NHTSA Complaint #10538011 — 2011 FORD ESCAPE

ON AUGUST 29, 2013 DRIVER OF A 2011 FORD ESCAPE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT AND ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE FROM A STOPLIGHT WHEN THE CAR JERKED FORWARD AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR GO WITH FLOW OF TRAFFIC, AND WITH TRAFFIC MOVING BEHIND THE VEHICLE CREATING DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE DASHBOARD SHOWED A WRENCH LIGHT, AND DRIVER FOUND IT HARD TO MOVE CAR FORWARD AS IT WENT INTO "LIMP HOME" MODE, SPUTTERING ALL THE WAY. THE CAR WAS FINALLY MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHUT OFF, AND RESTARTED, AND DRIVEN THE 3 MILES HOME. OWNER WILL TAKE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP (CARMAX). DRIVER ASSUMES WILL FIND THROTTLE BODY CODE. THE PART AND SERVICE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, DRIVER/OWNER WILL BE OUT OF POCKET FOR DEDUCTIBLE $250. FAMILY WAS IN CAR AND THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY CONCERN ON THIS VEHICLE. WHEN IT GOES INTO LIMP MODE THERE IS NO WARNING AND MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATES TO SNAIL SPEED. I BELIEVE FORD MUST RECALL THE FAULTY THROTTLE BODY IN THE 2009-2011 MODELS AS THEY ARE SAFETY ISSUES FOR DRIVERS IN THE CAR AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. *TT