Ford Escape Vehicle Speed Control Problems
Owners have filed 2,298 complaints with NHTSA about vehicle speed control problems on the Ford Escape across 25 model years. The 2010 model year has the most (558). The words owners use most often: “throttle body” (31% of reports).
- 2,298vehicle speed control complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 151mention a crash
- 67mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $690typical repair cost reported by owners
- 42%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.
- Throttle body: mentioned in 709 of 2,298 complaints (31%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical vehicle speed control repair on the Ford Escape at $690, and half of them between $470 and $930.
Based on 49 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2005–2018), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems happen?
Based on 1,981 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,298 complaints, 151 mention a crash, 28 a fire, 67 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 (3)
Vehicle speed control:cables; engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
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
Model years: 2002, 2003, 2004
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.
Vehicle speed control
Model years: 2001
Problem: 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. Also, water could enter those units that contain a cracked or missing servo cap locating tab, eventually causing corrosion that could interfere with the function of the speed control.
Risk: If either of these conditions occurs and the speed control is used, the speed control could prevent the throttle from returning to idle, resulting in a stuck throttle. A stuck throttle could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
On September 4, 2026, at approximately 6:00 PM, I was driving my 2018 Ford Escape SE (1.5L EcoBoost) and executing a left-hand turn across an intersection. Mid-turn, the vehicle suddenly lost all power, an "Engine Fault" warning message illuminated on the dashboard, and the engine completely…
The contact owned a 2012 Ford Escape. While driving in a parking lot at approximately 18-20 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, and the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle struck a fence and an apartment building. The air bags did not deploy. The contact…
When driving, the car will shudder and jolt when shifting gears, particularly from 2nd to 3rd. It will not accelerate properly at times and has almost caused me to be rear ended when merging on highways at highway speeds. This might be tied to the transmission issues that other 2020 ford escapes…
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…
**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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Escapes have vehicle speed control problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,298 owner complaints about vehicle speed control for the Ford Escape. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Escape vehicle speed control?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list vehicle speed control. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix vehicle speed control problems on the Ford Escape?
Owners report a typical cost of $690 (half paid between $470 and $930), from 49 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about vehicle speed control problems on the Ford Escape?
The most frequent phrase is “throttle body”, in 709 of 2,298 complaints.
Other Ford Escape problems
- Engine problems (7,208)
- Power Train problems (4,655)
- Steering problems (3,945)
- Electrical System problems (2,525)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (2,331)
- Structure problems (2,296)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,834)
- Suspension problems (1,145)
See all Ford Escape problems.