2009 Ford Escape Hybrid: brake failure

Filed Oct 26, 2018 · Brakes · 135,000 miles · MI

Hydraulic central unit failed, requiring replacement to prevent failure of the system and loss of braking ability of the car.

Filed Jul 13, 2018 · Brakes · 98,000 miles · VA

Car passed safety inspection in may 2018. Brake pads were replaced in may 2017. On the highway when my brakes failed in june 2018. Was going about 55 MPH. Had car towed. Problem was diagnosed as a master cylinder failure. Told since the brake fluid resevoir was full and no obvious signs of leakage, this couldn't be predicted or prevented. Repair made. Brakes failed again. I was on a city street and was going about 25 MPH. Problem diagnosed as a de-linking of the computer systems. Brakes failed again (third time in a month). Unable to replicate. There is no warning. The warning comes on at the same time as the failure. Brakes fail unexpectedly in a parking lot. Going about 2 MPH.. Third time car was in a parking lot. I feel fortunate not to have crashed. I no longer feel safe in my ford escape.

Filed Jan 27, 2017 · Brakes · 102,000 miles · NJ

I was driving in my work parking garage when I got a, "check brake system" warning on my dash, and a couple of dashboard lights lit up, including the emergency brake light. I suddenly realized that I had no brakes, and I was pressing my brake pedal to the floor in an attempt to stop the car. Luckily I was going about 5-10 MPH and there were no cars or people in front of me. I was able to continue around the parking garage until the car slowed, then used my emergency brake to stop the car. I started reading the manual trying to figure out what went wrong, and that didn't help. I turned the car back on and there were no warnings or lights on my dash, so I tentatively moved the car. The brakes worked perfectly. I drove it to a nearby mechanic shop to have it looked at before it acted up again. They said I needed to take it to a dealership since it was a hybrid and they were getting high voltage battery codes that they weren't experienced with. The dealership mechanics spend the next 2 days trying to figure out the issue and recreate the problem. They were finally able to recreate it and told me the ABS control module had an electrical issue and needs to be replaced, for approximately $2,000, due to no fault of my own. Everything else on the car is in great condition, and my car only has 100,000 miles, so I am going to foot the bill. *tr

Filed Sep 11, 2016 · Brakes · 86,485 miles · VA

Sudden and immediate loss of braking system without any warning lights etc. I had started car, backed down my driveway and entered roadway when ABS and brake warning lights appeared and I had no braking system operating. I had to be towed to a service station.

Filed Jul 27, 2015 · Brakes · 58,600 miles · CA

The initial incident in which the hydraulic brakes failed in my 2009 ford escape hybrid was in early june 2015. The vehicle was serviced at the dealership on june 17, 2015 at 57,164 miles. The service department was unable to duplicate the brake failure: where hydraulic brakes go soft, making it very difficult to stop, and then the check brake system light and the ABS light turn on. The vehicle must be turned off and restarted for the system to reset itself. The hydraulic brakes failed again on july 25, followed by two more failures on july 26, 2015. The only common factors that may be linked to my brake failure incidents are use of power window and turning airconditioning on/off multiple times. The vehicle spent a full day at the dealership (july 27), and baffled service personnel are waiting for ford hotline to provide direction.

Filed Jul 17, 2014 · Brakes · MN

I own a 2009 ford escape hybrid and on june 28, 2014 when I was driving the brakes suddenly failed. The red brake warning lamp lit with an alarm sound and message - 'check brake system'. The brakes did not work and reverted to the fail safe mode where it required pedal to the floor to stop the vehicle. I pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and stopped. On restarting the vehicle the brakes returned to normal operation. This was very concerning as it could have resulted in an accident/injury. It did not occur for 2 weeks then on july15th, 2014 while my wife was driving the vehicle on the highway the brakes failed again with the same message and alarm. She had use the hand break and pull the vehicle to the side. On shutting down and restarting the brakes returned to normal operation. I have taken the vehicle to ford dealership and they have not been able to reproduce the issue and the brake systems checked out as working properly. There were some error codes but they were not able to provide any conclusive evidence as to the cause of this issue. All they said was there was a communication error and they cannot do anything about it. I had the vehicle taken to another repair shop after the second incident and they told me the same. They asked me to bring it back when it happens again but I do not know if they understand the risk of driving a vehicle with brake systems that can fail at any time. I have read in internet and few blogs about this issue with the ford escape hybrid vehicles and it seems to related to a flawed design. Its a shame that ford is not taking any action on it. I do not understand what they are waiting for, anything involving brakes not working should be considered very serious and actions need to be taken quickly.

Filed Jul 2, 2014 · Brakes · 90,000 miles · VA

Backing out of garage at home brakes failed. Was unable to stop almost backed in to a parked car. Since backing out was going very slow and pushed brake as hard as possible to the floor finally getting the car to stop. The ABS light, parking brake light, and check brake system came up. Car was taken to service station in neighborhood and ignition turned off. Started car back up and no lights were on and brake functioning was almost normal.

Filed Mar 6, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 99,257 miles · MI

Sudden brake failure with no warning. Vehicle was initially traveling at 55 MPH when a sudden stop was initiated by driver. Vehicle stopped as expected. Vehicle also stopped as expected 3 more times over next couple miles. However, when brake pedal was depressed prior to next turn (now from 45 MPH), brake pressure was low, pedal travel was long, and vehicle did not slow. At this time 3 dash indicator lights illuminated: ABS, brake pressure/emergency brake, and traction control. No warning chime or driver information message. Vehicle did begin to slow at slow rate once brake pedal was depressed all the way to floor. Issue remained for duration of 1/2 mile drive home. Vehicle was then parked, ignition switched off, then restarted after ~30 seconds. Warning lights went off, and brake pedal pressure was normal after restarting. Brake fluid reservoir level was okay. All systems function normal during 1 mile test drive. Vehicle has no history of brake problems.

Filed Nov 21, 2013 · Brakes, Transmission · 112,112 miles · CA

Driving down a major blvd. 4 lights turned on simultaneously, brake, ABS, traction control and the "wrench" icon indicating a major failure. Brake pedal went to the floor and I experienced an 80% loss of braking power narrowly avoiding a collision with cars stopped in front of me. Lights remained on and brakes were severely compromised as I limped to the nearest repair shop with very little braking ability. Turned the car off. When I restarted the car all systems were operational and all lights were off. Drove the car to a ford dealer the following day for evaluation. Dealer diagnosed a compromised battery as the source of failure and replaced the battery. Dealer service rep denied this problem had anything to do with hydraulic control unit as other reports mention with the exact same symptoms on your site, as well denied problems with the master cylinder or regenerative braking system. The battery didn't explain the problem to me, why then did the car continue to drive normally for a while following the failure before the battery was replaced? Even if this is the problem, no battery light indicated a problem prior to failure. Am I to expect brake failure to be what announces my battery might be in need of replacement? No fail safe mechanism appears to be in place on this vehicle. Treacherous. I'll likely sell the car as I don't want my less experienced 16 yr old to be confronted with this issue. I was lucky to have left plenty of following distance, without which I most certainly would have become the victim of an accident.

Filed Oct 7, 2013 · Brakes · 63,400 miles · GA

Driving down hill on dry pavement at 35mph. Gentle braking for red traffic light. Everything normal until slowed nearly to a stop. Then a sudden loss of braking effect requiring extreme pressure on brake. Simultaneous with the loss of braking a clunking sound was heard and several warning lights came on including brake, ABS, & traction lights. Drove to a safe location with the warning lights still on and the brakes requiring markedly more force to apply. Engine never stalled. Once parked I turned off the car and removed the key. When I restarted the car all the lights went out and the brakes behaved normally. Drove the car to nearest dealer. They found no codes and could find nothing wrong. Called national service number and was assigned case # [xxx]. Almost hit car ahead of me. Now I am afraid to operate vehicle. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Oct 2, 2013 · Brakes · 25,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ford escape hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the check brakes, ABS and traction control warning lamps illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 25,000. Updated 11/15/13*cn the consumer stated on three occasions, the brake became very soft and all the warning lights illuminated. Updated 12/3/13 the consumer experienced a fourth brake failure. The dealer stated it would cost $3,600 to replace the hydraulic brake system. Updated 09/17/14 after inspecting the vehicle, the dealer determined the problem was the brake pressure switch. It was replaced at a cost of $670. Updated 10/28/14

Filed Jul 26, 2012 · Brakes · 78,000 miles · TN

Upon starting car, check brake system warning came on. Attempted to take it to dealer but, when approaching stop sign, brake pedal went to the floor and could barely stop. I made it back home and also noted that the vehicle could no longer hold itself up even on a small incline. This happened for no apparent reason and brakes had been working as normal with no indication of wear. Had tow truck take it local ford dealer and the driver said he tested the brakes and they were working. Once at the dealer, the service manager said he drove it around parking lot and all seemed fine. I told him how the wrench warning light (power train) had come on approximately 3 times in a month, but never stayed on after vehicle shut off and restart. He said that all these warnings should be stored in the computer but when checked, the system was totally clear of any errors or warnings. The ford dealer is not sure what to do with it now, after having it for over 4 days, and they are concerned because everything to appears to working normally and no issues with the brakes themselves. I feel it is unsafe to have a car where the brakes can spontaneously stop working, for no apparent reason, which seems to lead to a software malfunction.