Component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE:ACTUATOR/STEPPER MOTOR
4 NHTSA complaints about vehicle speed control:throttle:actuator/stepper motor issues across 1 makes and 2 models.
The vehicle speed control:throttle:actuator/stepper motor is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 4 filings from 1 manufacturers and 2 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD EXPEDITION with 3 filings, followed by FORD ESCAPE. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.
Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FORD EXPEDITION | 3 |
| 2 | FORD ESCAPE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact's parents own a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed the vehicle stalled with the service engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was slow to re
WHEN PULLING OUT INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A DIVIDED FOUR LANE ROAD, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE ALMOST CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CODE
I WAS DRIVING ON A SMALL HIGHWAY (2 TIMES) AND A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET (1 TIME) GOING 25 MPH (45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY) OR MORE WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. MY CAR SEEMED TO SHIFT INT
WHILE GETTING ON INTERSTATE MY 2017 EXPEDITION EL 4X4 WAS SHIFTING AND COMING UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED , WHEN IT SEEMED TO RUN ROUGH AND FELT LIKE IT MISSED A SHIFT. I LET OFF GAS PEDAL, ENGINE ROUGHNESS
Related Vehicle Components
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Related Safety Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve vehicle speed control:throttle:actuator/stepper motor issues? ▼
How dangerous are vehicle speed control:throttle:actuator/stepper motor defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most vehicle speed control:throttle:actuator/stepper motor problems? ▼
Where does PlainCars get its safety data? ▼
Data Sources
Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.
Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.