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Ford Edge Accelerator Surge?

35 messages,  Last post on Apr 12, 2012 at 11:49 AM

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Messages Page 1 of 4

#1 of 35 Edge with accelerator surge? by hummmdinger

Mar 19, 2008 (2:16 pm)

I'd like to start off that I'm not setting off an alarm or anything, but since I do auto claims for a major insurance company in Texas, I'm sending out this post because of a traumatic experience by one of our insureds. On 3-10-08 one of my insured's pulled into a parking space and just as she was to come to a stop, she claims her 07 Edge took off out of control with her foot on the brakes. She ended up striking a light pole and stopped back on the street she just pulled off of. I promised her that as part of my investigation into her claim was to see if any other Edge owners are having or have had the same experience.
 
The Ford service tech scanned the computers right after the tow truck dropped off the car from the scene. And of course no error codes were detected. The car has driven fine every time it has been moved from spot to spot at the body shop and service center. So unless there is a rash of other Edge owners experiencing an accelerator surge, this is either a very isolated occurrence or driver error.
 
Please respond if you know of any other incidents similar to this one.
 
Thanks.
 
Dennis

#2 of 35 Re: Edge with accelerator surge? [hummmdinger] by akirby

Mar 19, 2008 (8:31 pm)

Replying to: hummmdinger (Mar 19, 2008 2:16 pm)
First I've heard. No doubt you already know that it's driver error - happens all the time, but kudos for at least checking.

#3 of 35 Re: Edge with accelerator surge? [hummmdinger] by tedsmom

Apr 25, 2008 (11:27 am)

Replying to: hummmdinger (Mar 19, 2008 2:16 pm)
The exact same thing happened to me this morning. I have a 2008 Edge that I bought three weeks ago. When I went to stop at a stop light, I stepped on the brake and the car wouldn't stop. I then realized the engine was roaring and the car was out of control. I stomped on the brake and it stopped, and I didn't hit the car in front of me, but it was a terrifying experience. I am taking it to the dealer tonight and I am bringing your post. This was NOT driver error and I will insist that they report it to Ford, as should you. Thanks for posting this here.

#4 of 35 Re: Edge with accelerator surge? [tedsmom] by akirby

Apr 25, 2008 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: tedsmom (Apr 25, 2008 11:27 am)
No, that's not the exact same thing. You were able to stop the car by applying the brakes.
 
Accelerators can stick, but properly functioning brakes will ALWAYS stop the vehicle no matter how powerful the engine or how high it's revving. Brakes can also fail.
 
But whenever a person reports that the car accelerated on its own and could not be stopped by the brakes, and the brakes are inspected and found to be working fine after the accident - it's driver error.

#5 of 35 Re: Edge with accelerator surge? [akirby] by tedsmom

Apr 25, 2008 (12:32 pm)

Replying to: akirby (Apr 25, 2008 12:12 pm)
I know what you're saying, but this is the sequence of what happened - I put my foor on the brake and the car started to slow down. But then it started to speed up again and pull forward and I heard the engine revving. I pushed down on the brake and it still wouldn't stop, so I took my foot off the brake and stomped hard on the pedal again. At that point the engine stopped revving and the car stopped suddenly. It reminds me of when I had an old car and the accelerator pedal would stick and I had to put my toe under it and pull it back up, but this is a brand new car. I've been driving for almost 40 years and I have never had an experience like this. If I had my foor on the accelerator by mistake, I don't think I would have felt the car start to slow. Is it possible to press both pedals at once (I'm not a two-footed driver, though)? I really love this car and I'm not a hysterical female, but I want to figure out what happened.

#6 of 35 Re: Edge with accelerator surge? [tedsmom] by hummmdinger

Apr 25, 2008 (2:31 pm)

Replying to: tedsmom (Apr 25, 2008 12:32 pm)
You are truly lucky to have been able to avoid an accident. It will be interesting to see what the Ford dealer finds. More than likely the computer scan will come up empty...I have been there.
 
This is most appreciated to see your post as the lady we insure is very credible and did crash as a result of her alleged accelerator surge . Unfortunately there will have to more incidents posted in the near future to back up these claims. As stated already, the car will have to tell us what happened and ours did not.

#8 of 35 Re: Edge with accelerator surge? [tedsmom] by fordfavorite

Jul 24, 2008 (11:54 am)

Replying to: tedsmom (Apr 25, 2008 12:32 pm)
I hope you successfully resolved this issue. I had what sounds like the exact same problem with my Ford Windstar in the 90s (don't recall the model year).
I too was accussed of "driver error." That was absolutely not the case. I was fortunate that my Ford dealership finally agreed to replace the entire brake system. Eventually I was contacted by the NHTSA requesting information as to whether my issue was resolved and if so how. I was told that seven other incidents had been reported.

#9 of 35 your foot was on the brake and gas at the same time. by mschmal

Jul 29, 2008 (10:40 am)

The brake peddle is higher than the gas so you were able to start to slow then when you pressed the brake peddle to the level of the gas peddle your foot was over to the right far enough to start to hit the gas peddle as well.
 
Once you adjusted your foot to stomp on the brake then you also adjusted your foot over onto the brake peddle and off of the gas.
 
If you were wearing any kind of sandal or flip flop, I would bet money that this is what happened. People don't realize how wide sandals and flip flops are compared to regular shoes.

#10 of 35 Re: your foot was on the brake and gas at the same time. [mschmal] by tedsmom

Aug 28, 2008 (6:17 pm)

Replying to: mschmal (Jul 29, 2008 10:40 am)
After calming down and looking at how close the brake pedal is to the accelerator (and how big my feet are), I decided that is exactly what happened. My dealer was very willing to check things out, though, but I decided not to and have had no further problems. I really love the Edge!

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