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.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that an abnormal grinding noise would emit from vehicle upon depression of the brake pedal. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic for repair. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted, and parts were ordered for the repair. The dealer sent the parts to the independent mechanic who repaired the vehicle. Recently, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ABS warning light illuminated as the grinding noise returned. The contact also stated that the brake pedal had begun to depress to the floorboard. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle has been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
Vehicle displayed "service emissions system" warning immediately after driving off the lot. After replacement of all emissions parts, vehicle still intermittently displays this warning and occasional "stop safely now" messages causing the engine to shut down. Vehicle also displays "service brake system" warnings daily despite having entire breaking system replaced causing failure of ABS breaking system resulting in brake pedal going all the way to the floor and taking a much longer distance to stop while driving. Vehicle surges forward while stopped at traffic lights increasing the risk of a crash. Vehicle displays "passenger door ajar" warnings although door is shut. This results in alarm and lights flashing constantly resulting in several drained batteries so vehicle does not start. Transfer case or "power take off unit" failed at 125K miles resulting in non-drivable condition.
Brake failure. Pulling up to a stop sign, applied brakes, vehicle started slowing. Brakes released and I had to slam my foot all the way down to get the car to stop. Brought to the dealership and am told there is a technical service bulletin regarding this issue.
Failure of anti-lock braking system while driving on city street. Poor braking performance. Proposed repair is to replace hydraulic ABS unit at a cost of $5400. Vehicle has only 104,000 miles and could be driveable if repaired. I see from the NHTSA website that other owners have had this exact problem.
- Alexandria, VA, USA
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I have a 2007 Ford Escape hybrid with 92518 miles on it. The break lights come on and then it has little breaks.it does this intermittently. I took it to the dealer and they said the hcu was bad and that it would need to be replaced and that it was going to cost me $6000 - $7000 to have it fixed.I put a used hcu on it and they said that one was also bad. I have owned many cars over the years and I have never had to put an hcu on before.I got on line and this seems to be a very common problem. So how come there is no recall since this has to do with the breaks..if this was a Toyota this would have already been addressed..I will never buy another Ford vechial again..I work at a very big shop in town and anyone who askes what kind of car to buy I will tell them to buy a Toyota and not a Ford. Cause apparently Ford doesn't care about safety. P.S. how come I have to take it to the dealer to have the breaks bleed.
The ABS light goes on and I have minimum brakes. When ABS and brake light goes on I have almost no brakes and I end up skidding when stopping. I have have multiple near misses and burned rubber trying to stop. These lights are sporadic but they come on at least 90% of the time. When the lights are off, the brakes are fine. I have taken it to my mechanic and he said there is nothing that they can do because my brakes are fine when they check it. They also said that it looks like its the electrical unit that is on back order and not even available. They have told me that this is a huge problem from many Ford owners and that I should file a complaint to have this recalled.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape hybrid. The contact heard an abnormal noise when the brake pedal was depressed. On one occasion, there was a severe vibration after the brake pedal was depressed and the brake warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to airport marina Ford (5880 w centinela ave, los angeles, ca) where it was diagnosed that the hcu assembly was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
ABS light will randomly appear and my brakes will stop working! I took it into a mechanic and he said that I need a replacement master cylinder. The brake travel sensor is the problem and from what I've read, most people with this car have this same problem. Ford refuses to acknowledge this safety hazard. It is obviously a manufacturing problem. The problem will occur again and again while driving. Lights come on. Brakes stop working.
Sporadic failure of brakes multiple attempts to determine what was wrong finally discovered that the hydraulic control unit needed replacing, at a final cost of over $6000!!!!!!! brake issues felt like hydroplaning, brake lights went on (randomly) and brakes immediately failed- no pressure, pedal to the floor and car did not stop. Brake lights off and auto shop can not find anything wrong. System is life threatening and Ford should recall all cars especially hybrids to replace brakes. Obviously this brake problem only occurs when the vehicle is in motion! a car without brakes is not acceptable.
Upon starting "service brakes soon" warning on dash along with "brake on " and "ABS" warning light. Shut engine down and conducted safe restart. Brakes working at less than 50%. wife can no longer drive vehicle. The consumer no longer owns the vehicle.
Went to press on the brakes to not hit an animal and yellow ABS light illuminates, red brake light illuminates, and "service brake system" message appeared and the car just slid. Once driving your ABS system is deactivated causing the car to just slide when pressing on the brakes. An obdi code reader indicates C1478, C1479, and C1480. Ford recommends changing hydraulic control unit costing over 5 thousand dollars. When unlocking the car or turning the key ignition to the on position you hear the brakes trying to build up pressure and then you hear a loud grinding noise and that is when all the messages appear on the dash. This seems to be a reoccurring issue with Ford Escape hybrids made from 2005 through 2008 according to many customers. No recall yet.
Brake warning lights and brakes feels firm but becomes difficult to stop. Other times it feels just fine. Do not feel save, no longer able to use the car.
The ABS brake light and red brake lights come on and I have very limited braking. Almost like braking on an icy road and at times almost collided with some cars. Then it's not on the next time I start it up again, only to come on again on a different day or so. Brought the car in to my mechanic, but since the lights weren't on at that time, they could not diagnose it. They did however check out my brakes and said everything looked fine. I have 2 small children in my car and drive 20 miles each way everyday to work and their school, this is not safe!! the lights go and and then off the next time, when the lights are off, the brakes are just fine! there is something defective here that is happening and my mechanic cannot figure it out!!! this has been going on for 7 months now!! I will submit the date below of the last time it happened.
A B S brakes quit working after a hard stop in a parking lot to avoid hitting another vehicle, after the Ford dealership had the escape for4 months and in constant contact with the manufactor with a result of replacing themaster cylinder, travel sensorand numerous containers of brake fluid they were still unable to get any brakes. At this point the manufactor decided it needed a a B S module, total parts only were totalling over $6000. It is a 2007 year model with only 115000 miles ran and look great. After reserch on line I saw I was not the only person with this same issue. I think Ford should have a recall because this is a saftey issue.
The car was stationary on May 7th 2016 ABS warning light came on and flashed after starting vehicle. My daughter took to Ford dealer in maryville tn they said needs complete braking system replaced at a cost of $4,349.08. Considering I had the Ford dealer in madison, oh check vehicle from top to bottom (safety check) in Jan. 2016 they replaced the front rotors & brake shoes and deemed everything else in perfect condition. Anyway car was taken to a dealer in carey nc they said needs complete braking system replaced at a cost of $4,800. After researching I have found (hundreds) of people in my situation describing exactly the same issues! shame on Ford for not allowing a recall! I cant afford the pricey repairs and can't afford another car! so sorry I replaced a Honda civic with 239,000 miles with this hunk of junk Escape hybrid!!!! this is a huge safety issue that can have a terrible outcome.
Several times, over a period of 2 years, at low speeds (approx. 30 mph) ABS and brake light come on with alarm sounds. Able to stop, but brakes not responding correctly, turned off ignition, restarted, everything ok. Then ABS and brake light come on and won't go off, have brakes but they don't respond correctly, making the car very unsafe to drive. Go for diagnosis; afterward no brakes and hybrid assist message appears. Car is no longer operable. All brake incidents occurred on city streets or in driveway on starting. Diagnosis: Master cylinder needs replacing and probably hydraulic control unit as well. Total cost for parts before labor $6,000, approximately the same as the value of the vehicle. The failure of these parts is apparently a common and well known problem that Ford refuses to address.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape hybrid. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at approximately 50 mph, the brake pedal was jammed to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where they diagnosed that the brakes needed to be bled. The vehicle was repaired, however the failure recurred and the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brakes needed to be bled properly and tubing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure recurred again. The contact stated that vehicle was returned to the dealer where it was diagnosed as the hydraulic control unit. The vehicle was not repaired. The manuafactuer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000. The VIN was not provided.
While driving at approx. 30 mph the amber ABS and red brake warning lights came on. Power assist for braking failed. Unlike vacuum assist in a non-hybrid vehicle (when in the case of failure you can still still stop fairly quickly with extreme foot pressure on the brake pedal) with the Escape hybrid, no matter how hard you press the brake pedal, you are limited to about 10% of normal braking force. Diagnostic error code was C1477. Ford documented fix is to try bleeding the brake system and see if that works. If not replace ABS module and hcu. Dealer said bleeding system would be $900. If that did not work replace ABS module/hcu for an additional $4500. So, try bleeding the brakes, ride around for a month or two to see if problem returns. If problem returns replace ABS module/hcu and hope that fixes it. There may be 2 or 3 or 4 visits to the shop to have the problem fixed. Thats an extra 1-3 times for a fatal accident to occur. A note to NHTSA investigators....just because there are no documented deaths from these failures (as far as I can tell) it does not mean there is no reason for a recall. A sudden failure of brakes with no warning on dozens (if not hundreds) of these Escape hybrid vehicles is cause for alarm.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Dayton, OH, USA