Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's mother owns a 2007 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his brother was driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently downshifted and decelerated to 40-45 MPH. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's brother depressed the accelerator pedal however, the pedal felt soft and remained on the floorboard. The contact's brother veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, he was able to continue to drive; however, the failure reoccurred while exiting the highway. The contact stated that the vehicle would fail to go into gear while attempting to shift into drive and depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle would start but would not move. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 195,000.
The theft system randomly sounds off for no reason. The theft light keeps blinking as the key is placed in the run position. The vehicle is having issues starting and there's no sound at all when turning the key. When the vehicle does start it stalls, so the gas pedal must be pushed almost to the floor. I must apply strong pressure to the breaks, so that I can stop and not crash. The problem is not changing and other ownsers are having these same issue with this truck. I've already had the battery checked, starter replaced, purchased a new key , and fob.
The gas pedal would stick intermittently, and more pressure needed to be applied to the pedal in order to get the car to accelerate. At one point the gas pedal completely stuck, and I was not able to accelerate the car at all on the highway, forcing me to pull the car over to the side of the road and turn it off to be towed. A mechanic was able to confirm this issue is caused by a malfunction in the throttle body. Ford previously recalled throttle body's in escapes from 2009-2012, but my car is 2007 and does not apply. However, because it is experiencing the same malfunction, and has serious safety implication, I believe the 2007 Ford Escape model should be added to fords current consumer satisfaction program 13n03.
2007 Ford Escape throttle sticks intermittently. Driving and suddenly the petal will stick and not respond. Push down on gas petal and will not move or respond. Flutter the petal and in will return to operational form.petal sticks and not allow you to give engine and gas. The problem occurs when I take my foot off the gas petal then try to reapply the gas to accelerate. Vehicle has been doing this since I bought it but has become more frequent as the vehicle ages. I have told dealer reps.about this ongoing issue and each time I'm told it has no recalls and I will need to pay for all repairs myself.
The gas pedal sticks often, and feels as if something is under the pedal, stopping it from being depressed. This causes sudden reduction of speed and then sudden acceleration when pressing hard to get the pedal to go down. Ford previously recalled throttle body's in escapes from 2009-2012. I believe the 2007 Ford Escape model should be added to that recall! This is a true safety problem! Mine has being doing this for about a month and has gotten way worse so it will need to be fixed.
Recently the accelerator pedal stuck on my 2007 Ford Escape and I had to run into a curb to stop the vehicle, ity caused about $1500 damage to the car. No personnel injuries were caused. I had to run the car into a curb to keep from rear ending another vehicle.
In cold weather for the first 2 or 3 stops the gas pedal would not mash down. It stuck up. It would be OK after that. Never a problem in summer. Ford checked it and could not find a problem. I contacted Ford and they did not have an answer to the problem. I felt like I was not the only one with this problem. Finally in April of this year it stuck and I had to have the throttle replaced, a $383.79 cost to me. I contacted Ford and told them I thought they should pay for the repair since it was a safety issue. They evidentially thought not because they would not take care of it. When you stop and start off and the pedal sticks and you are in the middle of an intersection and your car won't move, that is a safety issue. My son was driving in texas and stopped behind another car at a red light and started to ease up when the pedal stuck. …
Accelerator pedal becomes very difficult, almost impossible to depress, as if it is locked into position. This happens on the average of 4-5 times per week, most frequently when the car is cold and has been sitting...but occasionally as car is being driven down the road. Last night I was in the process of merging onto a highway and could not give the vehicle any gas at all, as a tractor trailer was quickly bearing down on me. I had to coast onto the shoulder and was eventually able to stomp extremely forcefully onto the gas pedal to get it to "unstick". This problem is becoming extremely dangerous and I will be taking the vehicle in for service to have the accelerator cable replaced. (assuming that's the problem).
Over the past several months, my gas pedal has been sticking when trying to accelerate. It began in May 2012 and has been getting progressively worse. I thought it might have something to do with cold weather, but it has occurred at various times of the day as well as temperatures at throughout spring, summer and fall. I am forced to push hard on the accelerator when it sticks, which causes my vehicle to lunge forward. It usually sticks when I have completely stopped, but has often gotten stuck when accelerating after coming out of a curve I have slowed down to go through. It is a dangerous problem that seems to have occurred with several Ford escapes in the past.
There has been multiple instances where the gas peddle cannot be depressed. No matter the amount of pressure applied. It has occurred both at a standstill and while in motion. I have read its a possible throttle body problem not sure. First occurrence was during cold weather however it has occurred during warm temps ie 85degree outside temperature. It happens and then there is no problems for a long time maybe months, however if it were to occur during a merge this could be very dangerous and possibly deadly. Please look into this as there is already multiple recalls on fords acceleration systems in this model from prior years.
Acceleration complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2007 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2007 Ford Escape, 16% of the model year's 254 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Ford Escape acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2007 Ford Escape, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Ford Escape acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 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.