NHTSA Complaint #10344906 — 2001 FORD ESCAPE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH UP A HILL THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE BEYOND THE SET SPEED ON THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE RPMS CONTINUED TO INCREASE EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE CRUISE CONTROL FUSE IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM RECURRING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE RPM'S CONTINUED TO INCREASE; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE CAUSED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND IT WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT SUDDEN ACCELERATION COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,405.