Speed Control Cable problems of the 2002 Ford Escape

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 75 mph, he attempted disengage the cruise control but the vehicle maintained 75 mph. The contact stated that he depressed that brake pedal but the engine continued to rev. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the throttle cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

I was driving at 70mph on a highway. I went to take my exit and pushed the button to turn the cruise control off, but that did not slow the vehicle down at all. It kept accelerating all the way up to 90mph. I tapped the brakes but it did not slow the car down. I was afraid to keep my foot on the brakes due to heating the brakes up so much that it would catch my car on fire. I put it in neutral but the rpms revved between 5000-6000 so I switched back in to drive. When I finally had an area where there were no other cars around me I slammed on the brake pedal to slow it down as much as I possibly could before putting it into park. When it was in park the rpms jumped all the way up to 5000 and sounded as though the car was going to blow up so I turned the car off. Then I opened the hood and removed the cruise control cable. I have had the recall done on this vehicle and never had a problem with this til now. My car is no leaking oil and smells like something is burning. I have contacted Ford and they seemed as though this was an unimportant issue. They stated that they were not responsible for repairs. This should be an issue for them since they are the ones who fixed it in the first place with the last recall they had on this issue.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the vehicle accelerated independently to speeds of 88 mph. The contact applied immense pressure to the brakes but to no avail. He then maneuvered the vehicle to the side of the highway and turned off the ignition. Upon further inspection, he found that the accelerator cable was the cause of the failure. The vehicle had been recalled six years earlier under NHTSA campaign number: 04v574000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 172,000.

Vehicle has begun to accelerate unexpectedly since early September. There has been at least four incidents involving vehicle suddenly accelerating when its was at low speed or stopped (with foot on the brake). The accelerations last a few seconds and lurch the car forward. The vehicle has been taken to Ford for the recall notices involving the cruise control cable (11s24b on 30 June 12 and 12s37b on 20 Sep 12). This vehicle did not experience this problem prior to the recall repairs.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated there was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 12v353000 (vehicle speed control: cables). The manufacturer was notified who informed the remedy part was unavailable and the expected date was mid August 2012. The dealer and manufacturer were unable to provide an arrival date. The contact had not experienced failure with the throttle.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that as the vehicle was shifted into reverse, the vehicle abnormally accelerated and crashed into the contact¿s home, a nearby fence and finally a tree. The failure ceased once the vehicle crashed into the tree. The contact sustained injuries to the face, neck and the right foot. The passenger sustained minor lacerations to the face and shoulder. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who inspected the vehicle and located the failure at the cable throttle stick. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign id number 12v353000 (vehicle speed control cables) in August 2012. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and denied assistance with the repair. The failure and current mileage was 173,000.

Attorney for driver's family and media reports indicate that the vehicle was being driven immediately after purchase in the phoenix / mesa area along arizona state route 87 towards payson. The final approach to payson involves a prolonged upward grade, which would have required heavy accelerator use by the driver. Along the way, the driver was unable to disengage the accelerator or otherwise bring the vehicle to a safe stop. The vehicle struck other vehicles as it traversed an intersection, and rolled, ejecting the driver, who suffered fatal injuries. A subsequent inspection of the vehicle documented that the cruise control cable connector was lodged against the underside of the engine cover and that the throttle was open to 84%. The vehicle had received the accelerator cable replacement for recall 04v574 in January of 2005. (note: this record was received via telephone interview between odi investigators and counsel for the driver's family in late June of this year. It has been added to our complaint file to document the incident for an investigation opening. It will be updated as appropriate as more information is received).

While driving at normal speeds on ice-glazed winter roads in fairbanks, ak, I approached an intersection and took my foot off the accelerator to prepare to slow down. Instead of dropping to idle speeds, the engine accelerated up to 3500-4000 rpm. I shifted the automatic transmission to neutral and was able to stop the car with the brakes, but the engine continued to race at high-throttle until I shut off the engine. When I restarted the engine it behaved normally for several days; but the problem came back intermittently several times over the next several weeks; and every time, shutting off the engine was the only way to stop it. Ford's database showed my car had undergone a recall in 2005 to fix a similar problem. In January 2012, stanley Ford in kenai, ak 'supposedly' replaced the throttle cable and throttle body assembly for $572, but it didn't solve the problem. The uncontrolled acceleration occurred several more times, as before, until a second repair in February 2012 by seekins Ford in fairbanks, which replaced a pcv and tubing, and did a complete tune-up for $992. Since then, there have been no more issues with the accelerator.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving or passing approximately 55 mph, the accelerator pedal jammed. The contact depressed the brake pedal to the floor, but the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact was then able to turn the ignition off and stop the vehicle. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic and they informed the contact that the cruise control cable was the cause of the failure. The cruise control cable was disconnected to remedy the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000. Updated 04/19/2012 the consumer stated the cruise control cable was disconnected after the 4th occurrence. Updated 04/30/12.

On rt. 59, just south of northwest hwy (rt. 14) in barrington, my 2002 Ford Escape XLT was involved in a bizarre incident or accident. While sitting static on level road in a line of traffic with a train-crossing barrier arm keeping traffic safely waiting for the train to pass, my vehicle lurched forward in an unintended acceleration while my foot was firmly pressing on the brake petal. The engine raced at >= 4000 rpm. With continued braking action on my part with no vehicle response, the passenger-side front end of my vehicle hit the 1988 Ford f150 truck immediately in front of me. As a side note, I had the 2005 Ford recall work performed on the defective accelerator cable, with the cable replacement at packey webb Ford dealership service center in wheaton, illinois. There is a safety-hazard risk associated with the vehicle, and I refuse to drive this vehicle even if the approximately $4000. 00 damages are repaired, which I have not authorized. I am an experience computer it software/hardware professional, as well as an engineering design controls expert in the health care industry, working for a major product manufacturer (software and hardware). There is a definite safety risk associated with this vehicle make/model, and I want to report this incident to the proper agency. The insurance company, Ford dealership, and the authorized service center have done noting to identify the root cause for the vehicle malfunction on design defect; they only treat this as a loss and did not perform initial computer diagnostics prior to compromising the vehicle in their actions to appraise damages to the vehicle. I need this incident properly investigated and reported to the pubic if a safety risk is confirmed.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. While driving at 55 mph, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact moved switched to neutral gear and moved the vehicle off the roadway. He was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was awaiting a diagnosis of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 64,111. Updated 07/29/10 the consumer stated the cruise control cable became stuck. The consumer has since traded the vehicle. Updated 09/07/jb.

While driving on a highway at normal speed with small kids in their carseats the accelerator pedal went limp and the engine revved up to full acceleration. After moments of terror and temporary loss of control, the car was brought to the side of the road and shut down by fighting the engine power with the foot brakes and hand emergency brake. It's a miracle there was no crash. At my expense the Ford dealership replaced the cruise control cable and/or cruise control cable housing. The service manager said, "looking at the part, I can see why it goes to full acceleration when that part fails" to me, that is a major safety concern and design failure. I noticed other similar incidents (oid id # 10199728 and 10128545). I lodged a complaint with the Ford motor company and, not surprisingly, was told there's nothing they can or will do to compensate me. Now I'm trapped owning an unsafe car. Please investigate and remedy this problem before someone gets hurt.

I was driving home from work when I noticed the gas pedal remained stuck to the floor. When I had the dealer check it, they noticed that the accelerator cable was severely frayed and that if I kept driving in that condition, it would be very dangerous.

Accelerator stuck on 2002 Ford Escape. At 80mph I finally turned off ignition to stop. Throttle cable broke. There was a recall for this in 2002 but not for my particular car. Ford customer service and Ford recall center refused to pay for repairs at dealer. I was lucky to survive this incident. Who knows how many other 2002 Ford Escapes also have this problem??.

(1) driving to work on route 18 south (2) lost use of accelerator pedal (3) cable broken to pedal that was replaced at Ford dealer in shrewsbury/red bank NJ.

Unintended acceleration - 2002 Ford Escape XLT: driving on interstate accelerated for a hill and car continued to accelerate after foot removed from pedal. Car continued to accelerate and gain speed up hill, hill peaked and speed exceeded 80 miles per hour. Further acceleration down hill - transmission placed in neutral, and able to be stopped on side of freeway. Engine continued to rev; turned off, and then revved when turned back on. Cruise control was not being used at any time. Dealer inspected and found and replaced defective cruise control cable.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. While driving 80 mph, the contact applied the brakes, but the vehicle failed to decelerate or stop. The contact drove into a ditch, which stopped the vehicle. The contact turned off the vehicle. Once it was restarted, the rpm's raced to 5 and the tires began smoking. The failure occurred three additional times. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA recall # 04v574000 (vehicle speed control:cables). The current and failure mileages were 112,000. The consumer provided the repair invoice. Updated 09/05/07.

1) on Saturday 18 at approximately 2:00 pm, my wife, linda, was driving approximately 50 miles west of broadus, mt when she passed another vehicle. 2) after passing the vehicle, her vehicle speed would not return to normal driving speed. Instead, it stuck at nearly 80 mph. Numerous attempts to release the speed, even applying maximum braking pressure, had no effect. Linda turned off the ignition and coasted to a stop at the side of the road after negotiating a curve that could easily have caused a roll-over. Linda tried restarting the motor, but it was still racing, and the tachometer reached 5000 rpms. 3) fortunately, another motorist who was familiar with automobiles, stopped to give assistance. He disconnected the cruise control. This allowed the motor to return to normal speed, and linda was able to continue and complete her trip home. The assisting motorist did indicate that the cable to the cruise control seemed to be loose. Upon checking various web-sites,including the NHTSA site, I found that a recall had been issued in 2004 for this very problem (NHTSA campaign id number : 04v574000). I called the Ford motor company recall information site (1-866-436-7332) but was told that because of where my Escape was manufactured, it did not qualify for free repair. As of now my vehicles cruise remains disabled. I think this is a design flaw not a manufacturing problem based on place of manufacture. Therefore, I believe Ford should cover the cost of repair.

7/5/2005. I was in baltimore, MD in my 2002 Ford Escape. Trafic was moderately heavy. I started to change lanes and noticed a car in the lane so I pulled back into my lane at which point, the throttle on my vehicle stuck open. The engine was racing and attempts to brake were useless. I threw the moving vehicle into park where it continued to move. I then tried to shift to neutral in hoipes of regaining braking, but I hit reverse first, at which point my car rapidly reversed into another vehicle. Damage to the vehicles was limited as I hit a 3500 chevy silverado truck, however, it was one of the most unnerving experiences I have ever had. The police were called as the other vehicle belongs to the city of baltimore department of public works. No traffic report was written by the police officer, however, the baltimore city employee (darell powers) did fill out an accident report for the city. My vehicle was towed to carmax in white marsh MD, where they told me the cause was the cruise control cable had frayed, causing it to butterfly and hold open the throttle. The Escape has 53,002 miles on it, and cruise control is rarely used. I do have the replaced part and the bill I paid for $291. One other note, ihad to have the engine replaced on this same car 45 days after I purchased it last July. Carmax paid for the replacement cost, close to $4,000 and the mechanic who serviced it this time insists this is not related.

As I was putting up to a red light, I applied the brakes and my automoblie would not slow down. It sped up resulting in me crashing into the car in front of me. When I applied the brakes the car did not slow down at all it sped up to at least 20 to 30 mph. I had recieved a recall for this exact thing happening. Ford service manager jason preat has informed that there is nothing wrong with the accelerator cable (what the car has the recall for) and that is not why my car crashed. But I know what happen and Ford is responsible for this accident, my loss wages, and other various expends. This car has done this in the past and I thought that I had imaged it. It was never as serve as the last time. The service manager jason preat has denied that the recall on my veichile is the cause of this accident and has told me I would be spinning my wheels to get Ford to own up to this.

I received a recall notice (Ford recall # 04s25) on my 2002 Ford Escape because of the possibility of the accelerator sticking. I had the recall order worked on at low country Ford in summerville, SC on 2/7/05. On 2/18/05 the accelerator stuck wide open. I was able to put the vehicle in neutral and stop without an accident. It was towed back to the dealership and they repaired it again. On 3/22/05 the accelerator stuck again while my son was driving. It was towed and repaired a third time. I refuse to drive this car again. Fords recall fix does not solve the problem.

When starting off, or accelerating the gas pedal has a hesitant/sticking sensation. It requires more than normal pressure to depress it, and causes an unexpected increase in the engine speed. There is a current recall from the v-6 3. 0 engines, but not for my 4-cyl.

I-4 engine (38k mi)- throttle sticks in closed position. Throttle cable is okay, but throttle plate will stick in throttle bore in an unpredictable manner, resulting in inconsistent pedal efforts / performance. Sporadic throttle performance results in occasional sudden acceleration during low speed manuvers as throttle becomes "unstuck" from closed position. Difficult to anticiopate behaviour in parking lot manuvers has resulted in driver avoiding use of vehicle whenever possible.

"recall campaign" - recall notice received for 2002 Ford Escape in reference to the accelerator cable. The consumer received recall notice Jan. 2005. The consumer called the deal in March to have the recall work done. The dealer informed the consumer that it was too late to get the repair. They stated if the vehicle was brought in Jan or Feb they would have done it. The repair were made at another dealer.