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.
61
Latest Feb 28, 2010
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.
7%
of 923 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.
12
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
6
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 1994 Ford Taurus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 61 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 61, in the owner's own words
IT'S NOT GEARED TO ANY MANUFACTURE BECAUSE ALL THE VEHICLES I HAVE DRIVEN WORK THE SAME WAY. THIS PERTAINING TO CRUISE CONTROL. THEIR IS ONLY TWO WAYS TO SHUT IT OFF. THE ONE WAY YOU SHUT IT OFF IS TO HIT THE BRAKES LIKE IF YOU HAVE STOP FAST TO AVOID A ACCIDENT. BUT THE PROBLEM IS IF THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE IS BLOWN IT WILL NOT SHUT OFF THE CRUISE AND YOU ARE FIGHTING THE BRAKE WITH THE ENGINE REVVING AT A HIGHER RATE LIKE HIGHWAY SPEED. THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN BRING IT OFF CRUISE IS MANUALLY SHUT IT OFF THROUGH THE ON AND OFF SWITCH. NOW AT AVOIDING A ACCIDENT THE FIRST THING YOU DO HIT THE BRAKE I DON'T I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD SHUT IT OFF MANUALLY AT THE TIME OF A ACCIDENT WHEN THEIR UNDER PRESSURE OF A ACCIDENT AND HAVE TIME TO THE BURN OUT FUSE CAN HAPPEN FROM A SHORT THAT HAPPENS WITHIN THE VEHICLE ELECTRIC OR A SHORT IN A THE TOWING OBJECT. THIS HAPPENED YEARS AGO WITH ME BUT WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE THAT HAS HAPPEN RECENT MADE ME THINK ABOUT WHAT HAPPEN TO ME. AND AGAIN THIS IS NOT GEARED TO ANY CERTAIN MANUFACTURE I HAVE HAD FORD TO GM. *TR
NHTSA ID
10315010
Incident
Jul 19, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 20, 2009
Fire reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR BECAUSE THE HARNESS BURNED. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $100 TO REPAIR THE HARNESS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE HARNESS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 205,000.
NHTSA ID
10262531
Incident
Mar 17, 2008
Mileage
205,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 13, 2009
Fire reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD TAURUS. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) IN LATE DECEMBER OF 2008. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE VEHICLE TO BE DESTROYED AND WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE COMPLETE COVERAGE. THE FIRE AND POLICE REPORT NUMBERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 123,000.
NHTSA ID
10254880
Incident
Jan 13, 2008
Mileage
123,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 1, 2007
Fire reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH AND THE FIRE FUSED THE WIRING HARNESS. IN AUGUST OF 2007, SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO CALL HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO PROVIDE HER VEHICLE INFORMATION TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT HAS YET TO PROVIDE THE REQUESTED DOCUMENTATION. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 209,000.
NHTSA ID
10204584
Incident
May 7, 2007
Mileage
209,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 30, 2007
Fire reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. TWO MONTHS AFTER THE FIRE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000.
NHTSA ID
10201286
Incident
Jun 1, 2007
Mileage
90,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 26, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE 1994 FORD TAURUS WITH 62053 ACCELERATED WHILE THE CONTACTS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DASHBOARD LIGHT ALSO FLICKERED ONCE, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,153.*AK UPDATE *4/16TR
NHTSA ID
10186208
Incident
Mar 3, 2007
Mileage
62,053 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 3, 2005
DT: WITHOUT WARNING CALLER EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND RACING OF ENGINE. WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. CALLER TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON, AND IT STILL ACCELERATED. CALLER GOT UNDER HOOD AND PLAYED WITH THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. AFTER THAT IT WORKED OKAY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CALLED YET. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF SUCH A THING.*AK
NHTSA ID
10124087
Incident
May 29, 2005
Mileage
105,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+3 more
Filed Jan 15, 2003
MY CAR STALLS OR JUST STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, IT WILL GO FROM 60MPH TO 0MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 20 TIMES. I TOOK IT TO PEFFLEY FORD FOR REPAIRS, THEY CHARGED ME $669.36 AND 6 DAYS LATER MY CAR CUT OUT ON ME AGAIN AND THEY TOWED IT TO THEIR SHOP. THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT MY CAR WITHOUT ME PAYING MORE MONEY FOR REPAIRS AND THE TOW TRUCK. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON REPAIRS FOR MY CAR AND I FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY TIME I GET INTO THAT CAR. I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL CUT OUT AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY A NEW CAR. I FOUND OUT THAT 8 PEOPLE OWNED THAT CAR BEFORE ME, WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, THE SALESPERSON SAID THAT IT WOULD BE SAFE FOR MY TWO YOUNG GIRLS TO RIDE IN HE WAS WRONG. I HAVE ALL OF MY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION AND WILL SEND COPIES TO YOU. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE ONE OR ALL OF MY FAMILY END UP INJURED OR DEAD. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE, KAREN JUDKINS.
NHTSA ID
10002723
Incident
Oct 16, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 22, 2002
Crash reported2 injuries reported
SPEED WAS 35 WHEN ENTERING EXIT RAMP, BUT VEHICLE ACCELERATED INVOLUNTARILY UNTIL IMPACT.*AK
NHTSA ID
766062
Incident
Aug 17, 2002
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Apr 23, 2002
Crash reported2 injuries reported
VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED ON THE FREEWAY, GOING TO 120 MPH. IT WENT SO LONG, WHILE HE WAS STANDING ON THE BRAKES IT BLEW OUT THE MOTOR, VEHICLE CRASHED, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES.*AK *YH
NHTSA ID
8008431
Incident
Feb 2, 2002
Driver assistanceEngineTransmission
Filed Feb 4, 2002
WHEN THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR FAILS, IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DOWNSHIFT AT ANY SPEED REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE SHIFT LEVER SAYS. MY VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR WHILE TRAVELING AT OVER 60 MPH. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO POP OUT OF GEAR AND SURGE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHEN THE VSS FAILS, THE CRUISE CONTROL CEASES TO FUNCTION. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE REPAIRS LAST ROUGHLY 1 YEAR AND POP UP AGAIN. THIS LAST TIME, THE FORCE WAS SO GREAT THAT IT BROKE THE MOTOR MOUNTS.*AK
NHTSA ID
757721
Incident
Feb 2, 2002
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed Sep 19, 2001
VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT DOES NOT WAN'T TO GO INTO GEAR. WHEN VEHICLE FINALLY GOES INTO GEAR CONSUMER'S FOOT IS PRESSED SO FAR DOWN ON GAS THAT VEHICLE WILL TAKE OFF REALLY FAST. CONSUMER STATES SERIOUS HARM MAY OCCUR.*AK
NHTSA ID
896524
Incident
Sep 17, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 29, 2001
VEHICLE WILL STALL WHEN EITHER ACCELERATING/ DECELERATING OR GOING UP A HILL. DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ID
895383
Incident
Apr 1, 2001
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed Aug 28, 2001
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE UNLESS ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED TO HIGH RPM LEVEL WHICH RESULTS IN SUDDEN VEHICLE MOVEMENT. *AK
NHTSA ID
751317
Incident
Aug 25, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed May 23, 2001
VEHICLE WILL LURCH AND SURGE WHILE TRAVELING DOWN HILL AT ANY GIVEN SPEED, HAPPENS ON A RANDOM BASIS. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT THERE IS AN AIR CONTROL VALVE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AIR CONTROL VALVE WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LURCH AND SURGE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK
NHTSA ID
888988
Incident
Sep 1, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed May 8, 2001
1 death reported
THE CLIENTS HUSBAND WAS KILLED WHEN THE THROTTLE OF HIS VEHICLE STUCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A BUILDING AND RESULTING IN DEATH TO THE DRIVER, THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL, 97V025. NLM
NHTSA ID
561111
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 25, 2001
THE DEALER CAN NOT GET THE PART MY CAR NEEDS TO KEEP RUNNING . I HAVE ALSO TRIED BRINGING MY CAR TO DON OWENS AUTO REPAIR SHOP . DON OWENS TRIED TO GET THE PART USED BUT CANT GET ONE. THE CAR STALLED OUT ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND I COULDNT GET IT STARTED AFTER IT STALLED. HAD IT TOWED IN TO DEALER . DEALER CANT FIX IT , PRIVATE AUTO REPAIR SHOP CANT FIX IT WHAT DO I DO FOR TRANSPORTATION WHILE THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL DECEMBER!?*AK
NHTSA ID
744502
Incident
Apr 1, 2001
Body & structureDriver assistanceSuspension
Filed Mar 1, 2001
RECALL NHTSA: 94E036000/ FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS. SWAY BAR BRACKET BROKE ON CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PERFORM ANY SERVICE ON VEHICLE. *AK THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT BRACKETR BROKE AWAY FROM THE SUBFRAME. ALSO, THE CRUISE CONTROL KEEPS GOING OUT. *YH
NHTSA ID
881870
Incident
Jan 4, 2001
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Nov 21, 2000
CONSUMER TOOK IN VEHICLE FOR A ROUTINE CHECK, AND MECHANIC NOTICED RADIATOR LEAKING, AND CRUISE CONTROL BEING OUT. *AK
NHTSA ID
875300
Incident
May 20, 2000
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Oct 6, 2000
WHEN APPLYING HER GAS PEDAL VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PLACE. MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED ONCE, AND NOW THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN PASSING OR SPEEDING AND WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS DRIVER HAD TO PULL THE ACCELERATOR OFF THE FLOOR, AND HOLD BRAKES. *AK
NHTSA ID
872471
Incident
Sep 9, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 7, 2000
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS AND APPLYING ACCELERATOR PEDAL HARD, IT WOULD NOT RETURN BACK TO IDLE WHEN RELEASED. DRIVER HAD TO PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO REDUCE SPEED. DEALER CLEANED THROTTLE LINKAGE, AND PROBLEM FIXED. *AK *ML
NHTSA ID
863142
Incident
Jun 1, 1990
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed May 26, 2000
TRANSMISSION PISTON CRACKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. ALSO, ON AN INCLINE VEHICLE WOULD JUMP INTO REVERSE WHILE IN DRIVE. MOTOR MOUNTS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AS WELL. FORD DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY OF THE PROBLEMS. *AK *ML
NHTSA ID
862606
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed May 25, 2000
TRANSMISSION PISTON CRACKED , CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. ON AN INCLINE VEHICLE GOES INTO REVERSE WHILE IN DRIVE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ID
862540
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed May 23, 2000
WHEN APPLYING GAS FROM A STOP POSITION, CAR HESITATES, THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATES INTO INTERSECTION. DEALER REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION. *AK *ML
NHTSA ID
862344
Incident
Apr 15, 2000
BrakesDriver assistanceTransmission
Filed Feb 17, 2000
CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO RELEASE WHEN BRAKES WERE TAPPED TO SLOW DOWN. ALSO, THERE WERE NO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS, AND VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. WOULD NEED TO APPLY BRAKES TO EDGE VEHICLE TO SHIFT. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. OWNER HAS PARTS. *AK *ML
NHTSA ID
857152
Incident
Dec 31, 1999
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own