2003 Ford Escape Vehicle Speed Control Problems
Owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA about vehicle speed control problems on the 2003 Ford Escape, 16% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 87,450 miles. The words owners use most often: “accelerator cable” (11% of reports).
- 90vehicle speed control complaints
- 87,450median miles at failure
- 13mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 57%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Accelerator cable: mentioned in 10 of 90 complaints (11%)
- Engine cooling control: mentioned in 8 of 90 complaints (9%)
- Continued accelerate: mentioned in 7 of 90 complaints (8%)
- Able stop: mentioned in 7 of 90 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems happen?
Based on 74 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 90 complaints, 13 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 7 an injury.
Ford Escape vehicle speed control complaints by model year
| Model year | Vehicle Speed Control complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Escape | 2 | 8% | 30,099 |
| 2024 Escape | 4 | 5% | 4,500 |
| 2023 Escape | 7 | 7% | — |
| 2022 Escape | 9 | 4% | 20,252 |
| 2021 Escape | 5 | 1% | — |
| 2020 Escape | 19 | 1% | 13,500 |
| 2019 Escape | 8 | 1% | 3,889 |
| 2018 Escape | 23 | 1% | 29,682 |
| 2017 Escape | 31 | 1% | 14,642 |
| 2016 Escape | 32 | 3% | 22,000 |
| 2015 Escape | 14 | 1% | 78,700 |
| 2014 Escape | 42 | 2% | 54,000 |
| 2013 Escape | 92 | 3% | 57,500 |
| 2012 Escape | 70 | 12% | 43,050 |
| 2011 Escape | 245 | 19% | 45,000 |
| 2010 Escape | 558 | 27% | 52,000 |
| 2009 Escape | 279 | 16% | 68,000 |
| 2008 Escape | 175 | 9% | 76,500 |
| 2007 Escape | 40 | 16% | 75,500 |
| 2006 Escape | 99 | 21% | 70,000 |
| 2005 Escape | 149 | 11% | 85,500 |
| 2004 Escape | 98 | 20% | 90,000 |
| 2003 Escape | 90 | 16% | 87,450 |
| 2002 Escape | 100 | 10% | 85,000 |
| 2001 Escape | 107 | 11% | 99,405 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control:cables; engine and engine cooling
Problem: 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. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
Risk: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Vehicle speed control:cables
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles built with 3.0l v6 engines, the accelerator cable may prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position.
Risk: An unexpected increase in engine idle speed may increase stopping distance and may result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the accelerator cable. The recall began on january 10, 2005. Owners should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I was recently driving on the interstate and the gas pedal got stuck so the car started speeding up very fast and the brakes and emergency brake would not make it slow down. After this i found out there was a recall about this problem and it says the previous owner of the vehicle fixed it but…
Driving down the interstate coming from georgia, it would downshift suddenly without warning. I have not been able to drive it in about 4 months.i thought i had everything repaired, then my truck stopped pulling in drive at a red light. My safety neutral switch is brand new and the position sensor…
While i was driving on hwy 45 my escape jumped out of gear and overdrive indicator showed it had turned off at the same time. Also it caused my vehicle to almost stoll while traffic was behind me and beside me. I had to shift gear shift until light showed again then shift it to drive. Also had to…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2003 Ford Escapes have vehicle speed control problems?
No. NHTSA has 90 owner complaints about vehicle speed control for the 2003 Ford Escape (16% of the 558 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Ford Escape vehicle speed control?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list vehicle speed control. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems start?
The median reported mileage is 87,450 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about vehicle speed control problems on the 2003 Ford Escape?
The most frequent phrase is “accelerator cable”, in 10 of 90 complaints, followed by “engine cooling control” (8).
Other 2003 Ford Escape problems
- Structure problems (121)
- Suspension problems (90)
- Air Bags problems (60)
- Power Train problems (55)
See all 2003 Ford Escape problems or vehicle speed control problems across all Escape years.