10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 7 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 121,652 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
Brake light with ABS light come on the dash and loose the brake and vehicle becomes too dangerous to drive.
- Raleigh, NC, USA
Complete brake failure while traveling at 50+ mph on an populated road. Had to stop using emergency brake and driving on the divider. Brake loss was due to a failed master brake cylinder and hydolic control unit. Similar if not identical to technical service bulletin, tsb 05-8-5 (August 5, 2005) (NHTSA id #10017553)
- Matawan, NJ, USA
Takata recall my brake light is
- Richmond, VA, USA
Brake failure ABS module
- Imperial, MO, USA
Vehicle lost all brakes was told it is a issue with a valve in the hybrid brake system which cost over 5 grand to fix through Ford.
- South Amboy, NJ, USA
My Ford Escape hybrid 2008 brakes failed on May 14, 2018 nearly causing a head-on collision. The pedal went completely to the floor after my ABS light & parking brake lights were illuminated on the dash, it also displayed "check brake system" as well as "regen brakes disengaged". I purchased the vehicle in November of 2017 from a used car dealer. It was immediately brought to them where they attempted to scan for any codes but instructed me to take to Ford where it could be properly scanned. I had an appointment on 5/17 for the ABS codes to be scanned where they found two codes: Left front brake pressure & a faulty hydraulic control unit. They stated that this part has been failing among the hybrid vehicles and Ford has issued a 'special service message' regarding these parts as it is nearly $6,000 to replace with no guarantee of it working. The fact that Ford has not issued a recall for this dangerous faulty part with evidence all across the internet and various other sources I have researched. I have made my state's attorney general (ct),the Ford Motor Company, local news stations, BBB all aware of the issue in hopes that something will change Ford Motor Companies mind in avoiding any other near accidents or even deaths to occur. Please contact me if any other materials are needed. I will pursue all appropriate avenues until Ford initiates a recall. Thank you very much.
- Morris, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. While operating the vehicle, the "check brake system and re-gen brake disable" message displayed. In addition, a grinding noise was heard when depressing the brake pedal, and the braking distance was extended when attempting to stop. The cause of the failures was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 135,823.
- Derwood, MD, USA
I recently purchased a used 2008 Ford Escape hybrid with 112K miles from a large dealership. The vehicle had an inspection done at the dealership and one done by an independent mechanic. No codes or signs of brake failure were apparent. Within the first week, with less than 25 additional miles on the vehicle, while driving on a city street in normal conditions, the 'braking system failure' light came on and the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The "regenerative braking system failure" light came on, the ABS brake light came on. Fortunately there was no serious accident and no collisions, we were able to slowly get the car to our home. The next day the brakes then functioned properly and no light was being displayed. I called the dealership regarding paperwork and informed the salesman of the situation and told him if it happened again I would take it in and have it checked. Well ' it happened again on April 26th, while driving down a city street. This time we were barely able to come to a stop before running through a stop sign. No accidents occurred. I brought it into an independent mechanic and they diagnosed it as a full hydraulic brake system failure (the hydraulic control unit) ' for an estimated repair cost of $5800. It is obviously a serious safety issue if the brakes randomly stop working. I guess it will take a loss of life and lawsuit before the NHTSA will do something. By the NHTSA's own words : a recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle, equipment, car seat, or tire creates an unreasonable safety risk or fails to meet minimum safety standards. Most decisions to conduct a recall and remedy a safety defect are made voluntarily by manufacturers prior to any involvement by NHTSA.". legally, what is happening with this vehicle meets your own statement.
- High Ridge, MO, USA
While driving, the brake light and the ABS light came on along with two messages "regen brakes disabled" and "check brake system". car brakes very hesitantly which I consider to be extremly dangerous. Took it to local Ford dealer. He read codes 1478, 1480 and U2023. Quoted me that I need the ABS module replaced at usd $5,537 plus tax. This is above the kbb value of the car. Investigating on the net there is easily hundreds of the samecomplaint of people loosing their car as it is beyond economical repair. On top, I think I only got lucky that the failure did not happen while driving and needing brakes in an emergency situation. Please look into this safety issue. Thanks.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
ABS light goes on, brake regen goes on causing the vehicle not to stop. Severe safety issue which there is no know recall by Ford for. $5000 dollar fix to replace the hcu. Went to stop at a red light and almost caused an accident.
- Worcester, MA, USA
Vehicle ABS reg/brake warning light came on with 100,000 miles on it. Vehicle's brakes were working on a limited basis, unsafe to drive. The vehicle's braking ability was eratic and did not stop at multiple intersections. The part that failed according to codes was a hydraulic brake control unit that cost about $5000 if using a new oem part. Had car repaired at dealership using a part with all matching numbers that was rebuilt, but the dealership would not warranty the repair. Proceeded anyway, brakes functioned properly for about one week. This issue has returned and the codes indicate it needs a new hcu, again. The car failed to stop at a red light but avoided an accident. The car can not be driven at this time. Research shows this is a common failure of this make and model.
- Soddy Daisy, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. While driving various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to engage. The contact stated that the regenerative braking system disabled warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic control unit was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist because the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
- Wood River, IL, USA
It's say regan brakes disabled system and now my brakes is burning before I pulled off the light came on.
- Richmond, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. While driving unknown speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle came to a stop and the check ABS indicator illuminated during the failure. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case number: 145268. The failure mileage was 103,300.
- New Albany, IN, USA
Ive had reoccurring issues with my brakes, ABS system, power train, steering column starter. Over the course of three years and it seem like the problems keep coming up. The only close call I remembers is coming home from work. Making a turn on to a street, then all of a sudden my power steering went out completely. I could have crashed if a huge curb wasnt there.
- Westland, MI, USA
The computer checks the brakes upon start and the computer is falsely detecting an error with the hydraulic brake pump periodically. It can occur 1 in every 50 starts to sometime 5 attempts in every 1 good start. The computer if it sees an error will disable the regenerative brakes and the vehicle will brake significantly slower and less efficiently when in error mode. The computer glitch requires a total replacement and must be reprogrammed at the dealer at a cost of $4 to $5 thousand. Based on the thousands I see online with the same issue and nature of issue (brakes and safety), I am surprised to see a recall has not been mandated. The cost is beyond reasonable and I am left with driving an unsafe car.
- Shawnee, KS, USA
Vehicle ABS reg/brake warning light came on. Vehicles brakes are working on a limited basis, unsafe to drive. Appears front brakes are not working.this occurred while driving a highway speeds. The part that has failed is a hydraulic brake control that cost about $5000 (per dealer quote). Car can not be driven at this time.
- Westerville, OH, USA
My problem with this vehicles brakes is similar to other complaints I have seen on this forum. Sometimes I have no problem with the brakes, but about half the time after staring the car the ABS light comes on allong with regen brakes not working and to get the vehicle to stop requires stomping break pedal to the floor. When it first happened it almost caused me to roll past a stop sign and into on coming traffic. It is obviously a serious safety issue if the brakes randomly stop working. The repair shop of course could not duplicate the problem as the brakes were working fine then. Most likely though, the culprit is in the hydraulic braking system, hence the 'regen braking' note that comes on.
- Cynthiana, KY, USA
Brake system failure. ABS and red brake lights came on while driving and almost caused a serious accident. An inexperienced driver would've crashed.
- Massillon, OH, USA
- Baltimore, MD, USA