NHTSA Complaint #10264791 — 2003 MERCURY SABLE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, THE CONTACT'S FOOT STRUCK THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSTEAD. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD AT A FAST PACE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH WHEN PRESSED INCORRECTLY. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO AVOID A CRASH. HE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED INTERMITTENTLY, BUT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN, WHO STATED THAT HE DOES NOT WORK ON STEERING FAILURES. THE CONTACT WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,063.