2004 Ford Escape Acceleration Problems

Which parts fail

• Cables
  11
• Cruise control
  6
• Accelerator pedal
  5

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  79%
• 25k–50k
  810%
• 50k–75k
  1519%
• 75k–100k
  1519%
• 100k–150k
  2430%
• 150k+
  1215%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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

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; [phone]) 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. …

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.

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. …

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 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. …

I was in a grocery store parking lot, looking for a parking place,went down one aisle, turned left to and started up the next aisle. Right after I made the turn I pulled into the aisles second parking spot on my left side. I never picked up speed after turning into the aisle. Just after I started into the parking spot my car literally lunged forward and "took off" all on its own. (I did not have my foot on the gas pedal)....I rushed to push down on the brake but by that time my car had already run up on the hood of the car facing me from the other aisle. I had no control over the car. I was to stunned at the time to know now if my brake stopped the car or if the car's acceleration stopped on it's own once it was on the hood of the other car. I am so thankful no one was injured and how bad this could have been if I was stopping to let a pedestrian cross and this happened at that time.

While moving my 2004 Ford Escape in my driveway the vehicle suddenly accelerated without my foot on the pedal. I struck a bush in my yard and was able to stop. The bush was destroyed and there was approx. $500 damage to my vehicle. A recall repair on the accelerator cable was performed by Ford in March of 2005. I brought the vehicle to a Ford dealer who would not even look at the vehicle without charging me. I reported the incident to Ford motor co. Who stated that they repaired the accelerator cable when it was recalled and would not repair it again. I have since had the bumper damage repaired and will have the accelerator cable inspected by an independent garage. I am lucky that no one was hurt during this incident. I am hesitant to drive this car again and I am very careful when I have to. I am a retired police officer and have seen what m/v crashes can do.

Tl contact owns a 2004 Ford Escape. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle began to accelerate without warning. On August 8, 2007, the contact was involved in a crash that was related to a previous recall repair for the vehicle speed control (NHTSA campaign number 04V574000). A police report was filed. The contact was injured and the vehicle was destroyed. The recall was performed by Ford and Chevrolet. In May of 2007, the vehicle accelerated past 100 MPH and began shaking as if it would flip over. The accelerator pedal became stuck to the floor and the vehicle continued to accelerate on its own. The contact was forced to stop the vehicle by placing it in park and removing the key from the ignition. When the failure occurred, no sound or warning lights were present. The contact has photos. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 66,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the accelerator pedal became stuck and the vehicle failed to slow down. The accelerator pedal was applied repeatedly and the front end of the vehicle began to vibrate. The vehicle veered off the road to avoid crashing into another vehicle into a ditch. The vehicle continued to travel and crashed into a concrete barrier and then a fence. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number was 12V353000 (engine and engine cooling , vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was notified and informed him that the VIN was included. The exterior damages had not been determined. The approximate failure mileage was 192,000. Updated 9/5/13 updated 09/11/2013

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.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Acceleration complaints in other Escape years