NHTSA Complaint #714810 — 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING

IN PASSING A VEHICLE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE AND THE THROTTLE JAMMED IN THE FULL ON POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO DRAMATICALLY INCREASE SPEED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND THE ENGINE RACED TO OVER 7000 RPM. I THEN HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE TO STOP THE RACING. THE AUTOMATIC GAS CUT OFF DID NOT APPEAR TO WORK. I ENDED UP IN THE GRASSY MEDIAM TO AVOID HITTING CARS AS I HAD LITTLE BRAKING AND STEERING POWER. UPON RESTARTING THE CAR IT APPEARED TO WORK AND I WAS ABLE TO GET ALMOST HOME WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE PEDAL WAS FULL OPEN AND WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF, THE AUTOMATIC CUT OFF APPARENTLY WORKED AS THE CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. IT WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. I AM TOLD THE CABLE WAS SERIOUSLY FRAYED WHICH CAUSED IT TO JAM IN THE OPEN POSITION. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT AND WAS GRATEFUL MY DAUGHTER OR WIFE WERE NOT DRIVING.