2014 Ford Escape: brake failure

Filed Jan 12, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · IN · fire

My vehicle had no warning lamps, messages or any other symptoms before driving that day. Vehicle was well maintained. Driving on a rural straight paved road that is in excellent condition, at approximately 55 miles per hour, smoke suddenly came through the dash top (defroster along windshield) and bottom (underneath the dash - heavier volume of smoke); almost immediately, the horn started sounding independently, a message appeared that read engine failure, brakes failed simultaneously and could not stop the vehicle. Only possible way to get the vehicle to stop was to remove the ignition key, put lever in park, pulled park break up. Flames now under the dash & smoke was pouring out from under the hood. My safety was at risk and had to exit the vehicle as fast as possible from drivers side with cars approaching. After exit, saw flames in the tire well also; witness saw flames under the car therefore he was yelling "get away from the car, it's on fire". Got away as fast as possible. The witness called the fire department who arrived extremely timely (and police even sooner). FD attempted to put out fire with water first, then needed foam as it ultimately turned into a gas tank fuel fire. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer since there was nothing to speak of left. The Police, Fire Department, Tow Company, and also the Insurance Claim Inspector did view and/or inspect the remnants of the vehicle. The insurance inspector took possession of the remnants of the vehicle from the tow company. My safety was extremely put at risk as I could have died from many factors including brake failure, smoke inhalation, burns from the fire, getting hit from another vehicle upon exit from the burning vehicle, or heart attack.

Filed Dec 14, 2023 · Brakes, Fuel system · MI

Hello -- 1) My wife explained to me that the acceleration would rev very high on rpms but no power -- ( 1st & 2nd especially) then the check engine light came on -- I drove it to check and there was something very wrong -- unfortunately I could find no dealers w\o a full months wait or more -- Then on the Friday after Thanksgiving she came home & said she had no brakes -- I take it for a ride to investigate -- sure enough the vacuum booster failed -- like driving w manual brakes in the old days & u still need to use the emergency brake -- It failed as she drove (no idea) til she needed to stop -- fortunately we live in a rural area and she had space and time to try to figure out what happened -- otherwise there would have been at the least a deadly car crash from behind -- When the accelleration fails there will be death from being broadsided entering traffic -- what a choice !!!! -- Also it might not seem too big a deal but the A\C condensate drain line plugs up and there will be 2" of water on floor inside the cab on both sides -- I had to finally fix it because i couldnt take it anywhere because -- no parts -- too busy -- UNFORTUNATELY THE PERSON WHO DRIVES THIS VEHICLE HAS ASTHMA -- THE MOLD AND MILDEW WERE UNREAL -- How are there no recalls on these life altering situations ?? I work for this company and I'm thoroughly disgusted. The date for A\C & turbo was in August -- the failed brakes is the date below -- I just got the vehicle back today and the brakes work because of replacing vacuum booster -- then the dealer wouldnt read my notes and car still does what they charged me $1450 for -- westgate solenoid -- boost solenoid -- NOW -- BECAUSE OF THEIR DESIGN -- FORDS -- NOT ONLY DID I SPEND THAT MONEY FOR NOTHING -- THEY WANT TO REPLACE MOTOR & TURBO FOR ONLY $11500 -- ONLY 82000 MILES !!!! I do have bills from the dealer -- just no way to upload right now -- if u need them they can be uploaded in the next couple of days --

Filed Aug 26, 2022 · Brakes · MT

At 60 mph without any warning my brakes failed, the brake pedal was really stiff and it took both my feet all of my strength and the emergency brake to get the car to stop, Had there been other cars in front of me I’m sure that I wouldn’t have been able to avoid a collision as the only other place to drive would have been a gully. After I removed the vacuum pump for replacement, I found that the coupler bolt was broken off in what I assume was the camshaft. I used an easy out kit to remove the coupler bold. Then replaced with a new one I ordered from the dealership and also replaced the vacuum pump also purchased through the dealership total cost was about $350-400

Filed Jul 31, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · CA

Driving on the highway I lost braking power the brake vacuum pump ceased up and broke the bolt in the cam shaft that had to be drilled out and replaced then that caused more damage to the cam and bottom end of the motor for the motor to throw the following codes: p0365 p0369 p0012 p0299 b1215 p0234 U3008 U3003 U0300 p1594 U0140 U0154 U2300 U0422 B1B36 With all these codes I did the following and am now without a vehicle thanks to FORD. This vehicle only has 58000 Miles is single owner and was well maintained till this incident now I am told the motor has to be rebuilt as the cam and bottom end are the issues with this vehicle and this has happened to a lot of people and could have cause a crash or deadly accident as no brakes and now no vehicle. The three sensors were replaced and brake vacuum pump and bolt that drives the pump from the cam along with new spark plugs and valve cover gaskets plus oil change and filter plus new battery and tires along with front rotors calipers brake pads and rear rotors and brake pads. I blame Ford for this as this is a well known issue with 2014 to 2019 models of Ford Escape Titanium 2.0l Eco Boost Engine with turbo. Garages all over the US and Canada have been just replacing the engines due to poor engineering on Fords part and I believe Ford should be held responsible to the engines replacement as it is not even 60000 Miles and I try to take good car of my vehicle only to have none now to drive. Ford Should be held Responsible.

Filed Apr 10, 2018 · Brakes · 38,000 miles · LA

Brake vacuum pump locked up while driving causing loss of brakes. I was going 70 on interstate at the time had to use both feet to get the car to slow down. Lucky there was no traffic on the exit because I was unable to stop running the stop light.

Filed Dec 12, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 83,500 miles · MI

The car suddenly stalls out. Has been fixed once already but has happened numerous times sine the repair. Would happen pulling out of driveway or through parking lot until this last time. I merged onto a major freeway and was up to 75-80mph and the car stalled out, almost hit by 2 semis trying to avoid re ending me on the freeeway. *tt consumer stated never had a brake failure. Issue was engine stall. Updated 9/4/18

Filed Aug 6, 2015 · Brakes · 7,000 miles · CO · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH going down a hill with the brakes engaged, the brake pedal went to the floor and failed to respond without warning. The vehicle crashed into a granite wall and rolled over landing in an upright position. The contact mentioned that only the side airbags deployed. No police report was filed. The contact was sore but did not seek medical attention. The vehicle had not been removed from the property. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,000.

Filed Mar 11, 2015 · Brakes · 11,454 miles · WV

The vehicle brakes had been making a grinding noise, specifically while backing up. After a trip to the dealer they stated there were no issues. A few month later (at night) the vehicles brakes became grabby, grinding, and squealing, causing the ABS system to activate thinking the vehicle tires were locked up and sliding. The vehicle then slid off the road. I inspected the brakes the following morning and found that rotors were heavily damaged with gouges and grooves. They looked as though they had 60k miles on them in-lieu-of the actual 11,454, and as though the pads were worn and had damaged the rotors. The pads actually showed little to no wear however the rotors had severe premature damage. The dealer reluctantly changed the rotors and pads. This seems to me to be either an engineering issue or bad parts, resulting in premature parts failure. This issue can lead to brake failure and a catastrophic accident.