1998 Ford Taurus: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Feb 21, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 140,920 miles · TX

While applying the brake to stop at a light on a highway access road, the vehicle had trouble stopping. It started violently jerking and vibrating and the brakes were all the way to the floor. The RPM's read in the 4's. I pulled over and in a parking lot, the vehicle rapidly reached 45 MPH without stepping on the gas pedal. I was reluctant to have it reach a greater speed so I stopped the vehicle. It once again did not want to respond properly to the brakes. I called ford and eplained the sudden acceleration and the vehicle difficulty in stopping, there are no recalls. I researched online, and it appears that there is a faulty cruise control cable that sticks to the throttle and leaves it open. I once again contacted ford for an estimate to replace the cruise control cable. The service advisor stated that there was no such thing as a cruise control cable. I called the parts department and they said that part is aftermarket and is no longer available. This is a very dangerous situation. I was reading the aol vehicle complaints on this and accidents have occured and people have been injured. I don't know why ford does not recognize this serious safet issue in a timely manner.

Filed May 31, 2012 · Acceleration · 90,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. The contact was driving 10 MPH when the throttle became stuck, causing the vehicle to abnormally accelerate without warning. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by shifting into neutral and applying the brakes. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer to have the cruise and throttle cable replaced but the dealer did not have the necessary parts. The dealer lubricated the components but that did not remedy the issue. The contact also replaced the cruise control module but to no avail. The contact had experienced the failure numerous times. The failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 07/25/12*lj the consumer stated the vehicle would accelerate on its own. Each time, the accelerator pedal would go down on its own, and the consumer had no way of controlling the vehicle. As the consumer stepped on the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to go faster. The dealer fixed the problem. However, it returned months later. The dealer informed the consumer, parts were no longer being made. They sprayed the cables, but the sudden acceleration returned weeks later. Updated 07/25/12

Filed Apr 2, 2004 · Acceleration, Airbags · IA

Request for assistance in repairing 1998 taurus wagon.*mr the consumer experienced sudden acceleration while attempting to park the vehicle. This problem recurred when the vehicle was being parked at the dealer for a repair estimate. The consumer noticed that the vehicle horn and cruise control were inoperative and believes this may be caused by a defective clock spring.

Filed Jul 3, 2002 · Acceleration, Transmission · MA

While pressing the cruise-control "on" button, the vehicle immediately lost forward drive power and went into neutral. The speedometer also registered "zero MPH" eventhough I was proceeding with forward motion. After I safely guided the vehicle out of traffic flow I tried to re-engage the transmission but could not. I pressed the cruise control "off" button and then tried to reengage the transmission into drive at which time it did engage. The transmission at that point engaged but did not perform in a normal or safe pattern! If this situation occured in a more dynamic traffic area I am afraid of what the possibility for an accident could have been. I took the vehicle to a dealer and was told that the problem was a (vss) vehicle speed sensor. Due to the low mileage on the vehicle I am concerned about this condition. When it occurs, driveability is seriously impaired! Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Filed Sep 7, 2001 · Acceleration, Brakes · 19,000 miles · MD

Cruise control will not hold the vehicle at a set speed when going down hill. Vehicle continues to accelerate well beyond preset speed. Vehicle will accelerate 15 MPH over preset speed. Brakes rotors warp constantly. Rotors have been resurfaced or replaced over 5 times. Engine speed will not decrease when accelerator pedal is not released. Dealer claim all taurus with 3.0l duratic engines have this problem. They claim no technical bulletins have been issued to resolve any of these issues. This requires constant braking and certainly contributes to accelerated brake wear and possibly the rotors warping so often. All of these problems have been reported to the dealership and none have been resolved. The federal safety agency has countless complaints in your electric files regarding these same issues, yet no recalls have been issued. Why? *ph *nlm **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**751827

Filed Feb 18, 2001 · Acceleration · FL

Ever since I started used cruise control engine accelerates-RPM at 2 1/2 while parked

Filed Jan 31, 2001 · Acceleration · NC

Cruise control will not shut off when brake is applied, and brake lights do not shine at same time. It has been repaired, but consumer wanted to report it.

Filed Jan 31, 2001 · Acceleration · NC

Cruise control failed to disengage, causing vehicle to accelerate.

Filed Dec 26, 2000 · Acceleration · MA

Cruise control failed to hold while descending a hill. If control set to 55, unless you apply the brake you can be doing 75-85 MPH at the bottom of the hill. Dealer says condition normal and that it is impossible to design a system that will hold speed on an incline, despite personal experience in previous vehicles to the contrary.

Filed Oct 4, 2000 · Acceleration · WI

While driving 45mph took foot off accelerator and vehicle increased speed & maintained that speed. Cruise control not on. Vehicle failed to slow down with braking & rpms had came down without braking. Will be taking to dealer for a check.*ak vehicle takes off by itself and can be slowed only by braking.

Filed Sep 14, 2000 · Acceleration, Transmission · KY

Cruise control does not hold speed while going up and down inclines, fluctuation is 15 to 50 miles MPH, too extreme.

Filed Sep 13, 2000 · Acceleration · NY

Vehicle's speed did not decrease when gas pedal was released. Consumer said it was just like using cruise control.