The brakes failed while my wife was driving this car. It was not very difficult to diagnose the problem. The brake fluid leaked out of a brake line in the rear of the car. The location of the brake line failure is where the line is fastened to the body when the car was manufactured. It is my opinion that this defect may exist on many other vehicles of this type, that is why I am reporting it to you.
Ford Escort brake failure problems
50 of the 3,480 owner complaints about the Ford Escort describe brake failure, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 50
- worst model year
- 1997
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 6Grinding brakes 2No deployment 2Steering lock-up 1Power steering loss 1Adaptive cruise 1
What owners say
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford escort. The ABS light illuminated intermittently for approximately three weeks. While driving 45 MPH, the light would remain illuminated until the vehicle was shut off. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer and was not experiencing any brake failure. The current mileage is 71,642, and failure mileage was unknown.*ak updated 05/23/07.
The brakes on our 1993 ford escort locked up causing catastrophic brake failure. Had to replace the master cylinder, both front calipers, both rotors, all hoses and pads. This brake failure could have caused an accident and even death.
Dt: purchased this vehicle at a used lot. After 90 days the transmission pump went out. Bought it with 48,000 miles. Went to two different mechanic shops, and they said it had too much wear for that amount of mileage. The exhaust system came off, the shocks were bad, the tires were al defective, and the brakes failed. The dealer from who the vehicle was purchased was out business.
While driving in inclement weather driver applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. Vehicle hydro planed , and the driver was unable to maintain control of the vehicle, smashing into a concrete barrier. Upon impact, both airbags did not deploy. The driver refused medical attention on the scene, but went to the hospital later that day. Vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company.
While applying the brakes pedal went to the floor. Consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle,it and hit another vehicle from the driver's side. No injuries reported. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic could not duplicate the problem.
Brakes failed. Pedal went to the floor, resulting in an accident. Dealership mechanic said the problem was due to the emergency brake driveline.
While driving 20mph there was a popping sound. Driver applied brakes and pedal went to the floor, and vehicle would not stop. Vehicle hit another vehicle. Brake system has been repaired.
While approaching a traffic light, the brake pedal went to the floor, dealer replaced the master cylinder and brake booster but the problem persisted, this was tsb number 98-5a-15. Nlm
Brakes failed, resulting in a frontal collision. Upon impact, driver's airbag did not deploy, causing injury to the driver. Also, rear seat collapsed. Dealer has been notified.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Ford Escort brake failure
Which Ford Escort years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (12 complaints), 1994 (7 complaints) and 1995 (6 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Ford Escort?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history