The ABS brakes have failed. The vehicle is no longer safe to drive. I took it to a Ford dealer and was quoted over $5,000 to replace the hydraulic control unit. I have read many people have experienced the same problem. Why has there been no recall on a vehicle with a problem as serious as this?

- Trumbull, CT, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. While driving various speeds, the brakes failed to engage and all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. In order to stop the vehicle, the contact had to downshift the transmission and apply the parking brake. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and then drove home. The contact stated that the failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to doan Ford, Inc. (located at 66870 belmont morristown rd, belmont, oh 43718, (740) 782-1965) where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic control unit failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

- Barnesville, OH, USA

Approx. A year ago the brakes started failing. Suddenly you had to pump them extra hard to stop. Warning light appeared that tires need inflating. They did not. Then an ABS warning light appeared. Suddenly the brakes started working again, no extra pumping needed. Then at high speeds the warning light turned on and steering wheel shook violently and you couldn't go about 60 mph. Ahhh! when you hit brakes they didn't respond or a terrible grinding noise happened. Looked it up, common in this year's hybrid that ABS brakes fail. Only had 150K on it. Took to local Ford dealer, they wanted $7400 to fix. What? "proprietary ABS brakes must be replaced." They wouldn't turn warning message off computer or do anything less. Wouldn't check hoses, circuits, or pads. Just a flat "$7400" with no explanation other than ABS system. We found out through complaint sites online that others had the same problems. It's extremely harrowing to be driving at high speeds and have the car suddenly start shaking and the brakes not work!!

- Catonsville, MD, USA

Vehicle was in motion on a city street when the brake light came on and display read "regen brakes disabled." The vehicle was no longer effectively braking and almost caused a collision.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

While driving the ABS and check brake lights came on and the brakes began to make noise when the brake pedal was pressed. The car still slowed and the vehicle was driven home. Upon taking the vehicle to the dealer, the ABS control assembly was found to be inoperable - this unit is both a hydraulic and electronic control unit on the Escape hybrid. The regenerative braking system is controlled by the unit and it also failed. The fix was over $6000 from Ford. This car had 221541 miles on it, so this in effect totaled the car, which was otherwise in decent shape and still ran very well. Checking on the web - we were lucky as several other reports of this unit failing have been reported with much worse results to the owners while driving.

- Madison, WI, USA

While driving the car I started seeing ABS lights pop up on the dash and immediately lost all power of the braking system. I had to slam so hard on the pedal for it to barely come to a stop almost hitting the car in front of me in a shopping center. After taking it to a mechanic I was told the ABS control module is bad. After some research, I see that this is a common problem in this generation Ford Escape hybrids and many other people have had close calls with some getting into accidents due to the faulty ABS issue.

- Centreville, VA, USA

Brake failure. During normal driving I was coming to an intersection to stop. I applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor, brake effectiveness was almost non existent. The ABS light and a message indicating 'regen system disabled' came on. Ford has designed a braking system that can simply "disable" itself and leave a person without effective stopping power. I had to veer off the roadway to avoid hitting cars in front of me, resulting in minor damage to my front bumper and undercarriage. This should be a recall due to safety concerns.

- Hendersonville, NC, USA

The vehicle's hydraulic control unit has failed. As a result the vehicle is unsafe to drive because the ABS does not function. The cost to replace this part is around $6000, which is more than the value of the car. I opened a complaint with Ford Motor Company but they say that there is nothing that they can do.

- Fox River Grove, IL, USA

Regenerative hybrid brakes disabled.. vehicle brakes in "failsafe" mode, which requires you to slam the brakes all the way to the floor just to slow down. Ran through three red lights unwillingly. The Ford Escape hybrid has many reported issues with the ABS and regenerative system failing (a quoted $5000 fix). These vehicles are so rare, and probably every single one of them are no longer driven and instead on the forums with a laundry list of complaints around this issue.

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

ABS lights came on went and got it checked and its the break system. I was told by the dealership that it was going to be over $5,000 and that even if they fixed it I dont get a warranty for the fixed system and that it could reoccur. This is an issue with this car a lot. Can we please get this issue checked into. $5,000 is a lot of money to fix a car and it not be 100 percent fixed

- Spencer, IN, USA

ABS & brake warning lights on; check brake system & regen brakes disabled message center. Braking is harder, unassisted. No ABS, tires can lock up on braking. Ford dealer wants $4900 for the hcu part + labor. There have been several reports online of this issue; and that it can leave a vehicle with no brakes; a safety hazzard.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

While driving under normal conditions, the check engine light illuminated yellow, the ABS light illuminated, and the red brake light illuminated simultaneously. A message on the dash said "regen brakes disabled". the normal braking system failed to work. The manual (fail safe) braking system was inadequate to stop properly. I had to put the brake pedal to the floor as hard as possible and the car still did not brake properly. After much rolling, the car finally came to a stop, but hit a pole in the process causing a crack in the front bumper. Due to the long stopping process, the pole was unavoidable. It was the pole, the ditch, or another car, so I had to choose to bump into the pole for the least amount of damage and to be sure not to hurt anyone else. Traumatic experience for me and my young grandchildren!

- Hartsville, SC, USA

I was in a busy shopping plaza and came up to a 4 way stop. When I pressed the brakes, the car didn't stop! a message reading "regen brakes disabled" came up on the screen, followed by "check brake system". both the ABS and brake warning lights came on on the dash. I tried turning the vehicle off and then on again as sometimes when it has an electrical hiccup that will resolve the issue. The same message reappeared and I drove straight to a local garage. They were unable to definitively determine the issue and referred me to the Ford dealership. A few days later, Ford advised me that it was a failure of the hydraulic control unit which will need to be replaced. This is definitely a safety issue. All of the pieces within the brake system are in tact, everything that can be inspected during routine tune ups looks fine, but suddenly when you are driving the brain of the car can't remember how to make it stop.

- N Providence, RI, USA

"regen brakes diabled" notification comes on. After which, the braking seems inconsistent. This is a concern as the braking system is a safety issue.

- Prescott, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. The contact stated that the ABS indicator illuminated and there was a loss of braking power. The vehicle was not diagnosed by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Milbrook, NY, USA

The regen breaks disabled light is always on. The breaks do not work properly, if at all. Numerous times I have been unable to stop almost causing an accident. The breaks sometimes lock on and the vehicle won't move at all. Unable to go more than 40 mph. If you attempt, the vehicle shakes and the breaks smoke. I took it to Ford for diagnostic and they informed me it is a common problem due to the the beak system and the hybrid system being integrated. The part by itself is $4200 and the vehicle blue books for about $3000 at the most. The vehicle won't start or even turn over. The battery is good.

- Carthage, MO, USA

A.B.S. hcu. Part # 8M6Z2C286A this repair according to the dealer cost is $5835.56 their are many other complaints. This is a major safety problem !

- Newark, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. While the contact's girlfriend was driving at an unknown speed, the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to engage as the brake and ABS warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle stopped only after the brake pedal was pumped multiple times. The vehicle was taken to grieco Ford (1651 new state hwy, raynham, MA 02767, 1- 888-680-8818) where it was diagnosed that the ABS pump was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,449.

- Rochester, NY, USA

My car's ABS and brake lights have come with messages reading "check brake system" and "regen brake disabled." At times the brakes will appeear to fail and I have to slam them very hard to stop.

- Sycamore, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. While driving 35 mph, "the check brake system" and "regen brake disable" indicators illuminated. A dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 139,000.

- Chino Hills, CA, USA