Cruise Control problems of the 2003 Ford Taurus

Driving in intermittent rain showers at 60-70mph I had the engine cut out and dropped out of cruise control. Speedometer and tachometer bouncing up and down. Theft and engine light were flashing on and off at the same time as engine was stalling. Then the engine reengaged at 50-55 mph and continued on now responsive to gas pedal and acceleration. This repeated 5 - 8x in the span of 15 miles and several times pulling over. Weather cleared and drove another 100 miles with no events. Next morning driving kids to school after 10 minutes of running 25-40mph the same problem recurred but engine did not recover and completely stalled 3x in 1 mile. Restarted immediately each time. Reading through potential causes there were no less than 30 other individuals describing the exact same issue. Theft light on and engine stalling while driving. Various solutions proposed from electrical grounds, battery, alternator, fuse. Mega fuse, dpfe (differential pressure fuel exhaust?) sensor, egr (exhaust gas recirculation) system, pcm, icr, and several others. Not sure which it might be. Given there are so many and that it occurs in potentially dangerous situations - at high speed and no warning - this seems to be worthy of an investigation or recall.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 65 mph with the cruise control engaged, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle's speed rapidly increased without warning. The contact lost control of the vehicle, drove into a grass field over a dip in the field which caused the vehicle to roll over and land upside down. While flipped upside down, the engine continued to rev until the vehicle was powered off. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact and two passengers sustained unknown injuries that required medical attention. The approximate failure mileage was 177,000.

My 2003 Ford Taurus accelerates by itself to 35-45 mph without having to touch the accelerator (note: the car will also accelerate uphill without having to press the accelerator. Also, the cruise control light works, but the cruise control itself is not engaging.

Driving down long road, got up to 40 mph, car stayed on that speed as if it was in cruise control mode. I had the cruise control off. I even slowed down to 30, car stayed on thirty. Had foot off the gas pedal. It surges forward. I read horror stories of other year Taurus' doing same thing, causing crashes. My 16 yr old daughter drives this car. Every other car around this years date was recalled, but not the 2003. I changed my hoses, so it's not that. The car is literally staying in cruise control mode even when it's off. When I turn my steering wheel slightly to the right, I can hear a ticking sound once or twice, not sure what that is, it's scary though. Before something bad happens I want a recall for this year of Taurus regarding the cruise control being engaged.

After disengaging the cruise control by tapping the brake (the cruise control indication turned off), the vehicle continued to stay at the previously set speed. I then turned off the cruise control switch, which had no effect. I immediately started applying heavy braking until the vehicle slowed down to about 5 miles an hour and put the automatic transmission into park and turned off the engine ignition. All the while the car was attempting to accelerate back up to 55 mph (the previously set cruise control speed). This happened 2 more times and I was able to put the car in neutral and turn the car off and back on and that temporarily fixed the issue. I also later learned to briefly press and release the pedal to the floor which worked every time.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated up to 70 mph. The contact mentioned that after he was able to stop the vehicle, he realized that the cruise control cable became detached. He was able to correct that problem with electrical tape. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileages were 84,000. Updated 08/28/lj.

First time we noticed it I was accelerating to get on the freeway and the throttle pedal felt like it was sticking at a point about 1/4 throttle then it would work normally past that point. This occurred on several occasions that day. After that occurrence two days later we were on our way home and while cruising at 70mph on I-40, with the cruise control on, I accelerated to pass another vehicle and I felt the same incident as before. The feeling on the throttle is as follows: hard to press until the pedal reaches the 1/4 point then a snap and the pedal moves down freely. By coincidence two days after arriving home I came upon the msn report of Ford Taurus throttle problems. I will now be taking my car to the local dealer to report this problem. Thank you.

As I was driving, I noticed my car starting to accelerate. At first, I thought it was the cruise control, but when I went to slow down, the car just wanted to keep driving as if by itself; so, I had to make a sharp turn into the nearest parking lot in my attempt to get the car to stop. Finally, it came to a stop and almost ran into another car, but when I put it in park, the engine was still running at a fast speed; none like I heard before and then I turned it off.

While driving my daughter experienced a sudden acceleration and braking did not stop the engine from accelerating. She placed the vehicle in neutral and while still having difficulty braking was able to stop the vehicle and turn off the engine. Car was towed to service location and cruise control was disabled to remedy the issue. Fortunately no damage or injuries resulted.

Ford Taurus 2003 ses, engine 3. 0l car was purchased on may 28, 2011. Left side electrical along with components of the turn signal snap back when attempting to use this safety feature made for vehicles. On 06/15/2011 the front right brakes of the vehicle went out and required the vehicle to be towed to a local repair shop. During the drive home which was from a distance of about 20 miles I experienced uncontrollable steering and almost lost control of the vehicle. The replaced brake caliper bolt came loose and was lost along the highway. On 07/19/2011 after the vehicle was towed back to the repair shop the a/c compressor had failed again along with the transmission as the transmission was slipping roughly during normal driving conditions. The vehicle was towed and was blowing hot, brakes grinding, transmission flare shifting 2-3 shift. Repair shop stated slipping at 30mph and stated rebuilt transmission. During a week period around 07/22/2011 the brakes were grinding again and the lower ball joints were installed. Transmission slipping around 30mph and ac was still blowing hot. Transmission was rebuilt during this time frame due to flare shift 2-3 shift. Vehicle was towed back to the shop each time. 08/17/2011 check engine light on, transmission does not shift, grinding noise when accelerate and brake, a/c blows hot. On 08/31/2011 the transmission would not shift, stated need to replace all electronics in transmission, one or more solenoids are defect. 09/12/2011 odometer 112377 out o. On 09/20/2012 mil 140,768. Balanced 55 series and above rear right wheels balanced parts for flat with plug. Vehicle was inspected for power steering fluid and it was normal. The vehicle jumps when put in reverse and into gear and seems to want to stay on cruise control. I will post further comments to my complaint as there is not enough space for facts.

I was going to work the Monday after thanksgiving 2005, I stopped at a light and then proceeded to go, went to push the gas pedal to speed up, and it revved, and I coasted in a parking lot.

Sometimes the vehicle will accelerate when the consumer would take his foot off of the gas pedal just as if the cruise control was on when it was not. This has been happening off and on since December 2004. There were other problems with the vehicle that were not related. When the consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealership, they had replaced different parts on the vehicle. Although the repair made improvements, it did not completely fix the problem. The dealership could not find the exact problem. (11/15/05) Ford repurchased the vehicle. The consumer received compensation but did not feel that it was fair.

Intermittently driving at any speed, the cruise control would disengage with out warning. The cruise control would have to be reset in order for it to be engaged again. The vehicle has been examined by the dealer, who could not duplicate the problem. Checked vehicle with a Ford engineer, but cruise control won't disengage. It has to be set at 55 to 65 mph to disengage.