2002 ford escape. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle unintended acceleration. *smd the consumer stated while sitting at a traffic light, the vehicle spontaneously accelerated, hitting the vehicle in front of hi, because his foot was on the brake, the crash was not as violent as it could have been. Two of the passengers in the other vehicle went to the hospital with shoulder injuries. The consumers vehicle was declared totaled.
2002 Ford Escape acceleration complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 100, newest first, as owners wrote them.
On 4/10/2014, I was driving the vehicle and noticed that when I let my foot off the gas pedal, the car showed no signs of slowing...as if I was still accelerating. I had to use the brake to make the car slow down. On 4/12/2015, I was pulling into the driveway and let my foot off the pedal to coast to the parking position, when it suddenly accelerated, and I almost hit our fence. There is definitely something wrong with the acceleration system.
The accelerator cable appears to have gone out. The gas pedal goes directly to the floor and the engine is at 6rpm's. Called ford and even though they had nearly 500k cars recalled during the exact year my car was built they will not claim responsibility for it. In the meantime my two children were hurt because they couldn't accelerator on to the highway and then had to shut off the car. Fords solution was for me to take my car to their dealership and pay them to fix my vehicle, but to keep the receipts just in case they are "forced" to reimburse me for my costs.
I was driving my ford escape 2002 out of town, I noticed my car pulling away from me. I took my foot off the throttle and noticed the the car was accelerating. I knew a stop sign and a highway was up ahead, after blowing threw the stop sign only being able to slow the car down to 20 with the brakes, I pulled the e-brake and still did not stop, afraid and scared I put the car in park, the car then snapped and went into reverse and the only thing I could do was aim for a pole and hit it. I got out of the car and it was still going with the engine smoking, fearing of a fire I shut the engine down.
Vehicle was driven towards a crossing and the light was red. I tried to stop, but instead it accelerated on applying the brakes and t-boned a car on the crossing. The brakes on this car were serviced a few times in the past and the complete history is available at the dealer....updated 04/02/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal intermittently became stuck when it was engaged. The contact had to continue applying pressure to the accelerator pedal in order for it to be released. While driving in reverse at 5 MPH, the vehicle accelerated backwards over a curb and crashed into an electrical pole. A police report was filed. The driver and passenger were not injured. The vehicle was scheduled for further inspection and diagnostic testing by an insurance adjustor and an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
Backed out of driveway, put into drive and the car throttled and accelerated unexpectedly and caused me to run into a tree. The vehicle has been totaled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that immediately after the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 and the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control) the vehicle started to surge back and forward. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The techician stated that the front vacuum tube was leaking and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The vehicle was not re repaired. The failure mileage was 155,000.
I was approaching a traffic light to turn. As I applied the brake instead of stopping the truck accelerated. Hitting the back of a vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving into his driveway at a low speed, with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated and crashed into his shad and side wiped his neighbor's house. The vehicle continued to accelerate with force when the contact applied to the brake pedal. The vehicle finally came to a stop when the vehicle crashed into an area of bushes. However, the engine continued to rev and the wheels continued to spin. The contact was the able to turn off the engine. Upon inspection,the insurance company totalled the vehicle. The contact suffered injuries to the neck and body. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 67,000.
While driving my 2002 ford focus v6 I have experienced several instances of sudden unintended vehicle acceleration. I took my car to parks ford in wesley chapel, fl who said they suspect it is from my throttle cable sticking but they would not fix it for me even though many escapes have had the same problem and resulted in numerous deaths. It would cost me over $400 to fix and just because my particular VIN number is not part of the recall for they would not help me. I even spoke to someone at the main ford office who said the same thing. This is blatantly refusing to stand by their product, even though they realize this could result in a very serious safety problem. I told the man at ford that I guess they want to wait until someone else dies of this problem and he said if he was me and knew what I know he just wouldn't drive that car, which proves that they realize the seriousness and yet refuse to make it a recall on my car even though the same issue resulted in several deaths for escape owners in the past.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, he attempted disengage the cruise control but the vehicle maintained 75 MPH. The contact stated that he depressed that brake pedal but the engine continued to rev. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the throttle cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
I was driving at 70mph on a highway. I went to take my exit and pushed the button to turn the cruise control off, but that did not slow the vehicle down at all. It kept accelerating all the way up to 90mph. I tapped the brakes but it did not slow the car down. I was afraid to keep my foot on the brakes due to heating the brakes up so much that it would catch my car on fire. I put it in neutral but the rpms revved between 5000-6000 so I switched back in to drive. When I finally had an area where there were no other cars around me I slammed on the brake pedal to slow it down as much as I possibly could before putting it into park. When it was in park the rpms jumped all the way up to 5000 and sounded as though the car was going to blow up so I turned the car off. Then I opened the hood and removed the cruise control cable. I have had the recall done on this vehicle and never had a problem with this til now. My car is no leaking oil and smells like something is burning. I have contacted ford and they seemed as though this was an unimportant issue. They stated that they were not responsible for repairs. This should be an issue for them since they are the ones who fixed it in the first place with the last recall they had on this issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently to speeds of 88 MPH. The contact applied immense pressure to the brakes but to no avail. He then maneuvered the vehicle to the side of the highway and turned off the ignition. Upon further inspection, he found that the accelerator cable was the cause of the failure. The vehicle had been recalled six years earlier under the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v574000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 172,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact applied immense pressure to the brakes to no avail. The contact crashed into five vehicles. The contact suffered bruises to her legs. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 135,000. Updated 12/5/13
2002 ford escape. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle has acceleration issues. *smd the consumer stated the accelerator pedal became stuck and burned out the catalytic converter, and the intake valves cracked as well.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle emitted a burning odor and the vehicle stalled several times without warning. The contact mentioned that sometimes the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection, but the mechanic was unable to locate or duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 156,000 and the current mileage 162,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated there was a recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 12v353000 (vehicle speed control: cables). The manufacturer was notified who informed the remedy part was unavailable and the expected date was mid august 2012. The dealer and manufacturer were unable to provide an arrival date. The contact had not experienced failure with the throttle.
Vehicle has begun to accelerate unexpectedly since early september. There has been at least four incidents involving vehicle suddenly accelerating when its was at low speed or stopped (with foot on the brake). The accelerations last a few seconds and lurch the car forward. The vehicle has been taken to ford for the recall notices involving the cruise control cable (11s24b on 30 june 12 and 12s37b on 20 sep 12). This vehicle did not experience this problem prior to the recall repairs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that as the vehicle was shifted into reverse, the vehicle abnormally accelerated and crashed into the contact's home, a nearby fence and finally a tree. The failure ceased once the vehicle crashed into the tree. The contact sustained injuries to the face, neck and the right foot. The passenger sustained minor lacerations to the face and shoulder. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who inspected the vehicle and located the failure at the cable throttle stick. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency campaign id number 12v353000 (vehicle speed control cables) in august 2012. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and denied assistance with the repair. The failure and current mileage was 173,000.
My daughter ( a teacher) was driving the vehicle on i94 to work in 2010 with the speed control set. The vehicle speed increased and she hit the brake, but the accelerator was stuck and she could not slow the vehicle down as it over-powered the brake. She did not know what to do and called 911. The police officer told her to put the vehicle in neutral and turn the key off after she got the vehicle under control. She was extremely lucky no one was ahead of her on the expressway. The accelerator remained stuck after she had pulled off the road with the motor off. I went to get her and the vehicle. I was able to release the accelerator by hitting it hard with my foot. I carefully drove the vehicle home. I was able to recreate the accelerator sticking on the expressway several times. I reported this to ford (dearborn) and told them they had a problem, however, they did not seem interested in investigating the issue, and suggested I pay a dealer to fix it. I have driven the vehicle, without using the speed control and being very careful to accelerate slowly (as my daughter still has my vehicle). But, now I will take it a dealer and ford (thanks to the government and the vehicle safety law) will pay to fix it!
[xxx] was driving her 2002 ford escape when, while accelerating up a hill, the speed control throttle guide rotated up into the appearance cover and became latched in a rib. This resulted in a wide open throttle, and [xxx] was unable to slow or stop the car. The brakes then overheated and failed, and she sped through town until she swerved to avoid another car and crashed. Her car rolled several times, and [xxx]was killed. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while attempting to enter the highway, the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact was unable to stop the acceleration and shifted into neutral, applied the brakes and activated the emergency brakes but to no avail. The vehicle would not respond and the contact crashed into a vehicle, followed by a pole. The vehicle then ignited in flames. The contact was injured as a result. There was a police report filed of the incident. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 100,000.
While driving at normal speeds on ice-glazed winter roads in fairbanks, ak, I approached an intersection and took my foot off the accelerator to prepare to slow down. Instead of dropping to idle speeds, the engine accelerated up to 3500-4000 RPM. I shifted the automatic transmission to neutral and was able to stop the car with the brakes, but the engine continued to race at high-throttle until I shut off the engine. When I restarted the engine it behaved normally for several days; but the problem came back intermittently several times over the next several weeks; and every time, shutting off the engine was the only way to stop it. Ford's database showed my car had undergone a recall in 2005 to fix a similar problem. In january 2012, stanley ford in kenai, ak 'supposedly' replaced the throttle cable and throttle body assembly for $572, but it didn't solve the problem. The uncontrolled acceleration occurred several more times, as before, until a second repair in february 2012 by seekins ford in fairbanks, which replaced a pcv and tubing, and did a complete tune-up for $992. Since then, there have been no more issues with the accelerator.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the accelerator became stuck in open throttle and caused the vehicle to accelerate. The contact also mentioned that the accelerator pedal would become stuck sporadically and would not allow the contact to accelerate. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The vehicle was not taken for diagnosis or repair. The failure was mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 114,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while parking at less than 5 MPH, the vehicle accelerated abnormally to 15 MPH. The contact had removed his foot from the accelerator pedal when vehicle accelerated. The vehicle crashed against the foundation of the garage in the contact's home. The contact sustained neck injuries as a result. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic for inspection and there were no failures found. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The current mileage was 104,000. The failure mileage was 77,000.
Attorney for driver's family and media reports indicate that the vehicle was being driven immediately after purchase in the phoenix / mesa area along arizona state route 87 towards payson. The final approach to payson involves a prolonged upward grade, which would have required heavy accelerator use by the driver. Along the way, the driver was unable to disengage the accelerator or otherwise bring the vehicle to a safe stop. The vehicle struck other vehicles as it traversed an intersection, and rolled, ejecting the driver, who suffered fatal injuries. A subsequent inspection of the vehicle documented that the cruise control cable connector was lodged against the underside of the engine cover and that the throttle was open to 84%. The vehicle had received the accelerator cable replacement for recall 04v574 in january of 2005. (note: this record was received via telephone interview between odi investigators and counsel for the driver's family in late june of this year. It has been added to our complaint file to document the incident for an investigation opening. It will be updated as appropriate as more information is received)
The problem began with the rpms dropping to under 300 when idling at a stop sign or stop light. Vehicle would also die with no warning. Problem progressed to revving up to over 4000 rpms when in park either at first start or after driving and shifting into park. Problem has progressed to surging and revving from normal driving speed of 65 MPH and 1500 rpms to 2500 rpms forcing me to brake to keep the vehicle under control or at the posted speed limit. Problem has also progressed that when attempting to idle at a stop sign or stop light, rpms will remain elevated at 1500 forcing me to brake very hard to keep the vehicle stopped. When shifting into park the rpms will rev up to 4200 rpms.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving or passing approximately 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal jammed. The contact depressed the brake pedal to the floor, but the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact was then able to turn the ignition off and stop the vehicle. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic and they informed the contact that the cruise control cable was the cause of the failure. The cruise control cable was disconnected to remedy the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000. Updated 04/19/2012*lj the consumer stated the cruise control cable was disconnected after the 4th occurrence.updated 04/30/12
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to accelerate from a stop and would not accelerate beyond 2 MPH. The vehicle eventually began to accelerate at normal rates of speed. The failure recurred whenever the contact accelerated from a stop. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that a computer chip within the vehicle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure continued. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 58,448.
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