Brake Electric Antilock problems of the 2000 Mercury Sable

Component: service brakes, hydraulic:antilock details: vehicle would start to spontaneously accelerate on its own power. After engine was turned on and the gear changed to drive, vehicle would jump on its own. While vehicle accelerated, brakes started to malfunction, and vehicle could only stop when the complete engine was turned off. This has happened on twelve different occasions. Defect can cause driver to lose control and get into an accident. The accelerator and brake pedals engage simultaneously. The pedals are set unusually close together. The driver has no means to know the state of pedal adjustment.

While driving 50 mph consumer applied the brake pedal and it went to the floor. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the brakes needed to be replaced.

With foot pressed down on brake pedal vehicle started to accelerate. Engine was racing, and vehicle suddenly took off and hit a building. Upon impact, none of the airbags deployed. Driver was unaware of speed. Please provide any further information.

On the first occasion I was stopped waiting in line to make a left hand turn, foot on the brake, the car suddenly accele rated as if someone had stomped on the gas pedal. I put both feet on the brake, car still was moving, I put it in park, engine raced so I shut it down. After restarting it returned to normal. The second time it happened, my daughter was driving in stop and go traffic, as she was slowing, with foot on the brake, car again accelerated, the car lurched forward and collided with a vehicle in front of her. She to had to shut down the engine for it to stop. I believe it to be a product failure and have reported it to Ford consumer affairs. It appears they have dismissed my claim without investigating it. This car is dangerous.

While stepping on brakes pedal to stop or reduce speed pedal will not go down. Consumer had take vehicle to two different dealers for same defect, and cause could not be detected. On one occasion, consumer went through a stop sign, immediately went to a dealer who refused to look at the brakes, consumer went back the following day, however dealer could not find any problems.

When applying brake at slow speed vehicle surge forward. Consumer applied brake, but vehicle did not slow down. Vehicle hit garage wall. This happened two times. Dealer could not find cause. Vehicle has surged a total of 10 times, always when slowing down. Pedals were not adjustable.

While driving 55 mph applied brakes, and braking distance was longer than usual. Engine started racing. Consumer put vehicle in neutral to slow down.

When accelerating from a stop, vehicle jerked/surged into a gear and suddenly accelerated. Ph abs possilby caused brakes to pulsate when coming to a stop.

Vehicle would start to spontaneously accelerate on its on power. After engine was turned on and the gear changed to drive, vehicle would jump on its own. While vehicle accelerated, brakes started to malfunction, and vehicle could only stop when the complete engine was turned off. This has happened on two different occasions. Dealer had advised consumer that the vehicle was in "perfect condition". Defect can cause consumer to lose control and an accident. The accelerator and brake pedals engage simultaneously. The pedals are set unusually close together. The driver has no means to know the state of pedal adjustment.

Applying brakes at 5 mph or less, pedal very rigid, no power assistance in evidence, engine begins to race on its own. Able to stop vehicle by shifting into neutral and standing on brake pedal. Vehicle returns to normal operation after brief malfunction. Compliance: owner's guide, page 223.

Intermittently when applying the brakes motor started to race and the brakes won't hold. The more consumer pressed on the brake pedal, the faster the motor went, causing unwanted acceleration. Vehicle was taken to dealership twice. Dealership was not able to find any problems with the vehicle.

While slowing to make a turn and when brake pedal was applied, vehicle just kept on rolling like the vehicle was being pushed from behind for at least 30ft. Dealer has been contacted.