In February 2012 (mileage approx 32900), I experienced jerking upon accelerating as my 2009 Ford Escape was changing gears. The dealer assessed it as a computer malfunction and reprogrammed the computer. My wife and I have had intermittent problems with jerking upon accelerating since. Then, on 10/20/2012 (mileage approx 38000), the vehicle stalled when my wife was accelerating to enter traffic on the interstate highway. Thankfully, she was able to get out of traffic without getting hit, and she and our 18 month old are ok. The dealership is replacing the throttle body. Not only was acceleration a problem, the seals on the front axle broke and spilled axle fluid on the drivers side, so the dealer is refilling the axle fluid and replacing the seals.

- Windcrest, TX, USA

I was driving on the interstate when I started to lose power and the throttle control/drivetrain light came on. I pulled to the berm and the engine felt like it was missing and it would not respond when I pressed the accelerator. I turned the vehicle off, waited and then turned it back on. The light was off and it ran okay. I continued to work with no further problems. On the way home from work the exact same thing occurred only traffic was much heavier on the interstate so getting to the berm was much more hazardous. I turned it off and then back on and it ran okay again. I contacted my local Ford dealer and was able to schedule an appt for the next evening. The next day on the way to work the vehicle did the same thing as I pulled into an intersection. Traffic was light so I was able to stop turn it off and then back on and it ran okay. I took it to the dealer that evening and they kept it so their service dept could analysis the problem. The next evening they contacted me and advised they could find nothing wrong with the vehicle. I picked it up and drove it to work and home the next day with no problem. The following day it occurred again and I contacted the dealer and they had me bring it in. I was approx. 15 miles from the dealership when I contacted them and the vehicle did the same thing 2 more times before I could get to the dealership, once in an intersection and once on the interstate. After they analyzed it again they advised me it was the throttle body actuator (code P2111 throttle body actuator stuck open forced to limit power) the vehicle has just over 37,500 miles on it so it is not covered by warranty. Looking on the web and the NHTSA website this doesn't appear unique to my vehicle. Since this occurs without any warning and has happened at very inopportune times this looks to be a safety concern.

- Grove City, OH, USA

Shortly after entering highway on dark rainy evening, with no fore warning, car began to shake and lose power. Was able to pull to side of highway. Even though I was pressing on the gas, car would not go forward. Wrench light was illuminated on the dashboard. Called for assistance. When help arrived they suggested I turn off vehicle. When I turned back on, car was fine. The next day, with no warning, same thing occurs on neighborhood road. When we took to Ford dealer today, the problem did not repeat so they have no repair code. This is a very dangerous situation....could lead to accident on highway...I have to drive 17 miles to work on highway and I am scared.

- Westlake, OH, USA

I was driving on the highway when the SUV started to decelerate. I was traveling at 70mph. The RPM did not change when I pressed the gas pedal. The SUV coasted to 0mph. I had to turn the car off for a few minutes. When I restarted it, it drove well enough to get to the Ford dealership. Diagnostics were run and I was told that it was a "hiccup" and nothing registered in the computer as an alert. I was told to return if it happened again but was told again that it was a "hiccup." The following week, it happened again as I was leaving work. I drove to the Ford dealership but this time I took video. I was told it was the throttle that needed to be replaced. Possibly a sensor?? I'm not sure. Because the SUV was out of warranty and it was a Saturday, Ford didn't know if my extended warranty would cover the part. They cleaned the throttle, I think, and told me to come back on Monday. I drove out into the road in front of the dealership and the throttle messed up again. The car decelerated. I turned it off, waited, turned it back on and drove back and paid for Ford to install the part. The car still seems to want to decelerate at times but it doesn't and there are no warning alerts/lights. Again, I do have video of what actually happened the 2nd time the SUV's throttle messed up.

- Raymondville, TX, USA

Purchased used 2009 Ford Escape in August 2012. Ran fine for the first month then started to hesitate when accelerating. We are now having repeated hesitation and engine surging. We are becoming concerned about pulling into traffic and having the engine stall. With only 44000 miles in it, Ford will not pay for the repair because it is out of warranty. First Ford purchased in 30 years, probably the last too.

- Hartwell, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The engine continued running however, the vehicle would not accelerate. The check engine warning light illuminated once after the failure. The contact had to turn off and restart vehicle in order to resolve the failure momentarily. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who ran a diagnostic and discovered that the failure was caused by the variable cam timing solenoid. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was waiting to receive a response from the manufacturer. The failure and current mileage was 44,000.

- Cedar Creek , TX, USA

Was driving in right lane approximately 45mph and I lost all acceleration. Thought I had a flat or something. Pulled over and into a parking lot. Engine was idling rough so I turned it off and called my husband to see what was happening with the car. Husband came and restarted, drove home no issue. On 8/11/12 driving to store the same thing happened but this time noticed the wrench light came on. The gas pedal stopped working loosing all engine power. Pulled over and called my husband to see what happened. Left car running, husband pressed gas pedal but engine stayed at rough idle. Turned car off and restarted, drove car home and called servicing dealership for appointment. Had the vehicle serviced on 8/10/12 to check transmission, thought that was the problem but they said everything was fine. They said they would let us know today 8/12/12 if vehicle should be towed in rather then driving it in due to safety reasons.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

I was sitting in the bank line with my foot on the brake, waiting to get to the drive-up atm when my car suddenly accelerated. I immediately applied the brake harder to stop the car from moving forward. This happened on two other occasions. When I mentioned it to my service specialist he said he checked the car and there were no problems indicated. I have a 2009 Ford Escape XLT V-6.

- Washington, DC, USA