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2006 Ford Taurus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Taurus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 318.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

272 reports with mileage · 46 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 176 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

176 reports
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101,250 miles · Jan 20, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING & THEN A COUPLE WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL THE ACCELERATOR TOOK OFF BY ITSELF LIKE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. IN A PANIC I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL & THE ENGINE REV'D UP TO OVER 4000 RPM IT THEN QUIT ACCERATING BY …

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CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING & THEN A COUPLE WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL THE ACCELERATOR TOOK OFF BY ITSELF LIKE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. IN A PANIC I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL & THE ENGINE REV'D UP TO OVER 4000 RPM IT THEN QUIT ACCERATING BY ITSELF. 3 DAYS LATER IT DOES IT AGAIN, ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WITH MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. LUCKILY FOR ME THERE WAS NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE IN ORDER FOR A RECALL TO BE ORDERED?????

NHTSA ODI #11063917

139,000 miles · Oct 15, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

2/15/17- WHILE COASTING UP-HILL WITH FOOT NOT ON THE GAS, CAR ACCELERATED TO OVER 4,000 RPM ALL BY ITSELF, BRAKING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. I PARKED, TURNED CAR OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON AND EVEN WHILE PARKED IT REVVED BACK UP TO OVER 4,000 RPM. TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE ON 2/16/17- THEY REPLACED THE IAC (IDLE AIR CONTROL) VALVE. 3…

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2/15/17- WHILE COASTING UP-HILL WITH FOOT NOT ON THE GAS, CAR ACCELERATED TO OVER 4,000 RPM ALL BY ITSELF, BRAKING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. I PARKED, TURNED CAR OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON AND EVEN WHILE PARKED IT REVVED BACK UP TO OVER 4,000 RPM. TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE ON 2/16/17- THEY REPLACED THE IAC (IDLE AIR CONTROL) VALVE. 3/3/17- WHILE IDLING AT RED LIGHT WITH FOOT NOT ON THE GAS, CAR ACCELERATED/ REVVED UP TO OVER 4,000 RPM ALL BY ITSELF. HAD TO PRESS ON BRAKE VERY HARD AND TURN CAR OFF. TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT WAS NO LONGER ACCELERATING. 3/4/14 TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT FIRESTONE. THEY ADJUSTED CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. 9/3/17- WHILE IDLING ON A BRIDGE WITH FOOT NOT ON THE GAS, CAR ACCELERATED/ REVVED UP TO OVER 3,000 RPM ALL BY ITSELF. BRAKING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND HAD TO TURN CAR OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT WAS NO LONGER ACCELERATING BY ITSELF. 9/4/17 TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE. THEY ORDERED A NEW IAC VALVE AND REPLACED IT ON 9/7/17. 10/14/17- WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC WITH FOOT VERY LIGHT ON BRAKE, CAR ACCELERATED/ REVVED UP TO OVER 4,000 RPM ALL BY ITSELF. HAD TO QUICKLY TURN CAR OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TO STOP IT. TURNED CAR BACK ON AND IT WAS NO LONGER ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER STATED ANOTHER FAILURE OCCURRED ON 10/28/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #11033476

140,000 miles · Jun 30, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control

MY CAR, SINCE 130K MILES ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN...WHEN I PUT IN NEUTRAL AND HIT GAS IT REVS TO 5 AND THEN NORMALIZES. # DAYS AGO IT DID IT 5X WITHIN 10 MINUTES. CURRENTLY HAS 140K MILES. I HAD IT SDERVICED AND THE FORD DEALER OFFERED NO SOLUTIONS AND WERENT AWARE OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #11002494

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2017
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10993993

165,000 miles · Apr 3, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHEN THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS RELEASED FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE IDLED ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHEN THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS RELEASED FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE IDLED ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000.

NHTSA ODI #10970136

210,000 miles · Jan 25, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR STICKS. CAR FAILED TO DE-ACCELERATE SEVERAL TIMES. ONCE, COMING TO STOP SIGN AND ENGINE KEPT RACING. OCCASIONALLY GOING DOWN HIGHWAY AND WANTED TO SLOW DOWN, BUT ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. CAN BARELY STOP THE CAR WITH BRAKES. REASON: THE REASON IS WELL DOCUMENTED. THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE BECOMES DISCONNECTED AND TR…

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ACCELERATOR STICKS. CAR FAILED TO DE-ACCELERATE SEVERAL TIMES. ONCE, COMING TO STOP SIGN AND ENGINE KEPT RACING. OCCASIONALLY GOING DOWN HIGHWAY AND WANTED TO SLOW DOWN, BUT ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. CAN BARELY STOP THE CAR WITH BRAKES. REASON: THE REASON IS WELL DOCUMENTED. THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE BECOMES DISCONNECTED AND TRAPS THE ACCELERATOR CABLE (THROTTLE) SO IT CAN'T MOVE. NHTSA HAS INVESTIGATED THIS AND NEGLIGENTLY FAILED THE PUBLIC. THERE IS A VERY GOOD YOUTUBE.COM VIDEO SHOWING THE PROBLEM EXACTLY! MY CAR IS THE EXACT PROBLEM, AND ALL ANYONE HAS TO DO IS GOOGLE "2006 FORD TAURUS ACCELERATOR STICKS' TO SEE HOW FREQUENTLY IT HAPPENS. I HAVE WIRED THE CABLES TOGETHER MYSELF, BUT THIS IS NOT A PERMANENT SOLUTION. IT DOES SHOW THAT FORD COULD EASILY RESOLVE THIS. AND, YES, IN A USA TODAY ARTICLE FROM 2013 I SEE THERE HAVE BEEN INJURIES, AND MAYBE DEATHS FROM THIS. NOTE: MINE IS NOT RELATED TO ANY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE, OR ELECTRICAL ISSUE. IT IS PURELY MECHANICAL - PART DEFECT. I CAN SEND PICTURES OF CABLES, BUT YOU CAN JUST WATCH THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=Z1U1FGABDW4 I WILL BE MAKING A CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY, COMPLETE WITH EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTED REFERENCES TO THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT IS GROSS NEGLIGENCE THAT THE NHTSA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS AND DONE NOTHING. FORD HAS KNOWN, AND ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) RECOMMENDING THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT - AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE. OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE BOTH WAITING FOR ENOUGH DEATHS OR OLDER CARS GOING OUT OF SERVICE BEFORE DOING ANYTHING. I GUESS I NEED TO GET 60 MINUTES AND USA TODAY TO LOOK INTO THIS, AGAIN. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE REALLY LOOKING INTO THIS! ONE MORE LINK DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM: HTTP://WWW.FORDFORUMSONLINE.COM/THREADS/2006-TAURUS-CAR-ACCELERATED-BY-IT-SELF.1167/

NHTSA ODI #10947603

99,000 miles · Nov 4, 2016
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

CAR SELF ACCELERATES FOR NO REASON. IT HAPPENED FOUR TIMES TODAY DURING A 10 MINUTE DRIVE. IT HAPPENS WHILE CAR IS MOVING AND AT LOW SPEED, APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES PER HOUR.11\4. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10924259

118,320 miles · Aug 12, 2016
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 40 MPH ON ITS OWN AND WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION, THE RPMS INCREASED FROM 200,000 TO 300,000. THE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 40 MPH ON ITS OWN AND WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION, THE RPMS INCREASED FROM 200,000 TO 300,000. THE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO PARK. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE RPMS INCREASED TO 300,000. THE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF A THIRD TIME AND RESTARTED, AND THE RPMS INCREASED TO 100,000. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,320.

NHTSA ODI #10895262

129,000 miles · Aug 3, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

ON THE AFTERNOON OF SUNDAY, JULY 24TH, 2016, OUR 2006 FORD TAURUS BEGAN ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL ON ITS OWN ACCORD WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET IN WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS. WE TRIED TO BRAKE THE CAR, BUT WERE NOT ABLE TO COMPETE AGAINST THE RAPID ACCELERATION. WE ENDED UP PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL, AND THEN IN PARK, AND BRIN…

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ON THE AFTERNOON OF SUNDAY, JULY 24TH, 2016, OUR 2006 FORD TAURUS BEGAN ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL ON ITS OWN ACCORD WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET IN WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS. WE TRIED TO BRAKE THE CAR, BUT WERE NOT ABLE TO COMPETE AGAINST THE RAPID ACCELERATION. WE ENDED UP PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL, AND THEN IN PARK, AND BRING IT TO A STOP (ALBEIT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET) WHERE IT WAS STILL REACHING UPWARDS OF 4,500 RPMS. VERY DISCONCERTING. AS WE COULD NOT DRIVE ANY FURTHER LIKE THIS, WE SHUT IT OFF, GOT OUT, AND CALLED AAA FOR A TOW, WHICH ARRIVED ALMOST TWO HOURS LATER AFTER WE SAT IN THE HOT AFTERNOON SUN AND WERE DIVERTING TRAFFIC AROUND OUR DISABLED VEHICLE. BEING THAT WE WERE TRAVELING WITH TWO OTHER GUESTS AND THE TOW TRUCK COULD ONLY ACCOMMODATE 2 PEOPLE MAX FOR THE TRIP BACK TO RHODE ISLAND (OVER 40 MILES AWAY), THE DRIVER TRIED TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE PROBLEM ON THE SPOT. HE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SHOWED US THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HAD BECOME UNCLIPPED AND FALLEN OFF. HE THEN LUBED IT UP, REATTACHED IT, AND HAD US DO A COUPLE OF TESTS TO SEE IF IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. THANKFULLY IT WAS, AND WE SLOWLY AND CAUTIOUSLY WERE ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, WE BECAME AWARE THAT THIS WAS AND IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH OUR YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF CAR, AND THAT AN INVESTIGATION HAD BEEN OPENED INTO IT. WE ARE ALSO AWARE THAT, AT THAT TIME, FORD HAD LAUNCHED A "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN" TO FIX OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES. WHILE WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME THAT DAY, WE ARE NOT THRILLED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS ISSUE HAPPENING AGAIN AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED BY FORD. I HAVE SPOKEN TO THREE SEPARATE PEOPLE AT FORD AT THIS POINT, AND ALL HAVE REFUSED TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF BY FORD FOR US.

NHTSA ODI #10892947

90,000 miles · Jun 28, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN DRIVING THE GAS PEDAL STICKS TO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR, THE CRUISE CONTROL COMES ON, AND THE CAR WILL JUST TAKE OFF. IT STILL STAYS STUCK WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF. YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL UNTIL IT STOPS. THIS HAPPENED ON 6/25/16 AND NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE.

NHTSA ODI #10881234

Official recalls

2

06V119000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

Apr 10, 2006

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT FOR ONE SPECIFIC FLEET CUSTOMER WERE MODIFIED FOR OPTIONAL HANDS-FREE CELLULAR PHONE OPERATING CAPABILITY. TO PROVIDE THIS FUNCTIONALITY, A SPECIAL OVERLAY WIRE HARNESS WAS INSTALLED THAT INADVERTENTLY DID NOT INCLUDE THE CIRCUITS FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG DEACTIVATION INDICATOR (PADI) LAMP FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.'

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE PADI LAMP WILL FAIL TO ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP IN THE CLUSTER WILL STAY ILLUMINATED.

Remedy: THE FLEET CUSTOMER WAS NOTIFIED AND ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2006.

05V520000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Nov 9, 2005

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE12005 · Stuck Throttle

Opened Mar 7, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus vehicles.The speed control cable, throttle body attachment arm (?nail head?) for the speed control cable, cable mounting bracket and cable routing for the MY 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus are common to all MY 2004 through 2006 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles equipped with either the 155 HP 3.0L 2-valve Vulcan engine or the 200 HP 3.0L 4-valve Duratec engine (the ?subject vehicles?). Figures 1 and 2 show the throttle body cam and speed control cable installed and a cable interference condition caused by contact between a detached cable and the ?nail head.?Ford?s assessment of the condition in incident vehicles noted that the interference conditions produced tended to be short in duration as the cable end tended to dislodge itself from the throttle body due to vibration, road loads or engine roll in addition to tapping the acceleration pedal.Ford inspected three incident vehicles and measured maximum throttle openings of 5.8% to 14.9%, resulting in engine speeds ranging from 1600 to 2200 rpm with the transmission selector in Drive.A Ford stack-up analysis of the speed control cable length from the attachment bracket to the throttle body indicated a maximum theoretical throttle opening of 16.4% that could result from the alleged defect. Engineers at the NHTSA Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) inspected an incident vehicle to evaluate throttle positions and engine speeds that could result from the alleged defect and performed brake testing of a vehicle with the throttle stuck at the worst case throttle opening that could result from the condition.The VRTC vehicle inspection noted that, depending on the orientation of the detached cable end, the amount of throttle opening that could result from interference by a detached speed control cable end varied from 4.8% to 11.3%.VRTC brake testing of a MY 2006 Taurus with a Vulcan engine and the throttle held open at 16% found that, even with multiple brake applications, sufficient vacuum was available for the brake booster assist and the brake pedal efforts required to stop the vehicle did not increase significantly from normal operating conditions. ODI?s analysis of 100 complaints related to the alleged defect found that drivers were generally able to free the interference condition or safely brake to a stop without incident.Approximately one-third (32) reported that the stuck throttle condition was corrected with no action or by tapping the accelerator pedal while the vehicle was still moving, another third (34) reported braking to a stop with the vehicle in Drive prior to correcting the condition, and the remaining third (34) reported that the driver responded to the incident by shifting to Neutral before stopping the vehicle.One complaint alleged that stuck-throttle type symptoms caused the vehicle to pass partially through a traffic light and into an intersection before stopping, however,ODI was unable to contact the owner to verify the cause or relationship to the alleged defect condition.ODI has not identified any crashes related to the alleged defect. Tables 1 and 2 provide a breakdown of complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect by engine and model year.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation do

Additional source detail variants (2)

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus vehicles.The speed control cable, throttle body attachment arm (?nail head?) for the speed control cable, cable mounting bracket and cable routing for the MY 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus are common to all MY 2004 through 2006 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles equipped with either the 155 HP 3.0L 2-valve Vulcan engine or the 200 HP 3.0L 4-valve Duratec engine (the ?subject vehicles?). Figures 1 and 2 show the throttle body cam and speed control cable installed and a cable interference condition caused by contact between a detached cable and the ?nail head.?Ford?s assessment of the condition in incident vehicles noted that the interference conditions produced tended to be short in duration as the cable end tended to dislodge itself from the throttle body due to vibration, road loads or engine roll in addition to tapping the acceleration pedal.Ford inspected three incident vehicles and measured maximum throttle openings of 5.8% to 14.9%, resulting in engine speeds ranging from 1600 to 2200 rpm with the transmission selector in Drive.A Ford stack-up analysis of the speed control cable length from the attachment bracket to the throttle body indicated a maximum theoretical throttle opening of 16.4% that could result from the alleged defect. Engineers at the NHTSA Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) inspected an incident vehicle to evaluate throttle positions and engine speeds that could result from the alleged defect and performed brake testing of a vehicle with the throttle stuck at the worst case throttle opening that could result from the condition.The VRTC vehicle inspection noted that, depending on the orientation of the detached cable end, the amount of throttle opening that could result from interference by a detached speed control cable end varied from 4.8% to 11.3%.VRTC brake testing of a MY 2006 Taurus with a Vulcan engine and the throttle held open at 16% found that, even with multiple brake applications, sufficient vacuum was available for the brake booster assist and the brake pedal efforts required to stop the vehicle did not increase significantly from normal operating conditions. ODI?s analysis of 100 complaints related to the alleged defect found that drivers were generally able to free the interference condition or safely brake to a stop without incident.Approximately one-third (32) reported that the stuck throttle condition was corrected with no action or by tapping the accelerator pedal while the vehicle was still moving, another third (34) reported braking to a stop with the vehicle in Drive prior to correcting the condition, and the remaining third (34) reported that the driver responded to the incident by shifting to Neutral before stopping the vehicle.One complaint alleged that stuck-throttle type symptoms caused the vehicle to pass partially through a traffic light and into an intersection before stopping, however,ODI was unable to contact the owner to verify the cause or relationship to the alleged defect condition.ODI has not identified any crashes related to the alleged defect. Tables 1 and 2 provide a breakdown of complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect by engine and model year.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation do

Vehicle Speed Control

Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus vehicles.The speed control cable, throttle body attachment arm (?nail head?) for the speed control cable, cable mounting bracket and cable routing for the MY 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus are common to all MY 2004 through 2006 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles equipped with either the 155 HP 3.0L 2-valve Vulcan engine or the 200 HP 3.0L 4-valve Duratec engine (the ?subject vehicles?). Figures 1 and 2 show the throttle body cam and speed control cable installed and a cable interference condition caused by contact between a detached cable and the ?nail head.?Ford?s assessment of the condition in incident vehicles noted that the interference conditions produced tended to be short in duration as the cable end tended to dislodge itself from the throttle body due to vibration, road loads or engine roll in addition to tapping the acceleration pedal.Ford inspected three incident vehicles and measured maximum throttle openings of 5.8% to 14.9%, resulting in engine speeds ranging from 1600 to 2200 rpm with the transmission selector in Drive.A Ford stack-up analysis of the speed control cable length from the attachment bracket to the throttle body indicated a maximum theoretical throttle opening of 16.4% that could result from the alleged defect. Engineers at the NHTSA Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) inspected an incident vehicle to evaluate throttle positions and engine speeds that could result from the alleged defect and performed brake testing of a vehicle with the throttle stuck at the worst case throttle opening that could result from the condition.The VRTC vehicle inspection noted that, depending on the orientation of the detached cable end, the amount of throttle opening that could result from interference by a detached speed control cable end varied from 4.8% to 11.3%.VRTC brake testing of a MY 2006 Taurus with a Vulcan engine and the throttle held open at 16% found that, even with multiple brake applications, sufficient vacuum was available for the brake booster assist and the brake pedal efforts required to stop the vehicle did not increase significantly from normal operating conditions. ODI?s analysis of 100 complaints related to the alleged defect found that drivers were generally able to free the interference condition or safely brake to a stop without incident.Approximately one-third (32) reported that the stuck throttle condition was corrected with no action or by tapping the accelerator pedal while the vehicle was still moving, another third (34) reported braking to a stop with the vehicle in Drive prior to correcting the condition, and the remaining third (34) reported that the driver responded to the incident by shifting to Neutral before stopping the vehicle.One complaint alleged that stuck-throttle type symptoms caused the vehicle to pass partially through a traffic light and into an intersection before stopping, however,ODI was unable to contact the owner to verify the cause or relationship to the alleged defect condition.ODI has not identified any crashes related to the alleged defect. Tables 1 and 2 provide a breakdown of complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect by engine and model year.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation do