NHTSA Complaint #706029 — 1997 FORD TAURUS

I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I HIT A CONCRETE POLE WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE PARKING LOT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN I BRAKED TO SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE CAR TOOK OFF LEAVING BLACK MARKS 9 FEET LONG. I DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO HIT THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR WAS ACTING ON ITS OWN. I HIT THE FRONT OF THE STORE. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED MY CAR WAS THE STEEL DOOR FRAME AND THE BRICK BUILDING. MY CAR WAS STILL MOVING AFTER I GOT OUT BECAUSE I HAD NOT PUT IT INTO PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. I HAD JUMPED OUT QUICKLY BECAUSE GLASS WAS COMING THROUGH MY SUNROOF ONTO ME. A WITNESS SAID "OH MY GOD, YOUR CAR IS STILL MOVING." I HAD TO GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE TO PUT IT INTO PARK AND TURN THE IGNITION OFF. THIS PROVES THAT THE CAR WAS GETTING FUEL SOMEWHERE BESIDES ME. I FEEL AS THOUGH THE FUEL SHUT OFF BUTTON LOCATED IN THE TRUNK SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS ACCIDENT. BUT IT DID NOT WORK; IN FACT, I AM THINKING SOMETHING MALFUNCTIONED AND INSTEAD OF SHUTTING FUEL OFF THE CAR WAS GETTING FUEL WIDE OPEN.