60MPH, WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX THIS & THIS CAR HAS ONLY 50,000 MILES ON IT! I'M SCARED IT'S GOING TO DO IT & THE BRAKES FAIL WHEN I TRY TO SLOW DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10490044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,731 miles Franklin, TN

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40MPH WHEN MY CAR STARTED ACCELERATING. I PULLED OVER, GOT THE CAR TOWED AND "FIXED" THAT DAY. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON A BUSIER STREET. BEING FAMILIAR WITH THE FEELING, I RODE IT OUT TO MY HOME EXCEPT TOWARDS THE END IT WOULD NOT STOP. THE FRICTION ON THE TIRES MADE IT SMELL LIKE FIRE ALSO AND THEY WERE SMOKING. I GOT IT TOWED AGAIN EXCEPT WHEN THE DRIVER GOT THERE, THE CAR WAS FINE AND NOTHING SEEMED WRONG AT THE MECHANIC'S. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 MORE TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR, EACH TIME EXACTLY THE SAME.

NHTSA complaint #10484595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Scottsdale, AZ Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS TRYING TO PARK THE VEHICLE BUT WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES, IT ACCELLORATED, THEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT WENT ABOUT 50MPH BACKWARDS CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO 2 PARKED VEHICLES. IT STOPPED WHEN I PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.

NHTSA complaint #10482448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 124,805 miles Jackson, MS Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR THE ENGINE WAS IDLED UP SHE TURNED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND COULD NOT STOP THE CAR BEFORE IT HIT A TREE. THIS IS THE SAME DAY I REPLACED A IDLE CONTROL VALVE FOR THE THIRD TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10475254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 156 miles Jacksonville, FL

SERVICE BRAKES

TODAY, AUGUST 31ST, I WAS DRIVING OFF NAVY BASE AT THE NAVAL AIR STATION ON ROOSEVELT BLVD., IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. IT WAS AROUND 4:00 A.M. AND MY 2005 FORD TAURUS WOULD NOT STOP. I KEPT PRESSING THE BRAKES AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING BY ITSELF...I WAS NOT IN CONTROL OF THE CAR. I KEPT PRESSING THE BRAKES... AS I CAME OUT TO THE INTERSECTION I NOTICED A CONCRETE TRUCK TO MY LEFT AND I HAD THE YIELD SIGN....SCARED TO DEATH AND HEART POUNDING I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURN THE CAR OFF. IN PARK THE CAR WAS STILL ACCELERATING; A LOUD SOUND. I WOULD HAVE CRASHED INTO THAT CONCRETE TRUCK. PLEASE HELP. IS THERE SOME TYPE OF RECALL FOR THIS CAR? THIS IS DANGEROUS...WHAT IF MY KIDS WAS IN THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10473126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,005 miles Phoenix, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS ON I 17 NORTH TO FLAGSTAFF AZ,WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL ALL THE SUDDEN BEGAN TO CLIMB 65, 70, 75 ALMOST 80 MPH I TRIED BRAKING. I HAD TO TAKE OUT OF GEAR AND COAST TO A ER LANE BEFORE I COULD SHUT OFF THE CAR. VERY SCARY LUCKILY I WAS HEADING NORTH NOT SOUTH HEADING SOUTH IS MOSTLY DOWNHILL I PROBABLY WOULD BE WRITING THIS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10460504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Garland, TX

SERVICE BRAKES

MY 2005 FORD TAURUS HAS A PROBLEM SLOWING DOWN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN I ATTEMPT TO SLOW DOWN AT STOP SIGNS OR RED LIGHTS. THERE'S BEEN MANY TIMES WHEN I'VE ALMOST RAN INTO A CAR IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP OR SLOW DOWN. INSTEAD OF STOPPING WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, THE ENGINE REVS UP AND SPEEDS UP ON ITS ON. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND I'M AFRAID THAT I MAY CRASH INTO SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. ALSO, EVEN WHEN I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR A NORMAL STREET OR ROAD, THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES SPEED UP ON ITS ON EVEN WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I'M GOING TO TAKE MY CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIX OR REPAIR THIS MANUFACTURED DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10458199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,680 miles Randolph, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I BOUGHT CAR FROM MAPLE STREET AUTO - PICKED UP CAR ON 02/24/2012 I NOTICE WHEN I START CAR - THE RPM GOES UP TO HIGH RPM COMPARE TO OTHER CARS I OWNED - LIKE DODGE CARAVAN AND FORD WINDSTAR WHEN I PUT CAR INTO "D" - 97 PERCENT OF THE TIME TAKES OF AND EXCESSIVE BRAKES APPLIED WHILE DRIVING MOST TIME - I NOTICE THE CAR CHANGES OUT AND TAKES OFF APPRECIABLE EVEN ON A FLAT SURFACE WHEN COMING TO A STOP LIGHT - THE CAR WANTS TO KEEP GOING AND BRAKES HAS TO BE APPLIED HARD EVEN WHEN SLOWING DOWN ONCE AGAIN - I AM APPLYING BRAKES A LOT AS CAR KEEPS GOING. FOR THE RECORD, I HAVE NO SPEEDING VIOLATION, NO ACCIDENTS AND I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHEN DRIVING AS THE CAR TEND TO SPEED UP AT TIMES. I ALSO WAS WARNED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL BY THE SELLER (MAPLE STREET AUTO).

NHTSA complaint #10454265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,453 miles Springfield, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

OUR COMPANY HAS 2 OF THE 2005 FORD TAURUS. BOTH BOUGHT NEW FROM FORD DEALER. WITHIN WEEKS OF EACH OTHER IN YEAR 2009, WE EXPERIENCED MAJOR PROBLEM WITH BOTH. THE VEHICLES WOULD ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING AND IF CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON AT THE TIME, THE DRIVER COULD NOT BRAKE OR TURN CRUISE OFF TO GET VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. THIS FIRST HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY. THEN IT HAPPENED ON CITY STREET AT STOP, BOTH VEHICLES WOULD REV RPMS WHEN AT A STOP TO THE POINT THAT THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE TO KEEP BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE DESCRIBED AS "WITH AS MUCH FORCE AS THEY COULD" AND PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL TO KEEP VEHICLE STILL. THESE WERE BOTH TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AT WHICH THEY BOUGHT AND NO RECALL HAD SHOWN UP FOR THE SERVICE DEPT. AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS TO FIX WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS WRONG, TO NO AVAIL, THE SERVICE DEPT FINALLY EXPERIENCED IT FIRST HAND WHILE BRINGING VEHICLE IN TO SERVICE DEPT. NOT SURE WHAT THE FIX FINALLY ENTAILED. I HAVE RECENTLY READ AN ARTICLE SPEAKING OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO STUCK THROTTLE ON THE 2005 MODELS AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE THESE INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED. WE STILL HAVE THESE VEHICLES IN OUR FLEET.

NHTSA complaint #10451427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Palm Harbor, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I WAS DRIVING AND FELT THE ACCELERATOR PAD CLICK, THEN I NOTICED THAT MY SPEED WAS INCREASING. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKE, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN. I SWERVED DOWN A SIDE STREET AND PULL ON MY EMERGENCY BREAKS AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. IT BEGAN AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND ACCELERATED ITSELF TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT MY THROTTLE CABLE WAS ERODED AND NEEDED A REPLACEMENT. I GOT A NEW THROTTLE CABLE. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, I FELT THE CLICK AGAIN AND I SAW MY SPEED GO UP AGAIN; THIS TIME, IT UNCLICKED. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND DROPPED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS TIME THAT THE TUBE IN WHICH THE THROTTLE CABLE IS INSERTED WAS FILLED WAS DEBRIS SO THAT CAUSED ANOTHER JAM. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT CHARGE ME AGAIN FOR THIS SERVICE BUT IT LEADS TO ME SUSPECT IF THERE ARE FURTHER ISSUES WITH THE ACCELERATOR ITSELF.

NHTSA complaint #10451514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2005 Ford Taurus problems

← Full 2005 Ford Taurus report