1993 Ford Taurus: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Oct 3, 2008 · Acceleration · 86,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 1993 ford taurus. While driving 45 MPH through the toll plaza, the vehicle failed to slow down when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact exited off the interstate and approached a traffic light thirty seconds later. She noticed smoke under the hood and the vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The mechanic stated that the cable to the cruise control was stuck. Prior to the failure, the contact had never used the cruise control button. The dealer was notified and advised her to bring in the vehicle; however, it was already being repaired by her mechanic. The cruise control cable was stuck which caused the throttle to saty open. Updated 11/19/08.

Filed Mar 8, 2004 · Acceleration, Airbags · IL

The horn nor the cruise control buttons worked in the steering wheel hub. *ph consumer felt that there's no need to fix the problem at once even though it was such an inconvenience on his behalf. After ten months of ownership of vehicle purchased from e-bay, vehicle was taken to repair facility to have steering controls fixed. Mechanic called consumer and was informed that air bag had been removed from steering wheel hub and replaced with foam to simulate the shape of the air bag. Consumer was able to have air bag installed into steering wheel hub along with the repairs on horn and cruise control. Consumer now asking if it's against florida or federal law to sell a car with the air bag either unionization or inoperative and not inform the buyer.

Filed Jul 26, 2002 · Acceleration, Airbags · WA

While traveling on highway consumer noticed that cruise control/ horn and airbag were not operable. Dealership was aware of problem.

Filed Jul 25, 2002 · Acceleration, Electrical · IL

Headlight went out while driving at night, then came back on. Recall was done 2 years ago, dealer replaced the multi function switch.*jb consumer also stated the vehicle would stall, the electrical control box was replaced, and the cruise control has not worked for the past 5 years.

Filed May 18, 2002 · Transmission · UT

The transmission shifts into neutral whenever I let up on the accelerator, then shifts back into gear hard when the accelerator is applied again. The only thing that slows the car is to use the brakes, it does'nt deccelerate at all just by letting off of the gas pedal (unless going uphill). This is especially problematic when driving down steep hills, because the engine will not hold the car no matter what position the gear selector is in, in fact it will actually increase in speed. The operators manual recomends shifting to a lower gear when traveling down a particularly long or steep incline, but in this car that particular strategy is totally useless because the transmission automatically shifts into neutral if the engine is not pulling. Even when using the cruise control, if the car goes downhill, the car will just pick up speed by gravity and the transmission then shifts into neutral.

Filed Oct 12, 2000 · Acceleration, Airbags · CA

Ignition is inoperative. Key gets stuck in the ignition & doesn't line up correctly. This makes it very easy to stealthe vehicle. Vehicle's air bag & horn are not working relating to this. Dealer has never tried to find a remedy for the problem.*ak cruise control failed as well. Steering system malfunctions.

Filed Jun 26, 2000 · Acceleration · WI

This has been a very trouble-prone car. Cruise control would stick on accelerate and could not be disabled without turning of the ignition. There have been many other coslty repairs about which we complained to ford with no remedies offered. This complaint regards the head gaskets on our 1993 ford taurus which failed at 93600 miles. It cost $1319 to repair (date: 3-16-98). The dealership told us that this is common in the 3.8l eingine. We know that ford has partially acknowledged the problem and has extended warranties back to the 1994 models, but the problem extends to earlier model years.

Filed Jun 9, 2000 · Acceleration, Engine · MN

Vehicle keeps stalling when trying to start up. Car rumbles when it finally does start. Makes a loud clunking noise when shifting gears. After I start up after a stop sign or stop light, I barely touch the gas and its off in a flash. When I am on the freeway and take my foot off the accelarator, it continues at the same speed for 5 minutes. I checked the cruise control and it was off. The engine sounds like a diesel engine every once in a while.

Filed Oct 1, 1999 · Transmission · CA

At about 75 MPH, on 3 occasions, the transmission downshifted 2 gears. The first time, the car was on cruise control. The last 2 times, it had been on cc. To fix, had to drive on road shoulder for a mile or so, at very low speed, then transmission would shift to "d" again.

Filed Jul 19, 1999 · Acceleration · IL

Going downhill vehicle increased speed even with cruise control set on a specific speed. Dealer says vehicle is not included in the recall recall, and it is not a problem. Recall 97v-025000.

Filed Sep 16, 1998 · Acceleration · VA

While driving the vehicle, using the cruise control, turned off the cruise control and applied foot to brakes, and vehicle would not stop, but slowed down. Vehiclecontinued to accellerate up to 50-55 MPH., incident occurred two times. Consumer could not stop the car, vehicle needs to be towed to dealer.

Filed Aug 12, 1998 · Electrical · OH

Tumblers within cylinder for ignition key fractured, causing difficulty inserting key and removing key from ignition, also may have caused problems with cruise control. (qcaw)