RoadVitals

2001 Ford Focus Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
71
Latest Sep 17, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 1,761 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
17
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
10

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Ford Focus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 71 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

The 25 most recent of 71, in the owner's own words

Body & structureDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 17, 2020
Fire reported

ON 9/2/2020 AROUND 10 PM IN MICHIGAN I WAS MAKING A PIZZA DELIVERY, I PULLED INTO THE SUBDIVISION WHERE I HAD TO MAKE THE DELIVERY, ALL THE SUDDEN MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR BRAKE. I GOT MY CAR FO SAFTEY AWAY FROM THE HOUSES BECAUSE MY FIRST INSTINCT WAS SAFETY. I GRAB MY PHONE TO CALL MY BOSS, I THOUGHT MY CAR JUAT BROKE DOWN. THEN I SAW SMOKE AND SPARKS. I CALLED THE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND THE CARS SMOKE GOT DARKER AND THE FLAMES GOT BIGGER. I WAS VERY SCARED. ALL MY WINDOWS EXPLODED AND THE CAR MELTED TO GROUND. BY THE LOOKS OF MY PHOTO THE FIRE STARTED NEAR THE BATTERY AND CABLES. EVER SINCE THAT NIGHT, I'VE BEEN SCARED OF FIRES, HOT SURFACES, AND WEARY AROUND CARS. I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE BUT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE FLAMES REACHED ABOUT 10 FEET HIGH. LUCKILY IT DID NOT CATCH ANYTHING NEAR BY ON FIRE.

NHTSA ID
11355484
Incident
Sep 2, 2020
Mileage
108,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 2, 2017

THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES TO 2000-3000 RPM BY ITSELF. SOMETIMES WHILE AT IDLE AND SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IN TOWN OR THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND HAVE SPENT MONEY ON TPS, THROTTLE BODY, SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, COIL PACK, FUEL PUMP AND FILTER AND IT STILL DOES THE SAME SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THAT ISSUE WITH OLDER FORD FOCUSES. IS THERE A FIX TO THIS ISSUE AVAILABLE? MAYBE A RECALL? I HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO HITTING A MOVING VEHICLE, AFTER EXITING IH 35 AND COMING UNTO A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON THE ACCESS ROAD. I ALMOST REAR ENDED SEVERAL VEHICLES STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. UPON EXITING THE INTERSTATE I WAS APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION, MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 3500 RPM AND I COULD NOT STOP IT USING THE BRAKES EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRACTICALLY STANDING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE GEAR IN NEURAL AND THUS DID NOT HIT THE VEHICLES AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY IDLED DOWN BUT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND AN EXTREMELY SCARRY SITUATION. I HAVE NOT USED THE VEHICLE SINCE EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON REPAIRS. I WOULD PROBABLY NOT BUY A FORD AGAIN. I AM GOING TO SELL THE CAR BUT WILL TELL THE BUYER THAT THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THANKS FOR ANY HELP AVAILABLE

NHTSA ID
11012403
Incident
Jun 20, 2017
Mileage
114,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Aug 12, 2015

WHEN VEHICLE HAS IDELED OR TRAVELED AT SLOW SPEEDS FOR A LONG PERIOD, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. IT WILL ALSO STALL HAS LOST FUEL EFFICIENCY AND DRIVER CAN SMELL FUEL. MECHANIC STATES THE FUEL RAIL PRESSOR SENSOR IS LEAKING. MECHANIC STATES PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. ONE CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT BACK ORDER IS CAUSED BY SAME OR SIMILLAR MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ID
10748156
Incident
Jul 14, 2015
Mileage
11,600 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Dec 16, 2014

IT START WITH DOOR BUSTING ALL THE TIME ,THEN I SWITCH IT OFF ..NOW IT WANT CRANK ,JUST BUST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10664556
Incident
Dec 2, 2014
Mileage
160,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 7, 2014
Fire reported

2001 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS A LEMON. OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS ALONE, HE HAS SPENT $2,000 IN NON-ROUTINE REPAIRS. EVERY TIME THERE WAS AN ISSUE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT WAS NEVER FULLY FIXED. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND THE WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE.. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED ALL NEW WIRING, AFTER THE DASH LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT 3 TIMES. ALSO, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND ALL THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10575595
Incident
Apr 1, 2014
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 22, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD RANDOMLY ACCELERATE AND DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY AS IF IT WERE GOING TO STALL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10526079
Incident
Mar 20, 2013
Mileage
88,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Jun 11, 2013

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS LX WITH 199,871 MILES ON IT AND ITS MY FIRST FORD CAR. I HAVE OWNED MANY OF FORD TRUCKS IN MY LIFE AND ALWAYS FIXED PROBLEMS WITH THEM MYSELF. BUT WITH MY FOCUS, EVERY TIME IN THE PAST 4 YEARS WHEN I TURN A CORNER ROUGHLY AROUND 15 MPH OR OVER, IT CUTS OUT AND THE CAR BOGS OUT AND JUMPS LIKE THE ENGINE IS GOING TO JUMP OUT THEN I GET A BAD SMELL ALMOST LIKE SULFUR COMING FROM THE CAR. ALL FLUID LEVELS ARE GOOD WITH A FULL GAS TANK. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS HOT OR COLD. USUALLY I CAN JUST PUNCH THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND IT WILL EVENTUALLY GAIN RPM'S AGAIN AND GO WITH NO PROBLEMS UNTIL I TURN SHARP AGAIN. I HAVE RECENTLY REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND CABLES, ALTERNATOR, TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH PLATE, FUEL PUMP AND VARIOUS PCV VALVES AND HOSES. HAD THE FUEL PRESSURE TESTED AND IT WAS FINE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONSISTENT LIKE THIS FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS WITH NO OTHER PROBLEMS. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FORD GURU BUT THIS CAR IS MAKING ME THINK TWICE. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN THAT GO WITH ME ALMOST EVERYWHERE WITH ME AND JUST TODAY AS I TURNED A CORNER GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY RAMP, IT BOGGED OUT WORSE THEN EVER WITH MANY ANGRY DRIVERS ON MY TAIL. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO CRASH THE CAR INTO THE GUARD RAIL. I HIT THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR LIKE I USUALLY DO AND IT STARTED GOING AGAIN, BUT IN FIFTH GEAR IT KEPT JUMPING AND CUTTING OUT. I TURNED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON AND IT RAN FINE ALL THE WAY HOME. I HAVE READ MANY FORUMS WITH THE SAME ISSUES ON MY MAKE AND MODEL AND TRIED MANY SOLUTIONS WITH NO LUCK. WITH YOUR EXPERTISE, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. I SEE THIS PROBLEM ALLOT WITH FOCUS BUT NEVER ANY WORKING SOLUTIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10516174
Incident
Jun 10, 2013
Mileage
199,806 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 28, 2012

DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 60 MPH WHEN CAR ACCELERATED GAINING SPEEDS OVER 75. I PULLED OVER, SHUT DOWN ENGINE, LIFTED HOOD AND SAW ACCELERATOR LINKAGE WAS STUCK. I CLEARED LINKAGE, STARTED ENGINE AND CAR RAN NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES ON LATER DATES WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. CAR STARTS ACCELERATING UNTIL I STOP VEHICLE, SHUT OFF ENGINE, AND FREE UP LINKAGE/METAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10468103
Incident
Jul 7, 2012
Mileage
115,500 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 12, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN UP SHIFT AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DOWN SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO BRAKE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND IT ACCELERATED UP TO 40 AND 60 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF TO STOP ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE; HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 109,000.

NHTSA ID
10465473
Incident
Jul 12, 2012
Mileage
109,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Aug 21, 2011

WHILE PASSING A CAR WHILE DRIVING DOWN A TWO LANE ROAD, MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL CONTINUED GOING DOWN TO THE FLOOR ON ITS OWN. I TAPPED THE BRAKES, CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY OBSTRUCTIONS BY THE PEDAL, TRIED EVERYTHING I COULD TO FREE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT NOTHING WORKED. BY THIS TIME THE CAR WAS TRAVELING IN EXCESS OF 80 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES WERE NOT SLOWING THE CAR DOWN AT ALL. FINALLY I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND WHILE THE ENGINE KEPT RACING AT FULL THROTTLE, I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY HUSBAND RETURNED TO LOOK AT THE CAR AND FOUND THE ACCELERATOR CABLE DISCONNECTED AND LODGED BETWEEN THE MOUNTING BRACKET AND THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR, JAMMING THE THROTTLE AT FULL THROTTLE. FORTUNATELY THIS HAPPENED ABOUT TWO MILES FROM THE HOUSE. HE WAS ABLE TO RECONNECT THE CABLE AND DRIVE THE CAR HOME, BUT HE SAID THAT WHILE DRIVING BACK, THE THROTTLE WAS SLOW TO THROTTLE DOWN WHEN HE RELEASED THE PEDAL. ONCE BACK HOME HE FOUND THE CABLE HAD DISCONNECTED AGAIN. WE ARE GOING TO CONTACT FORD TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS FOR THE 2001. WE FOUND RECALLS ON THE 2000 MODEL BUT NONE ON THE 2001. WE ALSO FOUND ONE COMPLAINT THAT WAS DESCRIBED EXACTLY AS OURS WITH THE CABLE DISCONNECTING AND HANGING UP ON THE BRACKET. *TR

NHTSA ID
10420858
Incident
Aug 21, 2011
Mileage
192,247 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 22, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE IT ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR REPLACED. A YEAR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION AND THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR WERE ALSO REPLACED; YET, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT STATED THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY TPS SENSOR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WOULD CEASE FOR ABUT SIX MONTHS AND THEN RETURN. THE TPS SENSOR WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. UPDATED 07/29/11

NHTSA ID
10408580
Incident
Jun 15, 2011
Mileage
153,000 mi
Driver assistanceInterior & seatsExterior lighting+2 more
Filed Sep 30, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE WHICH INCLUDED THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUTS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WOULD SIT SIDEWAYS WHEN PARKED. THE BACK OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE, SO IT SLID FORWARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE TOO DIM AND DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING ON THE ROAD. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT ALARM WOULD RING ALTHOUGH THE SEAT BELT WAS ENGAGED AND THE LATCH WOULD ALSO POP OPEN SUDDENLY AT TIMES. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AND WOULD ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD HAVE TO BE PERFORMED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 107,000.

NHTSA ID
10358453
Incident
Nov 11, 2001
Mileage
107,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Jun 26, 2010

STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL 2001 FORD FOCUS SE. 2.0L L4 DOHC DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE HEADING TO WORK AND WAS GOING TO SET THE CRUISE. I COULDN'T GET IT TO ACTIVATE TRIED SPEEDING UP AND SLOWING DOWN AND SETTING - DIDN'T OPERATE. A FEW MOMENTS LATER A CAR MERGED IN FRONT OF ME FROM THE ON RAMP. I SLOWED DOWN LET TRAFFIC ON THE LEFT GO BY. I THEN MERGED TO LEFT LANE AND DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND IT STUCK AT/NEAR FULL THROTTLE. I TAPPED THE BRAKES TO SEE IF THE CRUISE HAD ENGAGED - NO CHANGE, LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS AN OBSTRUCTION BY THE PEDAL - NONE FOUND, TRIED PULLING PEDAL BACK WITH MY FOOT - NO EFFECT, TRIED STOMPING ON ACCELERATOR TO SEE IF IT WOULD UNSTICK - NO CHANGE. I WAS NOW GOING OVER 80 MPH AND CLOSE TO REAR ENDING A CAR IN FRONT OF ME I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES HARD, IT DIDN'T SLOW DOWN. AT THIS POINT I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND MERGED TO THE RIGHT AND OFF TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. I OPENED THE HOOD AND INSPECTED THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE AT THE THROTTLE PLATE. FOUND THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HAD DISCONNECTED AND GOT LODGED BETWEEN THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE MOUNTING BRACKET AND THE THROTTLE PLATE ACTUATOR KEEPING THE THROTTLE PLATE AT OR NEAR FULL THROTTLE. I RECONNECTED THE CRUISE CABLE WENT TO WORK RETURNED HOME AND HAVE SET THE CAR ASIDE FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10340186
Incident
Jun 25, 2010
Mileage
123,150 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 17, 2009

BATTERY POSITIVE TERMINAL CORROSION ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS HAVE REPLACED BATTERY TWICE AND ALTERNATOR ONCE BECAUSE OF NO START, DEAD BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. BATTERY CABLE SHOWS BATTERY CORROSION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10258944
Incident
Feb 16, 2009
Mileage
963,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 26, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-80 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK MOMENTARILY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS BEING REDESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR THIS FAILURE, AND WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER OF 2008. THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AND AWAITING THE REPLACEMENT PART IN ORDER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 30,000.

NHTSA ID
10243522
Incident
Jul 24, 2008
Mileage
30,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Aug 16, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported

I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD FOCUS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHILE PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPACE THE CAR ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY THEN THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I THEN PULLED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WHICH DID NOT WORK TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE CAR. I CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPACE. ALSO, UPON IMPACT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT INFLATE. THE CAR WAS SUPPOSEDLY TO HAVE FRONT AND SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS AND ONE IN THE STEERING WHEN AND NOTHING HAPPENED. MY CHEST WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL SO HARD THERE WAS A CIRCULAR IMPRINT AROUND MY CHEST AND STOMACH. AFTER PEOPLE CAME TO SEE ABOUT ME ONE MAN ASKED IF MY CAR WAS OFF. I SAID YES AND HE POINTED OUT THE CAR STILL LOOKED LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE WHEELS WERE SPINNING FULL FORCE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP I ONLY HAD IT FOR 3 DAYS AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP SAID SINCE THE CAR WAS IN A WRECK IT WAS WORTHLESS TO HIM AND THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. HE EVEN THREATENED THAT HE WOULD CALL THE POLICE IF MY FAMILY AND MYSELF DID NOT LEAVE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10199801
Incident
Aug 20, 2003
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 14, 2005

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TRAFFIC WAS TRYING TO MERGE, AND SHE WAS BLOCKED IN ON THE LEFT. SHE ACCELERATED A LITTLE TO GET AHEAD OF THE MERGING TRAFFIC. AT THAT TIME THE THROTTLE STUCK WIDE OPEN AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. SHE STATED THAT WHEN SHE TRIED TO STOP THE CAR WITH THE BRAKES, IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS PUSHING AS HARD AS SHE COULD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. SHE PLACED THE GEAR SHIFT IN NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. SHE CAME TO A STOP AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. THE RPMS WERE AT 7000 BEFORE SHE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. UPON RESTART, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE TO 7000 RPM. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE THROTTLE UN-STUCK BY PUSHING THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND RELEASING. SHE DROVE THE CAR TO A SEARS AUTO CENTER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THE THROTTLE LINKAGE MALFUNCTIONING. HE COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AND COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. WE ELECTED TO LEAVE THE CAR THERE, AND HAVE IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING. IT WAS A VERY SCARY AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS EVENT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10132808
Incident
Aug 14, 2005
Mileage
45,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 20, 2005

NO EVENT LED TO THIS FAILURE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE. LUCKILY, I WAS IN A LANE THAT ALLOWED ME TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER; HOWEVER, A DEFECT SUCH AS THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO GET INTO A CAR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10129411
Incident
Jul 17, 2005
Mileage
45,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 8, 2005

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATION PEDAL. THE CAUSE OF THIS WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10111157
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 30, 2004
Crash reported

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE CONSUMER DOWN SHIFTED AND THE SAFETY IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS CAUGHT UNDER THE CLUTCH, CAUSING THE RELAY TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONSUMER PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE LURCHING, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE AND THE CONSUMER SCRAPED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT. *AK *SC

NHTSA ID
10094525
Incident
Sep 14, 2004
Mileage
32,089 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 21, 2004

VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING OR WOULD NOT START. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10092942
Incident
Aug 16, 2004
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Sep 2, 2004

CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL RAIL SYSTEM WAS LEAKING GASOLINE, RESULTING IN STALLING. INDEPENDENT SHOP CLEANED THE FUEL INJECTION AN THROTTLE CABLE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10090252
Incident
Sep 2, 2004
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 6, 2004

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE MONTAUK HIGHWAY 27, I REACHED THE SPEED OF 50 MPH. APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES AFTER REACHING 50 AND PLACING MY CAR IN CRUISE CONTROL, THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY BEGAN TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE. I COULD NOT SLOW THE CAR DOWN, HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY.*AK

NHTSA ID
10086306
Incident
Aug 1, 2004
Mileage
44,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 1, 2004

VEHICLE WAS SURGING AT A STEADY SPEED OF 53-63 MPH. *PH *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10066718
Mileage
17,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel systemSuspension
Filed Feb 3, 2004
Crash reported2 injuries reported

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S WIFE MADE A LEFT TURN AND FRONT WHEELS LOCKED. THEN, VEHICLE DRIFTED AND HIT THE CURB AND A POLE. BOTH, CONSUMER AND WIFE HAD THEIR SEAT BELTS ON, BUT SUSTAINED BACK AND LEG INJURIES. ALSO, A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE FUEL LINES. INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED, AND WAS TOLD BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK *TR

NHTSA ID
10057464
Incident
Feb 3, 2004

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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