Acceleration complaints by model year
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was parked on the side of the road and was later towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was serviced by the dealer. No further information was available. The contact stated that after retrieving the vehicle, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and erroneously accelerated into an intersection. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
METAL-TO-METAL CLANK TO ENGINE. This is the last incident that occurred while traveling to my job in Richmond, Virginia and back home to Fredericksburg, Virginia on 12/20/23. I traveled a total of 100 miles that day. I have reported this same issue previously 4 times to Sheehy Ford of Ashland in Ashland, Virginia to the Service Shop Associates where I purchase my vehicle. They told me to continue to drive my vehicle but I explain to them that Ford was suppose to have a remedy by October of 2023 but nothing happened. My car continues to get worse and my 3 year warranty to my vehicle is up in March of 2024. As a consumer I should not have to be put in this position. This is not only unfair but dangerous to travel on the highway. I should of been given a new vehicle and Ford Motor Company should be responsible to not allowing for this to continue. …
I was driving on the NYS Thruway with lane assist and cruise control enabled. This is after already having an issue with my computer where the car a couple of months ago just stopped in the middle of the road. This morning I was driving on the Thruway when suddenly, if felt like the collision impact system was engaged and the car shifted to the right slamming into the car next to me. No airbag deployment but extensive damage and collision system was completely engaged. The car issued no warnings or other issues afterwards. NYSPD arrived and completed report. Another car was involved. Only side damage.
There is an issue with the instrument gauge cluster upon ignition start-up. The digital gauge cluster screen suddenly turns off and restarts after a full minute of turning on the car's ignition. After an automatic software restart of the gauge cluster and driving on the highway through Northbound Mopac Loop 1 in Austin, the cluster shows a frozen black background with the blue normal drive mode. The gauge cluster works fine but intermittently goes blank after starting the car.
While turning left, foot on brake pedal, in a small strip mall parking lot, car suddenly accelerated and kept accelerating. Although I tried to steer, car crashed into several hedges, over high curbs, tire blew out, finally stopped by crashing into tree 8 parallel feet from gas pump. Brakes did not slow car down. No idea why.
I bought my Ford Escape because they are dependable. But on my way to work a couple of weeks ago, my car slipped out of cruise control causing me to lurch forward at 70+ MPH on the highway. I couldn't reengage cruise control and the wrench icon was lit on the dash. The next day my car was fine so I thought it was a fluke. Then it happened again. I thought it was just an issue with cruise control so I stopped using it. But that didn't solve the issue and my car would randomly downshift while I was on the highway (the wrench light coming on). While idling, my rpms would go up without me stepping on the gas. Because of my busy work schedule, I spent almost 2 weeks not knowing if I was going to get stuck on the side of the road in 100 degree heat every time I got in the car. Eventually it was the check engine light, not the wrench light, that came on. I knew I had to get my car in. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle lunged forward and erroneously traveled over a cement parking divider. The contact mentioned that on another occasion, the vehicle lunge forward and stalled without any warning. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 50,500.
Two weeks ago I put gas in my Escape and the mileage to e reader did not go up after I finished pumping the gas like it normally does. So I pushed the vapor release lock in the gas cap, and it went up to where the reader should have been, which im not sure if that is valid to the issue I am having with my Escape but I just thought I would include this just in case. Anyway, later that night on my way home from the gas station is when I had my first incident with the gas pedal not working. I was accelerating up a small incline and then starting losing power and speed. So I pulled over and put my car in park and it was sputtering so I turned my car off, waited a few seconds and turned it back on. When I turned it back on I tried to push the gas pedal to see if my car would move and it worked fine, and I had no issues with it until today. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Escape Hybrid years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (25), 2006 (20), 2009 (17), 2010 (8) and 2011 (8) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Ford Escape Hybrid acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for any Ford Escape Hybrid model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Escape Hybrid acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles; 22% happened before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.