Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 8% | 35,000 miles |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% | 5,000 miles |
| 2023 | 7 | 7% | — |
| 2022 | 9 | 4% | 35,000 miles |
| 2021 | 5 | 1% | — |
| 2020 | 20 | 1% | 25,000 miles |
| 2019 | 8 | 1% | 4,000 miles |
| 2018 | 23 | 1% | 33,000 miles |
| 2017 | 31 | 1% | 15,000 miles |
| 2016 | 32 | 3% | 22,000 miles |
| 2015 | 14 | 1% | 79,000 miles |
| 2014 | 42 | 2% | 63,000 miles |
| 2013 | 92 | 3% | 58,000 miles |
| 2012 | 70 | 12% | 43,000 miles |
| 2011 | 245 | 19% | 45,000 miles |
| 2010 | 558 | 27% | 52,000 miles |
| 2009 | 279 | 16% | 68,000 miles |
| 2008 | 175 | 9% | 76,000 miles |
| 2007 | 40 | 16% | 79,000 miles |
| 2006 | 99 | 21% | 70,000 miles |
| 2005 | 149 | 11% | 86,000 miles |
| 2004 | 98 | 20% | 90,000 miles |
| 2003 | 90 | 16% | 88,000 miles |
| 2002 | 100 | 10% | 85,000 miles |
| 2001 | 107 | 11% | 99,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, several unknown safety features warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the message "Normal Cruise Control Braking Off" was displayed. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and a software update was performed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 4,500.
While accelerating the Vehicle I felt a massive kickback via the gas pedal, I was able to drive for half a mile more before the vehicle would no longer accelerate at all. The gas pedal was no working. The engine was overheating and a new warning popped up, upon the kickback with a wrench, and engine warning, along with a coolant over temp warning among others and service engine soon. The vehicle had just had an oil change not even a full month prior. My safety was put as risk as I could not accelerate in the middle of a high way and it just stopped out of no where. I saw another Escape 5 minutes later, stopped in the middle of a busy intersection with the same issue. No this problem was not confirmed, but we saw another vehicle with the same issue. No inspection, although my boyfriend is a mechanic and noticed the coolant was just below the minimum line. …
While pulling into a residential parking space at low speed, the vehicle (2023 Ford Escape) suddenly accelerated unexpectedly without additional throttle input. The acceleration was abrupt and forceful, and I was unable to stop the vehicle before it struck the structure in front of the parking space. The incident occurred at very low speed and under normal driving conditions. The driver was applying the brake at the time of the unintended acceleration. Airbags deployed upon impact. There were no prior warning lights or indications of a mechanical issue before the incident. The vehicle sustained significant front-end damage.
**On August 19, 2026, while driving my 2023 Ford Escape on Interstate 57 (I-57), with approximately 35,575 miles on the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly accelerated unexpectedly. I immediately attempted to apply the brakes, but the vehicle did not respond as expected and I could not stop it immediately. I became very frightened and started sounding the horn and turned on the hazard warning lights. I noticed that the lane immediately to my right was relatively clear, so I moved into that lane and applied the brakes again. The vehicle then responded to the brakes, allowing me to slow down and stop. I moved as far to the right as possible and stopped on the side of the road. I was extremely shaken and felt dizzy after the incident. I stopped to catch my breath and contacted my husband to tell him what had happened. …
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the cruise control feature became inoperable. The failure of the cruise control caused the vehicle to accelerate to 74 MPH unintendedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the dealer failed to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under an unknown recall; however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle violently lunged forward. Additionally, the contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle violently jerked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,503.
My escape would not change gears and the escape would not reverse it was also pulling back and accelerating in speed to the point I could not control it in traffic. My safety and the safety of my mother were greatly affected as the escape was malfunctioning in traffic and I could not control the gears. The alert on the escape came up and it stated: The powertrain control system has detected one of the transmission clutches did not apply within the expected time as expected. Some transmission gears may not being available resulting in delayed or harsh shifts into another gear. Additional alerts that may provide additional information may accompany this alert. I took it to dealership and they told me it would need a transmission over haul. …
My engine has been misfiring since I purchased my vehicle from a Ford Dealership in Mooresville, NC. At least, I think it is misfiring. My vehicle did not pass an emissions test and I had it inspected at a Ford Dealership in Statesville, NC. They told me I have a transmission fluid leak. I went to a transmission specialist, and we stood under my car while he showed me that the transmission is not leaking in any way. This when I learned of the fuel injection recall. He wants to help in discerning what the problem actually is, but I need to address the recall issue first. I have to do something, as I need my car for my Uber side job, but I'm being told that I have no option. Please, help. I'll provide any additional information that you may need. Thank you.
Related recalls (3)
Vehicle speed control › Cables
Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012.
Vehicle speed control › Cables
On certain sport utility vehicles built with 3.0l v6 engines, the accelerator cable May prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the accelerator cable. The recall began on January 10, 2005. Owners should contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control. The speed control cable can have a cracked or missing speed control cable servo cap locating tab. The locating tab could enter the servo clutch cavity and interfere with the speed control servo clutch.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the speed control cables. Vehicles with speed control cables from cavities 3 and 4 will have the cable the speed control servo replaced.
NHTSA investigations
Gasoline vapor intrusion
There is no summary currently available
Stuck Throttle
In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicles involved are model year (MY) 2001 through MY 2004 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6…
Cruise Control Cable
On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Escape years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (558), 2009 (279), 2011 (245), 2008 (175) and 2005 (149) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 27% of all complaints for the 2010.
Is there a recall for Ford Escape acceleration problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 12V-353 (cables, Jul 26, 2012); 04V-574 (cables, Dec 7, 2004); 00V210001 (vehicle speed control, Aug 9, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Escape acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (95 mentions), followed by the cables (47).
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.