I bought my Ford Escape Limited, 4 wheel-drive SUV in August, 2009 from a dealer in Baltimore County, Maryland. Later I retired from the Maryland Highway Administration and moved to Augusta, GA in February, 2015. In mid 2020 I saw the ABS light showing the my vehicle needed a repair to the ABS system. When I took the vehicle to my friendly mechanic shop, he told me that the ABS Module was defective and that he could not fix it. Since then I have been having a serious safety problem with the ABS Module which makes driving my vehicle very risky, especially when it is raining. The risk is felt whenever I am driving and need to stop at the red light or when another vehicle suddenly comes close to my vehicle which requires a quick decision to avoid accident using the ABS system that was designed for that purpose. In that case, I had difficulties stop and my vehicle will often pull to the left even with new brake pads on. That poses a serious safety threat. But as auto makers, the Ford Company know or should know that nearly all Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles are assumed to have ABS Module and other defects. Sadly, the Ford Company neglected to notify me of the recall. The defects in the ABS Module of my SUV pose a serious safety risk to me; so, that is very concerning to me. Thanks for your help with this complaint. Note: I coincidentally found the recall information last night on Google Search on 9/20/2021. Date of this complaint: 9/21/2021 Ford-??s False Claim Number for this recall: [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).-??

- Augusta, GA, USA

Purchased car in Dec 20. Brakes were 'mushy'. Previous owner had over $1000 in brake work done (new pads-front, shoes - rear, new master cylinder, new rotors, etc.) I am a GM and John Deere-trained mechanic. I determined the defect was in the ABS valve assembly. There is at least 1 of 4 ABS side solenoid valves not seating/sealing properly. Replaced the defective ABS unit with a low mileage used valve assembly, keeping the original ECU since it is keyed to the VIN. 9 months later, the ECU has failed (Code B1342 ABS ECU inoperative). Service brakes are still tight and function. Tried cleaning / reseating main wiring connector with no luck. Problem was sporadic over past 60 days (ABS light / ASC / Parking brake lights illuminated) and then would disappear. ECU finally failed completely with warning lights on continuously. Vehicle has 142,000 miles and is over 12 yrs old. Ford says they have never heard ofan ABS issue but confirmed the defect. The local dealer will gladly replace the ABS module for approx $1000. Ford has a responsibility to address this issue not only in Escapes of all years but throughout their model lineup. This is a safety issue that needs to be fixed. Not looking for a freebie but would rather not be the victim of an avoidable car accident and be cleaned off the pavement with a stick and a spoon. Needless to say, Ford reputation has suffered a loss of credibility.

- Evans, GA, USA

ABS, parking brake, and anti-skid lights all on. The repair shop says the ABS modul needs to be replaced.

- Katy, TX, USA

I was driving and my brakes felt soft, almost having to go all the way to floor. I took it to Ford dealership right away, uncomfortable driving my vehicle. After doing multiple things, dealership said was my master cylinder. So had my master cylinder. They call to say, they test drive my car and my car was stopping fine. I picked up my car, driving home, it felt exactly as when I dropped off my car. I called them back next day to advise of same and now they are saying it may be ABS module

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

There is a systematic failures of braking system on this model, master cylender, booster, ABS pump, etc. It's a badly designed braking system that fails at any time, putting lives of people under dangerous conditions. More often then not those failures are occurring at low speeds. Brake failure is most common problem on Ford Escape cars that looks like occurring much more often then even on rest of Ford vehicles.

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

When applying the brakes in a slushy parking lot the ABS brakes were activated and the brake pedal went almost to the floor barely stopping the car. The master cylinder thought to be the problem has been replaced professionally. The pedal sometimes still goes almost to the floor and you never no when it will happen. An on line search proved a prevalent problem with the 2009 Ford Escape. The vehicle has only 68,540 miles! Ford is not willing to address this prevalent defect. Please help.

- Sturbridge, MA, USA

Brake pedal went to floor, no warning lights or messages for brake issues, found ABS unit had failed. Ford replacement units on backorder. Had to source used ABS unit. There are known recalls for other model Ford using similar ABS units.

- Mattoon, IL, USA

All of a sudden soft pedal to floor after ABS event. Replaced master cylinder, caliper, bleed multiple times - no success. ABS module identified as faulty but no code. Brakes are completely gone after service with dealer. Can not buy $1200 part to repair. Seems to be a bunch of these reports piling up in 2008-2009 generation over past 24 months. Ford Fusion of same generation has recall for this part. Would drive this with out ABS if I could but the design seems to cause all braking to be lost. Very dangerous! multi-generation Ford owner about to jump ship because no support.

- Wapakoneta, OH, USA

Driving home I lost the ability to progressively brake, the pedal pushed all the way to the floor and did not engage the brakes until the very last portion. I would rate probably 95% of dead space and the sudden braking power. Well 'sudden'. almost wrecked a few times on the last 5 miles home.

- Spokane, WA, USA

Brake pedal goes to floor have had several near misses have been told it is an ABS moduel car has less than 100,000 miles for an 09 model

- Round Rock, TX, USA

My daughter was driving her 2009 Ford Escape when the brake peddle went straight to the floor while attempting to come to a stop. My mechanic put a new break master cylinder system on and the brakes worked normally for a week. Then without notice the same frightening event occurred. She is totally dependent on her car which is sitting in the garage now. I called the Ford dealer and he said they were experiencing nation wide problem with the ABS module and the item was on back order with no hope of a delivery date for a new one. I've noticed a big number of complaints on this exact issue. How many lives will it cost before Ford issues a recall and fixes this issue. My daughter can't afford the more than $1000 cost of a repair...even if the part was available.

- Springfield, MO, USA

I was driving my 2009 Ford Escape and the ABS brakes activated due to a slippery spot on the road. Then a car stopped quick in front of me and my brake pedal went to the floor resulting in no brakes, I went off the road to avoid a collision. I had the car towed. Went to my mechanic and was diagnosed as bad ABS modula. Called Ford and was told it could be $2,000 to repair. I see recalls on Ford 2006-2010. But not my Ford Escape. This should be covered in a recall. My 2009 Ford was purchased new and in my family ever since. Now I have the car sitting in my driveway and unsafe to drive. Very thankful no one was injured. Please look into this for me and others. Thank you

- Ludlow, MA, USA

My Ford Escape limeted just started making a noise out of nowhere and before it started I would make a right turn and it would stop running

- Bolt, WV, USA

Brakes just went mushy 2 days ago. Pedal goes all the way to the floor and braking is slow and poor - very worried about driving the car and being able to stop safely. Looking online it sounds like an ABS failure.

- Hannibal, MO, USA

Defective ABS module, dash warning lights confirm the unit is not functioning, I also had the vehicle inspected by a mechanic. The part is only available thru Ford, and is on national back order with no estimated date of availability.this seems to give the impression that this is a widespread problem. Perhaps a recall is needed.

- Steubenville, OH, USA

The master cylinder went bad recently on our vehicle. While replacing it at a local repair shop it was discovered that the brake booster and the ABS module were also bad. These parts went out while driving causing the brake pedal to go to the floor. In researching this problem I discovered that it is a very common problem for the master cylinder and ABS module to go bad on Ford Escapes. With so many of these parts going bad somebody should be looking into the problem, cars need reliable brakes. Unfortunately, if this happens going down the road it could cause wrecks. Since there are no recalls for this problem it is costing me over $1,000 to get it fixed.

- Mattoon, IL, USA

While driving my car and attempting to turn into a parking lot, the brake pedal went to the floor and the brakes did not engage. Luckily no one was in front of me and I was able to eventually come to a stop. My mechanic replaced the master cylinder which did not fix the problem. It appears to be an issue with the ABS system itself. However, even if that is the issue, the brakes should not stop working completely. Upon doing research this seems to be a common issue and presents a safety issue and needs to be addressed. From what I can tell Ford has been notified and claims the issue does not exist.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

The brake pedal would intermittently go to the floor when depressed and I had difficulty stopping the vehicle. It has been at the Ford dealership for a month. New master cylinder, new brake booster and now going to try new ABS module. The car is unsafe to drive. I saw many similar complaints about the ABS module malfunctioning on this vehicle.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

Vehicle had an ABS event and after this occurred the brake pedal traveled to the floor to stop vehicle. It has twice returned to normal but no longer. I have researched this thoroughly to find this an ABS module assembly failure. This unit manufactured by Continental automotive systems has a documented history of the seiko zinc plated valves not seating the seals after an ABS event due to corrosion and the valve remaining open. This hcu / hcu assembly are having the same reaction as documented in NHTSA recall no. 19V-904 or manufacturer recall no. 19S54 with other Ford vehicles. The only variance here is the assembly plants of hermosillo Mexico and Kansas City. The claim is the dot 3 fluid used is problematic but the fact that a zinc carboxylate gel is being formed in the hcu is unchanged regardless of the manufacturer. Ford has claimed only a 1% failure with the above mentioned campaign but have totally left off the same year Escape's with the identical safety issue in this campaign. I am urging the NHTSA to please look further into this matter of safety. I have tried reaching your contact person demara magruder with a phone call and email but have gotten no response back on this matter. I again urge the NHTSA to open this well documented ABS module failure to be opened to the (2009)Ford Escape. This replicated event is a common happening with many Ford Escape owners on the internet. Lastly I will let you know I did contact my dealership where I purchased this vehicle new but to no avail. They said they simply could not help me with the repairs on my Escape with it's age and mileage of 100K. This should not be a factor with the safety of my 18 year old daughter who was driving when this occurred! thank you, 2009 Ford Escape XLT [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Took my vehicle to Ford and another local garage for issues with the brakes not stopping the vehicle properly (soft pedal and longer distance to stop). After replacing all the mechanical parts the issue persisted. Ford couldn't find the issue, but the other garage thinks it's the ABS module. No fault codes or anything to back this up. Not sure how to test it and it's not worth the vehicle value to replace it. For now the car is parked. I think Ford knows about this problem and needs to issue a recall.

- High Ridge, MO, USA