This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
On Nov 26 I was driving to my work at 45 miles per hour and the distance I kept from the car in front of me was sufficient to allow me stopping adequately. Suddenly, I noticed that traffic was approaching to a red light so I tap on the brakes to slow down and stop. However, the brakes were not reducing the speed so immediately I stamped on the brake pedal to let the car stop while simultaneously, I looked to realize that I could not change lanes. At this point I was left with no time to gear down the transmission or to pull the emergency brake. Consequently, my Ford Escape was forced to stop by crashing into the car in front of me and producing a domino effect involving a third vehicle in front of us. Fortunately, no personal injuries were reported from the other two drivers whose cars were involved.. I did suffered slight neck pain and after visiting the hospital I did not had major injuries or nothing to worry about so far. In regards to personal property damages, the two cars in front of mine, had minimal damages but, mine was severely damaged to the point is totally inoperable. All claims were reported and taken care by geico, my insurance company. Also a traffic crash car report was filed. I received a driving traffic citation from the police, which I plan to escalate to the courthouse, after knowing that the brake failure I experienced resulted from manufacturer's defects reported by Ford under recalls 11S24 and 12 S37. * please note that this writing is only for information purposes and to alert any other drivers to perform on-time maintenance check-ups to prevent similar or worst scenarios.
First incident- I was coming off an exit and the car infront of me got cut off on the off ramp because there was an entrance right after the turn, he brake and I slammed on my brakes. My ABS did not kick in. I did rear ended the car infront of me, but my car had all the damage. I did not think anything of this and only blamed myself. My car got repaired. Now (10/28/13)- my cars ABS/brakes are not working. I do not feel safe behind the car. Last year 2012, I got the recalls completed but they were minor. But my ABS system/brakes are crucial. My brakes are sticking, pulsing, going all the way to the floor. It is more than just a tone ring! that is the response I received when I went to a Ford dealership. Something is incorrect with my ABS pump and something has to be done about it. When I think of the first incident I think something may have been wrong all along.
My Escape was parked in driveway when we went to go to town and it was smoking then on fire this was in the evening about 8 if we hadn't gone out we would have had a huge fire witch could have involved 3 other cars not to mention our house we live in ramona ca 92065 and its fire season we are in a rural area..
Had powertrain control module re-calibrated, re-programmed PCM, ABS module connector repair and inspection, ABS relay installation and master cylinder cap replaced, all re-calls. Find out hcu hydraulic control unit is failing which is a safety hazard and can result in brakes failing and possible death from loss of control and accident. Thank god this hasn't happened but Ford needs to take responsibility fix this issue with so many others with same problem.
My 2002 Escape was serviced for a recall issued a few years back. The wiring harness on the ABS brake system. When we took it in to have the recall repaired the dealer said the ABS module was bad- $900 to fix it!! they say it is not related because it didn't catch fire or burn up/melt the wiring harness"? I have to wait for parts to melt or catch fire before they will fix the part it plugs into?" every vehicle we have purchased now in the last 20 years has been a Ford. We paid off both our Ford and were ready to purchase and hand down the Escape to my 16 Y/O daughter.it is not safe! more than 4 recalls all safety related on this vehicle. Our F150 goes in for a few recalls and spark plugs- a whopping $500 to change spark plugs because of the design of the engine and an extra hour of labor for each one that breaks off...lovely! at the mercy of Ford and once again, total dissatisfaction and disappointment. Now they could care less who gets hurt, I'm not going to risk my daughters life or anyone's for that matter. Ford should take care of this. Also, it says 'modified ABS system' in recall with master cylinder cap (not even repaired see below)now they want to charge is $900 to repair. Someone or many will end up injured or worse! my 2002 Escape was serviced for a recall issued a few years back. The wiring harness on the ABS brake system (not good) when we took it in to have the recall repaired the dealer said the ABS module was bad- $900 to fix it!! they say it is not related because it didn't catch fire or burn up/melt the wiring harness?? more than 4 recalls all safety related on this vehicle the newest brake system recall is the master cylinder fluid cap (didn't even know about this one and it was not fixed and my fluid is leaking all over the place.
- Dayton, TN, USA
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The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving downhill at 40 mph and attempting to apply the brakes, the brake pedal abnormally traveled to the floor board. The contact mentioned that in order to stop the vehicle he had to down shift and engage the emergency brake. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 176,000. Updated 3/14/13 the consumer stated both front brake hoses failed at the same time. Updated 03/21/13
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that brake fluid was leaking onto the brake reservoir. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician advised that the master cylinder would need to be replaced but the part was not available for repair. The brake warning light continued to illuminate intermittently. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module) that could have been related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.
When I first start my vehicle and begin driving it, unless I reach 20 mph before needing to brake, the brakes make a grinding noise and at first the pedal resists, then it gives way in, causing the brake to need to pressed down completely before the vehicle will come to a stop. Once I reach the 20 mph or so, the ABS light comes on, and after that, the brakes work fine. I took it to my Ford dealership, they reportedly did not find a problem with the brakes, but performed a recall on only the ABS light itself. This did nothing for the grinding resistance and failure of the brake pedal upon initially needing to stop, and still the ABS light pops on once I reach 20-25 mph.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds she would hear a loud whistling noise. When she would depresses the brakes the noise would stop. The vehicle was later taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the master cylinder was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised her that there were no recalls on her vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 203,000 and the current mileage was approximately 230,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the brakes were exhibiting failures and the vehicle would jerk abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who discovered that the brake lines were fractured and would need replacing. The dealer replaced the brakes, rotors, brake pedal and the brake lines. The vehicle continued exhibiting braking issues after the repair. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign id numbers: 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module), 07V156000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module), and 07E023000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder) and took the vehicle to the dealer for repairs. The dealer denied the recall repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 33,000 and the current mileage was 62,000.
[xxx] was driving her 2002 Ford Escape when, while accelerating up a hill, the speed control throttle guide rotated up into the appearance cover and became latched in a rib. This resulted in a wide open throttle, and [xxx] was unable to slow or stop the car. The brakes then overheated and failed, and she sped through town until she swerved to avoid another car and crashed. Her car rolled several times, and [xxx]was killed. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that brake fluid leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape XLT. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign id number :12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module ). later, the ABS warning light illuminated while traveling 25 mph and the brakes failed to work properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the ABS control module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not further repaired. The failure and current mileages were 111,053.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that in 2010, the vehicle was parked when smoke emitted from under the hood. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the ABS module was the cause of the failure. The ABS module was not replaced at the time of the failure. The vehicle was recently taken to an authorized dealer to be repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic: Anti lock: Control unit/module). The ABS module could not be replaced due to failed wires that posed a fire hazard. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000 and the current mileage was 166,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the ABS warning light remained illuminated and the ABS motor continued running once the engine was turned off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed, which located the failure at the hydraulic control unit. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock: Control unit/module) prior to the failure. The contact was unable to have the vehicle serviced under the recall within a reasonable time period and believed that the failure was caused by the lack of recall service. The manufacture was contacted and denied any assistance with repairs, stating that the hydraulic control unit was not associated with the recall campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact received a recall notice associated with NHTSA campaign id number 07V156000 (service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock: Control unit/module). The manufacturer was notified on March 26, 2012 and informed the contact that the part was unavailable. An authorized dealer was recently notified and they were also uncertain when the part would be available. There are no failures at this time.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated he received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number: 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module) five months ago but the dealer did not have the parts to repair the vehicle. The contact was forced to park his vehicle outside due to the risk of a fire. The manufacturer was contacted and they also stated the parts were unavailable. There are no failures at this time. The current mileage was 136,000.
- Tetonia, ID, USA
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- Orlando , FL, USA