Ford Escape Sticky Throttle Recall Under NHTSA Investigation

After a recall, a petition and a fatal accident, NHTSA is once again looking into stuck throttle incidents in model year 01-04 Ford Escapes and Mazda Tributes.

In December of 2004, 470,000 Escapes and 121,000 Tributes were recalled because of interference between the speed control cable and the appearance cover at the throttle body cam. This interference causes the throttle to become stuck, so when your foot is lifted, the throttle does not decrease.

In January of 2012, there was a fatal accident because of this problem, which is prompting NHTSA to re-assess the case. The claim being investigated is that the alleged fix performed on the recalled vehicles is actually part of the problem.

99 reports of alleged stuck throttle have been collected in all, with sixty-eight reports from Ford Escape owners, and thirty one reports from Mazda Tribute owners. The issues only affect vehicles outfitted with the 3.0L V6 engine.

NHTSA is going to assess the scope, frequency and safety-related consequences of alleged defect, and take action accordingly.