2001 Ford Escape Acceleration Problems

Which parts fail

• Accelerator pedal
  15
• Cruise control
  8
• Cables
  7

Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  46%
• 25k–50k
  610%
• 50k–75k
  1524%
• 75k–100k
  711%
• 100k–150k
  1727%
• 150k+
  1422%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Tl* the contact owned a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number; 12V353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control). While driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to accelerate causing the vehicle to crash into a commercial vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

I was going to pull into a parking space and the accelerator stuck. I then crashed into a light pole and a building. I did research and found that there is a recall for some part of the throttle on those models from 2001 too 2004. Never had any notice of a factory recall form when I bought the vehicle at carhop, or from Ford dealership , or from the dmv on this matter. Very lucky no one was injured in this incident including myself. There is already claim through my insurance agency statefarm on this matter. All my yrs. Of driving nothing like this had ever happened.

To: Ford motor company from: owners date: 6/8/2012 purpose: 2001 Ford Escape accident summary (accelerator pedal malfunction) dear Ford motor company, this letter is to formally document and notify the Ford motor company of an automobile accident which occurred as a result of an accelerator pedal malfunction on a 2001 Ford Escape xlt. Accident summary: on Friday June 8, 2012 at approximately 1:35 pm the accelerator pedal on our 2001 Ford Escape xlt malfunctioned when it automatically engaged, stuck, and accelerated beyond drivers desired speed. The driver removed her foot from the accelerator and tapped the brake pedal with no response. The driver then fully applied the brake pedal with both feet with no effect. The driver then fully engaged the emergency brake providing some speed reduction, but the engine continued to force the vehicle forward. …

Tl* the contact owned a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic), 12V353000 (engine and engine cooling), and 14V165000 (structure, vehicle speed control). The contact did not receive any recall notifications. The contact stated that the brake lights remained illuminated for an extended period of time. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic. While the vehicle was parked in a residental parking space, a security guard noticed smoke coming from the vehicle. After making a second round, the guard informed the vehicle owner that the vehicle was consumed by flames. The fire department extinguished the flames. A fire report was filed and the contact took pictures. The vehicle was parked and had not been inspected by a dealer or manufacturer. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact was driving approximately 15 MPH approaching a stop signal and when driving from the complete stop the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated up to 58 MPH and crashed into a nearby utility pole. The contact sustained severe injuries. A police report was filed of the incident. In addition, the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a savage facility and declared as destroyed. The contact planned to notify the manufacturer of the unintended acceleration. There was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 00V210001 (vehicle speed control); however the contact did receive a recall notification. The approximate failure was 137,000.

Over the years of owning the car that I bought new for my daughter we had it in for service several times for a sticking throttle and cruise control problems. I have records of 6 different times we took it back to the dealer for throttle problems. The last time the throttle stuck it caused our vehicle to hit the back of another vehicle stopped at a stop sign. We took it back to the service center complaining of the motor revving up causing the accident. We were ignored of the problem then told the vehicle was no longer worth the cost of the repairs caused from the accident.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. While driving between 5-10 MPH, the throttle became stuck when the accelerator pedal was fully depressed. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the differential pressure feedback EGR (dpfe) sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control). The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was parked in the garage for two days when it suddenly erupted in flames during the middle of the night. The fire department was contacted and concluded the fire originated in the engine compartment. The dealer was alerted, but did not inspect the vehicle. There was extensive smoke damage to the home and no one sustained injuries. The only problem present with the vehicle prior to the incident was the cruise control button was broken and the cruise control would not engage. The cruise stopped working two years ago.

I had entered an interstate from an on ramp. I accelerated to get vehicle up to speed and set the cruise control. I approached a sharp curved and attempted to release the speed control by hitting the brakes. The vehicle did not stop and continued to stay moving at 55 MPH. I avoided the outside lane and the traffic that I was merging into by going into the median. The vehicle hit an elevated man hole in the median and went airborne and hit a bridge overpass support head on. I suffered multiple fractures due to the collision.

Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape which was purchased in 2001. While the vehicle was parked in his driveway he was notified that it was on fire. Upon further investigation, he saw black smoke under the dashboard. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire; however, they were unable to determine the cause of the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileages were 120,000. Updated 06/02/10. According to the police report, the fire originated in the engine compartment. Updated 09/28/10

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Acceleration complaints in other Escape years