2003 Ford Escape Vehicle Speed Control Problems
NHTSA component category: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How vehicle speed control ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 558 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2003 Ford Escape overview page.
What owners report
“INTERMITTENT PROBLEM: WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE ENGINE SPEEDS UP REQUIRING EXCESS PRESSURE TO ENGAGE BRAKES.”NHTSA complaint 10160154 — filed 06/19/2006
“: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED AT AN ELEVATED RATE AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED…”NHTSA complaint 10157705 — filed 05/17/2006
“DT: THE CONTACT STATED AT 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER AT FIRST. THEN, THE ACCELERATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE…”NHTSA complaint 10142311 — filed 11/09/2005
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2003 Ford Escape have vehicle speed control problems?
Vehicle Speed Control is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2003 Ford Escape: 65 of 558 complaints on file (11.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2003 Ford Escape have in total?
558 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 43 involved a crash, 27 involved a fire, 31 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's vehicle speed control category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
