2002 Ford Taurus Acceleration Problems

Which parts fail

• Accelerator pedal
  10
• Cables
  1
• Cruise control
  1

Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  712%
• 25k–50k
  58%
• 50k–75k
  610%
• 75k–100k
  1017%
• 100k–150k
  2338%
• 150k+
  915%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Ford Taurus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

On 14 oct 2017, the subject vehicle had just been serviced. On the drive home, the throttle cable became stuck causing the car to not stop accelerating. The driver was able to exit the highway and stopped the car by crashing into a dumpster/fence at a service station.

My son was driving my 2002 Ford Taurus on 4-15-2014 at approximately 12:00 a.m. He had the cruise control set to 35 MPH. While driving, the cruise control began to accelerate. He tried to disengage the cruise control by hitting the brake. The cruise control would not disengage and the car kept accelerating reaching the speed of about 70mph. As a turn approached he could no longer control the vehicle. He hit a curb and a stop sign before the car came to a stop on the roadway. This was not the first instance with that vehicle and cruise control malfunctions, though this was the only time that the cruise control caused an accident. The vehicle had to be towed from the scene. The vehicle sustained $6005.00 of damage and is a total loss. Which does not include the cost of fixing the cruise control and acceleration issues.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. The accelerator pedal also depressed to the floorboard. The contact depressed the brake pedal but the vehicle would not stop. The vehicle crashed into a communication box, went air bourne, and came to a stop after landing. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 02V266000 (service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages) that May be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000. Updated 9/10/12

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving 2 MPH and pulling into a parking spot the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into the concrete parking chock. The vehicle continued rolling and crash into another parked vehicle. The failure recurred a second time while driving 10 MPH up a steep incline. The contact shifted into the neutral position and merged to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The speed control cables were adjusted for a quick but not permanent fix. The dealer was notified but offered no assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 77,000 and the current mileage was 78,000.

While accelerating onto an interstate(210frwy in la), the vehicle began accelerating on it's own up to 4000 RPM's. The car reached up to 80 MPH without touching the pedal. I had to use the neutral setting on transmission to slow down and eventually exit the busy highway. After checking under the hood I noticed the cruise control cable out of it's plastic retainer and stuck along the broken plastic clip that holds it. This car belongs to my 78 yr old father inlaw and I am glad this happened to me and not him or the outcome could have been fatal. Ford should have a recall on this design flaw in my opinion. At the very least they should have a simple fix like a metal cable retainer.

This vehicle was owned by my mom when this incident occurred. She was entering her garage when the vehicle began accelerating uncontrollably and went through her garage door and wall. She was not injured in the incident but her car and garage were. She took the vehicle to the local Ford dealership where the car was purchased but they could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. She did not feel comfortable driving the vehicle until it was repaired. After some time the Ford dealership finally decided to replace the computer (I believe). When she brought the car to the dealership she was told there were no recalls and no investigation into sticking accelerators.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle suddendly accelerated up to 50 MPH. The vehicle then crashed into a tree. The driver sustained two broken legs, twelve cracked ribs and the left shoulder was shattered. A police report was filed. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to a savage facility. The manufacturer was not notified of the unintended acceleration malfunction. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle began to accelerate independently. The contact attempted applied extreme pressure to the brakes but the vehicle did not stop until crashing into a concrete parking bar. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where the brake pads were replaced and the rotors were resurfaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileages were 101,000.....updated 10/11/12 updated 10/17/2012

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While driving 10-20 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact was able to place the vehicle in neutral to slow it down. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that a plastic tab linked to the vehicle speed control cable fractured and seized in the open position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,667.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While driving at low speeds, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained severe injuries to the head and left side of the body that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA investigations

Acceleration complaints in other Taurus years