Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 2% | 26,000 miles |
| 2015 | 10 | 4% | 13,000 miles |
| 2014 | 8 | 3% | 61,000 miles |
| 2013 | 18 | 3% | 62,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 5% | 50,000 miles |
| 2011 | 14 | 7% | 16,000 miles |
| 2010 | 24 | 12% | 29,000 miles |
| 2009 | 10 | 16% | 85,000 miles |
| 2008 | 32 | 18% | 58,000 miles |
| 2007 | 55 | 37% | 100,000 miles |
| 2006 | 176 | 55% | 91,000 miles |
| 2005 | 529 | 68% | 94,000 miles |
| 2004 | 164 | 44% | 100,000 miles |
| 2003 | 88 | 7% | 104,000 miles |
| 2002 | 76 | 5% | 105,000 miles |
| 2001 | 99 | 10% | 120,000 miles |
| 2000 | 87 | 7% | 100,000 miles |
| 1999 | 109 | 12% | 60,000 miles |
| 1998 | 111 | 20% | 90,000 miles |
| 1997 | 58 | 8% | 96,000 miles |
| 1996 | 42 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 1995 | 85 | 7% | 82,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact indicated that the vehicle erroneously accelerated and crashed into a nearby building. During the incident, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged but the airbags did not deploy. The front passenger sustained a back injury that required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failures were not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 14,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. While the vehicle was parked, the contact heard a loud noise and the air bag deployed without warning. The vehicle accelerated forward and crashed into a tree. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the Ford dealer, but was not repaired. The failure mileage was 23,000.
On 3/8/23 I was attempting to turn around on a residential street. I put my car in reverse and started turning steering wheel to the right when suddenly there was a loud pop and my steering wheel tighted up and I could barely turn it. IThen when I put in drive it stated rattling everywhere. I almost hit another car trying to turn in a drive cause couldn't turn. With in an hour the check engine power assist and traction control came lost blinkers and if I tried to gas it it would baulk I eventually got it home but every time I had to change gears drive to reverse it made a loud noise as if the bottom just fell out. My car has 5 recalls none have been fixed and Ford said my car had no recalls said mechanic but first lady agreed there was one. But they are refusing to fix it or even acknowledge that there is a recall. The mechanic was very short and rude with me. …
Pulling into my personal parking space I applied brake to slow down and come to a complete stop. Car accelerated to an uncontrollable speed, jumped the curb and continued flying whe I constantly applied brakes (approximately 40 yrds) missing the 100 yr old oaks and palm trees. This occurred beginning of July 2022. Happened again 1 week ago as I was pulling into parking space directly behind a parked car. As I approached parking space with my break slowing me down to enter spot the car accelerated as above. Thin time I was able to swerve left to avoid slamming into the car in the parking space which was in front of me. Thank God there were no cars at that the on the road.
Purchased vehicle on 10/06/2022. Within a week noticed surging and /or loss of power. I also smelled buring of some sort. Contacted the dealership and tried to make arrangements for car to be diagnosed and repaired. Codes began to show on the dash. When I took it to be read it showed throttle issues. On 10/18/2022 I was at a complete stop at a stop sign. When I released the brake and touched the gas the car unexpectedly sured at high speed on its own. My vehicle hit another vehicle causing major damage to both cars. It was extremely terrifying having my car take off at a high rate of speed without me in control. This now has caused tremendous hardship financially, Emotionally and I now have legal issues due to this accident that was no fault of my own.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. While exiting a parking area in reverse, the accelerator pedal became stuck without warning. The failure caused the vehicle to independently surge backwards into a wall. The contact applied the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, but it continued due to the accelerator pedal being stuck. The driver and two passengers experienced whiplash due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for further inspection and diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. While driving at various speeds, the traction assist warning indicator illuminated continuously. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it diagnosed that the steering wheel rotation sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The brake pedal was depressed in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Taurus. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The check engine and electronic throttle control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Related recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A dash insulator retainer clip was not fully assembled to the accelerator cable dash fitting. The clip can disengage from the accelerator cable and fall into the accelerator pedal arm pivot area.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles to ensure proper installation of the accelerator cable clip, and re-install if needed.
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: vehicles equipped with 3.8l engines and originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, iowa, idaho, illinois, indiana, kansas, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, north dakota, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, south dakota,…
Remedy: Dealers will add a boot to the speed control cable.
NHTSA investigations
Speed control cable damage
On June 21, 2013, Ford initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 13B04 to address a concern with Speed Control Cable damage in certain model year (MY) 2000 through 2003 Taurus and Sable vehicles equipped with 3.0L 4V Duratec engines and built at the Chicago assembly plant.In the dealer letter for the program, Ford indicates that the Speed Control Cables on affected vehicles may be susceptible to damage or becoming…
Stuck throttle
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Taurus years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (529), 2006 (176), 2004 (164), 1998 (111) and 1999 (109) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 68% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Ford Taurus acceleration problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 98V-204 (vehicle speed control, Sep 1, 1998); 97V-025 (vehicle speed control, Feb 26, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Taurus acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles; 14% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (103 mentions), followed by the cruise control (47).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.