2005 Ford Escape: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Dec 3, 2025 · Brakes · CA

I had just started up my 05 Ford hybrid Escape reversed out of a parking space, applied my brakes and a loud warning noise went off, the ABS light & the Brake light went on, then I tried to brake while backing out of the parking stall. I had no brakes, petal went all the way to the floor. I shifted into drive to pull forward. The car wouldn’t stop petal just went right to the floor, had very little resistance. I almost drove through the front glass doors of the P/T office across from the pharmacy in Cool, CA. The roads are mountainous windy and steep. I was definitely scared for my safety. I had to coast very slowly on the way home. I was on my way to work but instead I dropped it off at home and called ride share to take me to work! I had to use my emergency brake to make the turn up my dirt road. I still had little to no brakes to stop the car. I parked it and haven’t driven it since. Much to dangerous to drive this car. I could have easily been killed not having brakes. It Showed no codes, had no warning at all. I just bought the car about 6 months prior. The next day it was as if it never happened.

Filed Sep 17, 2021 · Brakes · NJ

Abs and master cylinder causing an unsafe braking condition hard brake pedal making it very difficult to stop the car. I replaced the entire brake system including the master cylinder assembly with pedal travel sensor attached. As recommended by Ford dealership. Then I was told that the brake system system had to be bled 2 times. Well after doing this 3 times and replacing the calipers and pads and rotors again. The same situation exists. Now I am told that this car has a different problem and a bulletin was issued by Ford stating that this is a problem with Ford Escape hybrid has to be reprogrammed to allow the master cylinder assembly to link up with the computer to rectify the issue. My car has 42000 miles on the vehicle and I is very dangerous to drive because of the unreliable braking action. Ford does not acknowledge the problem. But there are many people who have had this same issue. What can I do ? Please help me.

Filed Aug 11, 2019 · Brakes · FL

Complete brake failure. Driven home at 40 MPH and the brake light and the ABS light came on and there was a beep. There were then no brakes at all. Luckily, I was able to get to the side of the road and coast to a stop. Turned off the truck and started it again and it had brakes. On this last incident, the same thing in the same order happened. This problem is very dangerous. It is intermittent thus making it hard to diagnose.

Filed Jul 19, 2016 · Electrical · 92,000 miles · CA

Entering and accelerating from a main street that turns into a freeway the engine lost all power very suddenly, ABS light engaged, then died as exiting the freeway. Extremely dangerous with children in car and no warning which would have caused a mechanic to look into previously. Exiting the freeway the engine died but restarted with ability to drive at 10 MPH (in a bad area) with engine loss and noise. At shop, I was told the spark plugs, coils and PCM would need to be replaced in that order ($795), then the coils ($600), then the PCM ($1400) not including labor. A ex-ford master technician said ford new of problem and replaced those components when the cars came into the shop. Ford has a separate software checking program only designed for ford escapes to test the PCM for damage caused by faulty plugs. Apparently a recall occurred for some vins, when I contacted ford headquarters I was told my vehicle was not made at a particular plant ergo my burden to pay out of pocket. Recall was in 2014 for escapes with 80,000 miles or less while in warranty. This is a common well-documented electrical component failure which occurs after 80,000 miles.

Filed Aug 27, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · 83,000 miles · MD

The sub-frame rusted through causing both front wheels to toe out and also to camber in at the top. The ABS warning light also triggered. The steering now pulls to the left and there is tire squeel even on gradual right hand turns. There is a recall for this exact problem for the ford escape model years 2001-2004. It is obvious that this same problem exists for this model year 2005 ford escape. I verified that my VIN was not covered in the recall. I then called ford to see if they would remedy the problem as it was obvious that this was the same problem as in their other recall - they said they couldn't help. This is a low mileage, well maintained vehicle so it should be obvious that the sub-frame is faulty.

Filed Jul 13, 2015 · Brakes · 57,736 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the ABS caused the vehicle to slide even when the brake pedal was depressed. The ABS light illuminated after the failure occurred. The dealer diagnosed that the front passenger side tone ring malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 57,736.

Filed Jun 24, 2015 · Brakes · 128,000 miles · IL

Abs and brake lamp on. No antilock brakes bearly stops.

Filed Jun 14, 2015 · Brakes, Suspension · 143,636 miles · MI

The upper shock mount on the rear passenger side rusted right through and fell off which cut my breakline which could've LED to a fatal accident. I also have a child, this is extremely dangerous and should be recalled. The system check and ABS light never came on either.

Filed Feb 8, 2015 · Brakes · 125,000 miles · CT

I had to have tone rings replaced on ABS system on drivers and passengers side front wheels. Had the work done at ford dealership 2 months ago. Yesterday I was pulling out on to main road and lost all brakes.

Filed Jul 9, 2014 · Brakes · 98,000 miles · MA

Second time in 3.8 years ABS and 4x4 brakes broke, ABS flashing, steady on, 4x4 flashing loose brakes tone ring issues, ford does not recognize there are issues, tons of complaints excessively expensive to fix, unsafe, also suspension baring joints brake easy, brakes wear out fast, I drive under 12k a year. Exhaust a piece of junk, there should be recalls, they refuse to acknowledge issue.

Filed Nov 1, 2013 · Brakes · 105,852 miles · CT

Abs light came on. 4wd light started blinking. There was a grinding noise coming from the wheel/brake area of the vehicle. The ABS light remained on but the 4wd flashed and then turned off. It came back on intermittently and flashed several times. There seemed to be no functional problems with the brakes or wheels.

Filed Sep 25, 2013 · Brakes · 110,000 miles · CA

Abs light suddenly came on and I had to press the brakes almost all the way to the floor to stop the car. I pulled over and turned the car off. When I started the car back up, there was no ABS light or service engine indicator. Mechanic said that I need to replace the master cylinder and possibly the hcu. But they don't know if that will fix it.