NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Taurus. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT IT AND OBSERVED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WIRES WERE BURNT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE CIRCUIT WIRES ON THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ALSO BURNT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. RK
WHEN ACCELERATING AT ABOUT 40 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK WHEN I TRIED TO ENGAGE IT, HOWEVER THE CAR BEGAN SPEEDING UP QUICKLY WHILE MY FOOT WAS OFF THE GAS PEDDLE. I TRIED TO ENGAGE/DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT GOT NO RESPONSE, EXCEPT THE ENGINE RPM AND CAR WAS STILL SPEEDING UP, THE CAR WAS GETTING CLOSE TO 60MPH AND I BEGAN PUTTING ON THE BRAKES THE CAR WAS STILL TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND RPM STILL GOING UP AS I WAS STOPPING THE CAR. THIS CAR CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE FASTER ON IT'S OWN WHEN DRIVEN AND TODAY 5/19/14 AGAIN FROM ABOUT 35 TO 50 IN ABOUT A MILE, THIS WAS NOT AS SEVERE AS THE FIRST TIME BUT IS TROUBLING AND A WASTE OF MY GAS AND BRAKES. THIS IS A TAURUS SEL WITH AUTOMATIC TRANS. AND A 3.9L V6 ENGINE. I FOUND THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE OFF OF THE LEVER IT CONNECTS TO NEAR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD( AFTER READING ABOUT OTHER TAURUS MODELS/YEARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM). I WILL BE CONTACTING A FORD DEALER TO SEE IF THEY HAVE A FIX AS CABLE IS STILL VERY LOOSE AFTER I TRIED TO RECONNECT IT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING OFF FROM A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND MAP SENSOR BUT IT FAILED TO REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, EXHAUST FUMES BEGAN TO EMIT INTO THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD A HOLE ON THE SIDE CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
WIFE WAS TAKING CHILD TO AN APPOINTMENT IN ANOTHER CITY (HALF HOUR FROM US) AND GOT INTO TOWN THERE AND THE ACCELERATOR STUCK. SHE CALLED ME SCARED WONDERING WHAT TO DO. SHE WAS ABLE TO MAKE IF OFF THE BUSY STREET AND INTO A PARKING LOT. PUT IN PARK AND THE RPMS WENT UP TO OVER 4K. SHUT CAR OFF AND TURNED BACK ON AND SAME THING. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO OUR HOUSE. THOUGHT WE FIXED THE PROBLEM AND THEN LAST NIGHT IT HAPPENED TO ME AS I DROVE DOWN THE HIGHWAY. HAD TO HOLD BRAKES TO KEEP AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND KEEP FROM RUNNING INTO CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NOW CRUISE ISN'T WORKING. *TR
OVER THE PAST THREE WEEKS, THE ENGINE WOULD QUIT RUNNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP ON 9/16/13 AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FOUND. THIS HAPPENED 5 TIMES OVER A 3 WEEK PERIOD. I CAN'T BE DRIVING THIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAVE THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I AM AFRAID OF THIS CAR. I HAVE KEEP UP ALL MAINTENANCE REQUIRED AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, THE MILEAGE IS LOW FOR THE YEAR OF THE CAR. I HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS SINCE BUYING THE CAR IN 2007. *TR
MY CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. IT WAS TRAVELING AROUND 65 MPH WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. I HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ACCELERATING EVEN MORE. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT, THE ENGINE WAS GOING VERY FAST AND IF I PUT IT IN DRIVE, IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. ' HOWEVER, TODAY IT SEEMS OKAY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED AND BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FROM THE FLOOR BOARD BY SWITCHING GEARS TO NEUTRAL AND THEN TAPPING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE HE DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO RELEASE FROM PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,854. UPDATED 12/5/13*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE SHIFT CABLE WAS REPLACED.
I'M DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH AND TAP ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND ONCE I LET MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, WITH MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. TRIED JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING. TURNING CRUISE CONTROL ON AND OFF, PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL, TAPPING THE BRAKES, STILL CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND RANDOMLY STOPPED ONCE I APPLIED THE BRAKES FOR THE 5TH TIME. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS NOT HAVING CONTROL OF YOUR OWN VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,700.
THE PLASTIC BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY TO THE THROTTLE IS DEFECTIVE IT SLIPS OFF THE THROTTLE AND GETS CAUGHT CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO STAY OPEN.. THIS HAS CAUSED MY CAR TO CONTINUE ACCELERATING WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL TO SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH... BRAKING IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE THE CAR IS CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE.. THIS IS CAUSING STRESS ON MY BRAKING SYSTEM... I HAD A BROTHER WHO WAS NEARLY KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF A SIMILAR ISSUE ON A DIFFERENT VEHICLE .. THE FORD REPS I HAVE TALKED TO ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE YET FORD REFUSES TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL.. ARE THE WAITING TO BE THE NEXT "GM" IN THE NEWS.. WAITING UNTIL PEOPLE ARE KILLED INSTEAD OF BEING PROACTIVE... *TR
WHEN DRIVING SAID VEHICLE IT'S SPEED INCREASES ON IT'S OWN. WHEN YOU BREAK THE ENGINE'S RPMS RACE TO A VERY HIGH LEVEL. AT THIS POINT YOU NEED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND/OR PARK AND TAP THE ACCELERATOR A FEW TIMES TO BRING THE RPMS TO AN IDLE STATE. I HAD THIS PROBLEM "REPAIRED" ABOUT A YEAR AGO AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. ALSO, MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING SHORTLY AFTER THE "REPAIRS" WERE MADE. *TR
AS I EASY DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, I STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE ENGINE STARTS IDLE UP. THE NEXT DAY I TAKE THE CAR IN AND HAVE IT CHECKED OUT, THAT'S WHEN I FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE SENSOR WAS BAD REPLACED IT END OF PROBLEMS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED AND BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR FROM THE FLOOR BOARD BY TAPPING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION I BEGAN TO APPLY BRAKE FOR RED LIGHT, THE RPMS SPIKED TO 4000. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN.TRIED TO TAP BRAKE AGAIN..NO CHANGE. PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TAPPED GAS TO FINALLY GET THE RPMS TO LOWER TO AT LEAST 2000 LEVEL. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 OTHER TIMES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING ANY FARTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED AND BECAME STUCK, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT MANUAL FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED, CRASHING INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE EYE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000. UPDATED 8/5/13 *CN
I WAS GOING DOWN A BACK ROAD AT 20 MPH. MY CAR ACCELERATED UP TO 35 BY ITSELF. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE PEDAL AT THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I PRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN BUT I FELT A GREAT DEAL OF POWER, LIKE THE CAR WANTED TO KEEP ACCELERATING. AS SOON AS I TOOK MY OFF THE BREAK THE ACCELERATED. I HAD TO TAP THE ACCELERATE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN VERY QUICKLY AND IT STOPPED. A FEW DAYS LATER MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WENT TO USE MY CRUISE CONTROL AND IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. AT THE PRESENT TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL STILL DOES NOT WORK AND THE CAR IS STILL ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AND THE VEHICLE SURGED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE ENGINE OFF FOR A MOMENT AND THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,812 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND BECAME STUCK WITH A RAPID INCREASE IN THE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRACTURED SUPPORT HOUSING CAUSED THE THROTTLE CABLE TO BECOME DETACHED. THE CONTACT RECONNECTED THE CABLE IN ORDER TO RESUME DRIVING; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC OR REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 209,013.
THE PLASTIC HEAD LIGHT COVERS ON ALL NEWER MODEL CARS HAVE EXCESSIVE CORROSION WHICH CREATES A MAJOR HAZARD BECAUSE THE CORROSION DIMS THE LIGHTS BY AT LEAST 50%. I HAVE TRIED A NUMBER OF THE POLISHES THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO REMOVE THE CORROSION BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP. I AM AT A LOSS TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE VEHICLE SAFETY PEOPLE HAVE NOT MADE THE MANUFACTURES FIX THIS PROBLEM. WHY DO YOU ALLOW THE AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURES TO CONTINUE TO USE THIS TYPE HEAD LIGHT COVER WHEN IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THESE HEADLIGHT COVERS POSE A GREAT DANGER TO THE PUBLIC? *TR
TRAVELING AT 35MPH AND PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR DID NOT IDLE DOWN AND USUAL. TAPPED THE GAS AND NO RESPONSE. SLIPPED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THE RPM'S RACED TO 3 AND 4000. TAPPED THE GAS HARDER AND THE CAR IDLED DOWN. SLIPPED THE CAR INTO DRIVE AND CONTINUED ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES NOW ALL AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35 AND 40MPH. HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE GOT A CASE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD TO GET IT FIXED AT A DEALER AND KEEP THE RECEIPT IN CASE THERE IS A RECALL. NOT HAPPY WITH THAT RESPONSE. HOW LONG OR WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE THIS RIGHT? THIS SEEMS TO BE MORE SERIOUS THAN HOW IT IS BEING HANDLED. YOU DON'T KNOW HOW SERIOUS UNLESS YOU ARE ON THE RECEIVING END OF A CAR THAT DOESN'T WHAT TO STOP. *TR
I OWN A 2004 FORD TAURUS SES V6 WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I DROVE TO WORK WITH NO WARNING SOUNDS, SMELLS, OR WARNING LIGHTS, AND IT DROVE PERFECTLY. I ATTEMPTED TO GO TO LUNCH, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED JUST FINE, BUT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO ANY GEARS/REVERSE ECT. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AS WELL AS THE TRANSMISSION SHOPS, AND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. AS FAR AS I KNOW SO FAR THE FORD FREESTAR HAS THE SAME ISSUE & A CLASS ACTION WAS FILED & THEN FORD FOLLOWED UP WITH A RECALL. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD WITH NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OR RESOLUTION. I FEEL SICK TO BE OUT SO MUCH MONEY FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM. OF COURSE I DO FEEL LUCKY I WASN'T DRIVING WHEN IT HAPPENED LIKE MANY OTHERS. FORD SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO TURN A BLIND EYE TO THIS! *TR
I OWN A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE LEFT REAR TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE PARKED. WHILE CHANGING THE LEFT REAR TIRE, I NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING BOTTOM PLATE HAD FRACTURED AND LET THE SPRING HIT THE TIRE. THE SHARP POINT OF THE SPRING END PUNCTURED THE TIRE, CAUSING IT TO GO FLAT. I SAW THAT AN IDENTICAL COMPLAINT WAS ENTERED INTO THIS WEB SITE JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. THIS VEHICLE MODEL MAY HAVE A TIME-BASED STRESS FAILURE IN THIS COMPONENT, SINCE THE MILEAGE IN THE OTHER COMPLAINT WAS CONSIDERABLY LOWER. *TR
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, AUTO SPEED INCREASED TO 70 MILES PER HOUR WITH FOOT REMOVED FROM THE GAS PEDAL. APPLICATION OF BRAKES SLOWED THE AUTO BUT THE BRAKES WERE WORKING AGAINST THE ENGINE. *TR AUTO RETURNED TO 70 MILES PER HOUR WITHOUT APPLYING GAS, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE RELEASE. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY. SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND ENGINE REVVED UP TO 4,000 RPM. APPLIED BRAKES TO A STOP. TURNED OFF THE AUTO. CHECKED THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT RESTRICTING THE GAS PEDAL. OPENED THE AUTO HOOD OPERATED THROTTLE BY HAND AND THE THROTTLE SEEMED TO RELEASE. CONTINUED TO DESTINATION WITHOUT PROBLEMS. CHECKED THROTTLE AT DESTINATION AND NOTED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS DISCONNECTED.
I WAS MAKING A PASS ON THE HIGHWAY ONE EVENING ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND STARTING OUT AT 45MPH I ACCELERATED UP TO 55MPH AND COMPLETED THE PASS. THE ACCELERATION TIME AS BRIEF BUT WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL THE ENGINE KEPT ACCELERATING AND MAINTAINED A 2500 - 3500 RPM. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON! BEING THAT I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE WHEN I WAS IN A MAJOR CITY I KNEW I HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR, HIT THE GAS PEDAL A FEW TIMES AND USUALLY IT GOES AWAY. THIS TIME I COULD NOT BECAUSE I WAS DOING 65MPH NOW AND QUICKLY APPROACHING +70MPH. SO I CALMLY PUT THE BREAKS ON EVER SO SLIGHTLY TO KEEP MY SPEED IN A REASONABLE RANGE AND STARTED TO MESS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL, TURNING IT ON AND OFF, COAST AND ACCELERATE AND TURNING IT OFF AGAIN. NONE OF THIS WORKED. IT WOULDN'T EVEN ACCELERATE FROM THE CRUISE CONTROLS! BUT FINALLY BUY SOME LUCK AFTER I HIT THE OFF BUTTON ON THE CRUISE CONTROL IN PANIC, THE ACCELERATION PEDAL POPPED BACK UP ONTO MY FOOT WHERE I HAD IT RESTING. DISASTER AVERTED! COME TO FIND OTHERS WHO ARE DRIVING THE SAME VEHICLE (YEAR AND MODEL) IN MY COMPANY EXPERIENCED THIS IDENTICAL ISSUE. ONE INCIDENT ACTUALLY LEFT THE VEHICLE TOTALED BUT THANK GOD OUR ASSOCIATE WAS UNHARMED. I FEEL THAT THIS BEING A POPULAR CAR PEOPLE SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST. *TR
I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SOUTHGATE FORD ON MARCH 15, 2013, TO HAVE THEM ANALYZE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHICH CAME ON DURING THE WEEK. I DRIVE ONLY A FEW MILES PER WEEK BUT DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE WITH THIS WARNING. SOUTHGATE FORD TURNED ME AWAY ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON TO RETURN ON MONDAY, MARCH 18TH STATING: "THEY ARE TOO BUSY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS OF LITTLE CONCERN AND TO RETURN ON MONDAY". WITHIN 2 MILES OF LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP HEADING NORTH ON FORT STREET, I WAS UNABLE TO BRING THE 2004 FORD TAURUS TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT. THE TAURUS ENGINE RACED AND ROARED AT OVER 4,000 RPMS AND REACHED SPEEDS BETWEEN 45 AND 50 MILES PER HOUR. I TRIED TO BRAKE WITH ONE FOOT AND THEN TWO FEET. THE BRAKES COULD NOT BRING THE TAURUS TO A STOP AND IT FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE PUSHING BACK TOWARD ME. I SWERVED TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND CROSSED OVER THE MEDIAN TO SOUTHBOUND FORT STREET. I ATTEMPTED TO REACH A PARKING LOT TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC AS THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE AND ROAR. THE BRAKES COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR. I MISSED THE ENTRANCE OF THE PARKING LOT BY A FEW FEET AND HIT THE CURB. THE IMPACT OF HITTING THE CURB THREW MY BODY TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THE CAR CONTINUED TO LUNGE FORWARD UNTIL IT HIT THE BRICK BUILDING IN THE LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 47 MILES PER HOUR. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED IN THIS HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH A BRICK BUILDING. I HAVE SUSTAINED BRUISING FROM MY LEFT EAR DOWN TO MY KNEES AND MULITPLE FRACTURES IN MY RIGHT WRIST. PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE TO HAVE RECALL NOTICES ISSUED? *TR
DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH NOT LATCHING. *TR
TWO DIFFERENT TIMES THE THROTTLE HAS GOTTEN STUCK. BOTH TIMES ALMOST CAUSING MY DAUGHTER TO WRECK. PURCHASED IT USED FROM A CERTIFIED DEALER JUST ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. *TR
THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. DEPRESSING BOTH THE BRAKE AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL MADE THE CAR START SMOKING EXCESSIVELY WHILE STILL MOVING. AFTER HITTING ONE VEHICLE DUE TO BEING UNABLE TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY RUNNING IT HEAD ON INTO A CONCRETE PYLON. ONE OF THE MOST TERRIFYING DAYS OF MY LIFE. COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED AND I WAS SO UNPREPARED TO HANDLE THESE EVENTS. THANKFUL TO GOD TODAY THERE WAS NO LOSS OF LIFE, ONLY PROPERTY. ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING. *TR
DRIVING MY VEHICLE UP AN INCLINE NEAR MY HOME AND AT THE TOP I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I PRESSED THE OFF BUTTON ON CRUISE CONTROL (IN CASE IT WAS ON FOR SOME REASON) AND ALSO PRESSED THE BRAKES. THE CAR SLOWED BUT AS SOON AS I LET OFF THE BREAK IT SPED UP AGAIN. I WAS NOT FAR FROM HOME SO I STAYED ON THE BREAK UNTIL THE TURN AT MY NEIGHBORHOOD. AFTER I TURNED I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE GATES TO OPEN SO I LET OFF THE BRAKES A BIT BUT THE CAR WOULD JUMP FORWARD. I TURNED IN AS SLOWLY AS I COULD AND BEFORE TURNING INTO MY DRIVE WHERE MY SON AND HIS FRIENDS WERE PLAYING IN THE YARD I STOPPED AS MUCH AS I COULD AND WHILE I HAD MY LEFT FOOT ON THE BREAK PULLED ON THE ACCELERATOR WITH MY RIGHT. THERE WAS A CHANGE IN THE ENGINE SOUND AND I SLOWLY PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THIS HAS NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE. WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2008. IS THERE ANY SORT OF FIX?? *TR
I WAS READING ABOUT THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM ON THE FORD EXPLORER AND DECIDED THAT I MAY BE NEGLIGENT IN REPORTING A PROBLEM ON MY FORD TAURUS. I HAVE A 2004 FORD TAURUS AND MY HUSBAND HAD A 2003 FORD TAURUS, BOTH HAVE POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. MY HUSBANDS FORD TAURUS WAS TOTALED IN AN UNRELATED INCIDENT BUT WE STILL HAVE THE 2004 TAURUS. I'VE BEEN EXPECTING A RECALL FOR THIS AS BOTH CARS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BUT HAVE NEVER REPORTED IT. THAT MIGHT BE PART OF THE PROBLEM WITH THERE NOT BEING A RECALL IF WE DON'T REPORT IT SO I THOUGHT I SHOULD SEND THIS IN TODAY. YOU NOTICE THE PROBLEM ON THE TAURUS THE MOST WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO TURN INTO PARKING SPACES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE HAD DETACHED FROM THE THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,953. UPDATED 06/18/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE BEEN RESOLVED. UPDATED 06/19/13
WENT OUT ONE MORNING, CRANKED THE CAR AND THE ENGINE WAS RACING AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO BLOW UP. IT IS REVVING UP AROUND 3000 RPM AND WILL NOT SLOW DOWN. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY USE THE BRAKES TO KEEP THE CAR FROM GOING TOO FAST. I TRIED TO TAP THE GAS PEDAL BUT IT DOES NOTHING EXCEPT REV HIGHER. SOME KIND OF CABLE HAD FALLEN OFF AND A FRIEND OF MINE PUT IT BACK ON, BUT NOW I THINK IT IS OFF AGAIN. THE CAR HAS MADE ME FEEL VERY UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING IT AND I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GET ANOTHER CAR. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH I BRAKE FORCEFULLY TO AVOID ANOTHER CAR COMING OUT OF A STRIP MALL AT EXCESSIVE SPEED. AS I GRADUALLY RELEASED THE BRAKE THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT MY HAVING TOUCHED THE GAS PEDAL. I WAS ABLE TO TURN WITH A GREAT DEAL OF TROUBLE ONTO A SIDE ROAD WHERE THERE WAS LITTLE TRAFFIC. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN UP TO ABOUT 40-50 MPH. THE RPM'S WERE UP TO 4000. I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE, CAR WAS BUCKING AND NOT STOPPING. EVENTUALLY I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. I WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL TOMORROW WHAT HE PLANS ON DOING. HOWEVER AFTER SOME ONLINE RESEARCH I PLAN ON TELLING HIM TO REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE AND THE PIN. FORD SHOULD AT LEAST TELL PEOPLE HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE IT SEEMS THEY ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALLING THESE CARS. *TR
DROVE FROM WORK TO HOME, PARKED CAR. WHEN I WENT TO GO START CAR, IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. HAD IT TOWED TO FORD DEALER.UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION WITH FRIENDS THEY TOLD ME TAURUS/SABLE WERE KNOWN FOR BAD CONVERTERS, WENT ON INTERNET TO INVESTIGATE INFORMATION AND HAD HUGE RESPONSE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT MANUAL FORCE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT MANUAL FORCE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
CABLES FOR THROTTLE AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE ROUTED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY ARE RUBBING AGAINST OTHER PARTS AND THEIR INSULATION IS WEARING OUT. I SPOTTED THIS JUST AS THE SHEATH WAS BEING BIT INTO AND HAVE REROUTED. IT IS LIKELY THAT BOTH CABLES WOULD HAVE EVENTUALLY HAVE BEEN CUT THROUGH. ADDITIONALLY, CONTRARY TO NHTSA FINDINGS THAT THERE WERE NO CRASHES DUE TO STUCK THROTTLES ON 2005-2006 TAURUS, THERE IS EVIDENCE HERE THAT THERE HAS BEEN: HTTP://WWW.TAURUSOWNERS.COM/TOPIC/3377-POSSIBLE-TAURUS-RECALL/. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CHANGED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BECAUSE IT WAS FLAT AND HE NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO BECOME FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND AS THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTINUED TO INCREASE. THE CONTACT KICKED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES AND NOTICED THAT THE SPEED DECREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
RANDOM THROTTLE STICKING, CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. *TR
ON 12.02.2012, I WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION; AT A RED LIGHT; THE LANE TO THE ENTRANCE TO THE FREEWAY; AT THAT MOMENT AND TIME I DID ACTIVATE THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER ELECTRICAL PUSH BUTTON SWITCH FOR THE VEHICLE REAR WINDOW. AS SOON AS THE SIGNAL LIGHT WAS GREEN; WITHIN APPROXIMATELY LESS THAN TWO MINUTES, I DROVE OFF AND ENTERED THE FREEWAY; UPON ENTERING THE FREEWAY AND IN THE SLOW LANE, I TURNED OFF THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER; IN APPROXIMATELY LESS THAN TWO OR THREE MINUTES WHILE IN MOTION/DRIVING; THERE WAS A LOUD BANG!. THE LOUD BANG, WAS A SOUND LIKE SOMETHING EXPLODED; I LOOKED INTO MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND SAW THAT I COULD BARELY MAKE OUT WHAT WAS BEHIND ME/TRAFFIC. I PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND FOUND THAT MY REAR WINDOW HAD SHATTERED/WAS BROKEN UP/CRACKED INTO PIECES, THE WINDOW DIDN'T COME APART; STAYED INTACT. THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER SYSTEM ELECTRICAL CONNECTION @ THE REAR WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE; THE CONNECTOR PLASTIC HOUSING WAS MELTED, BUT STAYED CONNECTED/INTACT. THE DRIVER SIDE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR DETACHED/CAME OFF THE REAR WINDOW; THE CONNECTOR PLASTIC HOUSING WAS COMPLETELY MELTED.
I WAS DRIVING AND HAD TURNED INTO A STORE PARKING LOT. I MADE A TURN DOWN A ROW TO PARK AND AS I RAN OVER A GRATE, GOING NO MORE THAN 25 MPH, THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE RPM'S WENT UP TO ABOUT 40 MPH. I COULD FEEL IT. MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE HORRIFIED. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT AS FAR AWAY FROM THE OTHER VEHICLES AS POSSIBLE. THE CAR WAS ROARING SO HARD. I CALLED MY MECHANIC BECAUSE I HAD JUST HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME TO QUICKLY PAT DOWN ON THE GAS (THEN RELEASE) WHILE THE CAR WAS SAFELY IN PARK. I DID IT AND IT AND IT STOPPED IT. I COULD FEEL IT IMMEDIATELY STOP THE ACCELERATION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,097.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THE SPEED REMAINED AT 40 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ACCELERATOR CLIP MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000. UPDATED 12/5/12 *CN UPDATED 12/11/2012 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE RPM READING INCREASED ABNORMALLY HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026