On 8/3/2001, while in heavy traffic on interstate 95 in maryland, my ford taurus suffered a castrophic transmission failure, which resulted in the car having no power, while the engine revved. I narrowly missed multiple accidents and was able to make my way to the shoulder. This failure wa sudden and extreme and could have resulted in my family's injury or death. I was towed to a transmission shop who had to perform a major rebuild of my transmission, including hard parts. The cost was in excess of $2600.
1996 Ford Taurus acceleration complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 42, newest first, as owners wrote them.
After coming off a green light, at about 15 MPH, transmission fluid began to leak and the RPM's revved with no further acceleration. After having vehicle towed to aamco, I was advised that the front seal had a major leak and failed along with the stador and transmission. I asked hayward ford for recall or technical service issues and was told that there weren't any. I also called the ford coroporate office and was told that there were no issues with the transmission. And I was told that there the ford engineers would be forwarded the message, but wouldn't be giving me a call nor the information I needed.
Engine intermitently accelerates on it's own. Engine speed of 2500 RPM's at idle and under load observed.
While attempting to park the driver placed car in reverse, the motor revved then it was place in drive and it took off. Traveled for 2.2 miles before catapulting in the air and impacting a utility pole only after crashing through an iron I beam gate. Braking would not even slow vehicle down. Blew both passenger tires prior to the collision. Estimated speed reached 50-70mph according to witnesses and driver.
Rpms increased while consumer was going 60mph. It kept revving without giving any gas. Finally it quit running, and vehicle stalled. Consumer was able to drift in a parking lot. Dealer has replaced transmission twice with rebuild transmissions, and it still was not correct. Dealer only warrantied transmission for 12,000 miles or 12 months. Dealer said they didn't put in new transmissions, they just rebuild them.
Intermittently when brakes are applied or while applying brakes vehicle will surge forward suddenly and unexpectedly. Dealer has not been able to duplicate or correct problem.
Transmission shifts at high RPM during 2-3 shift. Problem continues to worsen. I was told by dealer that he could not duplicate the problem. But that it might be a shift computer problem. Problem increases as temperature of engine increases, such as driving for more than 40 minutes in a warm climate. At engine start, noticing the car lurches forward as engine just starts to motor.
Engine will rev at a high RPM or stall for no apparent reason.
Gas pedal was sticking or binding:throttle cable was found to have a notch or defect on the plastic portion; cable, throttle body and gas pedal were replaced; paid 20% copayment. Concerned that there may be other cars with defective throttle cables.
On-going / intermittent problem with accelerator pedal sticking. Dealer notified, and consumer has an appointment for inspection of vehicle.
Car was put into drive from park while on a slight downgrade and the car took off into a house. The car was in the garage (not the dealer mentioned in the previous section) a week prior to incident with the same complaint and they said they could not find anything wrong.
When the accelerator pedal is applied the vehicle will not move or surge forward. The manufacturer has been notified.
Gas pedal is sticking. Problem was identified to ford and repairs were mad., manufacturer could not duplicate the problem. After warranty expired, manufacturer found problem. Repairs to be made at owners expense. Provide further information.
Throttle body got stuck, causing vehicle to suddenly accelerate, which may cause a crash. Please provide further information.
Cables that connects to the gas pedal broke while accelerating onto the highway. Nlm
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration when going from park to drive gear, resulting in collision with home, violent deployment of air bag causing injury to chest, nose and legs (bruises). Mjs
While at a stop or in park position, vehicle suddenly accelerated unexpectedly which could have caused an accident. Been to dealer, and dealer could not determine the problem. Please provide further information.
Vehicle was idling near garage. Had opened door when vehicle leaped forward. Had taken to dealer & nothing found by mechanic. The 2nd time, everything was in gear (parked) & owner in front of vehicle when it leaped forward & broke garage door. Vehicle pushed owner through the door.
Throttle cable failure could have caused seriuos accident if it had occured on the interstate or in an interchange. The dealer said this has never happened before.
Idle air control or auxiliaryair control is used to control rpms or to adjust for a varity of load introduced for air conditions ,electrical charging and numerous other auto goodies.the idle speed control failed and kept the engine running when ny wife went to stop the car kept pushing and making it difficult to stop. I reached from the passenger side of the car and put the car in neutral .this action permitted her to stop the car ,but with high rpms on the tachometer. God only knowns if I had not been there she may have been in a serious accident.
Vehicle will not decelerate and RPM stays at 2100 when attempting to stop. The idle control valve sticks and maintains highs speed RPM.
When going downhill the vehicle surges and bucks. This also happens on a flat plain but more when going down hill. This is a intermediate problem. The dealer is not able to correct problem with vehicle.
Rusty water in radiator reservoir. Also, vehicle surges at all times; transmission shifts when going down incline, causing vehicle to runaway and brake vibration when driving at 40-45 MPH.
The throttle cable snapped when accelerator depressed.
Fuel control valve failed three times.
When ABS brakes are applied and slows down, vehicle will go into open throttle position, rpms unknown, to stop vehicle push on brakes real hard and put gear into park and turn ignition off.
Consumer states when making a turn from freeway onto an exit ramp, power steering seems to turn off, at one point consumer almost lost control, auto became hard to steer. *ak consumer also states idle spped at cold start up remains at approximately 1350 RPM for greater than 60 seconds, this causes the vehicle to accelerate when placing vehicle in reverse.
Upon cold start after sitting two hours, vehicle accelerated after shifting from reverse into drive. Vehicle went through the side of the garage. Please describe details.
Vehicle's accelerator pedal stuck and cable broke at only 6 month old.
Accelerator stuck, causing vehicle to surge.
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