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9.1

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,170
Average Mileage:
114,150 miles
Total Complaints:
46 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (31 reports)
  2. replace hydraulic control unit (13 reports)
  3. repair brakes (2 reports)
2008 Ford Fusion brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Ford Fusion Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #26

Oct 072016

Fusion 3.2L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Spongey brakes. tryed to stop the pedal went all the way to the floor had to pump brakes. Looking up on internet looks like theres LOTS of complaints about this. I dont have the money to get it fixed right now so my car is just sitting. making payments on something I am not using because of this crap!!!

- kbarnes1209, White Lake, MI, US

problem #25

Feb 012016

Fusion

  • Automatic transmission
  • 165,000 miles

I OWN THIS VEHICLE BUT MY DAUGHTER USES IT, SOMETIMES WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, ROTORS/DRUMS SERVICED, FLUID CHECKED, ETC., BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHEN BRAKING. SHE REFUSES TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE IN OUR AREA AS SHE'S WORRIED SHE WON'T BE ABLE TO STOP AT THAT HIGH RATE OF SPEED! SO, MOSTLY, SHE DRIVES BETWEEN 30 AND 45 MPH. I'VE DRIVEN IT ON THE INTERSTATE BUT AM VERY CONSCIENTIOUS ABOUT MY FOLLOWING DISTANCE. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT HAVE YET TO FIND THE PART AND LABOR AT A REASONABLE COST.

AS I WAS RESEARCHING THE COST OF PART AND LABOR I CAME ACROSS WAY MORE COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM, DATING BACK SEVERAL YEARS ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT MODEL YEAR FUSIONS. I'M DUMBFOUNDED AS TO WHY FORD HAS NOT RECALLED THESE VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM. I'VE BEEN A FORD PRODUCT OWNER FOR 20+ YEARS BUT THE PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH THIS FUSION AND WITH MY WITH MY OTHER FORD PRODUCT HAVE GOT ME THINKING I WON'T BE BUYING ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT EVER!

IF THIS COMPLAINT TIPS THE SCALE TO MAKE FORD RECALL THESE VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM THEN I'LL COMPLAIN ALL DAY! FORD MOTOR COMPANY REALLY NEEDS TO STEP UP HERE.

- Rebecca B., Kingston, TN, US

problem #24

Oct 022016

Fusion SE 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,565 miles

Brake modual I have been told not good. Should not be happy. Wife will not drive until fixed and I'm retired and can't afford this.

- Ruth L., Lenexa, KS, US

problem #23

Dec 112016

Fusion SE 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The cost of the suspected problem (HCU) is ridiculous-$1200!

- eagle49544, Walker, MI, US

problem #22

Jan 022017

Fusion SE 3.Ol

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

My husband and I purchased our 2008 Ford Fusion new and has always been dependable with very minor maintenance issues. The car has 61,000 miles now and on two separate occasions within the last six months I noticed that the brakes would go all the way to the floor when pressure was applied and in both cases almost caused an accident. We took it to our mechanic who replaced the brakes. A month after the replacement I had to stop suddenly on a crowded highway and again, I had no brakes, when pressure was applied. It is a scary feeling knowing you have no control over the car and could cause an accident or injury at anytime.

We took the car to our Ford dealer who had no idea of any issues with the brake system in the 2008 Fusions since there had been no recall or any complaints registered with the dealership. After his mechanic looked at the car he said the ABS Hydraulic Unit failed and had to be replaced for $1,400.

When I got home I googled this problem and found that there have been 141 complaints registered already about a malfunction in the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit which causes a loss of braking in the 2007-2009 Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan vehicles.

Why hasn't Ford made the dealers aware of this issue? Why hasn't there been a recall on this very serious issue?

There is a definite ABS malfunction issue that 141 people are reporting and Ford needs to step up and take responsibility before there is serious injury or a fatality. 141 people cannot be wrong.

Ford should be doing a better job in making their service people aware that there is a potential problem brewing due to the failure of the ABS Hydraulic Control Units to work properly in the cars they sell. - Peg F.

- Peg F., broomall, PA, US

problem #21

Dec 062016

Fusion SEL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 188,500 miles

after a sudden braking to avoid a collision, the ABS was activated. Ever since, the brakes feel spongy and the brake pedal travels more than before, when doing normal braking. The brakes do work, however, the pedal traveling feeling is definitely a concern. I now see this is a common complaint from other drivers who had the ABS activated. Hope the investigation prompts FORD to offer a recall/repair.

- Robert H., Delaware, OH, US

problem #20

Dec 102016

Fusion SEL 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 151,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

It snowed today. I went driving down my apt parking lot and the abs system activated because I ended up sliding down the hill on ice. After I made it to the bottom of the hill my brakes were completely not working normal. I had to basically press the brakes to the floor. I thought I was going to slide straight across the parking lot into the road and into another oncoming vehicle!! I thought pumping my brakes would have fixed the issue as it happened to me once before driving snow and never had an issue since then until now. I got home and quickly googled the issue I was happening and found this issue posted on car complaints. If it is indeed the master cylinder or hydraulic unit of the abs system, I will be indeed mad as that is a very expensive fix based on the responses on here. I will try to get in the shop as I don't want to crash on or experience this issue ever again!

Update from Dec 10, 2016: I also want to state that I have had all four rotors and brakes repaired prior to these events.

- baheth, Des Moines, IA, US

problem #19

Nov 142016

Fusion SEL 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles

June 2016 I hit a pothole going 5-10mph while pressing the brakes around a corner. I heard a pop and lost all functions of the brakes. Luckily there was not much traffic and I was able to roll to a stop with the emergency hand brake and restarted the car. After doing so, I had full function of the brakes again. Nov 2016, I was braking to a stop light and hit a slick spot (which activated the ABS brakes) I lost pressure in my brakes and rolled through the intersection. Again, I restarted the car and the pressure was back. Took to the ford dealer and they were not able to replicate the issue or had a fix for it. With winter coming, I would like to get this fixed so I brought the car to a trusted mechanic and he took the car out on a gravel road and replicated the issue. Determined the hydraulic control unit needed replaced.

- Max P., Kansas City, KS, US

problem #18

Nov 042016

Fusion SEL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Just within a couple weeks ago my breaks went out when I was trying to slow down on the highway. I ended up pulling over on the side of the highway. Parked then pumped my brakes until I had pressure. Last Friday (11/11/16) I dropped my car off at the dealership. I was told after a diagnostic test that my HCU had to be replaced which would cost $1,530 and that my oil light was on and would cost $240. The oil light was not on when I dropped off the car. I am angry. Just less than 2 months ago spent $2700 on a PCU to replace because the whole car died and they had to replace ingitition coils and spark plugs too. There should be a recall on this. It is very dangerous to not know when they are not going to work and you could easily kill someone or yourself in the process of not being able to break. This is will be the only FORD FUSION I ever buy. Very disappointed.

- reddog553, San Antonio, TX, US

problem #17

Sep 012016

Fusion SE 2.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,000 miles

My 20 year old daughter drives this car (08 Fusion) and god forbid since ford hasn't recalled the problem with the stuck abs valve yet ... ford will be sued for not recalling this problem if anything happens. ford wants over 2000.00 to fix this problem and the car is worth 3000.00. why doesn't ford step up to the plate and act like a real business instead of a business that will soon go bankrupt if they don't start to make good on their car safety.

- Rich B., Ringwood, NJ, US

problem #16

Apr 082016

Fusion LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,684 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Had brake problems all year. Took it to dealership where I bought the car & informed them brake pedal goes all the way to floor before stopping & sometimes had to pump brakes. They diagnosed it as needing new rear brakes. Replaced them. Problem still occurred, took back into dealership, they said it was the front brakes and rotors. Replaced those too. Brake pedal still went to the floor.

Took back again 10/15/16, dealership diagnosed it as brake master cylinder and bleeding brake system. Had that done at another shop due to price. Problem still exist. Took back to dealership 11/2/16, they kept all day and still could not find problem, needed to leave overnight. Finally a call back next day in the afternoon. Now they stated it is the hydraulic control assembly control unit in the abs system & going to cost $1300!!!!! After several times of misdiagnoses only gave us a break on new diagnostics !!! This needs a recall

- steritup, Soledad, CA, US

problem #15

Jan 222015

Fusion 4L Engine

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,000 miles

I brought this car last year from Car Max. I brought it from them because they guaranteed a 27 point inspection. i have had 4 episodes of spongy brakes when I hit a bump or turn sharp. I have front brakes and rotors put on and rear brakes and rotors put on and the problem keeps persisting.

I looked online to see if other people were having the same problem. Yes, they were. So I call the Ford and they told me to take it to the nearest dealership or to a Ford dealer. I took it to Bill Kay in Midolotian and they act like they had no idea of what was happening with this car. So iI told them to go online and see other complaints. This is a very bad part on this car and I could kill myself or other people.

I think Ford needs to do something about this problem before someone gets killed, but I guess someone has to die before this will be corrected. When I took this car to the shop they told me that it will cost me $1,400.00 to repair the module or put in a new one. This was not my problem and I think this car had this problem from the get go.

I am 63 years old and I have had many cars and never had a problem like this in my life! This is very dangerous and I don't think Ford should make people pay for their mistakes. There needs to be a serious recall on this car's braking system. The brakes go to the floor intermittently. You have no idea when its going to happen, but I pay close attention when I go over a bump or make a sharp turn,

Will you please help us my phone number is 708-214-4057 can you give me some help in solving this problem. Please, please help. I don't have this kind of money to spend on a car !!!!

- Toni N., Merrillville, IN, US

problem #14

Sep 132016

Fusion SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,500 miles

I need to drive the interstate to work everyday. If I hit a bump in the road at the same time that I am braking, my brakes get soft and I have to press the pedal all the way to the floor. I took the car to a repair shop and they charge $100 to bleed the air our of the brakes. Two weeks later the same thing happened. I don't have $200 a month to keep the brakes working. I don't want to trade the car for another year, but I can't afford an accident either. Is there a solution?

- linda b, Indianapolis, IN, US

problem #13

Sep 212016

Fusion

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,701 miles

My daughter has been driving this car for several years. Earlier this year she had to brake hard to avoid hitting a dog while it was dark and raining. After that and several times since then including yesterday's incident, 09/21/16, the brakes then go all the way to the floor (antilock brakes do that), however, they then do not go back to normal, and she has to put the brake all the way to the floor and has almost gotten into accidents as a result. Took it to our mechanic and he indicated that it's hard to pinpoint the problem unless he sees it while it is still doing it. Hopefully taking it to him today. My concern is obviously safety, but after reading numerous (some posts in the 100's) complaints on many websites of other people having the exact same problem, I have decided that if we all don't file reports here, including your VIN and also filing complaints with the NHTSA and using your VIN - very important! - they are never going to issue a recall. Solidarity people! Take the literally couple of minutes to do this and maybe we can get something done!!! Have a great day

- Elizabeth H., Sheridan, IL, US

problem #12

Aug 012016

Fusion

  • 88,000 miles

My son drives this car and the brakes will fail randomly. What happens is under quick stops, the brakes go to the floor, no brakes or very spongy brakes. It happened several months ago, took it to Firestone and no defect was found. This time going ot the Ford dealer and hoping someone has experience with this issue. If not, will get rid of this 2008 Ford Fusion and get something else. This has been a great car except for the front wheel bearing failure x 3. But that may have been my fault as I hit the curb on a newly graded road and damaged the wheel and tire.

- Robert B., Honolulu, HI, US

problem #11

Jul 272016

Fusion SE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

This started around a year ago after a near collision. The ABS engaged and the pedal went to the floor. To make the issue temporarily resolve you can run about 20 MPH and slam on the breaks and the pedal will return to normal. If you do not perform this procedure the pedal will be soft and you will have to put it on the floor to brake.

The dealership wants 2k to fix this. All signs point to the HCU or ECU units.

I can't believe there hasn't been a recall on this. I guess enough people haven't died in accidents to get Ford's attention. The car is only worth $2500 so I guess I will drive it until I can trade it off. Thanks Ford!

- Travis T., Austin, TX, US

problem #10

Jul 062016

Fusion SEL 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

I was driving my car and went to apply the brake when the car hit a bump and the brakes went to the floor. The rest of my drive home resulted in poor braking and the pedal being squishy and going all the way to the floor. I checked the brake fluid , levels were normal, shut off the car and turned it back on, no help. It has happened before but not to this extend. It always happens when I am braking and hit a bump in the road. I guess I should have the hydraulic module checked. I can't afford to have my brakes go out with my 3 year old son in the car.

- maltsgirl318, Macomb, MI, US

problem #9

Sep 042015

Fusion LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,998 miles

even after the first time at mileage 89,990 the brakes failed going down a hill, got it to the dealer no recourse, they couldn't detect a problem, but if you check NHSTA there were over 300 with the exact same problem, then a few months go by and the exact same thing happened trying to stop on the highway, pump the brakes no brakes,, had to try to get over on the side of the road before we ran into a truck, back to FORD and $ 2,070 later, the NHSTA needs to have a recall on all FORD FUSIONS FOR BRAKES AND TRANSMISSIONS. WHAT ARE THEY WAITING FOR? SOME ONE TO DIE FIRST, WELL I HOPE IT ISN'T ME OR MY FAMILY

- vpowell, Garner, NC, US

problem #8

Apr 132016

Fusion 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

I just bought a used 2008 Fusion about a month and a half ago. On occasion, I have tried to stop fast and my brake pedal goes to the floor. I have found that if I pump the brakes, the pressure builds and it will stop a bit better at the moment. The brakes stayed this way for about 24 hours before brakes went back to normal.

Looking at this site, it doesn't look like there is a solution and this could be very dangerous. I am upset that I just bought this car and now may have an unsafe vehicle that I have to live with. I don't have money to just spend on repairs and see if it works. I don't know where to go next for help.

- denao, Bellevue, NE, US

problem #7

Jan 072016

Fusion

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles

We have had this car for about four years now and last January 2015 it was slick and I had to apply the brakes really hard and the ABS engaged and right after that the brakes went down to the floor. Took it to my mechanic and they replaced the brakes and then it happened again and they replaced the master cylinder. Each time the brakes went back to normal and then it happened once again and the mechanic adjusted the back brakes and they went back to normal. It just happened again!!!

It finally hit me that every time I had to hit the brakes hard I would lose my brakes. This is a very dangerous and serious defect with this car. I own two Ford Fusions and I will never buy this car again!

- Mark W., Decatur, IL, US

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