2007 Ford Escape Fuel system Problems

My 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid (mileage currently 180,000 but the issue started around 150,000 miles) will occasionally (varies from once a week to once every 3 months) not respond properly when I'm accelerating from a stop. When this happens, I can push the accelerator all the way to the floor, but the car will accelerate very slowly for the first 5 seconds or so, and then start accelerating normally again. When this issue first began, it nearly resulted in multiple crashes when I was pulling out into traffic, but now I leave lots of extra space when pulling into traffic in case this happens. I've taken the car to an independent mechanic to try to diagnose the issue and they were unable to observe it since it doesn't happen frequently or predictably enough. There were not any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the issue starting.

NHTSA ID

11645558

Incident

Feb 28, 2025

While driving, a red triangle to safely stop came up and the vehicle engine shut down. I could not accelerate since the engine was shut down, I could only coast and brake. After the vehicle has been cooling down for 20 min, I’m able to restart the vehicle and drive again until the same issue occurs again. No light on dashboard. Very dangerous issue as it often happens when driving on the freeway for a while. You have no way to accelerate the vehicle and need to slowly pull over on a busy freeway, endangering others and yourself. The issue has not been reproduced by a dealer or independent service center. No, the vehicle has not been inspected by anyone. Please note that this is a known recall for this vehicle but my VIN is NOT included in the recall. Please see the details of the recall below: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 14V526000 Report Date: SEP 03, 2014 Vehicles Affected: 70,209 Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash. What You Should Do: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.

NHTSA ID

11629431

Incident

Dec 6, 2024

On 12/10/21 the accelerator stuck. I had to pull off the road, because I was losing power. But what if it got stuck at a high rate of speed? How would I stop, other than the hand brake and pray that it works. It had happened another time that week, but I thought it was a fluke as the car only has 85000 miles on it. I bought it in Sept 2021. It happened again on the 11th. Had my family member look at it and they lubricated the accelerator and a cable in the engine compartment. It has not done it since. Here is the VIN # [XXX]. 12/18/21 Drove to church. No problem with anything. No lights on.... the dash. Family member left to go home for the afternoon and stated that they almost hit a herd of deer, because the brakes went straight to the floor. They drove back for the evening program, with the same problem. I drove home about 35 miles an hour, and the brake pedal goes straight to the floor. No noise of any kind, no warning, no puddles where the car was parked at church or at home. The brake light is on now. What in the world. This could be fatal... both of these issues. FORD just told me there are no recalls, and then sent me to a survey. They need to look into these issues....Poor customer service in my opinion and could be a fatal situation. Last week was unable to get in for an appointment within a 50 mile radius to get that problem looked at. NOT able to be seen till after the new year.... INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11444360

Incident

Dec 18, 2021

GAS PEDAL IS STUCK

NHTSA ID

10825430

Incident

Feb 10, 2016

SENSOR LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON NEAR THE GAS CAP

NHTSA ID

10816317

Incident

May 24, 2015

Mileage

70,000 mi

THE GAS PEDAL WOULD STICK INTERMITTENTLY, AND MORE PRESSURE NEEDED TO BE APPLIED TO THE PEDAL IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO ACCELERATE. AT ONE POINT THE GAS PEDAL COMPLETELY STUCK, AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE THE CAR AT ALL ON THE HIGHWAY, FORCING ME TO PULL THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN IT OFF TO BE TOWED. A MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM THIS ISSUE IS CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTION IN THE THROTTLE BODY. FORD PREVIOUSLY RECALLED THROTTLE BODY'S IN ESCAPES FROM 2009-2012, BUT MY CAR IS 2007 AND DOES NOT APPLY. HOWEVER, BECAUSE IT IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME MALFUNCTION, AND HAS SERIOUS SAFETY IMPLICATION, I BELIEVE THE 2007 FORD ESCAPE MODEL SHOULD BE ADDED TO FORDS CURRENT CONSUMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 13N03.

NHTSA ID

10806815

Incident

Nov 13, 2015

Mileage

105,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EDGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V682000 (FUEL SYSTEM,GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10702099

Incident

Mar 27, 2015

MY DAUGHTER, JULIE MAYO, WAS DRIVING ON HWY 280 IN BIRMINGHAM, AL WHEN SHE APPROACHED A STOPPED VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE FORD ESCAPE TO AVOID THE CRASH EVEN AFTER APPLYING BRAKES. A SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AT JOE HUDSON'S INDICATED THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AT 4000 RPM FOLLOWING THE COLLISION. DAMAGES TO THE ESCAPE WERE ESTIMATED AT $5700 INCLUDING FRAME DAMAGE, THEREFORE THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY STATE FARM. THE CURRENT FORD ESCAPE RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT EXTEND TO INCLUDE 2007 MODELS. IT SHOULD.

NHTSA ID

10668950

Incident

Nov 2, 2014

Mileage

76,000 mi

O/D LIGHT CAME ON SUDDENLY. WAS DRIVING AT 40MPH. I COULD FEEL IT DROPPING OUT OF GEAR, BEING SLOW TO ACCELERATE AND IT WOULD REV PERIODICALLY. I CALLED FORD CORPORATE, THEY TOOK DOWN THE COMPLAINT BUT OTHER THAN THAT; NOTHING. WE DID A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH 'FORD ESCAPE 2007 O/D LIGHT' AND IMMEDIATELY SAW AT LEAST SIXTY COMMENTS THAT ALL DETAILED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM (WHICH IS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE REP FROM FORD HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE, WHICH IS ODD CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ALL HAVE FORD ESCAPE'S & ALL ARE 07. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG & A RECALL SHOULD'VE ISSUED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10611089

Incident

Jul 16, 2014

Mileage

71,200 mi

THROTTLE BODY WILL NOT DRIVE REV OR GO. GAS PEDAL DOES NOT MOVE. COLD WEATHER AND IT DOES THIS MORE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10555373

Incident

Dec 9, 2013

Mileage

140,000 mi

THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE INSTANCES WHERE THE GAS PEDDLE CANNOT BE DEPRESSED. NO MATTER THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE APPLIED. IT HAS OCCURRED BOTH AT A STANDSTILL AND WHILE IN MOTION. I HAVE READ ITS A POSSIBLE THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM NOT SURE. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS DURING COLD WEATHER HOWEVER IT HAS OCCURRED DURING WARM TEMPS IE 85DEGREE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE. IT HAPPENS AND THEN THERE IS NO PROBLEMS FOR A LONG TIME MAYBE MONTHS, HOWEVER IF IT WERE TO OCCUR DURING A MERGE THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY DEADLY. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS THERE IS ALREADY MULTIPLE RECALLS ON FORDS ACCELERATION SYSTEMS IN THIS MODEL FROM PRIOR YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10535870

Incident

Apr 1, 2009

Mileage

26,000 mi

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS BELOW 32 DEGREES, THE GAS PEDAL STICKS. THIS OCCURS WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. ONCE THE PEDAL STICKS, SOMETIMES IF YOU STOMP ON IT, IT WILL RELEASE. THEY HAVE RECALLED 2001-2004 ESCAPE FOR THIS ISSUE. FORD IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THIS ISSUE FOR THE 2007 ESCAPE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10468333

Incident

Oct 15, 2010

Mileage

52,000 mi

IN COLD WEATHER FOR THE FIRST 2 OR 3 STOPS THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT MASH DOWN. IT STUCK UP. IT WOULD BE OK AFTER THAT. NEVER A PROBLEM IN SUMMER. FORD CHECKED IT AND COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM. I FELT LIKE I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. FINALLY IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR IT STUCK AND I HAD TO HAVE THE THROTTLE REPLACED, A $383.79 COST TO ME. I CONTACTED FORD AND TOLD THEM I THOUGHT THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR SINCE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY EVIDENTIALLY THOUGHT NOT BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT TAKE CARE OF IT. WHEN YOU STOP AND START OFF AND THE PEDAL STICKS AND YOU ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND YOUR CAR WON'T MOVE, THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MY SON WAS DRIVING IN TEXAS AND STOPPED BEHIND ANOTHER CAR AT A RED LIGHT AND STARTED TO EASE UP WHEN THE PEDAL STUCK. HE PATTED IT A TIME OR TWO AND IT JERKED FORWARD AND ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. THIS HAPPENED THE WHOLE TIME I HAD THE CAR UNTIL APRIL OF THIS YEAR AND AFTER 2 OR 3 STOPS, WHEN IT WARMED UP, IT WAS OK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10468017

Incident

Apr 11, 2012

Mileage

51,574 mi

THE GAS PEDAL CONTINUOUSLY STICKS OR LOCKS IN POSITION AFTER I HAVE STOPPED EITHER TO MAKE A LEFT TURN OR RIGHT TURN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THERE IS USUALLY ON COMING TRAFFIC. I AM VERY NERVOUS TO MAKE LEFT TURNS FOR THIS REASON. SOMEONE WILL GET KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10467861

Incident

Nov 8, 2010

Mileage

86,000 mi

2007 FORD ESCAPE GAS PEDAL STICKS WHEN TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 40 DEGREES OR SO. PEDAL REQUIRES EXTRA FORCE TO ENGAGE, THEN VEHICLE WILL LEAP FORWARD FROM THE EXTRA GAS. SAFETY IS COMPROMISED BY THIS. ACCELERATOR STICKS EVERY TIME THE PEDAL IS PRESSED WHEN TEMPERATURE IS COLD. *LN

NHTSA ID

10375245

Incident

Jan 8, 2011

Mileage

35,000 mi

MY VEHICLE IS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE XLT. FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS WHEN I TRY TO GAS UP THE VEHICLE I CAN ONLY PUT IN A SMALL AMOUNT OF GASOLINE. IT APPEARS THAT THE GAS FILLER PIPE COVER (A LITTLE FLAP THAT IS MOUNTED ON THE INSIDE OF THE FILLER PIPE) IS GONE. BECAUSE IT IS MOUNTED FROM THE INSIDE, THE ONLY PLACE IT COULD HAVE GONE IS INTO THE FILLER PIPE WHICH CAUSES A BLOCKAGE SO THAT GAS BACKS UP AND SPILLS OUT. IT TAKES ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO FILL THE GAS TANK WITH A CONSTANT AUTO TURN OFF OF THE FUEL PUMP. ON AND OFF, ON AND OFF WITH THE GAS PUMP. DO NOT GO TO A FULL SERVE STATION AS THEY JUST STICK THE PUMP IN AND WAIT ON SOMEONE ELSE... AT ALMOST $4.00 PER GALLON YOU DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR ALL THE FUEL THAT JUST GOES ON THE GROUND!!! THIS CREATES BOTH A HAZARDOUS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE AT THE GAS STATION!! FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX THESE THINGS!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10373611

Incident

Oct 1, 2009

Mileage

32,000 mi

GAS PEDAL STICKING (UP) IN COLD WEATHER CONDITION. UNABLE TO PUSH PEDAL DOWN AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10366983

Incident

Nov 21, 2010

Mileage

60,000 mi

THROTTLE STICKS,USUALLY WHEN COLD BUT IT HAS STUCK WHEN WARM. THE GAS PEDAL WON'T DEPRESS WITHOUT PUSHING IT HARD TO OVERCOME BEING STUCK. THIS HAS CAUSED ME A FEW SCARES WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND IT WONT MOVE AS IT SHOULD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIME INCLUDING THIS MORNING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10329823

Incident

Apr 16, 2009

Mileage

79,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD, THE FUEL DOES NOT CIRCULATE PROPERLY AND CAUSED A DELAY IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT WATER WAS REACHING THE THROTTLE BODY AND COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE DELAY COULD ALSO CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO STICK, THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE POWER OR TO HESITATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE VEHICLE COULD POTENTIALLY LOOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED.

NHTSA ID

10325133

Incident

Mar 15, 2010

FORD ESCAPE 2007, APPROX. 30,000 MILES, GAS PEDAL STICKING, CAN NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY AND SMOOTHLY. CONTINUALLY OCCURS UNDER COLD CONDITIONS, DANGEROUS WITH ICE ON ROADS WHEN SLOW ACCELERATION IS NEEDED . CANNOT ACCELERATE QUICKLY WHEN NEEDED WHICH IS ALSO DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10296404

Incident

Dec 15, 2009

Mileage

30,000 mi

HAVE 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE GAS PEDAL STICKS IN COLD WEATHER (40 DEGREES AND LOWER). THE PEDAL IS FINE UPON STARTUP AND FOR A FEW MILES, BUT THEN WITH NO WARNING, IT STICKS TO THE POINT IT CAN NOT BE PRESSED. I WEIGH 250 LBS AND I CAN NOT PUT ENOUGH PRESSURE ON IT PRESS IT DOWN. NO ACCIDENTS SO FAR, BECAUSE I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA, BUT IT IS STILL VERY DANGEROUS. I'VE HAD TO WAVE OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME UNTIL BEING ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND RESTART IT TO CLEAR UP THE PROBLEM. I'VE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED IN THE PAST, AND THAT SEEMS TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A VERY SHORT WHILE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10289059

Incident

Oct 18, 2007

THE SUV IS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE, PURCHASED IN DECEMBER OF 2006. DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL JAN. 2009. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS IN COLD WEATHER. EVERY DAY AFTER HAVING STARTED THE CAR. EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE HAS WARMED UP. YOU CAN START DOWN THE ROAD AND THEN SUDDENLY THE ACCELERATOR STICKS, WILL NOT DEPRESS. SOMETIMES IT MIGHT DEPRESS AND YOU THINK ITS OK AND THEN IT DOES IT AGAIN. YOU CAN BE IN TRAFFIC AND CANNOT PROCEED. DOESN'T STOP UNTIL THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR ATLEAST 10-15 MINUTES. IN WARMER WEATHER ( FROM APRIL-DECEMBER) IT DOESN'T HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10279069

Incident

Jan 1, 2009

SINC E PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND OFF, AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF GAS THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. TAKEN TO FORD DELERSHIP IN MARCH, 2007, BUT DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

10193738

Incident

Jan 10, 2007

Mileage

45 mi