2009 Ford Fusion brake failure was experienced while driving 30-40mpg on an exit ramp that was in a curve during the rain and during applying the brakes, the ABS engaged unexpectedly and the pedal went to the floor. The braking distance increased roughly twice the normal required distance to come to a stop while requiring significantly increased pedal pressure. Pumping the brakes twice did not help stop the car or to build pressure in the pedal. I was successful in recreating the issue while stopping over grass in the road causing ABS engagement or over gravel on pavement to cause the ABS engagement with the results being roughly 40% of the time the pedal goes to the floor. To get the brake pedal to return to normal I quickly and harshly jab the brakes many times causing the hcu to become unstuck only for the issue to return during the next few tests. This is my 2nd faulty hcu!!! please recall this safety issue.

- Manakin Sabot, VA, USA

After engaging the ABS system on a gravel road, the brake pedal went soft. It now requires significant pumping and increased distance to stop the vehicle. The master cylinder was replaced, but this did not fix the problem. Research uncovered that this is a known problem/defect with this model year Fusion. I am wondering if there is any momentum towards a Ford recall on this ABS issue. It is a significant safety hazard, and well documented.

- Grayling, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Fusion. While driving approximately 45 mph, the brake pedal became soft and failed to stop the vehicle. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to friendly Ford (734-243-6000, located at 2800 N telegraph rd, monroe, mi 48162) where it was diagnosed that the calipers needed to be replaced. The calipers were replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer, but the technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not remedied. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000. The consumer stated the manufacturer was notified and suggested taking the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer could not detect an issue. The consumer requested that the ABS hcu be replaced. The vehicle was replaced.

- Newport, MI, USA

I am also experiencing soft/nearly failing brakes that no shop can find the cause of on my meticulously maintained 2009 Ford Fusion. I refer to your current investigation NHTSA action number: EA18002 first happened in another town when driving from a stop slowly around a corner through a puddle...ABS engaged, brakes went soft. Took to a nearby shop who looked, tinkered with it, could find nothing, but the brakes firmed up again. Again new years day 2017, rolled over a patch of ice, same thing, ABS engaged, brakes went soft, pumping did not help. Took to my local shop, they put it on a rack, couldn't find anything wrong, tinkered with the emergency brake, apparently did the trick. It did it again two days ago when I stopped hard due to a car in front of me stopping quickly without notice. Been soft ever since. I have no records because no one charged me for checking it out. My local Ford dealer where I bought this has done all brake work and fluid exchange as needed and recommended. It just underwent a safety check a week ago while having an oil change and all was well. This is very dangerous. Ford has got to address this and putt the trigger on replacing the hcus like is the suspected culprit. Someone's going to get killed.

- Lexington, KY, USA

The brakes in the car seemed "squishy" or soft requiring that the driver push the brake pedal nearly through the floor to engage the brakes. I have taken it to multiple shops and had multiple repairs including but not limited to, 2 brand new master cylinders. Several near miss incidents have happened but luckily no accidents. I took the car in today to have the takata airbag recall completed and was told I needed a new hcu. It is my understanding that there have been multiple complaints regarding this make and model regarding faulty hcu parts.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

I had to hit my brakes to avoid a collision while driving on a city street while it was raining. Ever since, the brake pedal has gone all the way to the floor with very little pressure. The first occurrence happened in June 2017 but has been a continous and very scary issue since then. I took my car to a Ford dealership where they originally told me the master cylinder needed to be replaced. The master cylinder was replaced but I was told that the brakes were still not working correctly. Upon further investigation by the dealership, I was told the hydraulic control unit would need to be replaced. The car is currently being serviced at a Ford dealership

- Linwood, MI, USA

Takata recall: I have received 3 notices for this recall but each time it says part is not available at this time. Not only do I have to worry about my car being unsafe due to this recall I have learned this model is also having problems with brakes freezing up which has happened to me several times in the last 4 years. There is no recall on brake issues but I know there has been hundreds of complaints about this issue as well

- Kansas City, MO, USA

Occasionally when the vehicle hits a bump or pot hole the brakes immediately becomes soft and loses power to stop the vehicle. It repeats itself and one has to slow it down with engine braking. After a day or two it becomes okay again. Till next time and it happens again. There seems to be apparently nothing wrong with the system, everything checks out and we are not able to duplicate the events on demand. When the brake fails it is a major safety risk and can cause collision and may result in fatalities. There are many (at least 300) reported issues very similar to what I am having. Ford has not recalled the vehicles to fix this major safety fault. By pumping the brakes we are able to stop the vehicle but it takes a longer distance to stop. Last time it happened was August 20, 2018 and stayed soft for three days and is now working fine.

- Rancocas, NJ, USA

Dangerous brake problem. During wet conditions brakes lock up when applying the brakes quickly. The car will shake like it is going over a high grate in the road when it is the brakes stuttering. The pedal goes to the floor and the car does not stop for at least 25 feet.I have had three near collision due to this problem. Since 2012 I have had to replace the rosters twice but it does not fix the problem. There has been thousands of complaints about this problem and something needs to be done.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

While driving the vehicle the service brake pedal will randomly go to the floor. During these events there is no slowing of the vehicle just as though you haven't applied the service brakes. If you pump the brakes you can then start to slow the vehicle.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

NHTSA action number: EA18002 the NHTSA action item listed above affects my Ford Fusion too. I lose breaking power so much that I must apply the break petal to the floor in order to come to a complete stop and this also does affects the total stopping distance.

- Peachtree City, GA, USA

My brakes depress all the way to the floor before stopping and scared they are going to stop working. Was told it was the ABS hydraulic brake control unit. Since then I have investigated it on the internet and see that this is a big problem. Complained to Ford & they said there was no recall or assistance at this time. If this is a big problem then it needs to be fixed immediately.

- Murray, KY, USA

After hitting a bumpy road my brakes went to the floor and stopping power just went away. Checked at shop. All pads replaced. Fluid changed completely twice. Master cyl and hoses not leaking, now I have really weak braking system from the federally mandated system 49 cfr 571.135 - standard no. 135 that is installed in my car and cant get it repaired. Do I just throw a car I bought brand new away? mileage 88000 started now at 92000. New tires and talked to Ford house but no one will commit to any answers. Have a student trying to drive this car in college and around town. Roads are rough from drought and constantly trying to pump brakes but it makes no difference while driving. If just starting off for the day a lot of times you have good brakes until something happens and they just go away. Hard to watch road, speed people and pump brakes all the time. Lets go. Step up and do your job........... no injuries yet close calls at traffic lights.

- Wichita Falls, TX, USA

Problem occurs when vehicle is in motion. We (two drivers) experienced intermittent braking hesitation. Usually when driving on rough pavement, and especially when turning, brakes will hesitate to activate properly. Brake pedal tends to drop near the floor before braking occurs. Have noticed approximately 20-30 feet of additional pavement distance is covered before brakes fully engage. New brake pads were installed within the last 20,000 miles, but this is believed to be an issue with a faulty ABS. We believe this is likely an issue with corrosion and/or sticky valves in the ABS unit as others have described and posted on-line.

- Shelby Township, MI, USA

I have a 2009 Ford Fusion sel 2.0 V6. My wife and I were travelling at highway speeds when traffic began to slow in front of us. With plenty of room to stop I began applying the brakes, but they just kept travelling until the pedal was on the floor. The car eventually stopped, but only after swerving into the narrow shoulder and narrowly missing the guard rail and stopped traffic. Since this incident the brakes are very soft and will periodically lose enough pressure to where the pedal will go all the way to the floorboard. It seems random and is very dangerous. My wife will not even drive the car anymore after our highway scare. From my reading the the zinc hydraulic control unit in the ABS systemhas a coating that turns gelatinous over time when met with brake fluid. It is a very obvious and dangerous defect that should be corrected by Ford, and has been in later models. That, in and of itself, should prompt a safety recall. I hope the NHTSA findings will help to protect our safety as consumers.

- Irving, TX, USA

Tried to brake as usual and brakes were not as responsive and needed more pressure/time to stop. ABS light came on shortly after. Ford believes that the cause is ABS module and/or ABS hcu (ABS pump motor failure). They are unable to determine actual cause until I py $3,000 to replace each potential issue. While brakes seem to operate ok now, the car needs more time to stop. Have seen multiple complaints online w the same issue (spongy brakes, ABS module failures). I have also been unable to obtain the recall replacement for passenger side airbag as they are short on parts.

- Seattle, WA, USA

I drove over a set of bumpy railroad tracks and about a 1/4 mile down the road, when I went to stop, my brake pedal went to the floor. I still had some brake pressure to stop though. I made it to a parking lot to check for leaks but did not see any. I pumped the brakes and I got my brake pressure back and the brake pedal was back to normal.

- Ortonville, MI, USA

Brakes have failed twice randomly. Coming to a stop at stop sign and stopping at yellow light (this one was scary). ABS seems to pulsate back and then pedal goes straight to floor. First time I was able to pump brakes back up and drive to dealer. They said nothing was wrong. Second time I was unable to pump back up. After sitting for an hour or so the brakes were working again. I took to dealer for second time and again, nothing wrong. Clearly there is something wrong and huge safety issue. I don't want the third time it happens to actually be a crash! very unsafe and do not understand how they say nothing is wrong.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

Driving at 45 mph I had to brake over a bumpy section of paved road, my ABS activated then the brake pedal went real soft and almost to the floorboard. My braking distance increased tremendously, I almost hit another vehicle that was in front of me. No ABS warning indicator light came on before or after the incident. Brakes feel extremely weak after the incident and stiil do after pumping them many times. Approximately 82,200 miles on my 2009 Ford Fusion SE 2.3L. Did a little research and it sounds like this is a common problem for this vehicle and should be a recall on the ABS hydraulic control unit. Extreme safety concern for braking.

- Livonia, MI, USA

While sitting at a red light the brake pedal will go soft or have to resort to double pumping of the brake pedal for them to grab.

- Zion, IL, USA