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 2014 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 3 MPH, the contact stated that she was in a parking lot when she depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle unintentionally accelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle was moving at approximately 45 MPH and it continued to accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle drove into a field, she turned the vehicle to the left to avoid crashing into a large rock. The contact stated she crashed into the rock with the right front end and bumper. The contact stated that the car was still accelerating as if she was depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated she was depressing the brake pedal and the vehicle was not stopping. The contact stated she crashed through a guard rail and crossed a four-lane road. …
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle reversed without warning. In addition, the RPM was fluctuating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,875.
MY CAR HAS 15 RECALLS AND 3 different FORD dealerships REFUSES TO do recall work This has gone on for more than 2 years. They claim to have done recall work that has not been done. It has a defective transmission. It took off while in park and hit a tow truck.
The car takes off late (delayed) after pushing on the gas pedal. The shifting is also not responding, for example, I placed the car in "REVERSE" gear and the car actually went forward like it was in DRIVE.
Driving on the highway I lost braking power the brake vacuum pump ceased up and broke the bolt in the cam shaft that had to be drilled out and replaced then that caused more damage to the cam and bottom end of the motor for the motor to throw the following codes: p0365 p0369 p0012 p0299 b1215 p0234 U3008 U3003 U0300 p1594 U0140 U0154 U2300 U0422 B1B36 With all these codes I did the following and am now without a vehicle thanks to FORD. This vehicle only has 58000 Miles is single owner and was well maintained till this incident now I am told the motor has to be rebuilt as the cam and bottom end are the issues with this vehicle and this has happened to a lot of people and could have cause a crash or deadly accident as no brakes and now no vehicle. …
Driving along at 60 mph suddenly my car stops going in heavy traffic and won't move,, then it accelerated to high RPMS and was stuck, then it hard shifted into gear and it lundged forward fast and went about 5 feet then it wouldn't move. Almost got killed on a busy hwy. because of it accelerating on its on out into traffic while it was in park, then just came to a dead stop. The only way I can describe is it was not moving in park, then it was like it shifted by itself and lundged forward and stoped like it was slammed into park from a high speed but it did it this on it's own while the shifter was in park. It took off again and I drove it to the side of the hwy, and turned it off. Called and got a friend who has a trailer to come tow me. I Cranked my car to see if it would move to get it on the trailer. …
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that prior to receiving the recall notification, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration after taking her foot off the brake pedal. The vehicle drove across six lanes of traffic and was unable to stop while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact applied the parking brake and was able to stop the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the transmission. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. …
ABS braking not functioning, Power steering failure , speedometer and odometer failure, Air Bag indication of non function. Warning indications on dash illuminated at once when failures occured The loss of functioning Air bags, Power Steering, ABS Braking are all possible safety risks, most especially when combined at once. Vehicle has been diagnosed by a registered Ford Dealership. Problems diagnosed as a Failure of the electrical ABS system module by the Ford dealership. Dealership expressed that this was a known issue and all repair parts are currently out of stock and on national back order with no ETA for availability. This leaves the vehicle in a condition that makes it a safety hazard to be driven , for myself and others. Documentation unavailable at this time from dealership, verbal conversation, still awaiting repair options. Vehicle has been in dealership since 11/03/2025.
The ABS, Anti-lock braking sytem symbol came on about 3 or 4 months ago. Other symbols that came on were the brake system (circle with exclamation point in it), the red word "brake", the stability control light, and the speedometer stopped working/ The information display stopped working. We have taken the car to three local Ford Service departments to have it checked only to be told the ABS part is on back order. Furthermore, I've read that the brakes could be compromised. No Speedometer or display functions is dangerous. The only receipt I have tells me it is the ABS module that is on back order.
So I called Nelson Ford today they told me that I had 3 recalls on my vehicle according to the website here I've had 15 recalls they say I had 3 recalls. Now my car hesitates when it accelerates and doesn't shift right they say that the recall as nothing to do with the transmission itself. That the recalls only covers the cable bushing only and if it fails then they will fix it only of I can't move the car and that I get it towed in. And now I have a lemon and I can't offord to replace the transmission if the same problem exists . And I feel like ford is not taking responsibility for there lemon car
Acceleration complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2014 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2014 Ford Escape, 2% of the model year's 2,089 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Ford Escape acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2014 Ford Escape, though it has 16 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 2014 Ford Escape acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.