2008 Ford Escape: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed May 8, 2019 · Engine · 50,000 miles · TX · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. While approaching a stop, the vehicle accelerated on its own in traffic without warning. The contact applied the brakes and emergency brake and the vehicle swerved off the road. The contact finally stopped the vehicle before crashing. The vehicle was taken to carmax of arlington (8400 anderson blvd, fort worth, tx 76120, (817) 801-1501), but the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed because the test could not be read. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was invalid.

Filed Apr 4, 2016 · Engine · 165,400 miles · ME

While driving down the road at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle all of a sudden lost power and the vehicle started slowing down, and the wrench light became visible on the instrument cluster. I pulled the vehicle to the side of the road to figure out what the issue was. I realized it was the electronic throttle body failing. I drove it home as I was only a mile from my house. Once I started in forward motion, the transmission would have a hard time shifting from first to second gear, when it did shift, there was a forceful lunge forward. I have seen a lot of complaints in regards to this and many other issues that are going wrong with ford's escape model. I am very disappointed, with the amount of issues that SUV has.

Filed Feb 29, 2016 · Driver assistance, Engine · 135,000 miles · MD

While driving my car it lunge forward, which it have never done before. After coming to a complete stop at a red light, when I push on the gas peddle to continue on my way the car stalled, then lunge forward again. I was scared that the car behind me was going to hit me. Please help all the ford escape owners with this problem. My car is currently at the ford dealer, hoping they can rectify the problem. I haven't had my vehicle for a year yet, just brought it last year.

Filed Nov 25, 2014 · Acceleration · 90,000 miles · IN

My vehicle has been exhibiting issues relating to the ford consumer satisfaction program 13n03 where the accelerator "sticks" or doesn't respond to my pressure. Requiring more pressure then usual, the vehicle will then surge forward for an incredibly jostling acceleration. This issue will happen not only when stopped but also when in motion. This becomes particularly problematic when trying to merge or turn into moving traffic as I am never sure whether or not my accelerator/ throttle body will respond as it should. I have been experiencing this issue for over 2 years, but the issue is intermittent. The issue becomes worse in cold weather, making it even more dangerous when road conditions are slippery. I contacted ford regarding this issue, citing the above mentioned consumer satisfaction program, but I was told that my VIN number was not included in the program and the repair would not be covered. It seems ludicrous that my vehicle, which has been identified as having this issue, would not be included in the program. Ford should reevaluate the vehicles that are included in this program, because the problem is obviously more wide-spread than there program has identified. I am incredibly disappointed in their customer service and their non-responsiveness in handling this issue.

Filed Oct 9, 2014 · Transmission · WA

Yesterday while driving with my two young children my car would suddenly accelerate causing my car to lurch forward faster than I was anticipating. Then today the same thing although today the wrench symbol showed up having me look up in my manual what this meant. I then looked online (having no car knowledge to see what this meant) and find out other people are having similar problems.this is a scary situation when I usually always have my kids in the car. I feel ford needs to fix this problem when so many people are jabbing the same problems.

Filed Sep 5, 2014 · Acceleration, Transmission · 136,078 miles · TX

Vehicle surged forward when I came to a stop vehicle would not go into gear until I was at 3500 -4000 RPM. I got on freeway &couldn't get to speed limit. The wrench light is illuminated & when I looked up description in manual it states it is the throttle control/powertrain.after doing some research they do have recalls for this but on the 2009-2012 models. It also specified that ford as of feb. 2014 had issued an extended warranty for throttle body assemblies for 2005 - 2012 for 10 years or 150,000 miles. I contacted ford & then state there is no recall nor consumer satisfaction program 13n03 for my car. Yet, the have the same consumer satisfaction program for the 2011 milans. This I know cause my daughter has a 2011 milan & she received notice. I do not understand how ford can not comply when this escape clearly has the same problems as the recalled vehicles for 2009-2012. All I was told was to get it fixed & keep receipt and maybe some day could get reimbursed. This is really frustrating and on ford's part totally unaware and unfair to their consumers!

Filed Feb 16, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 36,178 miles · TN

When I started my vehicle, a warning light in the shape of a wrench stayed on. I look in the manual and this said powertrain. Upon further checking, I found this is a problem in these escapes. When I stop at the railroad track or at a red light, the vehicle will surge forward when I take off. The shifting is rough at times. I also just had to have the dome light in the vehicle replaced. This, too, I was told was a common problem. The lights would not work when I opened the door and also the dash lights would go off and on. This was a 103.88 repair job and the dome light, after being replaced, is loose and does not fit properly. When this having to be replaced frequently, I would think there would be a replacement light that fit the roof correctly.

Filed Feb 11, 2014 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 101,000 miles · OH

When the temperature outside gets cold, the gas pedal on my '08 escape will stick in place and will not press down. If I jiggle it or jam it down hard I am able to make the vehicle accelerate. The issue is very prominent when it's cold out and the car hasn't been ran for a while. The gas pedal will jam both when stopped and when attempting to accelerate at higher speeds. It can be dangerous in parking lot situations when trying to slowly maneuver out of a space or around blind corners, and the gas pedal sticks, causing the car to lurch forward without much control. It's also dangerous when driving since you may be trying to accelerate from a stop but are unable to due to the gas pedal sticking. This can cause unsuspecting drivers to slam on their brakes, as they were assuming that you were going to move forward in traffic but the car is unable to advance. It has proven to be very dangerous in snowy situations and unplowed roads and driveways. When attempting to accelerate, the pedal will stick and then suddenly lurch forward, causing the car to slide around. Trying to drive up a snowy slope from a stop is nearly impossible, since the sudden acceleration causes you to spin out in the snow rather than allowing you to advance slowly. I have read that cleaning the throttle body is an effective fix for this issue but haven't yet tried it.

Filed Jan 29, 2014 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 82,000 miles · NJ

I was at a stop sign, at a complete stop. When I accelerated, the car felt and sounded like it was going to stall and the gas pedal did not work--then the car surged forward. The ABS light and traction control lights then came on and would not go off. This is the 2nd time I have had an issue with the throttle body--I had it replaced at a ford dealer 3 years ago, and now it is being replaced again. I have had the car since 2008, and I'm on my 3rd throttle body--the original one, the one replaced at the ford dealer, and now this one. The financial burden is stressful enough, but then add on the fact that, at any time, the throttle can freeze up and stop working which can cause a serious accident.

Filed Aug 14, 2013 · Acceleration · 93,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the throttle became stuck and the vehicle accelerated without manual force. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis but they were unable to duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

Filed Dec 30, 2012 · Acceleration · 70,000 miles · NC

When the vehicle is first started, it is impossible to press the accelerator and after a few moments, the accelerator will depress. There is no indication when the accelerator will be free and great care must be taken to avoid a sudden lunge forward. Just allowing the vehicle to idle and warm up does not seem to make any difference.

Filed Nov 19, 2012 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated that while sitting at a traffic light, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without any warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission cooler needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 90,000.