A few times I have pressed the brakes when coming to a red light and stop signs But instead of my vehicle stopping it propelled me forward as it excellerated out of no where and pushed me into oncoming traffic, I almost was hit by other cars and I almost hit other cars and even have had to swerve onto the side walk to prevent myself from getting g hit by another car. If there were people walking, I would have definitely hit them! When I press the brake, I’m not expecting to accelerate instead Also apparently this recall of this issue was already done back in 2005 but i just purchased this vehicle in the fall of 2023 And the dealer says there is no recall since it’s already been fixed by the previous owner years ago But it needs to be fixed as it’s still doing it to me
2004 Ford Escape acceleration problems
98 complaints (20% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000. 23 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 98
- of this car's complaints
- 20%
- typical mileage
- 90,000
- crashes
- 23
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Cables11
- Cruise control6
- Accelerator pedal5
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford Escape acceleration problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Ford Escape acceleration
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control: cables
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
- Risk
- A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact Ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 12V353000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control: cables
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles built with 3.0l v6 engines, the accelerator cable may prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position.
- Risk
- An unexpected increase in engine idle speed may increase stopping distance and may result in a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the accelerator cable. The recall began on january 10, 2005. Owners should contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 04V574000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Cruise Control Cable
On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned the federal safety agency to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in certain Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles.The petitions to open investigations are denied as unnecessary and the petitions to conduct hearingsare denied.ODI IDs referenced above are: 10109921, 10116267, 10116574,10121108, 10125928, 10128545, 10130133,10137520, 10153327, 10155295, 10155817, 10159048, 10164205, 10165007, 10177337, 10184382, 10195378,10199728, 10201424, 10203178, 10204179, 10207677, 10214472, 10218668, 10222869, 10229600, 10255417,10256387, 10258046, 10259777, 10260591, 10266150, 10273613, 10291508, 10303282, 10303434, 10316154,10321828, 10323339, 10325817, 10331278, 10334038, 10335779, 10341773, 10342450, 10345004, 10363982,10370338, 10379444, 10432635, 10451652, 10466261, 891605, 10053779, 10125132, 10146998, 10149101,10160004, 10161052, 10170988, 10178811, 10204780, 10215610, 10222996, 10239609, 10252790, 10253666,10262773, 10264280, 10280669, 10289784, 10294932, 10312464, 10316440, 10343662, 10354530, 10413665,10461195
DP12005
Stuck Throttle
In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), the federal safety agency Recall No. 12V‑353 to the federal safety agency identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicles involved are model year (MY) 2001 through MY 2004 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed (cruise) control.A redesigned engine cover was implemented in production beginning in MY 2005, which provided additional clearance of the speed control cable to the engine cover.Similarly on July 26, 2012 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) on behalf of Mazda Motor Corporation of Hiroshima, Japan submitted a DIR to the federal safety agency, the federal safety agency Recall No. 12V‑357, identifying the safety defect described above in MY 2001 through MY 2006 and MY 2008 Mazda Tribute vehicles (no Tribute vehicles were produced in MY 2007) equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control.Unlike the Ford Escape recall scope, the Mazda Tribute scope is broader as Mazda Tribute vehicles incorporated a similar engine cover design as related to the clearance to the speed control cable in MYs 2001 through 2006 and MY 2008.The failure report summary above reflects reports identified by ODI in review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and reports submitted to Ford and to Mazda.ODI identified 44 reports likely related to the safety defect described in the DIRs; 39 involving Ford Escape vehicles and 5 involving Mazda Tribute vehicles. This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10116267, 10128545, 10128681, 10137520, 10153327, 10165007, 10199728, 10234846, 10335779, 10466261, and 10468307.
PE12019
What 2004 Ford Escape owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Unknown
Vehicle was u able to control,constant issues with transmission and idle kept getting stuck,speed up on its own and was unable stop without throwing car in park while driving
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch. The steering wheel air bag deployed. A police report was not filed. The driver sustained bruising to the legs and was unconscious. Medical treatment was received. The contact was uncertain if the front passenger and curtain air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to a police impound lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer issued the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control); however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and inquired about access to the vehicle to investigate the cause of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 177,000.
Driving down the road about fourty five miles per hour I pushed the gas to go up a hill and lost all power to the engine. I removed my foot from the engine and it picked up enough speed to get to the side of the road. After being towed home it would crank but if you moved shifter knob or pressed gas it woukd die out.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. When the gear was shifted into drive, the vehicle independently accelerated in excess of 30 MPH. As a result, the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by shifting into neutral and shutting off the engine. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic (ct conveyor llc located at 320 terryville rd, bristol, ct 06010; (860) 637-2926) where it was diagnosed that the cruise control cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 12v353000 and 14v165000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control and structure). The parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 199,400. ..updated 08/31/17 *bf
My 04 ford escape has a 4 cylinder and is a manual. It has begun to accelerate by itself. It will accelerate whether it is in gear or in neutral. I assumed there would recall for this problem, as I know other vehicles have been in serious accidents with similar problems. I can take my foot off of the pedal and it will stay at a steady speed, or accelerate, on its own. Often when I'm switching gears, put it in neutral, it will self-rev itself up to 4000+ rpms! I will have to wait and coast for about 10 to 30 seconds for it to bring itself back down to a reasonable RPM to get it into the next gear. So, it is intermittent, but happens about 50% of the time you are driving it, and at times can be very dangerous. I assumed ford might pay for the repair as this is a dangerous situation, however my dealer says "no" because there is no recall.
When pressig on the gas pedal to pass another vehicle , my vehicle began to incress in speed and would not stop.the pedal stuck and I had no control of the speed of this vehicle. Speed reduced when gear shift placed in netural and then when slow enough into reverse. Whew!!!! Wife and I thought we were a gonner. This happen on the highway. Seed reached colse to 90 mile an hour befor brought under control.
Unable to accelerate car while driving forward on a city street. After getting the vehicle to a safe location we noticed the cable connecting the accelerator pedal had sheared and completely detached from the pedal.
Takata recall
Questions about the 2004 Ford Escape acceleration
Does the 2004 Ford Escape have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 98 complaints about the acceleration of the 2004 Ford Escape, 20% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2004 Ford Escape acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Ford Escape acceleration?
Yes, 2 recalls: 12V353000, 04V574000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Escape have the most acceleration problems?
The Ford Escape model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2010 (558 complaints), 2009 (279 complaints) and 2011 (245 complaints).
Other 2004 Ford Escape problems
Suspension 154Body 138Engine 49Airbags 45Wheels 34Brakes 32Electrical 31Transmission 27Steering 26Fuel system 17Visibility 16Seat belts 10Driver assistance 5Locks 4Tires 3Lights 2Seats 2
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