While driving, a message was displayed [Hill Start Assist Not Available] and all mileage figures previously displayed disappered. Additional warning lights were displayed indicating Traction Control, and ABS failures. Electric Power steering assist also stopped. Subsequent testing indicated the EBCM had failed. The part is on National Backorder. While drivable, I'm afraid other issues will arise. This is my only vehicle and I'm within 20,000 miles of needing the timing belt and water pump replaced as well. I could not find a recall for the EBCM (a part not usually prone to failure) for the 2014 Ford Escape SE 1.6L 4-cyl Ecoboost. In 2017, I had the entire transmission replaced @ 70,000 miles, under warranty, but Ford did not honor the warranty terms: coverage for lodging and rental vehicle, so I lost $$$$ that shouldn't have happened.
Ford Escape abs comes on
549 of the 27,594 owner complaints about the Ford Escape describe aBS light or ABS activating, most of them for the 2008 model year.
- owner complaints
- 549
- worst model year
- 2008
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,700
- typical mileage
- 96,000
By model year
Often reported together
Fire or smoke 59Brake failure 47Check engine light 22Loss of power 20Grinding brakes 18Stalling 17Power steering loss 16Spongy pedal 15
Trouble codes mentioned
C1313 4C1480 3U2023 2C1478 2U3000 1U0418 1P1934 1P0685 1P062C 1C1526 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost ABS functionality, and the instrument panel was blank. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the instrument panel needed to be replaced and brake system repair was needed. The contact was informed that the part was no longer being manufactured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,194.
I have things wrong with my vehicle that are not currently included in recalls for my specific VIN but they are for the same model year. Yesterday, I paid $6000 to fix a stuck wastegate on the turbo and something to do with the ABS. I was informed that there is a $700 problem with a vacuum pump. I have also paid for 2 costly repairs, one that wouldn't let the car start after refueling and something else that triggered a check engine light. How do you get a recall extended to include other VINs? I work as a contractor at Ford, what an embarrassment to have one of our vehicles with so many issues. Please help. I'm a young widow with limited income, commuting 2 hours a day. I cannot be without my car and I can't afford to pay for repairs while also financing.
I bought a vehicle that has recalls on it. I contacted a dealer. Im told the car is to old to fix the recalled abs relay. Now I have a vehicle thats on the road a fire hazard. The ford dealership have left me my with and kids and grand kids in danger
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the powertrain malfunction warning light and the ABS warning light were illuminated. The driver was able to pull over, the battery was disconnected and reconnected, and the contact was able to continue driving. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard when the ABS light was illuminated. While reversing, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted and stated that the repairs would be at the owner's expense. Another local dealer, Bob Davidson Ford Lincoln, located at 1845 E Joppa Rd, Baltimore, MD 21234, was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
The rear speed sensor on my 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid is fused to the differential due to corrosion. The failure disables safety systems (ABS/Traction Control), and the design requires a $800+ partial teardown of the drivetrain to fix a basic sensor. This is a design defect that prevents safety-critical repairs.
Summary of Problem: Following the mandatory software update for the federal safety agency Recall 22V859 (Ford 22S73) on my 2020 Ford Escape 1.5L, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic electrical failure. The vehicle is now subject to the expanded the federal safety agency Recall 25V467 (Ford 25S76) with a status of 'Remedy Not Available'. Safety Failures: Continuous Overcharging: A multimeter test confirms the alternator is overcharging at 15.5V or higher, posing a severe risk of battery explosion or vehicle fire. Safety System Collapse: The overvoltage has forced multiple safety modules into 'fail-safe' mode, disabling the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control, and AWD Powertrain. Network Communication Failure: Diagnostic reports confirm a U3000 critical control module fault and 'Lost Communication' with the Battery Energy Control Module, indicating a software-induced network collapse. Undriveable Status: The vehicle has been unusable for over 30 days and cannot pass NY State Inspection due to persistent EVAP and module communication codes triggered by the recall update. Dealer Negligence: [XXX] (Dealer #XXX) confirmed that all physical communication lines are functional but refused a free recall-related diagnosis, demanding a $600 fee instead of honoring the federal safety recall mandate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The AWD module failed with less than 60,000 miles on the vehicle. I live in the Northeast and we get some brutal weather, especially snowstorms. I believe this part should be under a broader recall as it was the same grounding issue as reported in the other current recall for a certain production date escape for its awd module this year. I have always owned a four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle, and we love to take scenic trips especially in winter for something to do. The only inspection of the module was the Tunkhannock ford dealer that replaced it. The system did warn me after filling up with gas that there was an issue. I feel that this could have gone really bad if we had been in lake Seneca, Killington or driving up to Bangor. It is the whole idea of it not working because of a single bad grounding wield that shuts all the traction control off to get stuck out in very little snow... I don't even know if the ABS would react the same under this condition.
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.
Since the remedy was completed for the last recall for the fuel injectors cracking my Ford Escape 2020 has had many issues resulting in warning lights on in 5 different modules. My escape will not pass NY state inspection and the dealer wants 600$ just to diagnose these issues. I have a powertrain/AWD fault that results in not AWD and vehicle has no power and does not run smoothly. The RPMs jump constantly between 2 and 3. Others warning lights and errors include traction control, tire pressure sensor failure, ABS, electric park fault, and also issues with the power steering. Got an appraisal down by my dealer and was told the escape is only worth $3,000 now. I owe 16,000.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape vehicles. The rear brake pads may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can reduce brake function in the event of a brake booster malfunction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
- Risk
- Reduced brake function can require the driver to apply more brake pedal force, and the distance required to stop the vehicle may be extended, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front brake pads, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C31. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on October 13, 2025. This recall is an expansion of the federal safety agency recall number 21V922.
Recall number 25V693000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles. The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
- Risk
- During certain situations, the driver may have to apply more brake pedal force, and the distance required to stop the vehicle may be extended, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front brake pads, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C31.
Recall number 21V922000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with incorrect front brake hoses that may chafe against other components, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
- Risk
- A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replacing any that are incorrect, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S04.
Recall number 18V104000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 escape vehicles manufactured from october 22, 1999, through july 19, 2002, equipped with a brake master cylinder reservoir cap that could leak brake fluid. If brake fluid leaks from the cap, it could come in contact with the antilock brake system (ABS) module wiring harness connector.
- Risk
- Corrosion can develop in the electrical connector leading to melting, smoke or a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder reservoir cap and the ABS electrical system will be modified. An interim letter was mailed on january 20, 2012. Due to a parts delay, however, the remedy may not be available currently. If parts are not available, ford will instruct owners to park their vehicles outside until such time as parts become available. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1‑866‑436‑7332. This recall campaign is related to 07v‑156.
Recall number 12V005000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (ABS), the ABS module connector may have missing or dislodged wire seals. This condition could allow contamination to enter the module connector, creating a potential for an electrical short.
- Risk
- An electrical short might cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, and in some cases, the module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition could occur either when the vehicle ignition switch is in the off position or while the vehicle is being operated.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the wire harness connector to the ABS module for missing or dislodged wire seals, and repair or replace the harness connector as appropriate. The dealer will also inspect the connector on the ABS module and replace it if it is found to be corroded or damaged. The recall began on april 23, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 07V156000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Escape abs
Why does the abs come on in the Ford Escape?
Owners who report it most often also describe fire, smoke or burning smell, brake failure and check engine light, and the codes they mention most are C1313, C1480 and U2023.
Which Ford Escape years have aBS light or ABS activating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2008 (94 complaints), 2002 (89 complaints) and 2009 (62 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix ABS light or ABS activating on the Ford Escape?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,700 (median of 84 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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