10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 8 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 68,498 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
While driving on a city streets the vehicle suddenly does not break normal and when trying to brake the brake petal goes all the way to the floor. I had to pump the breaks multiple times to make it stop. Took the vehicle to the Ford dealership and after running a diagnose they guessed is the hcu or the master cylinder that is going bad and needs to be replaced but with no certainty. (again, they are not even sure because of the code they got from the diagnose). The vehicle has no light on for breaks or anything telling you is something wrong. I could not believe that Ford had not issued a recall on the vehicle, especially when I was told by Ford that they had seen this problem before in the Escapes, and replacing only the master cylinder would not fix the problem). Without the brake system fix the vehicle was extremely unsafe to drive. This is a very important safety flaw in the 2009 Escape & should be addressed to save lives and to not putting lives at risk. Ford needs a to do he right thing and do a recall on their ABS module.
- Orlando, FL, USA
On a snowy morning the brakes were applied normally and the slippery conditions caused anti-lock brakes to activate. They seemed to work normally, but after that activation the brake pedal felt very soft and would not engage the brakes until the very end of the pedal travel. The vehicle would still stop, but the brakes were unpredictable and unsafe. The problem was diagnosed as a bad hydraulic control unit (hcu) and was replaced with the ABS module as a unit ($1700). The new unit required reprogramming and bleeding at the dealership ($200). Because this is a safety component within a reasonable mileage (140,000 vehicle mileage), this should be addressed by the oem with at least a tsb.
- Livonia, MI, USA
The car steering column started to lock up while it was parked when you start the car the steering wheel wouldn't turn after awhile it would you were able to turn on the car in the steering wheel were function after a while the car would do it while driving the car was brought over to the dealership steering column was replaced a few months later same issues steering wheel column or steering wheel would hit when turned brought back to the dealership it was replaced the second time now all electronics relating to the brakes are having issues like brake switch starts to malfunction or brakes get locked up. The car would have troubles either parked or while driving. I bought the car from a dealership so I'm not sure if this car had prior issues to that nothing was disclosed when I purchased it. I am aware of other Ford Escape 2009 models have the same issue and have been recalled
- Norwalk, CT, USA
I was driving my 2009 fo D Escape last November 21, 2018 and I was to drive in when the light turn green and I was stepping on the brake pedal then suddenly my brake was on the floor. It still stop but I turned on my hazard light to be safe. It will still stop but the brake was on the floor. When I got home I checked the brake where you put the brake fluid and it was still full. I started the car and stepped on the brake pedal and it was working again. I do not know why it happened. Anyone has the same problem? thank you.
- San Jose, CA, USA
Parked the 2009 Escape on a Friday night, everything felt perfectly normal. Went to drive it at 6am the following day and the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. The master cylinder was replaced 2 times. Totaling over $600 and the issue still wasn't fixed. Now they say the ABS hydraulic module needs replaced. The cost of the part is $1700, plus labor. How does all this with the brakes just go bad over night? seems like a lot of Ford Escape owners are having the same issues. So why isnt there a recall yet
- Goshen, IN, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front brakes exhibited an abnormal noise and the brake pedal failed to engage and disengage. In addition, the steering wheel made an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics who were unable to determine a permanent remedy to repair the vehicle. The independent mechanics bled the brake lines and replaced the master cylinder three times, but the failure continued. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 15E045000 (suspension). Tuscaloosa Ford (5801 mcfarland blvd E, tuscaloosa, al 35405, (205) 304-0719) stated that the VIN was excluded from the recall and the vehicle was taken there for diagnostic testing and repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.
- Cottondale, AL, USA
While driving the steering wheel gets stuck as if I'm out of power steering fluid, which it's not. Also, the wheels are shaky and feel like their about to come off. Someone hit my vehicle and it completely went out. Now I'm paying for a rental until gets fixed and I'm paying for the repairs instead of the company.
- Oakland, MS, USA
When driving vehicle the break pedal suddenly goes to floor panel and needs to be pumped to get breaks working again>
- El Paso, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While the contact's spouse was driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and the power steering failed. While making right or left turns, the steering failed without warning on several occasions. Also, when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle lunged forward without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The local Ford dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
- Warsaw, NM, USA
The contact's daughter owns a 2009 Ford Escape. On several occasions, while the vehicle was in reverse, the contact's daughter depressed the brake pedal but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that his daughter continued to depress the brake pedal until the vehicle would stop. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 09/06/17
- Grosse Pointe, MI, USA
While driving ABS, stability control and brake system lights come on and stay on. Steering feels odd. Hard/easy
- Hampstead, NC, USA
When depress brake pedal it goes to the floor before vehicle will begin stopping. This occurs almost always over the last few months. This is very unsafe condition. Local Ford dealership said they have seen this same issue several times and that it likely needs a new ABS module/hydraulic control unit. This is a $1600 part from Ford. This is an extreme cost and very unsafe condition, and I cannot afford to repair or continue unsafely drive my vehicle. Please help make this a required recall.
- Arma, KS, USA
After driving over a short section of rough pavement the brake pedal was soft later making stopping difficult, and nearly running a stop sign. ABS control unit was replaced at a cost of over $2000.
- Sebring, FL, USA
Brakes began going all the way to the floor before stopping vehicle. Had the main master cylinder replaced to the tune of $307.63, but the problem has not been solved. Why hasn't there been a recall? many others are obviously having this problem.
- Conway, AR, USA
I was driving in a neighborhood and as I was approaching a stop sign, I slowly started to brake. As I came closer to the stop sign, suddenly the brake pedal felt like it just "dropped out" and I slid through the stop sign and had to slam my foot on the brake pedal all the way to the floor and thankfully was able to stop, but was in the middle of the road at this point. This was very scary and I am thankful that there were no other cars around that I could have been hit or injured. I pulled over and turned off the car and then back on. Started driving again and tested the brakes, which barely worked now. I have to press the brake pedal to the floor to even start slowing down. I took it to my Ford dealership and they charged me $99 just to run the diagnostic test that told me that it was my hydraulic control unit for the ABS system that is bad and it would cost an additional $2,100 to replace it. They would have to order the part, but wouldn't get there for 3 days, meaning I would have to continue to drive like this for another few days because I have to get to work with this vehicle. The part did not come in for 3 weeks, not days and I had to drive around like this. I have been doing research on this to see if this has happened to anyone else, and it has. Be careful of this, as it can be very dangerous and I got lucky that I was not injured. I called Ford to see if there was a recall, which there wasn't (yet) and they contacted the dealership and started a case for me to see if there was anything that could be done to help me out financially. The dealership did not help me at all since I did not purchase my car there. The lady on the phone from Ford was great and very helpful. She told me to hold onto my receipt B/C if there ever was a recall, (which there should be because these are people's lives at risk due to this failing part) they would refund 100% of the money.
- Camp Hill, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering sensor and steering column had to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the onboard diagnostic warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle experienced a loss of power. The dealer stated that the mass air index was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. In addition, the maintenance warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle experienced a loss of power. The vehicle was repaired, but the ABS, low tire pressure, traction control, and parking warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired again. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 169,000. Updated 10/18/16
- Supply, NC, USA
While moving lose brakes, brakes go to floor. Changed brake master cylinder and it is still doing it.
- Harahan, LA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving 30 mph, the ABS, brake, and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 21,300. Updated 04/14/16
- Spring, TX, USA
On January 18, 2016 I paid $2,829.78 for brake repairs on our 2009 Ford Escape (V6 / 2-wheel drive, with 136,221 miles on the odometer). The brake repairs were required because of a failure in both the ABS braking module and the brake master cylinder (please see attached invoice from cornerstone Ford), which caused the brake pedal to sink to the floor when brakes were applied. I could not believe that Ford had not issued a recall on the vehicle, especially when 2 major brake system parts failed at the same time (I was told by cornerstone Ford that they had seen this problem before in the Escapes, and replacing only the master cylinder would not fix the problem, because there was fluid blow-by past the seals in both parts). Without the brake system fix the vehicle was extremely unsafe to drive, especially in big lake, Minnesota winter weather conditions (where I was driving the vehicle at the time of the brake failure). If I had not had the brakes fixed when I did, both my life and the lives of others could have been affected in a chain reaction collision I had on the interstate the next morning, after I had picked the vehicle up from repairs. About 6:20 am on January 19, 2016 I was traveling southbound on I-94 when traffic came to an abrupt stop. I had to immediately hit my brakes as others in front of me also did. The person behind me stopped in time, but the person behind him did not and in turn hit him and pushed him into the back of my vehicle. Both vehicles behind me had to be towed from the scene, but fortunately I did not (please see attached traffic report). If the brakes on our Escape had failed at the time of this accident (which is very possible, had the repairs not been made) I could have easily plowed into the vehicle(s) ahead of me and put more lives at risk. This is a very important safety flaw in the 2009 Escape & should be addressed to save lives.
- Hoover, AL, USA
- Warren Ohio, OH, USA