The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·12V353000·Announced 2012-07-26

Ford Recalls 2001-2004 Escapes for Potential Stuck Throttle Hazard

Ford is recalling 2001-2004 Escapes with 3.0L V6 engines because inadequate clearance between the engine cover and speed control cable could cause a stuck throttle, leading to high speeds and potential crashes.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that the defect could cause a crash, serious injury, or death, and identifies a structural vehicle defect involving the throttle mechanism, which aligns with the 'Severe' criteria for significant injury reports or structural defects.

Plain-English summary

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. The recall involves approximately 529,719 vehicles.

The defect involves inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector. This condition 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. 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.

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 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
FORD ESCAPE
Brand
FORD
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Category
Vehicle — SUV
Hazard
Affected units
529,719

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • ESCAPE

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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