2018 Ford Escape: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Jul 29, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · WI

Car sometimes has trouble accelerating Does not want to go over 65 on cruise control for a very long time. Cruise control was shut off by itself. Car doesn’t want to accelerate over steep hills rPMs go up to four

Filed Dec 3, 2024 · Transmission · 105,169 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and turned off. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the torque converter had disintegrated and there were metal fragments inside the transmission, causing transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,169.

Filed Apr 9, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · WI

I had my adaptive cruise control on while driving on a highway and suddenly lost power/acceleration. I was able to limp the car back home and the check engine light came on. I took it in to get the error code read, which prompted that there was an issue with the high pressure fuel pump. I got that replaced by our normal service provider and picked up my vehicle. While driving the vehicle again (with adaptive cruise on), I lost acceleration/power. Since I wasn't in the area, I had the vehicle towed back to the service provider where the replaced fuel pump had "collapsed onto itself and broke", which luckily didn't cause serious injury. In this state, the service provider told me it was unsafe to drive. With the newest fuel pump, everything seemed fine for a few days in my daily travels. We were on our way to a vacation stay (highway speeds, adaptive cruise, driving for 2+ hours, etc.) when the issue presented itself again. This time when we returned to the service center, they stated that the engine had sludge which was causing the damage to the fuel pump and we would need to replace the engine. Since owning this vehicle, I have had it serviced as stated in the Ford service schedule (90,000 mile service, oil changes, etc.) and have always kept an eye on the temperature gauge. The fact that I have maintained this vehicle well and the engine now needs replacing doesn't seem to add up. I feel like there is a serious flaw with these engines and luckily, they didn't cause any accidents or harm in this instance.

Filed May 22, 2021 · Engine · AR

Vehicle accelerated uncontrollably, cruise control was never turned on, brakes had to be applied, otherwise car would continue to accelerate uncontrollably. Finally came to safe place to park, put vehicle transmission in PARK, engine RPMs revved to 7000 rpms. Engine was immediately turned off. There was never anything caught on accelerator.

Filed Aug 13, 2019 · Acceleration · 24,000 miles · NV

Brake lights do not illuminate when adaptive cruise control applies them; brake lights do function normally on manual braking. The apparent design flaw of brake lights failing to illuminate when adaptive cruise control applies the brakes violates the safety principle of brake lighting altogether. Such a design should not be allowed on the road as it could lead to increased collisions under certain conditions. This condition is observed to happen consistently.