10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 8 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 97,256 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while riving 45 mph, the vehicle accelerated and continued to accelerate as the contact applied the brakes. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 136,000.
- Mound , MN, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle would independently accelerate. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 12V353000 (engine, speed control) however, the speed acceleration failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.
- Staten Island , NY, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in and repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 04V574000 (vehicle speed control). The contact stated that there were no failures prior to the recall service. After the recall service while the contact was driving approximately 40 mph, the driver released the accelerator pedal but the vehicle would not decelerate. The accelerator pedal released after the brakes were continually depressed. The failure recurred three times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
- Romeoville, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while in after shifting into drive from reverse, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle erroneously accelerated and the contact crashed into a fence and a tree before coming to a stop. The contact sustained cuts to the arms and face as well as bruises to the knee, shoulders, and back. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number 04V574000 (vehicle speed control) and NHTSA campaign number 12V353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control). A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 68,000.
- Sandiego , CA, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the RPM increased excessively and the vehicle suddenly accelerated which caused the contact to crash into a building. The contact was rushed to the hospital where he sustained back and neck injuries. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was not diagnosed for the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number : 12V353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 150,000...updated 06/24/13 updated 06/28/2013
- Tamplin, VA, USA
Back in Oct 2012 took the car to malcolm cunningham Ford dealership in camblee ga B/C of the recall of the cruise control cable which causes the throttle to get stuck-gas peddle. They claimed they fixed it. Sunday morning @11:30 am on April 14th while on my way to church on I-285 my gas peddle got stuck & I could not stop the car. For 6 miles I tried everything to stop the car emergency brake was all the way up, pump the brake. Shift the gear to one but car kept on going fast. The car speed was between 60 & 80mph. Finally called 911 & they advise me to put the car in neutral. The car finally stopped and back tire blew. I had my friend and her daughter in the car. If the car did not stop I was going to crash it into the guard rail. I had the car towed back to malcolm cunnigham Ford and yesterday the provide me with a rental and also called me today to advise that in fact what they claimed they fixed in October was never fixed all they did was disconnect cruise control cable. Which I already knew when I looked under the hood Sunday with the police officer. I want others to be warn about this recall in there car because there has already been one death because of this recall issue. Sunday for me could have turned out bad because of the negligence of this dealership.
- Dunwoody , GA, USA
Upon start-up the engine immediately revved to 4000 to 5000 RPM & would not return to idle. Gas pedal was not depressed. This happened multiple times. Moving the gas pedal had no effect. Car was shut off. Reaching by hand to the end of the pedal assembly where the throttle cable is attached, it was determined that the cable did not return to the idle position. By pushing the end of the cable the throttle returned to idle. The car was started & ran at normal idle speed.
- Crestview, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that she received notification of NHTSA campaign id number 12V353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control) and took the vehicle to the dealer for recall repairs. The contact stated that approximately six months after having the vehicle serviced under the recall the vehicle began to exhibit acceleration issues. The contact was driving approximately 20 mph and the vehicle would not accelerate over 60 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised her that the catalytic converter failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 86,900. The current mileage was approximately 88,841.
- Washington, DC, USA
I took off on a 4 lane highway one morning and depressed the gas pedal mostly as I was merging in traffic. When I attempted to let off the pedal, the car continued to accelerate. This was the second time this has happened to this car. Currently there have been two recalls regarding a random acceleration problem. The first was repaired when it happened due to an accelerator cable problem. This time, I quickly shifted to neutral and pulled over...coincidentally next to a state police officer. He assisted me in releasing the throttle body on this car as it was clearly stuck. The date I provided is not an exact date, however, I called Ford the day it happened and they said they couldn't do anything about it because the original recall was said to be fixed. I left the engine cover off up until today, which is because it's being fixed due to the current recall. This brings me to my current issue. I have called Ford once more since the incident asking them if they found the solution and if they would repair my cruise control cable, as it was damaged (which also is the description of the recall). They say it's a pre-existing condition which is very untrue because I have called twice about this issue, long before the recall. I verified that they do show record that I called. I want them to pay for this $35 cruise cable because it's their fault it broke, due from a safety issue, and I called about it long before this recall which should prove I have a legitimate complaint. Fortunately for Ford and myself, I was intelligent enough to know how to stop the vehicle prior to an accident.
- Montvale, VA, USA
Sudden and rapid uncontrollable acceleration after removing my foot from accelerator. Despite my best efforts to brake and arrest my movement the vehicle still was moving forward. I impacted the rear end of a truck that thankfully was heavy enough to completely stop my forward movement. I had this vehicle in my local Ford dealer to address the cruise control recall. I was assured by the technicians that it was indeed modified (that the plastic engine cover was fitted with new longer fittings/bolts). This uncontrollable acceleration incident happened after alleged recall/repair.
- Manlius, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to have NHTSA campaign id number: 12V353000 (vehicle speed control: Cables) performed, however the defect was not corrected. The contact stated that while driving with out the accelerator pedal engaged, the vehicle accelerated to 45mph and the RPM increased to 1,000. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for further inspection. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 157,000.
- Roanoake , VA, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for recall repairs associated with NHTSA campaign id number 12V353000 (vehicle speed control: Cables). The remedy part was unavailable at the time and as an interim remedy the speed control cable was disconnected and reconnected when the recall part became available. However, the cruise control failed to operate after the remedy repair was performed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who informed they were not liable and the repair would be at the owner's expense. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 166,310.
- Ypsilanti, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that she received recall NHTSA campaign id number: 12V353000 (vehicle speed control:cables). The contact stated she took the vehicle to the dealer for repair in August of 2012 and was told that she would have to wait until the parts were available to get the vehicle repaired. The contact stated that she called back in October and was told that the parts were still unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
- La Place, LA, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while sitting at a stop sign, there was an increase in engine rpms up to 7,000. The contact mentioned that she shifted to park and shut off the engine in order to maintain control of the vehicle. After inspecting and restarting the vehicle, the contact realized that the failure was not caused by a stuck accelerator pedal since the engine remained revved up. The vehicle was towed to dealer who diagnosed that the failure was caused by carbon build up in the throttle body plates which kept the plates open and did not allow it to close. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 199,000 and the approximately current mileage was 217,000. Updated 8/30/12 updated 09/05/12
- Siler City, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting a left turn, the vehicle suddenly accelerated as if the cruise control was engaged. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a fence. The police were notified and a citation was issued. There were no injuries and there were minor scratches to the vehicle's front bumper. The vehicle was drivable after the crash. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 97,016.
- Meridian, ID, USA
I had just stepped down on the accelerator (harder than usual) to pass two semi's. the throttle stuck in full speed. I was able to stop by turning the key off and pulling off to the shoulder. After calling the Ford dealer at albert lea Minnesota he suggested that I look around in the are where the rubber air intake is and if possible take the rubber intake off and feel around inside. While doing that I could see that the shaft at the end of the cruise cable had jammed up against the engine cover and locked up at full speed. I was able to force it back into drivable position and called the albert lea dealer to tell them what the issue was. Then I stopped at the Ford dealer in rochester Minnesota to take a look at tell me if the car was safe. They took the engine cover off and told me it was good to drive. Later I took it to my regular mechanic and he took it one step farther by disconnecting the cruise from the throttle control shaft. I will be insisting that Ford do the fix to raise the engine cover and replace the cruise control as the cable for the cruise is bent near throttle control end.
- Oronoco, MN, USA
While driving approximately 35 mph, I lifted my foot from the accelerator pedal as I approached a red traffic light at an intersection. The pedal stuck and the vehicle continued to travel at approximately 35 mph. The vehicle traveled partially through the intersection, before I was able to stop the vehicle by braking. Fortunately, no other vehicles were traveling through the intersection and I escaped being involved in a serious traffic accident. This vehicle's accelerator pedal has since stuck on other occasions.
- Kealakekua, HI, USA
Friend had just installed fuel filter on car. Was testing car - had car in park - floored accelerator, accelerator became stuck. Wouldn't budge. They opened up hood and had to cut cruise control cable to make shorter this auto had previously been recalled for vehicle speed control cable and been repaired. I believe the accelerator became stuck as a result of this not being done properly. I believe it was done before they corrected the way they were doing it.
- Chandler, AZ, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The contact had to place both feet on the brake pedal before stopping the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer for a diagnosis. The dealer stated that they needed to replace the accelerator cable. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 103,000. Updated 8/23/12 the consumer stated the vehicle accelerated for 60mph to over 100mph in 2 miles. The engine reached 7000rpm. The brakes and parking brake locked. The vehicle was stopped by turning the ignition off. Updated 09/06/2012
- Long Beach , CA, USA
- White Pigeon, MI, USA