We purchased the vehicle 30 minutes prior. We were in stop and go traffic until leaving the freeway 1 lights prior to the accident. When my daughter tried to use the brakes the pedal went straight to the floor. When she pumped them numerous times, there wasn't any change. She didn't have any brakes. She rear ended my newly purchased vehicle from the same dealership. Police were at the light where she rearended me. They confirmed no brakes, my husband did, the tow truck driver too. When it was received to the body shop on monday morning the brakes were very soft according to the technician. After sitting for a week, the brakes worked fine. They cant determine why the brakes failed. The dealership was the first call I made at the accident and they told me they know it had legal brakes. Come to find out the brake fluid was black and has an outstanding recall with the ABS that had never been taken care of. There is also a recall on certain master cylinders which were faulty/leaking and the stock numbers. Unfortunately the stock number was removed from the master cylinder. We have a vehicle that never even made it to our home that is now totaled. The dealership is only going to "make it right" with proof that the brakes failed. The police report states such and I have the report from the bodyshop, but after waiting for the insurance to have the test done, they cant confirm loss of brakes. They can only state the fluid being black. We now are having to fight to not lose our trade in value and to not have a reportable accident against my daughter vs a mechanical failure. This is a nightmare both the dealership and the insurance are not making this easy. The most expensive vehicle I ever owned for 30 minutes is all I can say.
2003 Ford Escape brakes complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 57, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Loss of use of brakes while coming to a stop at a busy intersection. Jamming the brakes all the way to the floor brought the car to a stop, but was very slow to respond. Mechanic inspected hoses and lines and found the passenger front brake hose to be split and leaking. This was a horrifying experience as I had my young kids in the vehicle. Fortunately, I was not stopping from a faster velocity when this issue occurred. I have learned that the tight bends in the brake hose(s) on this make/model of vehicle may be a factor for his happening to various consumers, so this is worth investigating.
The front brake line hoses blew out (r & l) while driving in the city. The parking brake was ineffective in slowing the vehicle as it was traveling down hill. With no means of slowing, the vehicle was turned into a parking lot in an attempt to get on level ground where it was more controllable and could be stopped more easily. The parking lot was not large enough to slow the vehicle and a choice had to be made to crash into a building or drive off the edge of the parking lot to another lot that was approximately 4 feet lower. The 2nd option was chosen. Once the vehicle had landed with great force, it was directed uphill where it eventually came to a stop and put into park. Unfortunately, extensive damage was done to the frame and underside of the vehicle including oil pan, exhaust system, engine mounts, radiator support frame and under body engine and transmission mounting points. I was told by the tow truck driver, the firestone auto center and found in other research that ford escapes are known for rubber brake line failures. I have had vehicles much older than this and have never had a rubber brake line dry rot and rupture like these. This seems to be a known issue and should be addressed before more damage is done and more people injured or worse. We were lucky. This could have been much worse. Safety issues like this need to be addressed with an immediate recall.
While driving my escape, the front brakes started to make a knocking/thumping noise. When I got home, I removed the tires and notice that both the front disk brakes rotors where de-laminating. With you finger nail you could pull off hunks of metal. I still have both rotors. And the brakes had only about 15,000 miles on them. Brake job was done by a ford dealer. The disk where turned and they are original equipment.
Sudden ABS failure small accident.took ABS relay out after this brakes work fine.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated the ABS light illuminated intermittently and the brake pedal bounced abnormally when depressed. In addition, there was a burning odor released from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who inspected the vehicle and located the failure at the ABS module. The manufacturer was made a ware of the failure and denied assistance with the repair, stating that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 07v156000 (service brakes, hydraulic: antilock: control unit/module). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that she noticed a leakage on her driveway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and they informed her that the brake hose fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified. In addition, the contact mentioned that the lift gate would not open. The vehicle had not been inspected by a dealer nor had it been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
Abs light on 2003 ford escape keeps coming on....was never notified by ford about a recall on this...also have had to replace an engine in it only had it for 37,000 miles when I had to replace the engine....ford does not notify customers of potential problems with this vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that the anti-lock brake light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where the contact was informed that the control unit module was corroded. The contact was also informed by the dealer and manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v156000 (service brakes, hydrualic:antilock:control unit/module). The failure and current mileages were 89,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked for thirty minutes when smoke started to emit from the engine. The hood was then raised and flames were also coming from the engine. The fire department reported to the scene, but the contact extinguished the fire himself. The fire department filed a report which was available if needed. No injuries were reported and the origin of the fire was located at the anti lock brake control box. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, who would inspect the vehicle and report their findings to the contact. Neither the manufacturer, nor insurance company were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.
Fire emerging from hydraulic anti-lock control unit the subject to ford recall # 07s51 after recall work was completed,
2008 ford recalled my 2003 escape for ABS module connector. I had it repaired. My escape has began to "grab" when I apply brakes. New rotors & pads did not help. While online to carcomplaints.com, I saw another recall for ABS module connection for 2003 ford escape has been reopened.(jan 2010) but I was not notified. I have had trouble with brakes on this vehicle for the past 4 years.
Front brakes and rotors shot at 50 thousand miles and were replaced, rear brakes showed very little wear, 100,000 miles and rotor and brake wear are again excessive and need replacement soon, rear brakes still ok and are the originals. The brakes on this vehicle always have seemed inadequate, as if the rear brakes do not self adjust they were checked and cleaned and determined to be working ok. I do perform the reverse and brake technique to adjust them. Bottom line "the rear brakes do not self adjust and braking is wholly on the front brakes prematurely wearing out rotors and pads!"
Sudden failure of ABS system. Abs light not operating on dashboard indicator panel.
2003 ford escape recall - #07v156000 recall for service brakes, hydraulic : antilock : control unit/module I have owned this vehicle since august 2005. Apparently in 2007 there was a recall on this brake issue. I was never notified, nor did any dealer attend to this issue during a routine service. I contacted ford september 2010 when my anti lock light started to appear on my dash. Ford did not list me as the owner even though I purchased this vehicle through a reputable dealer and had my info stored on their owners web page, and have all bill of sales info on file. While talking to the ford customer service person it was clear that he was editing the record to somehow show that I either knew about the recall or that some dealer inspected this issue and found nothing wrong. When I asked to talk to a manager, I was put on hold for over 30 minutes and finally hung up. I then sent an email complaining. Ford wrote back they will do nothing about this as the campaign is over. I now have a very serious anti lock brake issue. The anti lock mechanism has now failed. I wish the federal safety agency to help me get ford to fix this issue since I owned the vehicle since 2005, the recall was in 2007, ford never tried to contact me on this recall, and no ford dealer ever inspected my vehicle for this issue. Thank you for your time. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 5 MPH the brakes failed. The brake pedal extended to the floor without stopping the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a snow bank. There was no damaged to the contact or the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who repaired the brake hoses at the contacts expense. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 114,120.
Sensor rings broken on a ford escape 2003, brakes lock up causing loss of control of the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated while attempting to brake at a relatively low speed onto an entrance ramp, the brakes would not engage. The ABS light also illuminated when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility for repairs. The contact was able to locate the federal safety agency campaign id number: 07v156000 (service brakes, hydraulic: anti-lock: control unit/module) but was advised by the manufacturer that his VIN was not included in the recall. The failure and current mileages were approximately 150,000. Updated 11/03/10. *lj updated 12/14/2011 *cn updated 03/09/11
Intermittently when the brakes are applied, the vehicle accelerates without warning. The outside temperature does not seem to matter. The only way to stop the increase in speed is to apply hard pressure to the brakes and shut of the ignition. The first time was about three years ago. The last time was in december, 2009. I( notified the dealer in 2008 and was told there was no similar occurrences reported.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The ABS warning light was illuminated on the instrument control panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the technician stated that the wheel speed sensor needed to be replaced. Since the vehicle identification number was excluded from recall # 07v156000 ( service brakes, hydraulic:anti-lock:control unit/module) he was ineligible for a free remedy. The failure mileage was 90,000.
I have an 03 escape. Since fall 08 I have heard, felt this stutter, but didn't know what to call it. At first it was occasional, but has grown increasingly frequent--three to four times in a row accompanied once in a while with a ticking sound, and pulling the car to the left. Mechanics couldn't replicate the problem. Today they are replacing the tone rings. Having a term to use, I got on line and found out it is a frequent problem for owners.
January 18, 2009, was the last time I drove my 2003, ford escape. The day prior, I drove my kids, two blocks away to a park. I got back home and parked my vehicle at approx 2:30 p.m. The next morning at 11:14 a.m. I received a call from my apartment manager stated that my vehicle was on fire and the fire dept was outside putting out my car fire. The fire captain stated that the fire had started from the ABS system and to check online and see if there was a recall on this part. My insurance company came out and claimed it a "total loss". Within the last six months to a week ago, ford had worked on my vehicle in which I had spent over $5,000.00 to get it in tip top condition. Ford had a recall on this type of vehicle but stated that my vehicle's VIN number was not part of there recall. They also stated to my adjuster that this ABS part was no longer made, so my insurance company tried to locate this part and no other parts store carried this part.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle slowed down but would not come to a complete stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact applied the emergency brake, but the vehicle still failed to stop. He was forced to crash into a snow pile in order to stop the vehicle. The contact was not injured and the vehicle did not sustain any damage. Prior to the failure, the accelerator pedal became stuck. The contact waited a while before the accelerator pedal returned to normal. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop and inspected by a technician, who determined that the throttle cable was failing. The cost for the repair would be $300. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that no compensation would be provided because there was no recall. The failure mileage was 68,000 and current mileage was 70,000.
Brake rotors failed at 24947 and at 36010. This escape has one adult driver and the brakes pedal was not "ridden". Lots of premature rotor wear complaints on the site but no ford recalls. Rotor replacement adds about $250 to bill.
Second time to replace brake rotors on 2003 ford escape.
Urgent recall notice, I received on my 2003 ford escape after research on the recall vehicle, I believe this caused my daughter accident, she rolled this vehicle. I m very angry that I have followed the law in responeding to the recall notice and when I explained my concerns I was told someone was going to conact me. This has not happen. No deaths but property damage yes ( paying for avehical) I have sitting in my back yard that I m still paying for.bring a single mother, this hardship, I paid 14,000.00 and it only has 60 thousand miles. I have pictures of the accident and I will have this vehicle checked out myself and talk to an attorney. Now if you can help me on what I should do next, I would be thankful .
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 20 MPH, the brake pedal was applied. The engine began to rev and the RPM raced to its maximum potential. The contact turned off the engine in order to stop the vehicle. There were no warning indicators present. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer. The current and failure mileages were 62,900. Updated 01/09/08. *lj the consumer stated noise in front end when hitting a bump and performed inspection per recall. Updated 12/12/07
Front brake rotors wore out prior to brake pads at 34,000 miles on vehicle. I was told that this was normal by the dealer and will occur again. I explained to them that the rotors should be hardened and the pad should wear first, but they told me that this was normal.
Car to dealership on 6/1/07 for service. Brake pads replaced, rotors turned, tires rotated, replaced stabilizer bar. Left dealer and in less than 2 miles, ABS dash light came on. Went back to dealership for inspection--thinking maybe something had gone awry when car was serviced. Per them (and they showed me what was wrong), collar on outside of axel that turns to send signal to ABS sensor has a crack that will intermittently make the ABS brake system come on. Replacement per them--$425.00.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact received recall notice # 07v156000 concerning service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module, and was unhappy with the waiting time for the repairs . She stated that the only communication between her and the dealer was their inability to repair the vehicle in a reasonable amount of time. The current and failure mileages were 69,000. *ak returned usps , 2ndattempt made 05/23/07 failed .
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