SLOW FUEL FILL AND/OR DTC P0451.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Ford Escape fuel system problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
When does it fail?
Of the 12 fuel system complaints filed for the 2007 Ford Escape, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA fuel system complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
SLOW FUEL FILL DUE TO CLOGGED VENT.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗COLD CLIMATE SLOW FUEL FILL.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005-2008 ESCAPE HYBRID AND 2006-2008 MARINER HYBRID VEHICLES ARE NOT E-85 COMPATIBLE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Cold-weather throttle sticking dominates the 2007 Escape fuel-system complaints. Eight of twelve narratives describe an accelerator pedal that won't depress or requires hard pushing when temperatures drop below 40°F. The sticking typically appears a few miles into cold-weather driving and clears after 10–15 minutes of running. One owner at 250 pounds couldn't overcome the resistance; another had to wave traffic around while pulled over. A dealer attributed the problem to water reaching the throttle body. One owner found temporary relief from throttle body cleaning, but the fix didn't last.
One narrative describes a detached internal gas filler flap blocking the fuel neck—causing fuel backup and spill-over that takes 15 minutes to pump through repeated automatic shutoffs.
A less common complaint involves the transmission overdrive light illuminating at 40 mph, followed by gear drop-out, sluggish acceleration, and periodic revving. The owner reported finding dozens of identical complaints from 2007 Escape owners online; Ford corporate acknowledged the complaint but issued no recall.
A single narrative reports persistent gasoline smell inside the vehicle that a dealership could not diagnose. One owner also mentioned an airbag light cycling on and off in the same vehicle.
Same Ford Escape fuel system reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Throttle/accelerator pedal sticking in cold weather
Accelerator pedal becomes stuck or requires excessive force to depress, primarily in temperatures 40°F and below. Owners report the pedal will not respond to pressure immediately after cold start or after vehicle has been running a few miles in cold conditions. One owner noted throttle body cleaning provided temporary relief. Dealer in one case cited water reaching the throttle body as a potential cause.
When: Cold weather (below 40°F); occurs during cold starts and persists 10–15 minutes of driving; one case reported at 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal stuck or immobile; Requires excessive force to depress pedal; Loss of power or hesitation during acceleration; Sudden sticking after a few miles of cold-weather driving; Vehicle may leap forward once pedal finally engages; Problem clears after 10–15 minutes of driving or engine warm-up
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body cleaning mentioned by one owner as temporary fix; dealer suggested throttle body problem
Fuel filler neck blockage from internal flap
Gas filler pipe internal cover flap becomes detached and lodges inside the filler pipe, obstructing fuel flow. Owner reports gas backs up and spills during refueling, requiring 15 minutes to fill tank with repeated fuel pump auto shut-off cycles. Environmental and hazard concern at gas station.
When: Ongoing for several months prior to complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Unable to pump full tank of gasoline; Fuel backs up and spills during refueling; Repeated fuel pump automatic shut-off during fill-up; Extended fill time (approximately 15 minutes)
Transmission overdrive light and shift delay
O/D light illuminated suddenly at highway speed (40 mph), accompanied by vehicle dropping out of gear, slow acceleration, and periodic revving. Owner reports similar complaints seen in online searches from multiple 2007 Ford Escape owners, suggesting potential systemic issue. Ford corporate received complaint but took no action.
When: Sudden onset while driving at 40 mph; timing and mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: O/D light illuminated; Vehicle drops out of gear; Slow acceleration; Periodic revving; Loss of power
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford corporate acknowledged complaint but no follow-up or recall issued
Fuel smell inside vehicle
Persistent gasoline odor throughout the vehicle interior. Dealership unable to identify or diagnose root cause when vehicle brought in for inspection.
When: Since purchase (March 2007 inspection mentioned)
Symptoms owners cite: Persistent gasoline smell inside vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership inspection did not identify cause
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
My vehicle is a 2007 Ford escape xlt. For the past several months when I try to gas up the vehicle I can only put in a small amount of gasoline. It appears that the gas filler pipe cover (a little flap that is mounted on the inside of the filler pipe) is gone. Because it is mounted from the inside, the only place it could have gone is into the filler pipe which causes a blockage so that gas…
Ford escape 2007, approx. 30,000 miles, gas pedal sticking, can not accelerate properly and smoothly. Continually occurs under cold conditions, dangerous with ice on roads when slow acceleration is needed . Cannot accelerate quickly when needed which is also dangerous. *tr
Had fuel system trouble with your 2007 Ford Escape?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the fuel system problem on the 2007 Ford Escape?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 32,000 and 79,000 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 32,000; a quarter make it past 79,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Ford/Escape.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.