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 1997 Ford Escort owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Daughter was driving car, had a tire blow out, and car suddenly accelerated out of control. She tried shifting gears, using brakes, and pulling parking brake to no avail. She crashed into parked cars after traveling about 200 yards uphill. Witnesses say she was going about 30 to 40 MPH. After the blowout, which happened as she was leaving a stop. Car will not be repaired, will be junked. It is too dangerous for anyone to drive.
The vehicle accelerated and lurched forward while pulling into a parking space, causing the vehicle to hit a brick wall. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained minor injuries, and was transported to the local hospital. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified.
Intermittently sudden acceleration occurred while driving or braking. This resulted in a rear end collision. Also, while the mechanic was test driving the vehicle, sudden acceleration occurred, which resulted in front bumper damage. Mechanic replaced several components, but the problem still occurred. Dealership was contacted and performed a eec test, in which ,the DTC code was pu1143, bad purge fuel. Intake air hose was loose. Dealership tightened the clamp, and a sensor was replaced. Sudden acceleration occurred 3 times after the dealership serviced the vehicle.
Unintended accelleration. Within the last 12 months, on approximately 6 occasions, the vehicle would suddenly accelerate when braking to a stop. The vehicle would be placed immediately into neutral and the idle speed would return to normal. This was not caused by floormats or inadvertant pressing of the gas pedal.
The cruise control stopped working/worked 5 times during the weekend of nov 11, 2002. The first time it caused the speedometer to be erratic and then it started working. From the second time on, it caused the check engine light to come on and stay on. The second time it didn't work but it caused the speedometer to stick on 0 and the odometer to stop working. The 3rd time it also didn't work, but it caused the speedometer to peg out over 120 MPH and the odometer stopped working. I had decided at that point to not try the cruise control again. The 4th time the cruise control seemed to kick in by itself for a few seconds, it caused the speedometer to be erratic, and then the cruise control stopped working again. The 5th time was the scarriest. It again try to kick in by itself, and this time it disabled the gas pedal. During this entire time I was driving the posted speed limit of 65 MPH. …
An electrical short circuit is occurring within vehicle which is causing vehicle battery to completely lose power. Consumer states radio caused battery to drain and speakers to pop, radio replaced 3 times, experiencing other electrical problems with the headlights dimming when the heater is on or when applying brakes, radiator had to be replaced, engine lights come on intermittently, and poor acceleration when going up a hill.
Upon accelaration to 35mph, the gas pedal voluntarily dropped towards the floorboard. The tachometer was redlining with the brakes engaged, at this point the car was traveling at appox. 50mph. When the gear lever was moved into neutral the car continued to rev at 7000 rmp's until the key was shut off. Upon restarting the vehicle it began to rev at redling RPM's once again. From that point it was towed to the dealership.
When stopped with foot on brake pedal, engine does not "idle down"; if placed in neutral or park, engine will race up to as much as 3500 RPM. First experienced this problem on 3/23/99...veh. Was placed in shop @ akins Ford in winder, ga (where purchased) and they replaced "tps and cleaned throttle plates." all o.k. Until 4/4, when problem reappeared. Car will literally pull itself along in first gear.
Vehicle was going 65mph and slowing down to 30mph while still accelerating. Heater core was leaking onto computer for airbag module. This was the second time it happened.*akthe leaking heater core caused alot of damage to the airbag, spark plugs, ignition cable, and oxygen sensors. Consumer paid out of pocket for damaged parts. Heater core replaced under warranty.
While pulling into parking lot with foot on the brake the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a building, again with foot on brake the consumer put the vehicle into reverse and the vehicle accelerated backwards and crashed into a sand pile and building, the sandpile plugged the tailed pipe causing vehicle to stall, accident resulted in 1 injury. Nlm
Acceleration complaints in other Escort years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1997 Ford Escort?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1997 Ford Escort, 5% of the model year's 543 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Escort acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 1997 Ford Escort, though it has 1 recall 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 1997 Ford Escort acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries 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.