Recurrent problem: The sudden inability to accelerate because the gas pedal won't budge. The throttle cable is binding somewhere. A couple of years ago the throttle cable snapped on our 2005 Ford Escape, breaking off behind the accelerator pedal inside the cabin. (we had taken the car in for this hard-to-press-gas-pedal problem when the car was very new, and at the time the dealership did not discover the cause and could not reproduce the problem.) after it snapped, the cable was replaced by the Ford dealership at our (considerable) expense. Now the gas pedal is once again refusing to budge several times on each drive, and we have to take the vehicle in again for inspection. The sudden inability to accelerate increases the likelihood of rear-end collisions. If the throttle cable binds as you're merging onto a highway, a high speed rear-end collision could occur. If you're unable to accelerate as you're crossing a road where cross traffic does not have to stop, you can be a sitting duck for a broadside collision.

- Swarthmore, PA, USA

After starting the car, the gas pedal felt like it had a brick under it. It would not move. After the car warmed up, it worked again. During the last month, this has happened in traffic, forcing me to pull off the road since I could not accelerate, several times in very heavy traffic. While driving recently, on the highway, hours after beginning my trip, the accelerator became stuck, for 2 or 3 seconds, causing me great concern. Now, every morning I have to wait about 15 minutes for the pedal to free itself in order to be able to drive the vehicle. It sticks off and on at least twice during the warm up period. I don't have exact dates, but this has happened several times during the last few months intermittently and has been very frightening when it happens in traffic. This happened to me a few years ago, a time or two, but the problem went away. Now it is a daily occurrence. The cooler temperature seems to be a factor. I am reluctant to bring the vehicle to a Ford dealer since I have read many postings from people who have been unsuccessful getting the problem corrected, even after spending a sizeable amount of money. Additionally, I cant find any evidence that Ford has any idea how to correct the problem.

- Lucedale, MS, USA

I was driving on the highway going about 65 mph. When I tried to press down on the gas it was stuck I could not accelerate. I pressed as hard as I could and it was stuck. I had to put it in neutral and pull over.

- Georgetown, TX, USA

I own at 2005 Ford Escape. In 2007 and 2009 I had two incidents of being at a red light and when I pushed on the accelerator it felt hard to press and would not budge. I had to pull over and continually push on the accelerator and the car would finally go. This morning I had the same thing happen. The first two incidents resulted in my taking the car to the dealership and they replaced the throttle body stating that it was a defective part. After this most recent incident I am planning on taking the car to the dealership again.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while parked she attempted to start the vehicle when she noticed the gas pedal was sticking causing the vehicle to accelerate. The contact started to tap the gas pedal and managed to unlodged the pedal. Also the contact mentioned that the failure occurs constantly during the winter. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The technician stated the throttle needed to be sprayed with wd-40. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

- Lan Pasas, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While stopped in a parking space, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal but noticed that the pedal had become hard and would not respond. The contact placed the vehicle in neutral and then back into drive while continually applying pressure to the accelerator pedal. The vehicle jerked forward and proceeded to accelerate. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Poplar Bluff, MO, USA

Driving down highway at aprox. 55 mph. Theft light came on in vehicle and vehicle quickly decelerated. From the research that I gathered, this is a known problem to Ford. Faulty spark plugs were installed in some 2005 Escapes. The spark plugs emit a radio frequency that cause the coils to basically fry your computer. Ford has released a bulletin about this (tsb 09-2-6) but refuses to issue a recall. This is a huge safety issue, as decelerating on a major highway without brake lights has the potential to cause a terrible accident. Contacted Ford's corporate office and was offered no assistance. I would like to have my spark plugs at least checked at no charge. The cost, for only checking the spark plugs to see if they are the ones affected is $90. I believe that this should be a recall. Ford is well aware of the problem but refuses to take any steps to fix this.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

While traveling on the interstate in the left lane during rush hour traffic, the gas pedal stuck and would not accelerate any longer. Caused other cars to suddenly slow while trying to get off to the ramp. The pedal would not release for approximately 10 minutes. Then after traveling maybe 20 yards, the pedal stuck again for another 5 minutes.

- Oak Grove, MO, USA

During cold weather, the gas pedal will stick and not accelerate or release. It will not release for sometimes up to ten minutes. This happens several times over several days in a week during colder months. This has been consistently happening since 2009. The most recent on 11/5/2012.

- Oak Grove, MO, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate froma traffic stop the vehicle stalled. The dealer was notified who advised the contact to try to reach out to the manufacturer and did not offer any additional assistance. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The failure mileage was 67,000.

- Cooleemee, NC, USA

Son was driving vehicle when gas pedal stuck and would not go down--he pushed pedal down with all his strength but it would not move.

- Locust Grove, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph the accelerator pedal became stuck. The contact mentioned that the failure would occur during cold weather. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 0 and the current mileage was 100,000...updated 12/06/12 the consumer stated the accelerator pedal would stick when the engine was cold and in cold weather. Updated 12/06/12

- Johns Creek, GA, USA

The accelerator pedal is very difficult to press and sometimes cannot be pressed down at all.

- Atkins, IA, USA

While driving, the gas pedal sticks. It feels like there is a brick under the gas pedal and it won't budge. I mash down on the pedal and even stomp it. It will depress after several minutes or when it feels like it. This seems to be happening more as the weather gets colder. When I researched this online, I found recalls for the 2000 - 2004 Ford Escapes experiencing this issue speed control cables), but nothing for my vehicle. I have also found, through a simple internet search, that this is a common problem with Ford Escape owners, but Ford has not done anything about it.

- Williamsville, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver of the vehicle was traveling 55 mph when the vehicle began to accelerate independently. The driver shifted into neutral and turned the vehicle off. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 12V353000 (vehicle speed control:cables). The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Swansea, IL, USA

On August 18th 2012 I was returning home from grocery shopping in downtown hamilton mt when our 2005 Ford Escape accelerated out of control and would not stop. I managed to Dodge traffic and people and put it in park and hold my foot down on the brake but it kept speeding. It continued to race down the street about mile or more until I came to a place I was able to turn off the street into a parking area with a corral which had an iron gate on the fence that I felt would stop me. It finally slowed down and I was able to turn off the key and stop; thank god without hitting or harming anyone still it was a terrifying event.

- Hamilton , MT, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at any speed the accelerator pedal would stick in a partially depressed position and the vehicle would become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic and the throttle body was repaired. The failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer, where they were unable to diagnose a failure. No further assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 89,000. Updated 08/28/12 the consumer stated the throttle body was cleaned. The gas pedal sticking happened quite often. Updated 08/29/12

- Oak Park, MI, USA

Entering the interstate, I sped up to merge, but could not push accelerator pedal to even get out of overdrive. (making things worse, the merge was from the left.) pedal was full down. After dodging go home traffic, I limped to right hand lane and got off at next Ford dealership. Service rep and I looked at the depression made in the plastic housing to the steering column, where pedal hardware had indented it. Service said engine appeared to be operating ok; he tested it by revving the engine in the garage. He remarked the visible symptom was the pedal being so low there's no room for travel. I continued on 150 miles back home and called Ford to look at the "speed control malfunction" issue. Vehicle appears to accelerate ok with cruise control; the pedal is sitting so low there's no travel to accelerate. This could have been seriously dangerous - merging in metro traffic is no game.

- Abilene, TX, USA

While driving home from work, I went to accelerate. Upon reaching 40. I heard a substantial backfire noise, and the engine shut off in the middle of a busy road causing me to block traffic as I coasted almost into a busy intersection. I was able to put it in neutral and restart the engine after coasting for 100+ feet. After which, the engine began running very rough and rugged never being able to accelerate about 30 mph and causing major traffic problems. I took it to a dealership (varsity Ford in ann arbor, mi) and have been told that my 2005 Ford Escape was in trouble. Apparently, my spark plug after being clogged, caused a backfire which blew my ignition coils and sparkplugs and my PCM. I am being quoted $2,200. At my last oil change (3 months ago) varsity Ford told me I was getting close to needing a tune up but it was not necessary that day and that I could wait until my next oil change. I was planning on going this weekend because I was heading out of town. Had I been told the risk was a $400 tune up vs. A $2,200 blown engine, maybe I would have changed the spark plugs. I'm very distraught at the Ford dealership, and now am questioning whether I will ever buy a Ford or work with a Ford dealership.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Car sits in the driveway and when it is turned on, especially in the winter, the accelerator sticks to the point that I have to put full force to jam the pedal down to take off. If I am at a light and stopped, the same thing happens. I have the repair shop fix this issue twice but decided to lodge a complaint based upon news reports. I have not had any other issue with the SUV and I love my Ford. I am not sure that his is a safety issue and I have been trying to find out.

- Glenwood, MD, USA