2003 Ford Taurus: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Jul 21, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · NE

At times the vehicle accelerates by itself albeit I am not touching the gas pedal. While driving the vehicle at 45 mph, I take my foot off of the accelerator and the vehicle maintains the 45 mph speed or increases speed if I am driving down a hill or any downward gradient regardless of the angle of decent. When I try to stop the vehicle using the foot brake it continues to maintain speed and if I put the shift lever in neutral, while trying to stop, the RPM's increase from approximately 1500 rpm's to 3200 rpm's until the vehicle comes to a complete stop, and then, only after approximately five seconds do the RPM's begin to drop to 1000 rpm's. If I am driving the vehicle with cruise control and cancel the cruise control, the vehicle maintains the cruise control speed indefinitely, literally for miles thereafter. I wanted to give this vehicle to my daughter who has multiple sclerosis but it's too dangerous for her to drive with this acceleration problem. Do you have any recommendations for me???

Filed Nov 4, 2017 · Driver assistance · 177,000 miles · WI

My ford taurus self accelorates when on the road.even after taking foot off the gas pedal it will drive itself faster.making using the brakes difficult it does not want to stop.it is very scary to drive .my husband has changed the cruise control cable,same and many sensors and nothing is fixing the problem. If ford doubts this can happen they are welcome to take my car for a drive.it happens every time we drive the car .

Filed May 30, 2017 · Acceleration · 104,000 miles · OH

Driving in intermittent rain showers at 60-70mph I had the engine cut out and dropped out of cruise control. Speedometer and tachometer bouncing up and down. Theft and engine light were flashing on and off at the same time as engine was stalling. Then the engine reengaged at 50-55 MPH and continued on now responsive to gas pedal and acceleration. This repeated 5 - 8x in the span of 15 miles and several times pulling over. Weather cleared and drove another 100 miles with no events. Next morning driving kids to school after 10 minutes of running 25-40mph the same problem recurred but engine did not recover and completely stalled 3x in 1 mile. Restarted immediately each time. Reading through potential causes there were no less than 30 other individuals describing the exact same issue. Theft light on and engine stalling while driving. Various solutions proposed from electrical grounds, battery, alternator, fuse. Mega fuse, dpfe (differential pressure fuel exhaust?) sensor, egr (exhaust gas recirculation) system, PCM, icr, and several others. Not sure which it might be. Given there are so many and that it occurs in potentially dangerous situations - at high speed and no warning - this seems to be worthy of an investigation or recall.

Filed Dec 23, 2016 · Fuel system, Transmission · 168,000 miles · WV

Throttle stuck while driving up a hill going into a turn nearly causing an accident. I released the throttle and the engine continued to rev, forcing the use of brakes to gain control. Placed transmission in neutral and engine revved before turning ignition switch to off position. Inspection revealed that the cruise control cable retaining clip broke and prevented the throttle from returning to neutral position.

Filed Sep 2, 2016 · Acceleration · 181,560 miles · FL

While driving my car began to accelerate and the more I tried to put on my brakes it continues on a busy 4 lane street. I was able to turn at a turn in slamming in on my brakes and throwing my shaft into park. It was still shaking like it wanted to go. I got it towed to my mechanic. The cruise control throttle cable insert split and got caught on the throttle bracket. It could have killed me and hurt a lot of people. I can't sell this car like this. I want ford to recall and reimburse me for this terrible traumatic incident.

Filed Aug 18, 2016 · Acceleration · 95,000 miles · VA

Car accelerated itself after releasing gas pedal on highway. Engine RPM hit about 4000. It was very hard to stop the car by brake. I checked under the hood and found the cruise control cable had problem. A plastic part on the cable was broken and caused the throttle body to stuck. Please see attached picture for reference.

Filed Jul 24, 2016 · Transmission · 113,000 miles · IN

While my vehicle was in cruise control at 68 MPH on a 3 lane highway, the vehicle without any warning began to quickly loose speed and the ability to keep pace with surrounding traffic. The transmission became unresponsive and the vehicle lost the ability to accelerate and function in a safe manner. I quickly and unknowingly dropped below the safe driving speed for the highway and posed a safety risk to myself and of the drivers on the road around me. In the course of rapid deceleration I was almost struck in the rear by a vehicle that was not made aware of my loss of speed, as I did not apply the brakes. As soon as possible and as to not further endanger those around me; I turned on my hazard lights and relied on evasive driving to coast the vehicle to the safety of the shoulder. Once off the highway, motor responded but none of the gears (reverse, overdrive, 1st, or 2nd) would engage. The car had no warning lights, service lights, or check engine signals illuminate on the instrument panel and there are no fluid leaks or outward appearance of any broken components. This sudden malfunction has rendered my vehicle barely functional and not safely maneuverable.

Filed Aug 21, 2015 · Acceleration, Airbags · 177,000 miles · CO · crash · 3 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. While driving approximately 65 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle's speed rapidly increased without warning. The contact lost control of the vehicle, drove into a grass field over a dip in the field which caused the vehicle to roll over and land upside down. While flipped upside down, the engine continued to rev until the vehicle was powered off. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact and two passengers sustained unknown injuries that required medical attention. The approximate failure mileage was 177,000.

Filed Aug 8, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 143,000 miles · GA

My 2003 ford taurus accelerates by itself to 35-45 MPH without having to touch the accelerator (note: the car will also accelerate uphill without having to press the accelerator. Also, the cruise control light works, but the cruise control itself is not engaging.

Filed Jul 1, 2014 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 147,777 miles · OK

Driving down long road, got up to 40 MPH, car stayed on that speed as if it was in cruise control mode. I had the cruise control off. I even slowed down to 30, car stayed on thirty. Had foot off the gas pedal. It surges forward. I read horror stories of other year taurus' doing same thing, causing crashes. My 16 yr old daughter drives this car. Every other car around this years date was recalled, but not the 2003. I changed my hoses, so it's not that. The car is literally staying in cruise control mode even when it's off. When I turn my steering wheel slightly to the right, I can hear a ticking sound once or twice, not sure what that is, it's scary though. Before something bad happens I want a recall for this year of taurus regarding the cruise control being engaged.

Filed Feb 27, 2014 · Acceleration · 151,000 miles · MN

After disengaging the cruise control by tapping the brake (the cruise control indication turned off), the vehicle continued to stay at the previously set speed. I then turned off the cruise control switch, which had no effect. I immediately started applying heavy braking until the vehicle slowed down to about 5 miles an hour and put the automatic transmission into park and turned off the engine ignition. All the while the car was attempting to accelerate back up to 55 MPH (the previously set cruise control speed). This happened 2 more times and I was able to put the car in neutral and turn the car off and back on and that temporarily fixed the issue. I also later learned to briefly press and release the pedal to the floor which worked every time.

Filed Jul 13, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 105,497 miles · FL

Ford taurus 2003 ses, engine 3.0l car was purchased on may 28, 2011. Left side electrical along with components of the turn signal snap back when attempting to use this safety feature made for vehicles. On 06/15/2011 the front right brakes of the vehicle went out and required the vehicle to be towed to a local repair shop. During the drive home which was from a distance of about 20 miles I experienced uncontrollable steering and almost lost control of the vehicle. The replaced brake caliper bolt came loose and was lost along the highway. On 07/19/2011 after the vehicle was towed back to the repair shop the A/C compressor had failed again along with the transmission as the transmission was slipping roughly during normal driving conditions. The vehicle was towed and was blowing hot, brakes grinding, transmission flare shifting 2-3 shift. Repair shop stated slipping at 30mph and stated rebuilt transmission. During a week period around 07/22/2011 the brakes were grinding again and the lower ball joints were installed. Transmission slipping around 30mph and AC was still blowing hot. Transmission was rebuilt during this time frame due to flare shift 2-3 shift. Vehicle was towed back to the shop each time. 08/17/2011 check engine light on, transmission does not shift, grinding noise when accelerate and brake, A/C blows hot. On 08/31/2011 the transmission would not shift, stated need to replace all electronics in transmission, one or more solenoids are defect. 09/12/2011 odometer 112377 out o. On 09/20/2012 mil 140,768. Balanced 55 series and above rear right wheels balanced parts for flat with plug. Vehicle was inspected for power steering fluid and it was normal. The vehicle jumps when put in reverse and into gear and seems to want to stay on cruise control. I will post further comments to my complaint as there is not enough space for facts.