When driving our 2003 Ford Escape, the car's engine speed would suddenly jump from 1,500 rpms to as high as 4,000+ rpms while braking. Same deal while trying to coast to a stop - the pedal seemed to be stuck in position and engine rpms would not decrease. The car was nursed to the closest town and taken to a Ford dealership first thing in the morning. The shop foreman did an on-the-spot diagnosis without taking a real look under the hood stating that the problem was most likely due to the accelerator cable binding. There was additional damage to the car's brakes. We asked for an appraisal of the brakes, and four individual Ford personnel (one shop foreman, one dealer service department manager, and two separate Ford customer service personnel) stated the damage sustained was unnecessary wear directly caused by a defective accelerator cable. However, none of the people associated with Ford were willing to replace the damaged brakes under warranty. The final person we spoke with went so far as to put the responsibility on the shoulders of the dealership that sold us the car. The analogy given was that all Ford dealerships are completely independent, and that any problems with a Ford vehicle is the direct responsibility of the selling dealership. Unfortunately this incident happened when we were relocating from the East coast to Alaska. It has been our experience that Ford cares not at all about the people who spend tens of thousands of dollars on their products - people who rightly expect a safe and dependable vehicle. Ford's chief concern is lining their pockets with money, and not with the safety of the customer, their family, and the other people on the road.

- Herndon, VA, USA

While at a stop with foot on brake vehicle began to accelerate on its own. Consumer lost control and hit a building.

- Ronoke, AL, USA

I have complained twice before about my 2003 Ford Escape stalling without warning. It has now done it a total of 6 times. The vehicle stalls without warning in various situations. The most unnerving was when I was traveling at about 15 mph. It has also hesitated and bucked into an intersection on 2 different occasions. I contacted the executive offices at Ford Motor Company and expressed my safety concerns, and I was informed that because the problem is not reproducable they do not feel that they are in a position to repurchase the vehicle at this time. My dealership has attempted to reproduce the stall and are unable, as am I. they have performed a tsb, installed a new throttle body and a new crankshaft sensor. The problem continues to persist. I now have a vdr in the vehicle for the third time. This vehicle is a major danger to myself, my passengers and anyone who is around the vehicle when it may stall due to the fact that when it does happen I lose all power steering and brakes. I do not trust the vehicle and I no longer feel safe in it.

- Goffstown, NH, USA

In March 2003 vehicle began to hesitate and accelerate, maintain speeds while foot off the gas (once at 65 mph), & shake like it wanted to stall. A couple times it even sped up while I was braking at red lights. On 4-10-03 service department could not duplicate symptoms since they are particularly exaggerated after parked for an hour or so. Stated that I could leave it overnight (no alternative transportation offered) or wait until engine light came on. Since the car did not feel safe, I brought it to another dealership which offered alternative transportation. The problems seemed to improve for a week or 2 before returning, following each of the following repairs: 5/16/03 replaced throttle body/idle air control/PCM reprograming; 6/6/03 repair vacuum tube/hose; 6/25/03 replace PCM with new updated PCM. Two weeks later 7/12/03 operation of power locks/windows, and rear wipers/defrost were going in and out with dash ABS, brake, and battery lights coming on concurrently. Service department could not duplicate concern until 9 days later when they asked me to come get the vehicle. The symptoms returned immediately after I started the car up to leave. 7/21/03 alternator was replaced. Hesitation, acceleration, shaking, and maintaining speeds, although not as frequent, continue and could not be reproduced by Ford representative on 8/4/03. I am now continuing to pursue lemon law procedures.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

When the consumer applied the brakes, the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for this problem in March 2003. The throttle sensor was replaced.

- Dallas, GA, USA