FaultScore

2004 Ford Escape acceleration problems

98 of the 715 complaints about the 2004 Ford Escape are about the throttle and cruise control — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 90,000 miles.

F

98

Complaints

23

Crashes

4

Fires

10

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Vehicle Speed Control 76 77.6%
Cables 11 11.2%
Cruise Control 6 6.1%
Accelerator Pedal 5 5.1%

Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Ford Escape year

2001 108 4.8%
2002 103 4.5%
2003 91 4.0%
2004 98 4.3%
2005 150 6.6%
2006 100 4.4%
2007 41 1.8%
2008 177 7.8%
2009 281 12.4%
2010 558 24.5%
2011 245 10.8%
2012 69 3.0%
2013 92 4.0%
2014 42 1.8%
2015 14 0.6%
2016 33 1.5%
2017 31 1.4%
2018 22 1.0%
2020 18 0.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Aurora, IL 2 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

NHTSA complaint #11566969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Summerville, SC Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

UNKNOWN

NHTSA complaint #11503053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Saginaw, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

NHTSA complaint #11173313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 177,000 miles Louisville, KY Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA complaint #11115576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 206,100 miles Mauk, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #11014790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 199,400 miles Bristol, CT Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 NHTSA 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

NHTSA complaint #11001912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Dodge City, KS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10994399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,270 miles Belleville, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10972070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,446 miles Livonia, MI

VEHICLE SPEED 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.

NHTSA complaint #10947240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Apollo Beach, FL Crash Fire 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA complaint #10871313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Santa FE, NM Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA complaint #10846079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 113,000 miles Fountain Cith, WI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REVVED AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATED, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND COASTED THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 01/05/2017*CT THE CONSUMER STATED ON JANUARY 18, 2016, THE DEALER REPLACED THE PCV HOSE CONNECTOR. ON FEBRUARY 14, 2016 IT FROZE UP AGAIN AND ON FEBRUARY 17TH THEY CLEANED IT AGAIN AND REPLACED THE VACUUM COUPLING. ON DECEMEBR 15, 2016 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE THROTTLE STUCK WIDE OPEN AGAIN. THE PVC AREA WAS COMPLETELY FROZEN AGAIN. THE CONSUMER CLEANED IT, ONLY TO FREEZE AGAIN. UPDATED 02/14/17.

NHTSA complaint #10820055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,000 miles Lititz, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V574000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA complaint #10810796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fulton, MO Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE SPEED ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10783269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Warren, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER PARKED OR DRIVING, WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER OR NOT. VEHICLE WILL "REV" IN PARK, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED SLIGHTLY, BUMPED OR MOVE. TWICE VEHICLE HAS "JUMPED" WHILE IN PARKED WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. MAJOR ISSUE: DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN. THERE IS NO MANUAL LOCK ON THE DOORS, ONLY ELECTRONIC. NO PLACE FOR A KEY. PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN LOCKED INSIDE WITH NO WAY TO EXIT VEHICLE EXCEPT TO CLIMB OVER SEAT. WILL HAPPEN TO VARIOUS DOORS, MOST OFTEN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, BUT NOT ALL DOORS AT THE SAME TIME (WE BELIEVE THIS MAY HAPPEN,) DOOR LOCK WILL CLICK 3 TIMES BUT WILL NOT UNLOCK.

NHTSA complaint #10722376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 148,000 miles Vancouver, WA Crash 2 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WAS DRIVING 25 MILES AN HOUR DOWN SMALL HILL, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE CAR DIDN'T STOP IT FELT AS IF I WAS PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR LIKE WHEN PUSHING BUTTON! TO SPEED UP CRUISE CONTROL AND IT SLOWLY INCREASES SPEED. I SLAMMED BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE AND WENT TO REACH FOR EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT NEVER MADE IT. I HIT THE OTHER CAR. LAST THING I REMEMBER IS HEARING METAL CRUNCH, THE NEXT THING I REMEMBER IS SMOKE, TOP OF MY HEAD ON LEFT SIDE HAIRLINE ACHED LOOKED IN MIRROR AND SAW BLOOD. STARTED LOOKING FOR MY PHONE ON THE DASH BUT IT WAS BROKEN.COULD HEAR SOMEONE TALKING, THEN PEOPLE WERE WALKING UP TO CAR. WHEN THE OFFICER GOT THERE HE ASKED WHAT I HIT MY HEAD ON I DIDN'T KNOW, HE ASKED IF I HAD MY SEATBELT ON I SAID YES. I TOLD HIM MY CAR WOULDN'T STOP. REALIZED WHEN E.M.T ASKED SAME QUESTION I KNEE I HAD IT ON BUT COULDN'T REMEMBER TAKING IT OFF, AND I TOLD HIM THAT. HE LOOKED AT CHEST DIDN'T SEE MARKS OR BRUISING, HE ASKED AGAIN IF I WAS SURE, I WAS SURE I PUT IT ON. AFTER CRASH, WHEN GOT TO TOW YARD NEXT DAY SAW MY SEAT BELT BROKE, I CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD WITH MY HEAD AND BROKE ALL UNDER STEERING WHEEL WITH MY KNEES...BUT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED MUST HAVE BEEN AFTER I HIT EVERYTHING BECAUSE IT HIT ME IN THE ARM ONLY BASED ON THAT STINGING RED RAISED RASH THAT LATER BRUISED ON MY FOREARM, NO AIRBAG TO FACE INJURIES, JUST HIT TOP OF HEAD ON WINDSHIELD AND KNEES ON LOWER DASH UNDER STEERING WHEEL, BRUISING ON STOMACH LOWER ABDOMEN NEAR PELVIC BONE MAY HAVE BEEN STEERING WHEEL. MY CAR KEPT GOING FASTER BRAKES DIDN'T SLOW ME AT ALL WITNESS SAID AND MY SEATBELT LATCH IS IN PIECES, MY AIRBAG WENT OF LATE. MY BUMPER IS FOLDED LIKE A FLAT PIECE OF METAL ABOUT ONE INCH WIDE HIT IT PUSHING IT INTO MY RADIATOR. MY SUV WAS GOING 25 MILES AN HOUR, MY SUV BUMPER HIT A SMALL CAR BUMPER, THAT CAR WAS STOPPED. WHAT WENT WRONG?

NHTSA complaint #10700652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,340 miles Pico Rivera, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE THROTTLE WILL STAY OPEN AS IF I HAVE THE GAS PEDAL BEING APPLIED.

NHTSA complaint #10692481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 142,835 miles Allen Park, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE APPLIED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,835. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10684279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles VAN Buren, ME

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PLASTIC PIECE COVERING THE THROTTLE BODY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V353000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 7/21/15*CN THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART. UPDATED 07/28/15

NHTSA complaint #10680968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FT. Wayne, IN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON THREE PREVIOUS OCCASIONS THROTTLE STUCK ON HIGH WHEN STOPPED OR IN PARK WHILE PARKING VEHICLE. AFTER GOOGLING INFORMATION ON POSSIBLE CAUSES I FOUND A COMPLAINTS ALREADY FILED WITH THIS ISSUE. FORD ACKNOWLEDGED RECALL NUMBER 12S37. WHEN I CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER SATURDAY MORNING 11/15/2014 WITH THIS NUMBER THEY WHERE UNAWARE,AND FOUND NO REFERENCE THIS ISSUE. PLEASE ASSIST.

NHTSA complaint #10655170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Philadelphia, PA Fire

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABRUPTLY AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT EXAMINED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND NOTICED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT THAT WAS BURNED ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, IT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ONCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA complaint #10621928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Camden-Wyoming, DE

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2004 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRUISE CONTROL CABLE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, IN 2013, AND THE PART IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10605267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 123,359 miles Coralvilee, IA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

HAD SPEED CONTROL ON, WHEN TO SLOW DOWN, STEPPED ON BRAKES CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT CAME OFF BUT THE CAR DIDN'T SLOW DOWN IT SPEED UP! I DID HAVE A RECALL CALL DONE ON THE CAR FOR THIS. BUT THE FIX DIDN'T WORK. THE CAR SPEED UP TO 90 MPH. I HAD TO TAKE IT OUT OF GEAR TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN. I DID EVERYTHING I COULD THINK OF TO STOP THE CAR FROM SPEEDING UP. STOMPED ON THE BRAKES, PUSH THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON ON AND OFF. TOWED THE CAR AND THE REPAIR GUY SAID THERE WAS SNOW IN THE CRUISE CONTROL CASING, THAT WAS CAUSING IT. HE DISCONNECTED IT.

NHTSA complaint #10596595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,000 miles Loudon, TN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DECELERATE. IT IS OK WHEN YOU FIRST START IT, BUT THE FIRST TIME YOU PUSH THE ACCELERATOR AND LET OFF IT WILL NOT DECELERATE. YOU MUST HOLD THE BRAKE. IF YOU LET GO OF THE BRAKE IT WILL SURGE. VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #10574754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,000 miles Loudon, TN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DECELERATE. IT IS OKAY WHEN YOU FIRST START IT, BUT THE FIRST TIME YOU PUSH THE ACCELERATOR IT WILL NOT DECELERATE. YOU MUST HOLD THE BRAKE. IF YOU LET GO OF THE BRAKE IT WILL SURGE. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10568589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,001 miles Saint Paul, MN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WELL, MY FORD ESCAPE 2004 LTD EDITION HAD ISSUES SLOWING DOWN. I HAD USED THE CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED AS IF CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON EVEN AFTER I BRAKED HARD AND CANCELLED THE CRUISE CONTROL. I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND TRIED TURNING IT BACK ON. WHEN IT STARTED BACK UP, THE VEHICLE REVVED TO 5,000 RPM IN UNDER 5 SECONDS. I DID THIS TWICE WITH THE SAME EFFECT. I BROUGHT IT IN TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL (ALTHOUGH NOW I SEE THEM ALL OVER THE INTERNET). I GOT A CALL BACK AFTER THIS WHOLE ORDEAL THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND THAT THE SHOCK WAS NOT ATTACHED TO ANYTHING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON TREND WITH THESE VEHICLES, BUT THERE ARE NO RECALLS. MY DEALERSHIP IS BRINGING IT TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP TODAY. I AM EXPECTING A $3,000 REPAIR NOW.

NHTSA complaint #10563644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 142,000 miles Avoca, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING, THE THROTTLE STUCK. APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO SLOW AND TACHOMETER INDICATED HIGH ENGINE SPEED. SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE RPMS PUT THE NEEDLE IN THE RED BEYOND THE GAUGE. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE, AND OPENING THE HOOD THE PROBLEM DID NOT PERSIST, BUT RETURNED AFTER DRIVING AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10563755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Orange City, IA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE TO 85 MPH INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REMEDIED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #10562129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 155,000 miles Milford, DE

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND THE RPMS ON MY 2004 ESCAPE JUMP UP. SO I TRY TO SLOW DOWN AND CAR KEEPS ACCELERATING. THROW CAR INTO PARK BECAUSE BRAKES WOULDN'T SLOW IT DOWN. EVER SITE I READ SAYS IT IS THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. SUPPOSEDLY THIS WAS REPLACED BY DEALER WHILE IN FOR AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT REPAIR IN DECEMBER 2012. UNDER RECALL. NOW WHEN I START VEHICLE RPMS JUMP, AND GET BURNING SMELL FROM MOTOR. CARS RPMS JUMP WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD ALSO. BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED IN MAY 2013 BUT SINCE THEY WERE REPLACED BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT IS DIMLY LITE UPON ACCELERATING. I HAVE SPENT A FORTUNE ON THIS VEHICLE AND EVERY TIME I TURN AROUND IT NEEDS MORE WORK. I ALSO AFTER GETTING BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR REPLACED HAD TO PUT A NEW THROTTLE BODY COMPONENT IN BECAUSE MOTOR WAS RACING TO 3000 RPMS WHILE IN PARK OR WHILE FOOT WAS ON BREAK. PLEASE HELP. I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE LIKE IT IS. CAN NOT AFFORD TO PUT ANYMORE MONEY INTO IT EITHER.

NHTSA complaint #10561550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Dayton, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ALTHOUGH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10556474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2004 Ford Escape problems

← Full 2004 Ford Escape report