NHTSA Complaint #11462951 — 2019 FORD EDGE

While driving on the highway I experienced an apparent loss of power. It happened on an uphill grade and persisted for the duration of my trip – approximately 25 miles. The problem seemed to only occur on an uphill or flat road. The problem was not evident going downhill. Going home (approximately 32 miles) a few hours later the problem persisted. For about a week nothing happened, and then the problem reoccurred on the highway while coming back from dinner. Since then it has sporadically reappeared getting more frequent in the past few weeks. The symptoms are a complete loss of power, especially on an uphill grade. Lifting my foot off of the accelerator will temporarily bring power back, but trying to accelerate will cause the car to lose power again. If I continue to press the accelerator, the car will eventually come to a complete stop. Now the problem seems to happen at almost any speed and any road condition, uphill, flat, and occasionally downhill. During one occurrence I noticed something. When the problem happened I could see the brake light reflected on the rear window. So in addition to the loss of power, the brakes were activated without me applying the brakes. In discussions with the service manager at the dealership, we both believe the problem may be related in some way to the adaptive cruise control. It would make sense that if the adaptive cruise were activated not only would the brakes be applied, but the system would also shut down the engine. The car has been to the dealership four times for diagnosis. The last time they had it for more than a week. Neither they nor I can make the problem occur on demand.