2001 Ford Taurus: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Jun 24, 2017 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · UT · crash

Today, june 24, 2017 at about 1:00 pm, I was stopped at a red light on a city street, waiting for the light to turn green, to turn left onto the state highway. My foot was on the brake pedal, so I was not touching the gas pedal at all. Suddenly, and without any warning, my vehicle accelerated without any action on my part, and rapidly started into the busy intersection. Despite my vain attempts to stop my vehicle, by pushing as hard is possible on the brake pedal with both feet, it didn't decrease the acceleration at all. Because the steering wheel wouldn't turn, I wasn't able to avoid a collision. I collided with a van which was traveling on the highway and going about 40 miles per hour through the intersection on the green light. Although there was extensive damage to both vehicles (with the possibility of one or both vehicles being totaled), very fortunately, there were no substantial injuries to the woman or her four young crying children in the other vehicle, nor to me. After more than fifty years of driving without an accident, I was shocked and upset by this, and all the passengers were traumatized by the accident. The police officer didn't give me a citation, attributing the accident to a mechanical malfunction. Several people, including young children, could have easily been killed by this awful experience. This should have never happened, and I hope you will investigate this problem, so that other people won't be badly injured or lose their lives in the future. An additional item I should mention is that I have always kept this vehicle maintained on a regular basis.

Filed Jul 22, 2016 · Acceleration · 171,000 miles · GA

Car suddenly accelerating when using cruise control. Cruise control actuator cable adjuster appears to be malfunctioning.

Filed Jul 17, 2015 · Acceleration · 97,000 miles · OR

I was entering onto the freeway, and when I accelerated to reach 60mph, the vehicle continued to accelerate without my foot on the pedal, and had to use my brakes continuously to keep from crashing into other cars until I could get it safely pulled over to the emergency lane, and forcing the stop with all I had. The whole car was shaking. Quite scary. Had it towed to the dealership, and the diagnosis was that the cruise cable broke and got caught on the accelerator cable which caused sudden and unintended acceleration. While researching this issue, found others who experienced the same thing. Why there isn't a recall on this, I will never know. If there are numerous complaints of malfunctions resulting in possible crash, don't you think the manufacturer would put the consumer first, investigate it, and make it right? I will never buy another ford.

Filed May 18, 2015 · Acceleration, Transmission · 226,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle accelerated without warning while depressing the brake pedal. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 226,000.

Filed Sep 2, 2014 · Acceleration · 140,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford taurus. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and continued to accelerate when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact had to shift the gear into neutral in order to stop the vehicle. The dealer stated that the cruise control cable was wrapped around the accelerator cable and caused the failure. The cruise control and accelerator cables were replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Mar 13, 2012 · Acceleration · 40,000 miles · NY · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford taurus. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle lunged forward and crashed into a coffee shop. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure, but was unable to determine the cause. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 62,476. ..updated 04/16/12 *bf the consumer stated on december 24, 2011, while driving 35-40 MPH, the vehicle began to accelerate on its own and the engine began racing. When the consumer arrived to his destination, the engine was still revving loudly. The consumer placed the vehicle in park. However, the engine continued to rev. He pressed hard on the accelerator and the engine stopped revving. Updated 05/30/12

Filed Mar 12, 2012 · Acceleration · 135,000 miles · TX

Car suddenly accelerated without touching the gas pedal. The engine revved up very high and it was very difficult to stop. Car was shaking violently and had to shift to neutral and use emergency brkae. Determined cruise control cable had popped out. Happened several times until we cut the cable. Extremely dangerous.

Filed Jun 20, 2011 · Brakes · 20 miles · MS · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford taurus. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the brake pedal was engaged and the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact turned the ignition switch into the off position which caused the vehicle to slow down. The vehicle resumed and operated normally. The failure occurred sporadically. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for the recall related to the failure which was associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 02v266000 (service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages). The consequence of the recall defect was an unintended acceleration. The technician inspected the vehicle and stated the vehicle did not require repair under the recall. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 20. Updated 07/21/11 *bf the consumer stated he crashed into a parked vehicle. Updated 12/05/11

Filed Jul 20, 2010 · Acceleration · MD · crash

2001 ford taurus. Consumer states unintended acceleration *tgw the consumer stated on two different days, in different parking lots, the vehicle accelerated out of control and consequently, he hit a barrier which caused damage to the front of the vehicle both times.

Filed Feb 24, 2010 · Brakes · 117,000 miles · CA

On different occasions my car would try to lunge forward when I slam on the brakes. I had some close calls in hitting someone or a car. Lucky I had my foot already on the brake pedal and would brake hard again, then again sometimes. I started checking under the hood and I found that my brake fluid container lid was not on tight. After placing the lid on tight I had no more problems with braking or the car would try to go forward when I slam on the brakes.

Filed Nov 7, 2005 · Acceleration · NY · crash · 2 injuries

On november 6,2005 my 93 year old aunt (theresa fisher) was injured in a car crash involving unintended sudden acceleration. I am filing this complaint on her behalf since I hold durable power of attorney, and she is unable to file this herself. The vehicle was a 2001 ford taurus owned and operated by my 79 year old cousin, rose natale (her first accident in 52 years of driving). She was exiting a parking lot in brick nj at 5 to 10 MPH when the taurus "took off like a rocket on its own". She was unable to stop the vehicle - hit a tree head on - airbags deployed - both occupants (wearing seat belts) were injured. Police and ambulance arrived on scene - driver and passenger transported to hospital - police report on file in brick, new jersey. Vehicle was originally and purchased and routinely serviced by the same ford dealer in nj. Vehicle owner - rose natale - has vehicle details and dealer information. Rose's address and phone is: 369b portsmouth drive - lakewood, nj 08701 (732) 905-2127.

Filed Apr 15, 2005 · Acceleration · FL

Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration when driver had foot on brake pedal. Took vehicle to dealer twice for check up, but the cause was undetermined.