Scary acceleration

[Almondtree]

So this has never happened before. I'm in 1 pedal drive as always. I'm almost totally parked in a head in parking space when suddenly the car just takes off and accelerates rapidly. Fortunately I was able to brake before it hit the car in front. There was a message that flashed on but was gone before I could read it.
Thoughts?

Sponsored

 

[Briguy]

I'd bet there are a dozen similar reports in this forum of this happening. Only happened to me once in a parking lot last fall so I don't know if Ford knew about it and released a SW update to correct the problem or what.

 

[VaporTrails]

I’ve had this happen only once over a year ago, and I am convinced it was me accidentally triggering cruise control. I suppose it accelerated to my desired setpoint immediately. I slammed the brake on before I could figure it out visually, as I was in some traffic. It was surprising. If it ever happens again I will be looking for telltale signs I had actually done that. There have been other not-fully-explained reports on this forum.

 

[RickMachE]

I’ve had this happen only once over a year ago, and I am convinced it was me accidentally triggering cruise control. I suppose it accelerated to my desired setpoint immediately. I slammed the brake on before I could figure it out visually, as I was in some traffic. It was surprising. If it ever happens again I will be looking for telltale signs I had actually done that. There have been other not-fully-explained reports on this forum.

This ^^^

 

[SonicBlue]

I’ve had this happen only once over a year ago, and I am convinced it was me accidentally triggering cruise control. I suppose it accelerated to my desired setpoint immediately. I slammed the brake on before I could figure it out visually, as I was in some traffic. It was surprising. If it ever happens again I will be looking for telltale signs I had actually done that. There have been other not-fully-explained reports on this forum.

The reason it happens so frequently in parking lots, unfortunately, is that is when people are twisting the wheel, making it much more likely to accidentally press the cruise button which sits at very edge of the steering wheel. Probably wasn’t the best place to put that button…

 

[VaporTrails]

The reason it happens so frequently in parking lots, unfortunately, is that is when people are twisting the wheel, making it much more likely to accidentally press the cruise button which sits at very edge of the steering wheel. Probably wasn’t the best place to put that button…

The button is large, and not indented much. I think it is a likely target. The fix could be as easy as swapping places with the buttons close to the center.

 

[Mach1E]

The button is large, and not indented much. I think it is a likely target. The fix could be as easy as swapping places with the buttons close to the center.

They could also fix the programming with one simple change-

“resume” for cruise control doesn’t work if the steering wheel isn’t straight.

Everyone hits the button accidentally in parking lots when the wheel is turned and I can’t think of a single instance you would want cruise control to resume when turning sharply.

 

[Snakebitten]

Considering the fact that Ford has developed software nuances like temporarily lowering a high (5+) HVAC fan speed if you say "Alexa", so the noise doesn't interfere with the request, you'd think that they WOULD have set turn-degree fencing for the resume cruise button.

 

[SonicBlue]

That’s a great idea. Too bad @Ford Motor Company doesn't appear to be listening to great ideas.

 

[Snakebitten]

Well in all fairness, I should at least make the effort to send them the feedback using the feedback tools they have provided.

 

[Snakebitten]

Just submitted. My first ever use of the tool

 

[Dear_OP]

Happened to us once at a parking lot. I attributed it was me. It was very sudden. Interesting to read of this account experiences by others. There was no pedestrian walking in front.

 

[HuntingPudel]

That’s a great idea. Too bad @Ford Motor Company doesn't appear to be listening to great ideas.

But they will take down your VIN and contact your dealer. Oh, and they will thank you for being part of the Ford family. ??

 

[burritoman]

The reason it happens so frequently in parking lots, unfortunately, is that is when people are twisting the wheel, making it much more likely to accidentally press the cruise button which sits at very edge of the steering wheel. Probably wasn’t the best place to put that button…

I was curious about this so I tested it in an empty parking lot with cruise set point at 55 mph and drive mode set to unbridled. At speeds below 12 mph it wouldn't resume cruise because speed was too low. When testing it at 12 and above, it resumed but did not accelerate fast, it was a slow ramp upward. Also tested with a vehicle in front of me and of course adaptive cruise prevented the car from accelerating at all. So I don't think I buy into this theory.

 

[Dmcerm]

So. I guess I'm wondering... every Ford I own, says in the owners manual that cruise control isn't even operable under 35mph.

If a driver is able to hit the button, I'd say the issue isn't the placement of the button, but FoMoCo needs to run an update that doesn't even let that cruise control work under 35... that IS scary!

Holy cow. In parking lots or on the street going slowing in traffic? Crazy.

Sponsored