2008 Ford Escape Hybrid brake system warning lights coming on and brakes becoming soft. Warning lights will go out and brakes return to normal with a restart. I have read multiple posts about owners having this issue, so am I. Nearly rolled into oncoming traffic. Many owners are being charged thousands for repair. Ford has a technical service bulletin about this issue, but no recall.
However, the Fusion/Milan hybrid manufactured prior to Oct.2010 have a braking software update recall due to complaints of the same nature as the FEH. Yet, the FEH is not included...same brake system?! In order for a recall to be generated for the FEH, we MUST file complaints with Ford Corporate 1-800-392-3673 and NHTSA 1-888-327-4236 to get ANY action. So, it's great to communicate here but useless if this is where you stop. This statement is true to any manufacturer but my personal focus is the FEH. Let's help each other get his problem resolved.
Update from Apr 18, 2018: Evidently, the Fusion and Milan brake problems are considered different due to place of manufacture. I don't understand, but this was Ford's answer. We must call NHTSA 1-888-327-4236 with this complaint to get any action.
Update from Nov 5, 2018: After 7 months, 4 tows, 5 mechanics, 2 dealerships (two bad HCU diagnosis), 1 ABS harness line and 1 ground cleaning...it was the brake hoses collapsing and I had the brake fluid flushed too. A retail tire chain found it in less than 15 minutes. Dealerships here said that if those codes are present, Ford says to replace the HCU 1st! Will NOT even consider venturing into anything else. It's a win-win for Ford, they know this was a bad design, too expensive to recall and I believe they want these cars off the road due to liability. If they can get you in and diagnosis your car with a bad HCU 1) They are off the hook if it's not fixed and in most cases the owner takes the car off the road. 2) VIN specific and $5900 to replace HCU. 3) The part is worth more than the car, causing most people to scrap the car and possibly buy a new Ford (Not me). Big KUDOS to the dealerships who allow critical thinking and let their mechanics be mechanics. In the Louisville area, they are ARROGANT scanner readers and liars. I asked both dealerships to check the tone rings and brake lines, which both "said" they did however, it took a brake/tire store to find the front brake lines were collapsing causing the 1478/1480/2030 codes. I will never buy another Ford!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008 Ford Escape Hybrid brake system warning lights coming on and brakes becoming soft. Warning lights will go out and brakes return to normal with a restart. I have read multiple posts about owners having this issue, so am I. Nearly rolled into oncoming traffic. Many owners are being charged thousands for repair. Ford has a technical service bulletin about this issue, but no recall.
However, the Fusion/Milan hybrid manufactured prior to Oct.2010 have a braking software update recall due to complaints of the same nature as the FEH. Yet, the FEH is not included...same brake system?! In order for a recall to be generated for the FEH, we MUST file complaints with Ford Corporate 1-800-392-3673 and NHTSA 1-888-327-4236 to get ANY action. So, it's great to communicate here but useless if this is where you stop. This statement is true to any manufacturer but my personal focus is the FEH. Let's help each other get his problem resolved.
Update from Apr 18, 2018: Evidently, the Fusion and Milan brake problems are considered different due to place of manufacture. I don't understand, but this was Ford's answer. We must call NHTSA 1-888-327-4236 with this complaint to get any action.
Update from Nov 5, 2018: After 7 months, 4 tows, 5 mechanics, 2 dealerships (two bad HCU diagnosis), 1 ABS harness line and 1 ground cleaning...it was the brake hoses collapsing and I had the brake fluid flushed too. A retail tire chain found it in less than 15 minutes. Dealerships here said that if those codes are present, Ford says to replace the HCU 1st! Will NOT even consider venturing into anything else. It's a win-win for Ford, they know this was a bad design, too expensive to recall and I believe they want these cars off the road due to liability. If they can get you in and diagnosis your car with a bad HCU 1) They are off the hook if it's not fixed and in most cases the owner takes the car off the road. 2) VIN specific and $5900 to replace HCU. 3) The part is worth more than the car, causing most people to scrap the car and possibly buy a new Ford (Not me). Big KUDOS to the dealerships who allow critical thinking and let their mechanics be mechanics. In the Louisville area, they are ARROGANT scanner readers and liars. I asked both dealerships to check the tone rings and brake lines, which both "said" they did however, it took a brake/tire store to find the front brake lines were collapsing causing the 1478/1480/2030 codes. I will never buy another Ford!
- Jane H., New Albany, Indiana, United States