general problems of the 1998 Ford Taurus

This is the scariest thing I have ever seen while driving my teenage son's vehicle. His vehicle would not decrease in speed. While taking off from a stop, without touching the pedal, the vehicle accelerated on its own. I have never seen a vehicle accelerate without hitting the gas pedal. This is a serious safety concern especially since its a teenagers vehicle. I see that newer Taurus's had a recall for the exact same issue. Many were reporting the vehicle accelerating on its own, this is exactly what my son's did tonight. Also, when I placed his vehicle in park, the vehicle revved up to 4000 rpm's like someone was hitting the gas. I had to shut the car off before it blew the engine. It was nerve racking. This is likely to cause a serious injury of death to my child.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the vehicle would accelerate and then decelerate for approximately a quarter mile. The driver was able to safely drive the vehicle home at very low speeds. The vehicle had not been diagnosed by a dealer when the complaint was filed. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 112,000.

Two separate times brought vehicle to normal stop and engine began to race on its own. Had to keep brakes applied full strength. Rpm were approx 2000 to 2500. Had to shut the engine off both times to stop the surging.

: the contact stated while the brake pedal is depressed the vehicle accelerates at various speeds. An independent repair shop determined the throttle sensor control needs to be replaced.

Idle control module malfunctioned.

When the consumer removed his foot from the gas pedal, the vehicle accelerated more. Vehicle seemed to "run" from driver which caused him to brake more often than necessary, especially when going down hill.

While in motion, consumer applied brakes to stop at an intersection, at the same time vehicle accelerated to full throttle causing a near collision. Manufacturer notified.

After consumer put vehicle in park engine accelerated, engine revved.

The car is idling up to 4rmp in "park" the car accelerate when taking out of park in put into gear.

The vehicle consistently will accelerates on it's own while coasting at a slow speed. This requires heavy pressure on the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a stop. This is a very repeatable failure. The vehicle also idles very fast at all engine temperatures which causes very harsh transmission shifting. The local Ford dealer has had the vehicle several times and is telling me this is normal.

While stopped in traffic, the vehicle suddenly surged forward without warning. The driver had to turn the ignition off and forefully apply brakes to stop vehicle and avoid collision. Vehicle taken to dealer, but problem could not be found.

When the vehicle is in park consumer has to hold down the brake pedal tightly because vehicle will accelerate up to 3rpms. If brake pedal isn't held down hard, vehile will take off.

Car accelerates all on its on, including going uphill without even touching the gas pedal car will travel between 30 and 40 mph. When placed in park car races at between 3500 and 4500 rpms and has to be shut off. Placing the car in neutral does not eliminate the problem. Have had car at the dealer twice and they couldn't find or couldn't be bother to find problem. Requires excessive brake use and sometimes still lurches forward with four wheel antilock brakes applied. Have notified Ford motor company and they sent me a questionnaire!! this has been going on now for 5 months without resolution and it is inevitable that an accident is surely to occur.

When traveling on the highway the car just stalled without prior warning. Before it was turned back on, vehicle surged forward, then cut off.

While at a complete stop, engine accelerated, high idle speed and shifting to neutral would not bring down. Had to shut enginine down. Dealer could not duplicate problem, no codes. Dlr said to return if problem arises again.

Inconsistent speed control, vehicle will not decelerate, will pick up speed on hills, absolutely no engine braking, requires excessive use of brakes.

This is to register the engine r. P. M. Surging that occurs when the Ford Taurus is placed in park following road use. This has been reported by other Taurus owners and their comments are consistent with my experiences of the engine racing to 3,000 r. P. M. Or higher. If the transmission is shifted to reverse or drive without the brake firmly applied, certainly what would be unattended acceleration will occur with life threatening consequences. I've been to my Ford dealer (marshall Ford, inc. Of union, ms). They have attempted to diagnose and correct this problem. I believe they have tried their best to act in good faith. However, my communications with Ford motor CO. Regarding this serious problem have not been satisfactory. They have denied any existence of this malfunction. The number of Taurus owners with identical engine r. P. M. Acceleration complaints on your website reflect a much different story. Can you investigate this problem and consult with Ford motor company concerning the engine r. P. M. Surging as described, which is potentially very dangerous.

While backing out of a parking space vehicle took off in reverse, causing driver to smash into 3 other cars. Owner experienced same problem on March 26th and April 29th. Those incidents did not result in a crash. The vehicle has been towed to the dealership.

Going downhill with speed control set at 65 mph, speed went up to 80 mph. The dealer was made aware of the problem. Condition was stated to be normal.

When lever is in park vehicle would idle up to 3000 rmps like it was taking off. Vehicle started to accelerate on its own. Foot would remain on the brake due to high acceleration. Have been to dealer at least 4 separate times for the problem.

While driving down hill and setting speed control at a certain speed, it will not stay at set speed, but it will speed up. Dealer said there was nothing he could do.

Vehicle does not decelerate after the driver has removed foot from gas pedal. Dealer says that the vehicle is operating normally, problem still exists.

Since new, vehicle fails to decelerate immediately when foot removed from accelerator. Will also accelerate going downhill with cruise on.

Ongoing problem with vehicle not deaccelerating when foot is removed off pedal. Vehicle would intermittently continue for a few seconds or more, and sometimes up to a minute, before vehicle would return to normal speed. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that condition was normal.

While driving and took foot off the gas pedal, the vehicle kept going and did not reduce speed, which may have been a problem with the throttle system. There is a TSB bulletin saying it is normal condition.

When coming to a stop vehicle will lurch/jump forward intermittently, causing safety hazard. Dealer cannot determine cause.

Car idles 1,000-1,100 rpm. Will travel more than a mile on level highway after accelerator released. Braking is never assisted by engine as should happen to one degree or another.

Vehicle experiences "speed flair", when brake pedal is released and before consumer can engage accelerator pedal vehicle shoots forward, unable to rectify problems, consumer does not have complete control over vehicle when this occurs. Mjs.

The vehicle will pick up speed by itself withoutaccekerating, which could cause an accident.

Vehicle accelerates on its own while going downhill.

Vehicle does not decelerate immediately when the gas pedal is released.

Recently purchased this 1998 fleet vehicle with 70,700 miles. Twice in the past week, approximately 75 miles driven vehicle has lunged forward during a stop. Both times it was caused by the engine failing to reduce rpms during deceleration. Again, in both cases I was traveling at approximately 40 miles per hour just prior to approaching the stop signs. I was able to stop the car by applying significant pressure to brake, and engine returned to normal. I came to this website to see if there were any recalls or similar reported problems with this model and found what may be a related problem with certain cars not reducing rpm during deceleration at highway speeds. My car does this also. That was the first difference I noticed between this vehicle and the 1999 Ford Taurus I used to drive as my fleet car. Because the problem is only random, I was reluctant to take the car to a dealer for investigation as they would probably not be able to actually observe the problem. What should I have them check?.

With in last month when the car was in park or neutral engine would run up to about 3000rpms. Only way to stop it was to turn it off with the key. It has not done this in gear.

Vehicle accelerates by itself. It does not slow when accelerator is released. Problem is intermittent, and two visits to the dealer provided no solution. Dealer said to bring it in when it is happening, but this is unworkable as car must be shut off to stop high engine speed and then the problem stops until next occurance. I feel this vehicle is dangerous and the cavalier attitude of the dealer is of no help.