31 of the 729 complaints about the 1997 Ford Escort are about the throttle and cruise control — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 45,000 miles.
31
Complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I TURNED RIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT AND SLOWLY TURNED RIGHT AGAIN INTO A PARKING SPACE. WHILE I WAS BRAKING, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND HIT A BUILDING.
NHTSA complaint #10567436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING CAR, HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT, AND CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. SHE TRIED SHIFTING GEARS, USING BRAKES, AND PULLING PARKING BRAKE TO NO AVAIL. SHE CRASHED INTO PARKED CARS AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 200 YARDS UPHILL. WITNESSES SAY SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 30 TO 40 MPH. AFTER THE BLOWOUT, WHICH HAPPENED AS SHE WAS LEAVING A STOP. CAR WILL NOT BE REPAIRED, WILL BE JUNKED. IT IS TOO DANGEROUS FOR ANYONE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10144374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
UNINTENDED ACCELLERATION. WITHIN THE LAST 12 MONTHS, ON APPROXIMATELY 6 OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WHEN BRAKING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE PLACED IMMEDIATELY INTO NEUTRAL AND THE IDLE SPEED WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL. THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY FLOORMATS OR INADVERTANT PRESSING OF THE GAS PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #10118119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A BRICK WALL. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10097832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION AXLE SLIPPAGE AND DEFECTIVE BRAKE PROBLEMS. VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN ACCELERATING. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC.
NHTSA complaint #10074160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
INTERMITTENTLY SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING OR BRAKING. THIS RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION. ALSO, WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED, WHICH RESULTED IN FRONT BUMPER DAMAGE. MECHANIC REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONENTS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND PERFORMED A EEC TEST, IN WHICH ,THE DTC CODE WAS PU1143, BAD PURGE FUEL. INTAKE AIR HOSE WAS LOOSE. DEALERSHIP TIGHTENED THE CLAMP, AND A SENSOR WAS REPLACED. SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED 3 TIMES AFTER THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10071412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING/WORKED 5 TIMES DURING THE WEEKEND OF NOV 11, 2002. THE FIRST TIME IT CAUSED THE SPEEDOMETER TO BE ERRATIC AND THEN IT STARTED WORKING. FROM THE SECOND TIME ON, IT CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND STAY ON. THE SECOND TIME IT DIDN'T WORK BUT IT CAUSED THE SPEEDOMETER TO STICK ON 0 AND THE ODOMETER TO STOP WORKING. THE 3RD TIME IT ALSO DIDN'T WORK, BUT IT CAUSED THE SPEEDOMETER TO PEG OUT OVER 120 MPH AND THE ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING. I HAD DECIDED AT THAT POINT TO NOT TRY THE CRUISE CONTROL AGAIN. THE 4TH TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL SEEMED TO KICK IN BY ITSELF FOR A FEW SECONDS, IT CAUSED THE SPEEDOMETER TO BE ERRATIC, AND THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. THE 5TH TIME WAS THE SCARRIEST. IT AGAIN TRY TO KICK IN BY ITSELF, AND THIS TIME IT DISABLED THE GAS PEDAL. DURING THIS ENTIRE TIME I WAS DRIVING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MPH. I'VE STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR FOR RIGHT NOW. THE CRUISE CONTROL SEEMS TO BE TOO ERRATIC AND I DON'T WANT TO GET IN A ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT. DT
NHTSA complaint #769649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE WAS GOING 65MPH AND SLOWING DOWN TO 30MPH WHILE STILL ACCELERATING. HEATER CORE WAS LEAKING ONTO COMPUTER FOR AIRBAG MODULE. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED.*AKTHE LEAKING HEATER CORE CAUSED ALOT OF DAMAGE TO THE AIRBAG, SPARK PLUGS, IGNITION CABLE, AND OXYGEN SENSORS. CONSUMER PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR DAMAGED PARTS. HEATER CORE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #8008606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT IS OCCURRING WITHIN VEHICLE WHICH IS CAUSING VEHICLE BATTERY TO COMPLETELY LOSE POWER. *AK CONSUMER STATES RADIO CAUSED BATTERY TO DRAIN AND SPEAKERS TO POP, RADIO REPLACED 3 TIMES, EXPERIENCING OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMING WHEN THE HEATER IS ON OR WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND POOR ACCELERATION WHEN GOING UP A HILL.
NHTSA complaint #8002796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING LOT WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING, AGAIN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE THE CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO A SAND PILE AND BUILDING, THE SANDPILE PLUGGED THE TAILED PIPE CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL, ACCIDENT RESULTED IN 1 INJURY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #556508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING LOT WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING, AGAIN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE THE CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO A SAND PILE AND BUILDING, THE SANDPILE PLUGGED THE TAILED PIPE CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL, ACCIDENT RESULTED IN 1 INJURY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #556508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, AND MECHANIC NOTICED ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS CHAFED AND WORN, IT WAS REPLACED. CONTACTED FORD COMPANY, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD GET BACK WITH CONSUMER. NEVER CONTACTED HIM. CONSUMER CONCERNED WITH SAFETY OF OTHER DRIVERS. *AK THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS ABRADED AND WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #875515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE FAILURE RESULITING IN IDLE BEING ERRETIC WILL RACE UP TO 2,500 RPM BY IT'S SELF AND WHEN IN GEAR SUDDEN ACCELERATION ALSO ENGINE FAN WILL NOT SHUT OFF EVEN WHEN KEY IS OFF
NHTSA complaint #732288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE FAILURE RESULITING IN IDLE BEING ERRETIC WILL RACE UP TO 2,500 RPM BY IT'S SELF AND WHEN IN GEAR SUDDEN ACCELERATION ALSO ENGINE FAN WILL NOT SHUT OFF EVEN WHEN KEY IS OFF
NHTSA complaint #732288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON TWO OCCASIONS, FIRST INCIDENT RESULTED IN COLLISION WITH PROPERTY. MJS
NHTSA complaint #548403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE EXPERINCES 2 INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELRATION RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISIONS. YH
NHTSA complaint #547787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
WHILE STARTING VEHICLE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF. ACCIDENT OCCURRED. DEALER NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #844251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE ENGINE REVS HIGH WITHOUT GAS PEDAL BEING APPLIED. VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATES AFTER BRAKE APPLICATION. DEALER CAN'T FIX PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #842880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
THE ENGINE REVS HIGH WITHOUT GAS PEDAL BEING APPLIED. VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATES AFTER BRAKE APPLICATION. DEALER CAN'T FIX PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #842880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING A FEW DAYS LATER I BLEW A FUSE FOR THE BRAKES LIGHTS. I REPLACE THE FUSE AND BLEW THAT ONE. AT THIS SAME TIME I NOTICED THAT I COULD NOT SHUT OFF THE AIR CONDITIONING. I WILL CONTACT DEALER NEXT BUISNESS DAY.
NHTSA complaint #708227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH VEHICLE WAS RACING HIGH WITHOUT NO PRIOR WARNING. MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #841165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN PULLING OUT VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD. THIS MAY CAUSE A CRASH. ALSO, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ON. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #837661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SPEED CONTROL OFF SWITCH DOES NOT WORK 1 OUT OF 100 TIMES; IT SPEEDS UP THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #707282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN STOPPED WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, ENGINE DOES NOT "IDLE DOWN"; IF PLACED IN NEUTRAL OR PARK, ENGINE WILL RACE UP TO AS MUCH AS 3500 RPM. FIRST EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM ON 3/23/99...VEH. WAS PLACED IN SHOP @ AKINS FORD IN WINDER, GA (WHERE PURCHASED) AND THEY REPLACED "TPS AND CLEANED THROTTLE PLATES." ALL O.K. UNTIL 4/4, WHEN PROBLEM REAPPEARED. CAR WILL LITERALLY PULL ITSELF ALONG IN FIRST GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #705277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #544172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT TURN OFF WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES CAUSING ME TO HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I NEED TO FIND OUT IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS.
NHTSA complaint #704376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
UPON ACCELARATION TO 35MPH, THE GAS PEDAL VOLUNTARILY DROPPED TOWARDS THE FLOORBOARD. THE TACHOMETER WAS REDLINING WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, AT THIS POINT THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT APPOX. 50MPH. WHEN THE GEAR LEVER WAS MOVED INTO NEUTRAL THE CAR CONTINUED TO REV AT 7000 RMP'S UNTIL THE KEY WAS SHUT OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO REV AT REDLING RPM'S ONCE AGAIN. FROM THAT POINT IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #703296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
NHTSA complaint #537335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN STOPPED WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON, AND ENGINE STARTS RACING. CAUSING UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #825806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, ON TWO OCCASION MINOR ACCIDENTS OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #526708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.