I bought a 2012 Limited and I have driven it about 3000 miles. My question is about acceleration. Several times I have been driving up to a traffic light and before I stop the light changes to green. When I accelerate there is a long pause. After a few seconds it starts to pick up speed. The service man at the dealer says this is normal. Is this normal? It is rather strange to me. Thanks

 

Yes, all late model A/T equipped Fords have this, it is to help protect the driveline from jolts. The first one I had that did it was an 06 Mustang GT.

 

No, that is not normal. If the trans is still in a higher gear while slowing down for the light, when you get on the gas the trans should downshift to the lower gear required for the new accelerator pedal position, present road speed, and engine load. In other words, the computer should do a quick downshift, open the electrically-operated throttle plate, increase fuel injector duration, and you should take off and GO!
With all of the sensors, all of the computing power, and a 6 speed computer-shifted automatic trans, there is no excuse for it not to respond quickly to the driver's command. In an emergency situation, you would be a sitting duck.

If you can duplicate the problem reliably, go to the dealer, stay there, and get someone with a brain to go for a drive with you and show it to them. Then have them drive it with you, and you should coach them how to do it so they can replicate it themselves.

When the first car ever was sold in the US, the owner probably had some problem, brought it back to the dealer, where they said "they all do that" just to get rid of him. It takes persistance to overcome idiots.

 

I have been trying to duplicate this problem with no success. It happens but I can't make it happen. Yet. I will keep trying.

Thanks for both replies. But they have me wondering.

 

I guess you have never run into the torque management system that Ford has been running since they went drive by wire in 2005. People are turning it off with tuners on the Mustangs and trucks all the time. It's not really just a downshift delay, but also a throttle up delay. Remember, there is no throttle cable. The throttle is controlled by the computer.

 

Torque Management System----that makes sense, but I don't know anything about it. I will research it. Thanks

 

I agree! Under those conditions my '09 will downshift most of the time, actually a bit too easily but there are times when it appears to have a delay.

Back some time ago while waiting to make a left hand turn, I hit the gas, hit the brake and hit the gas again. It rolled in front of and oncoming vehicle with the gas pecal floored then all of a sudden took off and I got out of the way. Dealer couldn't duplicate it, calls to Ford CS were a waste but later I was able to duplicate the problem at will. After a ride a long with the shop foreman, they reflashed my PCM which took care of the problem.

I did file with NSTA and today one can find other claims from Escape owners having the same exact problem. The was one where the engine would actually die under these conditions and even under the conditions described by the OP.

 

Remember that most new vehicles ignore the throttle input if the brakes are active, so if you are the type that brakes with your left foot, you may be causing the symptom yourself. If the brake pedal is depressed even slightly when the throttle is applied, the throttle has to be released and then reapplied to operate "normally." I have noticed different vehicle lines react differently to this situation, and am just speaking in general terms, not specifically to the Escape. Just something else to keep in mind.

Of course, if you brake with your right foot, then this probably doesn't apply to you.

 

While searching my hesitation I found some posts where they coined the term "Death Lag" for the issue. I forget which manufacturer it was but it wasn't Ford.

 

I do use my left foot for braking. I guess I'm just used to using the clutch. I will keep that in mind and check it out. Thanks

 

That's easy to check, just try applying the brakes a bit and then press the gas pedal.

Back a few years ago there was that rash of sudden acceleration claims by either Honda or Toyota owners. Someone claimed that Ford had that "brake lock" or whatever they call it in their vehicles. I know that it's not in my '09 Escape. It may have been added later on.

 

I have a 2011 limited and it does not do as the OP described....ever. But I do not drive with left foot at all in it so it is quite possible that the brake signal is killing the throttle signal. When I go out in a little bit, I will try that. We have had it for a year and almost 31k miles with no issues whatsoever other than it keeps racking up mileage..