THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WHILE OPERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THIS FORCED THE OPERATOR TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE NAVIGATING THROUGH TRAFFIC. THE POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION/REDUCED POWER (RTT) WRENCH SYMBOL ILLUMINATED IN ADDITION TO THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED THE OPERATOR ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE UNDER ITS OWN POWER EVERY 15 MINUTES. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES THE VEHICLE RESPONDED TO THE ACCELERATOR AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE OPERATOR'S RESIDENCE. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY LOST ELECTRICAL POWER FORCING A FAIL SAFE MODE THAT DISCONNECTED THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL. *TR *JS
2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I STOPPED THE CAR IN MY GARAGE AND PUSHED THE KEYLESS IGNITION BUTTON, BUT DID NOT PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I EXITED THE CAR AND IT SLOWLY COASTED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO A DEEP GULLY.. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR FROM THE ACCIDENT AND THE WRECKERS GETTING IT OUT OF THE GULLY WAS $14,400. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED MOST WELL-ENGINEERED CARS, EXCLUDING FORD/LINCOLN, LOCK THE BREAKS OR PUT THE CAR INTO PARK IF THE KEYLESS IGNITION BUTTON IS PUSHED BEFORE THE CAR IS PUT INTO PARK. (EXAMPLES OF WELL ENGINEERED CARS INCLUDE BMW AND TOYOTA PRIUS WITH RESPECT TO THIS ISSUE.) THIS IS A MAJOR ENGINEERING SAFETY ISSUE. A DRIVER CAN PARK A FORD PRODUCT ON A HILL, PUSH THE IGNITION BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, BUT NOT PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND EXIT THE CAR AND THE CAR WILL COAST DOWN THE HILL HITTING ANYTHING OR ANYBODY IN ITS PATH. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD ENGINEER THEIR CARS SO THIS OVERSIGHT WILL NOT RESULT IN SUBSTANTIAL PROPERTY DAMAGE OR, WORSE, DEATH OF INNOCENT PEOPLE. CLEARLY OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAVE CHOSEN TO DEAL WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR