2003 Ford Escape Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 90about this part
- Share
- 16%of 558 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,450miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 90 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 Ford Escape, 16% of the 558 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,450 miles. 13 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. 10/12/2020 when problem arose after replacing sensors 02/09/2021 any ideas why it is doing this?”
NHTSA complaint #11398303, filed 2021-02, 150,000 miles“I have a 2003 Ford Escape which had accelerator cable replaced under a recall from Ford in approximately 2005. I am having the same problems that caused the recall, which is not coming back to idle speed and actually sticking wide open on one occasion. Ford motor company refuses to replace this at their cost, so am doing this at my own expense, obviously sooner than later.”
NHTSA complaint #10260591, filed 2009-03, 93,000 miles“My Escape started to miss, first it wasn't bad then started jerking and it started idling rough when I stopped at red light. When I started moving again it acted as if it would die and would go. If I get to 40 MPH it is really bad. But this happened on main highway with other vehicles all around me and had 18 wheeler behind me and all of sudden my speed decreased and me and my children almost was in accident because of decrease in speed. It scared me and my two children. When I got it looked at the codes said it was missing on one cylinder then at one point all cylinders.”
NHTSA complaint #11186621, filed 2019-03, 238,000 miles“Friend had just installed fuel filter on car. Was testing car - had car in park - floored accelerator, accelerator became stuck. Wouldn't budge. They opened up hood and had to cut cruise control cable to make shorter this auto had previously been recalled for vehicle speed control cable and been repaired. I believe the accelerator became stuck as a result of this not being done properly. I believe it was done before they corrected the way they were doing it.”
NHTSA complaint #10466487, filed 2012-07, 154,000 miles“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 click overdrive back on several times until it kicked on. I had my sister and my 2 children 9yrs and 10 yrs old in vehicle when it happened. Also had my vehicle to start jumping and shaking like it was missing . Engine light is on all the time now, and airbag light. Is it safe to drive?”
NHTSA complaint #11233599, filed 2019-07, 200,000 milesRelated recalls
- 12V353000Jul 26, 2012Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October…Covers: Ford Escape 2001–2004
- 04V574000Dec 7, 2004On certain sport utility vehicles built with 3.0l v6 engines, the accelerator cable may prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position.Covers: Ford Escape 2002–2004
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 8% |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% |
| 2023 | 7 | 7% |
| 2022 | 9 | 4% |
| 2021 | 5 | 1% |
| 2020 | 20 | 1% |
| 2019 | 8 | 1% |
| 2018 | 23 | 1% |
| 2017 | 31 | 1% |
| 2016 | 32 | 3% |
| 2015 | 14 | 1% |
| 2014 | 42 | 2% |
| 2013 | 92 | 3% |
| 2012 | 70 | 12% |
| 2011 | 245 | 19% |
| 2010 | 558 | 27% |
| 2009 | 279 | 16% |
| 2008 | 175 | 9% |
| 2007 | 40 | 16% |
| 2006 | 99 | 21% |
| 2005 | 149 | 11% |
| 2004 | 98 | 20% |
| 2003 | 90 | 16% |
| 2002 | 100 | 10% |
| 2001 | 107 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Escape
121 complaintsSuspension
90 complaintsAir bags
60 complaintsBrakes
57 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
55 complaintsEngine cooling
47 complaintsSteering
44 complaintsElectrical system
39 complaintsEngine
24 complaintsOther or unknown
24 complaintsTires
17 complaintsFuel system
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology