NHTSA complaint: 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA WAS BEING DRIVEN A 7 MILE DRIVE TO CHURCH ON A SUNDAY MORNING. THE DRIVER OF MY CAR NOTICED THE CAR WAS GOING VERY FAST, (APPROX. 80 MILES PER HOUR.) THE DRIVER STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. AFTER RIDING THE BRAKE FOR ABOUT 4 MILES, THE PANICKY DRIVER CALLED A RELATIVE FOR HELP. THE RELATIVE TOLD THE DRIVER TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD TO GET THE DRIVER OUT OF THE DANGER OF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER HOLDING THE BRAKE DOWN FOR SO MANY MILES, THE CAR FINALLY SLOWED TO AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR. OUR CAR STRUCK A VAN TRYING TO MAKE A TURN INTO THEIR CHURCH PARKING LOT. OUR CAR WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND SHAKING VIOLENTLY BEFORE HITTING THE VAN. AFTER BEING EXAMINED BY TWO MECHANICS, OUR CARS ACCELERATION WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL. THE CAR'S DAMAGES AS WELL AS THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS MENTAL ANGUISH WAS TREMENDOUS. MY CAR IS STILL SITTING IN A BODY SHOP PARKING LOT WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. *JB
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation