10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 27 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 102,149 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
The problem initially began because I had to brake hard to avoid an accident on the freeway and the brakes failed. After restarting the vehicle the brakes went back to normal. A week later as I was driving down a street, I braked normally to pull in to a business parking lot and the brakes failed almost completely. The pedal went down to the floor and would not stop the vehicle in a safe distance. Also, they had a spongy feel. They would not properly grip until I turned the car off and then on again. Had there been another vehicle in front of me I would have hit them, or if this happened on a local freeway here in houston, tx it could be potentially fatal. After researching the problem, I learned that many other individuals have had the same exact issue. The problem appears to be a faulty ABS modulator.
- Houston, TX, USA
On three occasions, upon suddenly braking, brake pedal failed. Took it to Ford once and they couldnt tell me what was wrong. Ford dealer said, "must've been a freak accident." I ignored the second time brake pedal went to the floor as pressure built up soon after, but the third time, took it back to Ford dealer. They quickly said it was the master cylinder. I didn't accept the diagnoses. Did some research and found online that there are so many other 2008 Fusion brakes issues like mine! and no recall!"! research points towards the hydrualic control unit, the mechanical part of the ABS module is bad. And it's a common issue! people can die over this! I have no ABS indication showing on my instrument panel... on all three occasions I was driving on level roads or highways. How can Ford not fix this? is it not common enough just yet!?! maybe let a few die and have the media have a field day with the deaths before Ford responds??? Ford has a responsibility to its vehicles! where's the pride and good will from Ford" god forbid Ford take responsibility and make a recall and prevent them from taking away from there profits!!!
- San Antonio, TX, USA
I tried to stop a little faster than normal and had to put my brake pedal to the floor. Once I did that, my brakes continued to only work pressing all the way dow or by pumping them to build pressure. This went on about 24 hours before they went back to normal. This has happened a few times in the short month I have had this car. Reading complaints on line for this same problem tells me there is no fix. This is not safe not knowing when your brakes aren't going to work when you need them to. No liservice or and lights come on at all.
- Bellevue, NE, USA
While braking and hitting a bump in the road that activated the anti-lock braking system (ABS) system the brake pedal would not engage properly after this. The pedal would have to be depressed almost all the way to the floor to stop. Vehicle was inspected and determined to have a stuck valve on the hydraulic control unit which is an integral part of the ABS system. Repair cost was $100 to bleed all new fluid into the system and $925 to diagnose and repair the faulty ABS hydraulic control unit.
- Knoxville, TN, USA
While driving I was required to apply the brake pedal further than normal. To stop the pedal must be applied almost to the floor. Brake pedal feels soft, sponge like, when applied. Vehicle still stops but pumping them repeatedly is required. This is required when stationary, in motion and on city streets and highways. Vehicle has 120K but this issue just started. Stating the obvious that brakes are an important but certainly creates a safety issue even if the brakes stop the vehicle. You have to adjust your speed and timing when applying the brakes. Although this has not occurred yet, sudden or emergency braking may be required so I can't confirm how they would react to this situation.
- Kansas City, KS, USA
After engaging the ABS on light snow, my brakes became spongy. Couple of inches of play on the brake pedal before it would engage
- Lowell, MA, USA
I, and many others, have had issues with Ford Fusion brake problems after an ABS event (as it is referred to). The vehicle is in motion and when braking and hitting a patch of ice, for example, the ABS activate. The problem is that the brakes do not return to normal immediately because the ABS pump valves get stuck and the brake fluid circulates. It takes time to come back to normal which is not a normal thing. We believe it should be a safety issue and that the anti-lock brake pump/control module should be recalled. If you were to google search Ford Fusion brake problems and or soft brake pedals, etc (regarding the Fusion) you will find a lot of information. I am a Ford lover and love my Fusion but it is disturbing that Ford refuses to recognize this as a safety recall after emails and contact with Ford. I copied one link to give you an idea of the problem. This has happened multiple times in the past two years. The brakes should return to normal instantly, not after an indefinite period of time. Thank you. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=vwflkcxxzty [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
- Lynwood, IL, USA
Ever since I had to slam on the brakes to avoid someone else getting in an accident 6 months ago on the highway, the brakes have been very spongy. I have replaced brake pads and turned the rotors also bled the brakes. I can still press the pedal to the floor. Can't seem to find a fix. I'm a huge Ford fan, but this is just embarrassing and extremely dangerous for such a popular car and company. Sack up and make a recall for those of us who are true Ford lovers!
- Cypress, CA, USA
My brakes keep failing on my car, even after new brakes. They go all the way to the floor and I have almost been in 6 different accidents, once having to take the shoulder of the road and damaging a rim. It started at 14000 ish off and on and I only have 59000 on it now, and Ford needs to take care of this. I have read so many complaints of the same. I mean this is not only dangerous for me and my passengers, but for anyone in front of me. I want my insurance company to know I have reported this issue, and I also have printed a file of all complaints I have found. They not only fail, but they grind..... with new rotors and brakes as everyone else is saying. I cannot drive it if it rains or snows, because you just cannot stop the car. I nearly was in a pile up on the hiway as well. It is scarey. I would challenge them on this. The other day I could not stop again. This is a problem....so many people are complaining of the same thing.
- Stewartstown, PA, USA
The first time this happened I was sliding into traffic due to icy conditions. After hitting the brakes hard and engaging the ABS system the brakes became spongey and went to the floor. This happened again after having to hit the brakes hard again and this time we were on an interstate. My mechanic has replaced the master cylinder, brakes, and adjusted them. After this happening several times my mechanic researched it to find the the ABS modules on this model are faulty. This has happened 4 times in the last year. This is a very dangerous and expensive defect on this automobile. After searching online I have read several complaints with this model and the same defect has been noted.
- Decatur, IL, USA
ABS activated when slowing for a right hand turn on wet roads then brake pedal went to the floor and got very soft. Car would not slow down, had to pull out of traffic lanes. ABS indicator came on. After restarting car brakes recovered to normal however ABS indicator comes on intermittently.
- Post Falls, ID, USA
Approaching a stop sign on a morning with some ice on the roads, the ABS engaged and the brake pedal went to the floor. All subsequent braking attempts result in the pedal going down to the floor and increased stopping distance. This has happened multiple times over the years with this car. Different components have been replaced but never solved the problem. It typically goes away on its own eventually. Doesn't feel like a safe situation.
- Arlington Heights, IL, USA
Once the ABS applied brake pedal can be smashed to the floor
- Wapakoneta, OH, USA
While trying to stop the car while in motion, the brake pedal goes down all the way to the floor, and it takes longer than it should to stop the car. For several seconds after starting to press the brake, it seems like the car will not stop even though the brake is pressed to the floor. I've almost been in several wrecks and have only avoided them by pressing my brakes well before I have needed to the point of trying to stop at green lights just in case. I have taken it to 3 different Ford dealerships to try and fix the breaks to the point where the brake booster, caliper, and brake module have all been replaced yet the brakes still do not work properly. I hope that this problem can be resolved before someone is killed because he or she was unable to stop his or her car due to the faulty breaks.
- Birmingham, AL, USA
In November 2015 I took my 2008 Ford Fusion to a mechanic because the brake pedal went soft. As I recall, I hit a regular ole pot hole and the brakes were non-existent until I pushed the pedal all the way to the floor. When I took it to the mechanic, he said there was power steering in my master cylinder, and that I needed my master cylinder replaced. I allowed him to do so and the brakes were working properly again. In December of 2015 I was pulling into ted's hotdogs and the pedal went soft, again. I took it back to the same mechanic and he noticed the soft pedal. After bleeding out the brakes the brakes returned to working properly. He said he saw nothing wrong with it and called it, "weird." When I picked it up everything was working fine. January 13th, 2016 I was returning home. There was snow on the ground and I was making a left turn onto my street. The brake pedal went soft again. This morning my mother took it to work and she was forced to run a red light at 5:30 am because she could not stop because the pedal was soft. Every time the pedal went soft, it was because I was making a turn. The speeds I was going at were 40mph, 35mph and 20mph. After further research, I have learned that it has nothing to do with the master cylinder, brakes, rotors nor calipers, but has to do with the ABS and hcu.
- Williamsville, NY, USA
Light snow on roads when I approached a stop sign. Approached slowly and began to lightly apply the brakes. Felt/heard ABS engage when the brake pedal lost all resistance and went to the floor. Began franticly pumping the brakes and, after approximately 10 pumps, they returned. Pulled away from intersection and lightly applied brakes on a dry area of pavement; same result as above. ABS indicator light is not on. Immediately took vehicle to a repair facility (pumping my leg off every time I had to decrease speed) and they found no issue. Stated the problem is likely with the ABS hcu (as they had seen the same issue occur on a Lincoln mks). Pedal restored to normal while traveling home from shop.**updated 9/28/16 two days after I reported the original incident, I was driving my morning commute and began to brake as I approached a busy intersection (three directions of traffic but only 1 direction has to stop). Very small spots of unmelted snow were present on the road and again, the brake pedal went to the floor. I also went beyond my desired stopping point on this occasion, as well. In fact, the vehicle only stopped because I wrecked into the back of another vehicle that was waiting to turn.*smch
- Harrison, OH, USA
Had instance to hit breaks when sliding on ice. Car stopped and ABS was working. Afterwords, pedal depressed to floor. I could stop by pumping them, but thought they had suffured failure. Mechanic I took the car to, said he reset computer code, found air in line, and they worked fine for over a year. Last month, they did the same thing. This time over the course of a couple of days while were away from home, we stopped very carefully. They did seem to correct themselves over the course of time. Returned to mechanic, who went online to try and find reason for problem, after finding no other problem with system, believes that the fault lies in the ABS module. These incidents all happened during extreme braking proceedures.
- The Dalles, OR, USA
After an ABS even the brakes become spongy or even non-existant. 2 different dealers say no problems. This issue has nearly caused several accidents as the brakes are inconsistent. On-line several people point to a failure of the hbu. I just need to know if this is it. I can not keep throwing money at this issue. Ford needs to either step up and recall this or tell dealers what to fix.
- Austin, TX, USA
While slowly driving, I heard a pop noise and then the brake pedal went to the floor. I had the breaks checked, rotor, pad, fluid and had them bled. Nothing wrong and no change. I took them 3 different places and they could find nothing wrong. If I pumped the breaks, the pedal will come back, but if I hit a pothole, minor bump or if its wet, snow or ice...they go out again and I am terrified of wrecking and hurting myself or someone else! I took it in somewhere else and they were able to tell me it's the ABS system and that it may need a new ABS module which is quite expensive! I am very afraid to drive, but I have no choice; work and home. This is a huge safety issue! I have now seen this problem reported several times and no recall" why is this not taken care of? I wonder how many accidents have been due to this? what does it take to have it recalled" it is obviously a defective ABS problem...that Ford is not addressing.
- Mishawaka, IN, USA
- El Paso, TX, USA