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Acceleration & cruise control

2002 Ford Escape Acceleration problems

Owners have filed 103 complaints about the 2002 Ford Escape's acceleration & cruise control with NHTSA - 10% of all its complaints, most recently on June 18, 2018. They describe 26 crashes, 10 fires and 18 injuries. Unintended acceleration, surging, throttle problems and cruise or adaptive cruise faults.

Complaints
103
Recalls
1
Crashes
26
Fires
10
Injuries
18
Deaths
2

Acceleration recalls for the 2002 Ford Escape

Vehicle speed control: cables

04V574000470,245 vehicles affected

The problem
On certain sport utility vehicles built with 3.0L v6 engines, the accelerator cable may prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position.
The risk
An unexpected increase in engine idle speed may increase stopping distance and may result in a vehicle crash.
The fix
Dealers will replace the accelerator cable. The recall began on january 10, 2005. Owners should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Acceleration complaints

BrakesEngine & coolingAcceleration & cruise controlFire

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while parked in her driveway. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. The fire department stated that the master brake cylinder and the cruise control cables were melted. The vehicle was deemed a total loss, but was not towed from the contact's residence. The dealer (lithia ford of missoula, 3943 brooks st, missoula, mt 59804) and the manufacturer were called and the contact was awaiting a call back. The...

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contact stated that she had not received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 12v005000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and 12v353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 145,000. .*Bf *tr

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine cooling · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11102440
BrakesAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & coolingFire

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 ford escape. After exiting the vehicle, there was a fire that erupted under the hood. The fire was extinguished by a fire company. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The insurance company was to investigate the failure. The vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign numbers: 12v353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control) and 12v005000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect. *Tt *tr

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11063216
Body, doors & structureAcceleration & cruise controlBrakes

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while stationary, the vehicle would not accelerate forward. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not accelerate forward. The vehicle was pushed manually, in the neutral position, to an unknown place of business. Furthermore, the contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal there was a squealing and cracking noise. The wheel bearing and struts were faulty on the vehicle as stated by the contact. The...

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steering wheel made a loud squeaking noise when turned left or right while driving various speeds in addition to the vehicle frame becoming severely rusted underneath. The dealer was not contacted about the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Structure · Vehicle speed control · Service brakesNHTSA 11013938
Acceleration & cruise control

Vehicle idles fast in park and accelerates quickly while driving and remains in high constant acceleration mode. Bucks forward without warning, causing potential vehicle impact while behind stopped traffic, parking or trailing other vehicles.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11011150
Acceleration & cruise control

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. When the vehicle was started, the rpm indicator went all the up and the vehicle spontaneously accelerated. The contact tapped on the accelerator pedal and the rpms went down. While driving approximately 40 to 50 mph, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The vehicle was not diagnosed by the dealer. The vehicle displayed the failure since november of 2016. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10979257
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

My vehicle does the exact same thing as nhtsa recall number 04v165000 or ford recall no. 04S13. I have the year and engine associated with the recall but my vin is not on the list. It should be because it is very dangerous!

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10908812
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact received a recall for the nhtsa campaign number: 12v353000 (engine and engine cooling, speed control) and the vehicle received the recall repair. The contact stated the vehicle never experienced any failures until after receiving the recall remedy. The contact stated that when attempting to accelerate the vehicle's throttle locks at high speeds and the acceleration pedal locks in the downward position. The contact stated that the brakes failed and in order to...

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stop the vehicle's gear was moved to the park position. The contact informed the dealer and the manufacturer who stated that because the vehicle had already received the recall repair they would not be able to provide another repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 214,000.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10892040
Transmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. While the vehicle was stopped and waiting for a train to cross the tracks, the contact attempted to place the vehicle back in gear but the vehicle would not shift out of the park position. An independent mechanic was contacted and arrived at the scene. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the shift lever had disengaged from the transmission and would need to be bolted back into place. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number:...

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15v606000 (power train). The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would experience unexpected acceleration and was difficult to slow down. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 12v353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 132,000.

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10809630
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

I bought my 2002 ford escape in feb. 2015. Since then often when I put it in park it revs, the rpms range from 1500-3000. I read that a recall was declared in december of 2004. My car idles at a high range.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10790058
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while making a left turn and pressing the accelerator pedal, the throttle became stuck and the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a ditch. The driver sustained injuries to the left leg and left side after leaping from the vehicle. A police report was filed. While inspecting the vehicle, the police indicated that the throttle was stuck continued to rev after the crash. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10746778
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash2 injuries

2002 Ford escape. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle unintended acceleration. *Smd the consumer stated while sitting at a traffic light, the vehicle spontaneously accelerated, hitting the vehicle in front of hi, because his foot was on the brake, the crash was not as violent as it could have been. Two of the passengers in the other vehicle went to the hospital with shoulder injuries. The consumers vehicle was declared totaled. *Jb

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10714830
Acceleration & cruise controlFuel system

On 4/10/2014, I was driving the vehicle and noticed that when I let my foot off the gas pedal, the car showed no signs of slowing...As if I was still accelerating. I had to use the brake to make the car slow down. On 4/12/2015, I was pulling into the driveway and let my foot off the pedal to coast to the parking position, when it suddenly accelerated, and I almost hit our fence. There is definitely something wrong with the acceleration system. *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10705172
Acceleration & cruise control

The accelerator cable appears to have gone out. The gas pedal goes directly to the floor and the engine is at 6rpm's. Called ford and even though they had nearly 500k cars recalled during the exact year my car was built they will not claim responsibility for it. In the meantime my two children were hurt because they couldn't accelerator on to the highway and then had to shut off the car. Fords solution was for me to take my car to their dealership and pay them to fix my vehicle, but to keep the receipts just in case they are "forced" to reimburse me for my costs. *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10704557
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash

I was driving my ford escape 2002 out of town, I noticed my car pulling away from me. I took my foot off the throttle and noticed the the car was accelerating. I knew a stop sign and a highway was up ahead, after blowing threw the stop sign only being able to slow the car down to 20 with the brakes, I pulled the e-brake and still did not stop, afraid and scared I put the car in park, the car then snapped and went into reverse and the only thing I could do was aim for a pole and hit it. I got out of the car and it was still going with the engine smoking, fearing of a fire I shut the engine down. *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10689885
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash3 injuries

Vehicle was driven towards a crossing and the light was red. I tried to stop, but instead it accelerated on applying the brakes and t-boned a car on the crossing. The brakes on this car were serviced a few times in the past and the complete history is available at the dealer....Updated 04/02/15 *bf

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10703661
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal intermittently became stuck when it was engaged. The contact had to continue applying pressure to the accelerator pedal in order for it to be released. While driving in reverse at 5 mph, the vehicle accelerated backwards over a curb and crashed into an electrical pole. A police report was filed. The driver and passenger were not injured. The vehicle was scheduled for further inspection and diagnostic testing by an insurance adjustor and an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10626579
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash

Backed out of driveway, put into drive and the car throttled and accelerated unexpectedly and caused me to run into a tree. The vehicle has been totaled. *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10610777
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that immediately after the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 14v165000 and nhtsa campaign number: 12v353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control) the vehicle started to surge back and forward. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The techician stated that the front vacuum tube was leaking and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The vehicle was not re repaired. The failure mileage was 155,000.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10597974
Acceleration & cruise controlBrakesEngine & coolingCrash

I was approaching a traffic light to turn. As I applied the brake instead of stopping the truck accelerated. Hitting the back of a vehicle. *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10588279
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving into his driveway at a low speed, with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated and crashed into his shad and side wiped his neighbor's house. The vehicle continued to accelerate with force when the contact applied to the brake pedal. The vehicle finally came to a stop when the vehicle crashed into an area of bushes. However, the engine continued to rev and the wheels continued to spin. The contact was the able to...

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turn off the engine. Upon inspection,the insurance company totalled the vehicle. The contact suffered injuries to the neck and body. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 67,000.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10574054
Fuel systemAcceleration & cruise control

While driving my 2002 ford focus v6 I have experienced several instances of sudden unintended vehicle acceleration. I took my car to parks ford in wesley chapel, fl who said they suspect it is from my throttle cable sticking but they would not fix it for me even though many escapes have had the same problem and resulted in numerous deaths. It would cost me over $400 to fix and just because my particular vin number is not part of the recall for they would not help me. I even spoke to someone at the main ford...

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office who said the same thing. This is blatantly refusing to stand by their product, even though they realize this could result in a very serious safety problem. I told the man at ford that I guess they want to wait until someone else dies of this problem and he said if he was me and knew what I know he just wouldn't drive that car, which proves that they realize the seriousness and yet refuse to make it a recall on my car even though the same issue resulted in several deaths for escape owners in the past. *Tr

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10567665
Acceleration & cruise control

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 75 mph, he attempted disengage the cruise control but the vehicle maintained 75 mph. The contact stated that he depressed that brake pedal but the engine continued to rev. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the throttle cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10558208
Acceleration & cruise control

I was driving at 70mph on a highway. I went to take my exit and pushed the button to turn the cruise control off, but that did not slow the vehicle down at all. It kept accelerating all the way up to 90mph. I tapped the brakes but it did not slow the car down. I was afraid to keep my foot on the brakes due to heating the brakes up so much that it would catch my car on fire. I put it in neutral but the rpms revved between 5000-6000 so I switched back in to drive. When I finally had an area where there were no other...

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cars around me I slammed on the brake pedal to slow it down as much as I possibly could before putting it into park. When it was in park the rpms jumped all the way up to 5000 and sounded as though the car was going to blow up so I turned the car off. Then I opened the hood and removed the cruise control cable. I have had the recall done on this vehicle and never had a problem with this til now. My car is no leaking oil and smells like something is burning. I have contacted ford and they seemed as though this was an unimportant issue. They stated that they were not responsible for repairs. This should be an issue for them since they are the ones who fixed it in the first place with the last recall they had on this issue. *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10555830
Acceleration & cruise control

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the vehicle accelerated independently to speeds of 88 mph. The contact applied immense pressure to the brakes but to no avail. He then maneuvered the vehicle to the side of the highway and turned off the ignition. Upon further inspection, he found that the accelerator cable was the cause of the failure. The vehicle had been recalled six years earlier under nhtsa campaign number: 04v574000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 172,000.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10546188
BrakesAcceleration & cruise controlCrash1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated while driving 55 mph the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact applied immense pressure to the brakes to no avail. The contact crashed into five vehicles. The contact suffered bruises to her legs. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 135,000. Updated 12/5/13*cn

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10543312

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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