NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
175 reports138,400 miles · Oct 21, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control
STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, SUDDENLY ENGINE SURGED, RACING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO TAKE OFF. I STAYED ON THE BRAKE, THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK, IT CONTINUED TO SURGE. MOVED IT BACK TO DRIVE AND WITHIN A FEW SECONDS THE SURGING STOPPED. I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE ON WITHOUT INCIDENT. MY MECHANIC CHECKED THE VEHICLE OUT WITHOUT FINDING ANY…
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STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, SUDDENLY ENGINE SURGED, RACING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO TAKE OFF. I STAYED ON THE BRAKE, THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK, IT CONTINUED TO SURGE. MOVED IT BACK TO DRIVE AND WITHIN A FEW SECONDS THE SURGING STOPPED. I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE ON WITHOUT INCIDENT. MY MECHANIC CHECKED THE VEHICLE OUT WITHOUT FINDING ANYTHING. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER. THEY WENT OVER IT, TOOK IT OUT ON THE ROAD FOR A TEST, NOTHING SHOWED. MY CONCERN IF IT SHOULD OCCUR WHEN I DIDN'T HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10548676
45,000 miles · Oct 7, 2013
Steering
STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT TO USE. WHILE DRIVING , STEERING WILL GO FROM NORMAL ABILITY TO TURN STEERING WHEEL TO VERY HARD. NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT! TOOK CAR TO PRIVATE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD STEERING RACK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS COST OVER $1100 TO REPLACE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10547052
56,000 miles · Oct 4, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
NHTSA ODI #10546732
85,000 miles · Aug 14, 2013
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AS THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BUT DID …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AS THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10535344
23,353 miles · Aug 13, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
CAR WAS IN A PARKING LOT. I PUT CAR IN REVERSE AND VERY LIGHTLY APPLIED GAS PEDAL AND VEHICLE SHOT BACK AT A TREMENDOUS RATE OF S PEED WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY HITTING A LOW CEMENT WALL. IF ANYONE HAD BEEN BEHIND ME THEY WOULD BE INJURED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535126
41,000 miles · Jul 30, 2013
EnginePower Train
AT A COMPLETE STOP, CAR LURCHED FORWARD AT FULL THROTTLE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN FOR THIS PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID NO CODES WERE STORED AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONCERN. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10532730
35,000 miles · Jun 3, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN COMPLETING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME SEIZE AND EXHIBIT AND ABNORMAL POP SOUND. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN COMPLETING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME SEIZE AND EXHIBIT AND ABNORMAL POP SOUND. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10514770
36,000 miles · May 28, 2013
Power Train
THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTER HAS A RUBBER MAT UNDER THE METAL PLATE WITH THE PRNDL GEARS LISTED. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT OUT OF P AND THEN YOU REACH R AND D THE MAT HAS BUNCHED UP SO MUCH THAT THE METAL PLATE TELLING YOU WHAT GEAR YOU'RE IN POPS OFF. THIS IS AN EXTREME HAZARD, AS I BACK INTO THE ROAD AND THEN TO PUT IT IN D, NOT…
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THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTER HAS A RUBBER MAT UNDER THE METAL PLATE WITH THE PRNDL GEARS LISTED. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT OUT OF P AND THEN YOU REACH R AND D THE MAT HAS BUNCHED UP SO MUCH THAT THE METAL PLATE TELLING YOU WHAT GEAR YOU'RE IN POPS OFF. THIS IS AN EXTREME HAZARD, AS I BACK INTO THE ROAD AND THEN TO PUT IT IN D, NOT KNOWING WHERE D IS BECAUSE THE PLATE POPS OFF, I COULD BE HIT. I ALSO HAVE A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED FORD AND THEY ACTED AS IF THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS ISSUES. THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT TRUE. THIS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR FATALITY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10513755
38,898 miles · Apr 1, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,898. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505260
36,000 miles · Mar 18, 2013
Power Train
WHEN AMBIENT TEMP IS BELOW 20 DEGREES, HARSH 2-1 DOWNSHIFT WITH IMPACT AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING. THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SEEM TO BE IN ANY GEAR UNTIL MOVEMENT STARTS THENNA HIGH IMPACT BANG OCCURS JUST AS THE CAR BEGINS TO MOVE. AFTER ABOUT 1 MILE, THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY UNTIL NEXT COLD START UP. FORD DEALER STATED THEY REP…
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WHEN AMBIENT TEMP IS BELOW 20 DEGREES, HARSH 2-1 DOWNSHIFT WITH IMPACT AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING. THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SEEM TO BE IN ANY GEAR UNTIL MOVEMENT STARTS THENNA HIGH IMPACT BANG OCCURS JUST AS THE CAR BEGINS TO MOVE. AFTER ABOUT 1 MILE, THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY UNTIL NEXT COLD START UP. FORD DEALER STATED THEY REPLACED VALVE BODY BECAUSE OF STICKY VALVES. PROBLEM STILL THERE. RETURNED TO DEALER AND THEY CONTACTED FORD. FORD SERVICE TECH(FORD SERVICE REQUEST #106142903) SAYS PROBLEM IS NORMAL. THIS PROBLEM NEVER OCCURRED THE LAST 2 WINTERS I HAVE HAD THE CAR AND FORD LOANER CAR I HAD WHILE THEY WORKED ON MY CAR DID NOT HAVE THIS HARSH DOWNSHIFT. THIS TRANSMISSION IS A JOINT DEVELOPMENT WITH GM AND I KNOW A BUICK OWNER WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINT AND BUICK COULD NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM-HE TRADED CARS. WARRANTY WILL END FOR MY CAR THIS COMING JULY AND I THINK I WILL HAVE A HUGE REPAIR TO BE MADE ON THIS TRANSMISSION NEXT WINTER AS THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN STEADILY WORST SINCE LAST FALL (2012 WINTER SEASON) BUT ONLY WHEN TEMP IS 20 DEGREES OR COLDER. PLEASE INFORM FORD OF THIS COMPLAINT. I WOULD LIKE A REPAIR OR EXTEND MY WARRANTY TO FEB 1, 2014 TO COVER MY COMPLAINT-THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503512
NHTSA investigations
1PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO
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