U.S. regulator opens probe into accelerator pedal entrapment in Ford Fusion

Reuters ^ | 6/1/2010 | NA

[Daus]

DETROIT, June 1 (Reuters) - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a filing posted on its website * NHTSA opens preliminary investigation into reports of trapped accelerator pedals on Ford fusion and Mercury Milan * NHTSA says has received 3 complaints of accelerator pedals being trapped by floormats in 2010 Ford fusion vehicles *

[Daus]

OK, here we go... Another Government Motors competitor to get roughed up.

[chris_bdba]

That was my first thought. HMMM Government doesn’t own Ford either...sure makes you wonder!

[IamConservative]

Cars should have vinyl mats period. Then people wouldn’t be tempted to add a lose floormat to protect the carpet so it is clean - for the next owner.

[Ancient Drive]

these governemetn types sure like probing people...

[grellis]

If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.

[for-q-clinton]

Obama white house lawyers looked into this and assured us it’s on the up-and-up. Nothing to worry about here folks, our government’s vested interest in GM is not impacting their investigation into Ford.

[bmwcyle]

Three Union members report........

[norraad]

Gm still makes cars?

I haven't seen any new ones 'round here?

[rintense]

Called this months ago. With Ford not on the bailout, they will get the same thug treatment Toyota did.

[b4its2late]

Another Government Motors competitor to get roughed up.

Yep.

[b4its2late]

I hope my Mustang’s gas pedal doesn’t get stuck. I go like hell with it now, could you imagine?

[WayneS]

I have an accelerator pedal trapped in my Jeep right NOW!

In fact, I’ve NEVER seen an accelerator pedal from any of the many automobiles I have ever owned break free from its mounts and run around loose...

...well, except for once when I used to own an old Fiat 128 - that was a positively AWFUL car and it used to regularly drop any number of parts onto the road.

[a fool in paradise]

Floormats on all cars can loop over the accelerator.

This is a shakedown racket.

Here’s a tip. Take the floormat out from the driver’s compartment.

[robertwalker62]

I have a quick and quite possibly stupid question - might all these accelerator problems not exist were the cars in question manual transmission, and not automatic?

PS - I only learned to drive manual after moving here, and I quite prefer it.

[Pessimist]

3 complaints?

Outta how many out there?

[reagan_fanatic]

Floormats on all cars can loop over the accelerator. This is a shakedown racket. Here’s a tip. Take the floormat out from the driver’s compartment.

EXACTLY!

I've had my Fusion for three years now, and never had an issue with the mats, but if I felt they were a danger, I'd take them out. Simple, isn't it?

Sounds like someone is looking to make some money shaking someone else down.

[a fool in paradise]

Trial lawyers fund the DNC.

[Frantzie]

The Fusions and Milans are assembled in Mexico so the UAW must really hate them. The build quality and fit n finish on the 2010s is off the charts. The Ford cars are almost on par with a BMW at least the 3-series as far as build quality & fit & finish.

[ReneeLynn]

I think these problems might not exist if we had a different president. Take that Obama out of there and your car will work just fine.

[rlmorel]

Heh, I had a 1966 Dodge van where the accelerator went completely through the rusty floor...you could see the road below!

I got a pair of vice grips, clamped onto the remaining part that attached to the floor...the handles of the vice grips kept it from going through the hole...

Problem fixed!