Ford Escape Hybrid adaptive cruise problems

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · UT

While vehicle is set on cruise control , set at 70 MPH , ( or set to any other speed) , anytime the speed limit changes to 80 MPH (or other change) Car accelerates and cruise control is set to 100 MPH . It also accelerates and resets to 90 -100 MPH at random . It is frightening and dangerous to have my car randomly accelerate. I have attempted to pass a vehicle, when my car randomly accelerates to 100 MPH . This is very dangerous and can happen at any random time . The lane assist is also dangerous when car can not see lines separating lanes . I have had my car jerk the wheel when I was detoured through construction. I am very concerned with my car accelerating. Not only does it leave me vulnerable to receiving a speeding ticket , it also increases the likelihood of hitting an object or having an accident.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Seat belts · 80,500 miles · NM

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and at various speeds, the cruise control and several other features failed to activate. The contact stated that the air bag indicator and a message that the rear seat monitor default warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined to replace the driver's side seat belt buckle. The vehicle was not repaired because the dealer was waiting for the part to be received. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,500.

Filed Feb 23, 2024 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · WI

My vehicle incorrectly read highway number signs as though they were speed limit signs. This occurred eight times on state highway [XXX] in Florida; and once on state highway [XXX]. The speed limit was actually 55 mph on highway [XXX]. If I would have had “Predictive Speed Assist” turned on, and was using adaptive cruise control, it would have automatically decelerated to 40, +/- whatever “tolerance” I had set. What would happen if this occurs on highway 80, or highway 100? Acceleration to 100 mph, and possibly to 120 mph if I had the tolerance set to +20? This error, which happened while I was a passenger, could significantly exacerbate problem #1. See details in the attached 5 page pdf. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 27, 2023 · Brakes · 29,859 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the ABS warning light was illuminated. The All-Wheel Drive, cruise control, collision control, and hill assist were all turned off. The contact stated that while the ABS warning light was illuminated the power steering seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted a case was opened. The failure mileage was 29,859.

Filed Jul 25, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · MI

Starting on July 12th, 2023, my audio control module stopped working, so there was no sound in my car. I took it into my primary dealership (Bob Maxey Ford of Howell) on July 19th, 2023, they deemed that it was the ACM and order a new one. My navigation and my adaptive cruise control acted funny as well, with my navigation not lining up with my actual location. Fast forward to the weekend just a couple of days later, I received notices that my car was going into deep sleep mode to save battery. This went off and on for several days with no warning. On Tuesday, July 25th, 2023, my car was completely dead, and I had to jump start the car to drive into work. My sound returned to my car, and I was able to drive to work. However, three warnings popped up my dashboard and my FordPass application. The first is an orange wrench, indicating a powertrain malfunction/reduced power. A second warning indicating a High-Voltage Battery Warning, and an engine light indicating a Service Engine Soon Warning. I relayed these warnings to my service advisor at the dealership this morning, who stated that he would look at seeing how the ACM was coming along and would get back to me soon. It has been several hours and I have heard nothing back. I am worried about what may come of my car and I haven't been told to bring it in.

Filed Jan 22, 2023 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MO

The right rear brake area screeches loudly when I back up, even if I am not applying the brake. It happens at different times of the day, not just when I start the car. I have taken it in to be repaired twice and they tell me this is normal because the brakes charge the battery and this is the design. They said it happens when the brakes are wet in the morning. I park my car in the garage and every morning it screeches and does not appear to be a moisture issue. My car is new and began happening shortly after I brought it home. I think I am going to call and insist they replace them, as they are not able to repair them. I am concerned there is something wrong. Also, I don't use the adaptive cruise control, as it has accelerated and frightened me, as it tends to act on its own and may go over the speed limit. When I brake it will turn off, I just don't trust it. I think the controls aren't like other speed controls I have used and I maybe not be used to using them. I'm not sure. I had to put a tint on the front windows and a strip on the top of the windshield because it was clear and the sun came in so bright and would reflect off the dash, I was unable to see. The windshield is close to the steering wheel. When I bought the car the hood and door on the driver's side were not properly aligned. Again, they said this is normal. I had to have them repaired. I have never had so many problems with a new car. I am going to try to get the brakes fixed somehow and get something else.

Filed Oct 19, 2022 · Transmission · 19,500 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 76 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated without warning. The contact deactivated the cruise control feature and attempted to accelerate; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact pulled over safely, turned off, and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired; however, the mechanic stated that the power module was possibly inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed, and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was 19,500.

Filed Sep 21, 2022 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · NY · crash

I was driving on the NYS Thruway with lane assist and cruise control enabled. This is after already having an issue with my computer where the car a couple of months ago just stopped in the middle of the road. This morning I was driving on the Thruway when suddenly, if felt like the collision impact system was engaged and the car shifted to the right slamming into the car next to me. No airbag deployment but extensive damage and collision system was completely engaged. The car issued no warnings or other issues afterwards. NYSPD arrived and completed report. Another car was involved. Only side damage.

Filed Mar 15, 2022 · Acceleration · MN

When driving with the automatic cruise control engaged it sometimes reads country road signs as speed limit signs. When I turn onto Dakota County road 85,as an example, it reads it as 85mph and accelerates to 85mph. I have to cancel the cruise to stop it. The speed limit that is shown on the instrument panel also changes to 85mph. The actual speed limit is 55mph. This has happened several times and on other roads.

Filed Sep 14, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 114,980 miles · MN

I bought my vehicle, used, a couple of years ago. I asked for the carfax and if there were any issues with the vehicle. The salesman let me glance at his screen and scrolled through to humor me and promised there were no issues. A few days ago while driving on the highway using cruise control, the cc kicked off and my car jerked. Since then, I have had trouble accelerating and controlling the speed of my car. A littel orange wrench came on. This morning as I was driving to work, the check engine light came on. I felt like I almost got into 3 accidents for lack of control of my car. I took it to the shop and they told me I shouldn't even be driving it because of the lack of speed control. Now I'm stuck paying hundreds of dollars, maybe thousands, for lack of proper disclosure and faulty manufacturing. Ford issues a lifetime warranty rather than a recall, which is a disgrace as they're waiting for customers to deal with problems and get hurt before they fix anything. This should not be possible!