2003 Ford Escape: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed May 21, 2018 · Engine, Steering · 202,871 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 20 MPH, the check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The only functioning warning indicator on the instrument panel was the check engine indicator. The contact stated that the vehicle leaked oil continuously. The failures were not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer. The manufacturer was emailed, but did not reply. The failure mileage was 202,871.

Filed Jan 21, 2015 · Acceleration · 147,000 miles · TX

On 1/19/1993, I experienced uncontrolled acceleration in my 2003 ford escape. I turned off the engine and coasted to a stop. Fortunately, I was on a low traffic road. After towing the escape to my mechanic, he identified that the acceleration cable was binding against the engine cover. After further identifying a recall related to this (the federal safety agency campaign number:12v‑353), the car was taken to my ford service center, who performed the modification. Upon picking up the car after repair and leaving the lot of the ford service center, I immediately experienced uncontrolled acceleration a second time. Quickly hitting the breaks and performing a u-turn back into the ford lot, I again turned off the engine and coasted to the garage area. This time I was on a multi-lane road in a high traffic area during 5:00 traffic and suffered near collision with multiple other cars. Upon investigating the cause with the service personnel, we observed that the cruise control cable had come loose and bound with the acceleration cable, resulting in the unintended acceleration. On multiple attempts to reconnect the cruise control cable, it became apparent that it would easily come loose and bind again with the acceleration cable. The cruise control cable was disconnected and fixed into location away from the acceleration cable. The dealer did not know or recommend any other method to fix the problem. My observation is that there was significant wear on the cruise control cable connection, possibly as a result of the interference condition with the throttle cover. The current ford recall does not appear to adequately correct the problem or look for this additional problem.

Filed Mar 6, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 140,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle abnormally accelerated without warning. The vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number 12v353000 (engine and engine cooling vehicle speed control) however, the failure was not corrected. The vehicle later stalled while traveling 60 MPH and the contact was able to stop the acceleration failure by forcefully applying the brakes. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The dealer inspected the vehicle and advised that the throttle needed to be cleaned or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Jan 6, 2014 · Acceleration · 107,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle began to accelerate independently. The contact shifted into neutral and the engine revved. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the they could not diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000. . ..updated 03-12-14 *bf the consumer stated over the course of 2 years, the vehicle has accelerated on its own. The consumer took the vehicle to 2 garages and 3 ford dealerships, and no one could find anything wrong. Updated 04/01/14

Filed Apr 29, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 150,000 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* 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 the federal safety agency campaign number : 12v353000 (engine and engine cooling , vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 150,000. *tr..updated 06/24/13 *bf updated 06/28/2013

Filed Aug 6, 2012 · Acceleration · 97,016 miles · ID · crash

Tl* 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.

Filed Jul 17, 2012 · Acceleration · 98,000 miles · CA

Tl* 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 *cn 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

Filed Jun 8, 2010 · Acceleration · 145,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated when the vehicle is put into drive it would abnormally accelerate without depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact was able to stop the unintended acceleration by applying the brakes. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 145,000 and the current mileage was 150,000.

Filed Apr 14, 2010 · Acceleration · 96,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated upon staring the vehicle, there was an abnormally increase in engine rpms. He proceeded to drive the vehicle, merging onto the highway. The vehicle accelerated without driver intent to speeds of up to 45 MPH. The contact stated he had to use extreme force on the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. The dealer advised that he no longer drive the vehicle until it could be inspected. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they replaced the iac valve in an attempt to remedy the failure. The contact had not experienced the failure since the date of repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000 and the current mileage was approximately 97,000.

Filed Mar 22, 2010 · Engine · 80,000 miles · CO

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. Intermittently, the vehicle failed to accelerate while the contact was driving approximately 60 MPH up an incline. The vehicle would also suddenly accelerate without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the gasket recirculator was repaired. The contact was informed to drive the vehicle on the highway at a high speed. As the contact was attempting to accelerate to a high speed she suddenly heard a loud sound. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the gasket recirculator was repaired for the second time and the catalytic converter was also serviced. In march 2010 while traveling at 60 MPH the contact attempted to accelerate and the pedal had fallen to the floor and the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they would not offer any assistance with the repairs. The current mileage was approximately 100,000 and the failure mileage was approximately 80,600.

Filed Feb 24, 2009 · Acceleration · 115,000 miles · RI

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own to 65 MPH. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the brakes failed and became locked. She placed the gear into neutral and drove in the emergency lane. She shut off the vehicle and restarted it after some time. Once it was restarted, the brakes softened up and the rpms decreased to the original start position. The dealer stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. She then took the vehicle to a repair shop and was informed that there were a few recalls on the vehicle; however, the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v574000 (vehicle speed control:cables) was related to the failures with her vehicle. Once she found the recall, the contact notified the dealer and they refused to acknowledge the recall information. She later called the manufacturer and they stated that the recall was repaired four years ago on her vehicle. The vehicle has not yet been repaired, but the failure has not recurred since the original incident. She is worried that the issue could cause future failures and that the vehicle should be repaired again since it was not done properly the first time. The current and failure mileages were 115,000.

Filed Mar 11, 2004 · Acceleration · OH

Accelerator pedal sticks. When placing vehicle into gear consumer must apply pressure to accelerator to release it. Subsequently, it releases suddenly in a way which causes sudden acceleration. When conditions are icy this common problem will eventually get someone killed.