When the car was started in a shopping center parking lot, the emergency brake light and the abs warning light were displayed and remained displayed. When driven, the brakes were "spongy" and then "regenerative braking disabled" appeared in the odometer display. I pulled over briefly, turned the car off for a short period and then restarted it. The same messages and odometer display remained, and brakes were still spongy. As I continued to drive (carefully), the situation resolved itself, though the "regenerative braking disabled" continued for another minute or two. Normal braking then resumed. This issue just occurred so it has not yet been taken to a dealer, nor has it been inspected by mfr, police, etc. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED MANY TIMES BY OTHERS WITH ALMOST IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS AT THIS WEBSITE https://www.carproblemzoo.com/ford/escapehybrid/2008/service-brakes-problems.php THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS GONE IGNORED BY FORD FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND DESERVES the federal safety agency's IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.
2008 Ford Escape brakes complaints
Page 2 of 6: complaints 11 to 40 of 140, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Having issue with throttle body and or controller. Break takes time to respond and is stiff. When on an incline road, the car rolls backwards before accelerating forward. The rolled back at stop signs on inclined roads and inclined parking lots. The car shows no warming lights. The car has issues accelerating and decelerating. The car has rolled back while another car was behind it. The car at some instances has come to almost a halt while driving at 70 mph on the highway. While displaying no warming signals. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? This type of issue has been confirmed by the dealership and has been recalled for some ford escapes but not all. The car has been inspected by a technician. The transmission has been rebuild but that did not work so a new transmission was placed inside yet this did not resolve anything. The car has been having these issues for some years.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the pedal went straight to the floor before stopping. The contact veered to the side of the road and waited for a few minutes before restarting the vehicle before driving back to the residence. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle but could not duplicate the failure. The mechanic suspected that the ABS brake booster and brake master cylinder had caused of the failure. The failure recurred a few months later. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,550. Consumer had the master cylinder replaced (2/25/22) on the advice of the mechanic who originally suspected it might be a master cylinder issue.
* The braking system is failing without warning arbitrarily, resulting in pedal doing to floor and not stopping the vehicle and requiring swerving if possible to avoid collision, often needing to drive off the road surface to do so safely. This is a very common and largely reported problem with this vehicle with no assistance from the manufacturer, and a singular resolve that far exceeds the vehicle value; there is not an option to replace failing part/s with used as manufacturer prevented that. * The safety of the family member and others on the roadway are at substantial risk with a vehicle on the roadways that has a failed braking system, especially on highways/byways at increased speeds with no means to stop without warning. * The problem has been inspected and confirmed by the Ford dealership service department, where it's evidently a well-known issue. Many are subjected to leaving their Escape Hybrid with the dealer as they are too dangerous to risk driving, but the excessive cost levied to (temporarily) resolve the problem too much and outside the value of the vehicle. * Illuminated warning lights include: Regen brakes disabled, ABS, Check brake system.
MY ABS brake warning and my regular brake light come on and go off occasionally with a warning that says "Regen Brake System Disabled". When this happens, it VERY difficult to brake, the brakes go almost to the floor before they engage and there is some sort of air leak because I can hear a leak in an air system of some kind. And when that started happening, the A/C stopped working and I heard a loud pitched whine coming from the vehicle. On the days there is no brake warning lights, the brakes still are not great and sometimes will start to stop the vehicle, then there is a kind of hiccup that happens where the pedal just goes to the floor WHILE you are stopping, and not just as you begin braking. There are SO many complaints on the web about people experiencing the EXACT same problems, I don't see why this has not been deemed a Recall yet. VERY DANGEROUS!!!!
There is a major safety issue with the braking system. The brakes were getting soft (having to push all the way to the floor to get it to stop) A brake warning light then came on, i had a mechanic check it and he replaced all 4 brakes and rotors on it, a small improvement...then the ABS warning light came on.....it now brakes fine from speed until about 10 mph and then the brake pedal goes to the floor. Upon having the warning light scanned, it appears that the HCU (hydraulic control unit) needs replaced for a tune of $5000 plus. Upon more research there are many complaints on-line about this problem, unfortunately those of us that drive 13 year old cars typically cant afford such a repair bill for an obviously bad design flaw and must continue driving these dangerous vehicles because we have no choice. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed
Brakes are pedal is advancing towards the floor without any response until almost at the floor. Master cylinder was replaced and problem still exists. No codes evident, nor signs of defect. Spent entire day at the mechanic to no avail. Must use pumping brake s continually at reduced speeds from greater lengths to stop at appropriate time and location.
The ABS system fails when ABS tone ring cracks/breaks due to rust developing on the axle housing where the ring is pressed on. This has happened twice during 4 years, both with the front/left ring/axle.
In november 2020 while driving my car, by brakes suddenly went soft. To stop my vehicle, I had to press my brake all the way down to the floor before the vehicle stopped. I immediately drove my vehicle to the nearest shop where I had my brake fluid flushed and my brake pads replaced. This temporarily resolved the issue. Exactly one week later, my brakes went soft again. I took my vehicle to my mechanic who said the issue was with my master cylinder. Replacing the master cylinder temporarily resolved the issue. A few weeks later, my brakes went soft again. I've had my master cylinder replaced four times since november 2020. It is now april 2021 and my brakes are still going soft. My vehicle has been with my mechanic for the past three weeks as he's been trying to diagnose the problem. He believes the issue is with the module of the absystem, but no codes register when he plugs the vehicle to the computer. Since this issue does not register a computer code, my mechanic has had issues with accurately identifying the cause of the constant soft braking I've been experiencing for the past five months. I' went online and googled this issue and I've come across forums where hundreds of other ford escape (2008 and after) owners are experiencing the same exact issue with their vehicles. All of the ford escape owners have had their master cylinders replaced multiple times with no permanent resolution. This is an extremely dangerous safety issue. The most important safety component on every vehicle is the braking system. Seatbelts are required to be worn by law, but what good is a seatbelt if the vehicle is unable to brake and mechanics are unable to diagnose the issue because a computer code does not register.
My vehicle mileage is 58049 original. I noticed while I was driving, within the last 8 months. I wouldn't get an alert about the odometer reading that would say regen brakes disabled I also noticed when I try to stop, the brake pedal would buckle while pressing it. And the vehicle didn't seem to notice that I'm trying to stop, it would eventually stop. It's a good thing that I'm not a tailgater cuz I would have clocked any vehicle in front of me. Here is a copy of the service forum that gary yeoman ford daytona beach florida print it out for me. They told me that I need to have my hand on the emergency brake or my foot on the emergency break whenever I'm breaking out just in case. I bought this vehicle brand new, I have always taken it to ford for any if any repairs. I literally have every receipt, if they haven't already faded through the years. The hybrid battery died after 7 years oh, pretty much on the 6th year I noticed it wasn't holding a charge longer than 24 hours. I inquired at the dealership they told me it would be 10k to replace. I still have it on the vehicle oh, I just get poor mileage now. I am in no financial predicament to afford a trade in newer major repairs. I'm just discouraged considering with such low mileage the most important part of a vehicle which is the braking system is going if not already gone. I am disabled so I do not drive often, the vehicle sits in the driveway more than its on the road. I've not traveled a far distances with the vehicle, mostly doctor's appointments and picking up medication and grocery store. That's it, now I've come to a crossroads not sure what to do how about this conundrum.
08 ford escape hybrid-ABS light illuminated and breaks failed. While driving, stopsafe came on. Turned car off and back on approx. 5 minutes later. Abs stays on along with check breaks system and regen breaks disabled. Car has sat for 3 years. When turned on now, regular battery drains and ABS light stays on.
In march 2008 my brakes went 2 the floor then I pumped it up. I took it to larson ford on 4/26/08 ans they said it was the calipers. Had the work done and the problem did not go away. I took it back again and they said I cant find anything and to drive it. On dec 31 the breaks failed completely. I limped it back to them and they decided to take the day off. Left it there a few weeks again they said they cant find anything. I called ford for help and they did nothing also. They want us to drive unsafe vehicles. I am now taking it to another ford dealer to do the recall flush of dot4 and inspect the ABS valves that they did on the cars with the recalls. It also looks like the federal safety agency is not do anything. Not even ask someone if they can take there vehicle to looks at it. If I get the same result my next step will be to contact congress and the president of the united states of the lack of any action by the federal safety agency .
It started early thanksgivings(11/26/2020) drive as I was coming to my 4th/5th stop of the morning, I went to apply the brakes and felt my brake pedal sink with slight to no pressure, no response. I panicked and I remember pumping the brake rapidly to build pressure, but the brake did not respond as expected, I did feel I slight jerk and heard a growling sound coming from the bottom engine area. I must of gone over a pothole that made my truck feel like I jumped the curve, I was going about 35-45mph. After a few rapid brake pedal pumps my vehicle did come to a stop on time before running the light, luckily I was alone in the street that early morning. As of today the brake pedal still feel mushy/spongy lack of pressure and scary unsafe.
Driving for the 1st couple of miles was fine. Problem happened after stopping the car 1st time at friends house then 2nd time after gas station stop. After car was re~entered onto the road it would not go over 15 MPH and felt like the brakes were on. This was after the 2nd trip to the mechanic about this problem. The mechanic couldn't figure out the problem and started researching . After talking to friends at parts store he was told there is a class action law suit on this vehicle for this problem. I have only had vehicle for 5 months so I am having a hard time finding any way to participate in this. It is possible previous owner was attempted to contact but has moved several times since original purchase. Can you help me with this, or will ford contact me since title is now in my name. This is a safety issue.
Abs and emergency brake light comes on and says regen brakes disabled. Had it checked and was told hcu is bad. From everything I've read and been told ford should've issued a recall on this issue
After applying the brakes, under normal conditions, the calipers and brakes pads never released from the rotor! This caused the vehicle to drive slowly and the brakes/rotors and wheels to get very hot. A service station said it appears the hydraulic control unit is sticking, not allowing the brakes to come off of the rotor. I have read that the ford fusion has this same issue and a recall has been issued.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated the brake pedal was depressed and became soft and sticky. The contact stated that the brake pedal remained on the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the brake fluid was flushed, inspected for leaks, and replaced the brake fluid however, the repair failed to fix the failure. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.
While driving the ABS warning light comes on along with the check brakes took to a mechanic shop and was told it was the and module that was going out. They waited me a price of 2400 dollars to get a new module and 1200 to install. Took vehicle to the dealership and was told they could not find a problem. When I tried to drive it home the two lights came on and also the engine light. I called a weaker and had it dropped off at my house.
Suddenly the brake system fails causing the brake pedal to go all the way to floor making it difficult to stop properly.
Brakes went to floor when I had to make an emergency stop. Diagnosis as ABS moduel/pump & brain. Estimated repair cost over $3,000 at ford dealer. On just one web site, carcomplaints.com there are multiple complaints about the dangerous safety issue with the ABS moduel on the 2008-09 ford escape. There has been multiple accidents & injuries, no deaths that I can find. This is a problem that ford knows about according to the dealer service rep I spoke too. This is a dangerous safety issue and ford should be required to repair this safety issue via a recall on the ABS moduel in all 2008-09 ford escapes.
On hot days the vehicle displays the following error "ABS light on regen brakes disabled". The braking system does not function as intended. It almost feels as the vehicle will not stop and takes a very long time to come to a stop. In a situation where an immediate stop would be neccessary this error is likely to result in a vehicle collision. This has been occuring all of this year (2020) on days when the temperature exceeds 85 degrees. The most recent being on july 25, 2020. The vehicle is in motion on city streets.
I got this vehicle in 2019,the brakes started acting up off and on,then in 2020,as of july 1,my daughter and I were out shopping.when I say the brakes were acting up,this is not like most brakes would do.feel squishy,go to the floor or something like that.I was coming to a stop sign,put my foot on the brake,and it does not give at all.just kept going.I finally shoved it into park and it stopped.this happened about 3 or 4 times that day..went through 2 stop signs,unable to stop.I have not driven it since the 1st of july.also,I think the starter went out in it.was unable to start it anymore.
Traveling on main highway with my 3 grandchildren when the ABS light came on and the check brake system light comes on, brakes go almost all of the way to the floor to get the vehicle to stop. Shortly after, the lights went off and the brakes worked fine. This has happened intermittently, which is very dangerous our mechanic said this is something that only a dealership can fix and it is a very expensive repair. There was a recall 19s54 on other ford vehicles 2006-2010 ford fusion, mercury milan, lincoln zephyr and mkz vehicles for this exact issue. (the valves within the ABS hydraulic control units (hcu) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly.) this recall should apply to the escape hybrid as well. This is nothing to do with owner maintenance. This is a design default and should be covered at ford's expense.
Yesterday, while driving at speed on i95 in connecticut, I approached stopped traffic and attempted to slow down by using the brakes. My foot went to floor without any vehicle braking. I began to pump the brakes vigorously and was able to achieve braking without further incident. This very much disconcerted me as I drove straight home with what appeared to be very poorly functioning brakes that may have caused serious injury if I was not ever vigilant of traffic ahead of me that I could anticipate needed slowing and stopping. I checked my brake fluid level when home and found it correctly filled as well as a survey under the hood and under the vehicle that found nothing out of the ordinary. The vehicle is well maintained by myself and a local shop. The vehicle now sits in my driveway as I contemplate my next course of action. Web research indicates a failed hydraulic control unit for which a recall has been issued for this problem for similar year/models, but, not my 2008 ford escape. Many other escape owners have noted this experience with no federal response to date. Please review complaints regarding this dangerous failed component and act. Thank you.
Brake pedal goes down too far. Diagnosed as hydraulic control unit failure. Car has 84k miles on it. Ford seems to have recalled other vehicles for hydraulic brake problems. Why not these? Very dangerous.
This started in oct.2019,with brakes in the ford escape hybrid.I am not sure how many times the brakes failed last year,but this year alone they have failed at least 5 times.the last 2 times,very serious.I was on road with traffic,coming to a stop sign,trying to brake.put my foot hard on brake,it never went down rubbery like a brake going out would.it was like trying to push on a cement floor.I shoved it into park,it finally stopped.next time was even worse,it went right on through stop sign,made loud noise when I was shoving it into park,but finally stopped.made it safely home and it is still sitting parked.my daughter said she had heard they were recalling many for brakes.it is not safe at all.it was parked on july 1,2020,and has not been moved since.
Brakes started messing up when I first got this last year.I was driving and getting ready to stop.the brakes never went to the floor,as normally they would,if brakes would be going bad.I stepped on the brake and it was like stepping or putting my foot on a stone wall.this happened the worst 1 day ago.coming to stop sign,it's like the brake hardens,stepping on it instead of going down.(I pray)finally stopped when I put it in park.then go on very cautiously to home.I have been in vehicle when brakes were messing up,going out,or what ever.the brake in this is not like that.when it is going right,it is a good brake that stops well.when I hit it at different times,highway,street traffic,parking,etc.unexpectedly,it will be like hitting concrete or cement trying to get it to stop.it happens at random times,unexpectedly.very unnerving,to say the least.there have been people in vehicle with me when this happened.this started as of oct.2019-june 30,2020.never kept track of all to be specific in dates,other than last one on june 30,2020.more than 10 unexpected stops,so far.maybe I did not say that right.I was expecting to be able to stop normal as I had many times before when stepping on the brake;instead,prayed and threw shift into park,it stopped.
Brake pedal became very soft, has a very long amount of travel to engage brakes and is soft when being depressed. Took to earnhardt ford in chandler, az, and they did a brake fluid flush and bleed to ensure no air was in the lines, they advised the brake booster, and master cylinder had actually been replaced already, and recently according to their information, we agreed to the diagnostic charge, and the diagnosis came back that the ABS control module has failed, the service tech advised us he believes there is a pending recall/investigation relating to this issue during our visit which is what LED us to make this report. Vehicle is only at 88,000 miles, and has no other existing issues. According to paperwork, they refilled the system with dot3 brake fluid during the bleed, control module was not available at the time so replacement was not possible.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and was firm. The contact stated that added pressure was needed to slow the vehicle, extending the braking distance. The ABS and brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The following day the vehicle was taken to hoffman ford lincoln (600 connecticut blvd, east hartford, ct 06108) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the hydraulic control unit was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,000.
When running the car (stationary, and then moving), ABS light came on, the brake light came on, and it said "regen brakes disabled". Attempting to drive the car, the brakes seemed to work most of the time, but were more difficult to depress sometimes. After taking it to a mechanic, we were informed that the hydraulic control unit was faulty and needed to be replaced.
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