Older Ford Escapes Recalled for Sticking Throttle
By Dale Jewett
Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 485,000 units of the Escape SUV from the 2001-04 model years to check for a damaged cruise-control cable that could cause the throttle to stick open.
The recall covers the Escape in North America and the SUV in Europe, where it was sold with the Maverick nameplate. The recalled vehicles are equipped with the 3.0-liter V6 engine and cruise control. About 421,000 of the recalled Escapes were sold in the United States.
Ford also built a mechanically similar vehicle for Mazda, which it sold as the Tribute. A recall for the Tribute has not yet been issued.
This is the third time within two weeks that Ford has issued recalls for vehicles wearing the Escape nameplate. The first two recalls covered the redesigned 2013 model, including one in which a fuel line could break and spray gasoline on the hot engine, which could ignite a fire.
Ford says the sticking-throttle problem lies with the cruise-control cable that runs under a plastic engine cover and could snag. If that happens, the snagged cable could prevent the throttle from closing. The problem can occur if the driver pushes the gas pedal to the floor, causing the cable to flex.
To fix the problem, dealers will install a new fastener that increases the space between the engine and the plastic cover.
Ford says it will take a few weeks before repair parts are at dealerships. The company is asking owners to avoid flooring the gas pedal until the vehicle is repaired. Dealers will offer to disconnect the cruise control and move the cable until repair parts arrive.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it has had nearly 100 complaints of sticking throttles on the Escape and the Tribute. Those reports included 13 crashes, nine injuries and one death. The agency has opened an investigation into the problem.
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About a year ago, after refueling, I entered the feeder road and excelerated to posted speed (45).
I felt the acceleration immediately, hit the brakes and pull the emergency brake because I
was already going 71 mph. Realizing that something was out of control I turned the key to accessory to maintain power steering. As soon as I could, I pulled the wheel to stop in a triagular space between merging lanes. Turned off the ignition completly. The throttle body was stuck open. This was not a case of thinking I'm hitting the brake(s) and actually hitting the accelerator. Luckily, I had a witness to the incident with me in the vehicle. Some of the problems we have on these vehicles are overlooked maintainance. I could have prevented this myself by checking for any build up in the throttle body when I changed my air filter by flipping some clips to look at it. The 2004 Escape that I drive has 123K miles on it now. Had this happened in a parking garage or crowded highway, I can't imagine the damage it could have done. Even with this problem, I've been very pleased with this vehicle. By the way -- I'm a 62- year-old American Woman that buys American!
Every vehicle regardless of maker has issues every once in awhile, For those who think imports are the best, that's whats wrong with us Americans, buy American! You complain about the economy and then buy foreign. At least the big three didn't kill hundreds with runaway TOYOTAS and for all the people complaining about their 10 to 11 year old vehicles with problems, HELLO, THEY'RE OLD!!! Yes my grandmother has problems and guess what, she's old.
And now for something completely different, another vehicle has been recalled, some almost 12 years old. No one ever noticed this in 12 years???????????????? The throttles just started sticking after, oh about 100,000 to 200,00 miles.
This is asinine, people.Do we start scouring the junkyards to recall 30 year old vehicles? Oh wait, it's already been done.
Excuse me all, I'm going to my garage to polish up my bicycle before it gets recalled.
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