NHTSA Complaint #10512580 — 2011 FORD ESCAPE

WIFE PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE. SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE, PUT IT INTO PARK AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. FIRST ATTEMPT TO RESTART VEHICLE FAILED, SECOND ATTEMPT, VEHICLE STARTED AND WRENCH SYMBOL ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES UNTIL SHE ARRIVED AT WORK. SHE HAS ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT SURGING FORWARD WHILE DRIVING AND TRANSMISSION BANGING INTO REVERSE WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE RPMS HAVE BEEN SURGING SPORADICALLY WHEN CRANKING THE CAR. TOOK THE CAR TO FORD DEALER ON FRIDAY, 17 MAY 2013, RECEIVED A CALL FROM SERVICE REP. SAYING THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED, BUT HOWEVER, PART IS ON BACKORDER AND THEY ARE SEARCHING NATIONWIDE FOR THE PART TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE DIDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE RETURNING THE VEHICLE FOR MY WIFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE PART IS FOUND DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF HER HAVING A ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, UNTIL THEN, WE ARE OUT A VEHICLE, BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS THE MAGIC NUMBER FOR NTHSB TO FORCE FORD INTO ISSUING A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE INJURED OR DIE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN ??????? *TR