2008 Ford Expedition: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Aug 19, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 295,135 miles · OK

Start out driving, then emergency brake, ABS, and skid control warning lights all come on. Also says, check brake system. This appears to be a very common problem with this vehicle ford really needs to take care of this.

Filed Aug 6, 2014 · Brakes · 65,000 miles · PA

This is an intermittent problem that occurs and was first noticed a couple years ago. For an unknown reason when the brakes are applied the peddle goes soft and pulsates, as if the ABS is activated. This has occurred when the vehicle was started and just backing up, to just after leaving and making the first brake application, and after several hours or minutes of driving. During this time it appears that the vehicle will not stop normally. Pumping of the brake pedal or momentarily hitting the brake hard cleared the problem. It doesn't matter if a gentle brake is applied or if you are slowing for a turn or braking for a red light or a stop. This occurs sometimes several days in a row or nearly so. But most often it is isolated and then does not occur for a period of time. Although it appears to be recurring more frequently. This has in occurred in all types of weather conditions from dry to wet. This has occurred at varying speeds whether in the driveway, in a residential area or on the highway.

Filed Dec 19, 2012 · Brakes · 32,000 miles · CA · fire

Driver first noticed the smell of burning brakes when coming to a stop after exiting the highway, all at low speeds (speed limit was 35mph or less). At the next intersection, driver noticed white smoke coming from right front wheel. Driver got out to inspect the wheel, and noticed that the right front brake caliper and brake rotor were extremely hot and smoke and flames were coming from them. Other three wheels were cool (normal). There were no warning lights, etc. Turned off car, back on, in the hope of e.g. Resetting the ABS controller -- no changes. Brakes were so hot that driver decided to drive some nearby frontage roads at low speeds, without using the brakes, in an attempt to cool the right front brake. Made little difference. Eventually parked the vehicle (braking continued to be impaired), came back around 1 hour later, brake had cooled down, was able to drive away. Similar instance recurred on 2012-12-18 -- again, right front brake, this time in city driving, rotor was glowing orange (not yet on fire) on a cold night when driver stopped to look at it and park the vehicle. This is of course a very dangerous situation, and could lead to loss of life due to front brake failure. Driver is aware that there is a recall ( 07e105000) associated with this year of the vehicle. Ford claims that this particular VIN is not affected by this recall. However, driver (who is experienced with brake systems) feels that these two events are very suggestive of a failure in the brake system to return fluid from the caliper, leading to excessive pressure in the caliper, leading to these problems. Driver has been unable to get information from ford or continental (oem manufacturer) that would unambiguously show that the ABS and brake modules in this particular vehicle are free from defects and are not subject to this recall. Ford should fix this!

Filed May 23, 2012 · Brakes · 50,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford expedition. The contact stated that the anti-lock brake system (ABS) activated without warning and caused an abnormal increase in stopping distance. The failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure. The dealer performed a diagnostic but was unable to locate a failure code. The vehicle was also test driven and the technician was unable to recreate the failure. The transmission and brake pads were replaced but the failure was not corrected. The ABS light continued to activate independently and without warning. The manufacturer advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 07e105000 (service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module front brake pads). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 70,000.

Filed Sep 26, 2011 · Brakes · AR · crash

On september 4, 2011 attempting to apply my brakes due to a vehicle that abruptly stopped without warning my vehicle would not stop feeling as if the brakes were not gripping I hit the rear of the vehicle in front of me. Prior to the accident the ford dealership changed the rear brake to include installing a new rear brake line kit stating there was nothing wrong with the front as they had not worn down yet. Not know much about ABS I inquired about why the rear brakes were worn and the front brakes were still good, I cannot remember the explanation the service representative gave but I felt it was not right. Six months later my brakes don''t allow me to stop when an emergency arises putting my children and myself in danger along with the people in front of us had we already been on the freeway. I can''t say for sure if it was the front or the rear brakes that slowed the vehicle down but it did not attempt to stop coming into a downhill curve unto the freeway. There was no hesitation in the brakes no matter how hard I pressed them to stop. After having my vehicle checked at the body shop it was determined there is a problem with the ABS but ford is refusing to acknowledge the problems.

Filed Aug 18, 2011 · Brakes · 43,588 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford expedition. The contact stated the hydraulic control module failed twice in the past year. The brake pedal was depressed abnormally into the floorboard and the contact had to pump the brakes before getting a response. The second time the failure recurred, the ABS light illuminated on the instrument panel before the failure. The failure mileage was 43,588 and the current mileage was 65,505. Updated 09/21/11

Filed Aug 11, 2010 · Driver assistance · 15,000 miles · MA

2008 ford expedition el I have been having an issue with my anti-lock braking system since I purchased my vehicle. My ABS light will start blinking on the dashboard for no apparent reason whether I am on wet or dry roads. When I go to apply the brakes, my truck will go into ABS mode causing the my car to stutter upon stopping. I have been to the dealer about 20 times as they have sealed my steering column stating that the sunlight is somehow hitting the sensor. That didn't work. They then removed the ABS module and about 3 weeks after that, the problem continued. It happens on occasion, but it is very dangerous when I am on the highway and have to apply the brakes as it doesn't allow me to stop quickly if I have to. It isn't a continuous problem, but when it occurs it scares the heck out of my family. I don't know what the issue is and ford obviously doesn't either. I just need someone to find the problem. This has been happening for over a year.

Filed Jan 31, 2009 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 9,000 miles · CA

I purchased a 2008 ford expedition in dec 07. In oct 08 when my wife applied the brakes at approx 40 MPH the traction control light came on, the ABS took over, and the steering wheel began to shake violently and the vehicle was extremely hard for my wife to stop and she rolled past the stop sign and was almost hit by another vehicle. The vehicle was returned to the dealer for the repair. This has happened a total of four times, three times it has been to the dealer for the same problem. This has become an extreme safety problem for my wife since every time this has happened it is really hard for her to control and stop the vehicle. I have stated a case with ford customer care and the vehicle is currently at the dealer for the third time. Ford said they would have to send an engineer to go over the vehicle because the ford mechanics are unable to fix the problem. So far none of the ford personnel seem to know why or what causes this and seem to think it is perfectly fine to use my family as their crash test dummies.

Filed Jun 4, 2008 · Brakes · 3,000 miles · LA

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 ford expedition. The contact took his vehicle to the dealer to have the ABS warning light checked. The mechanic discovered a sensor in the rear driver side tire. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be repaired; however, no repairs were made. The mechanic advised him to bring the vehicle in the following day and the oil was changed at that time. The mechanic stated that he would order the parts for the repair. When the contact retrieved the vehicle, he was informed that the failure had been resolved. However, approximately nine miles down the road, the traction control and ABS lights illuminated. Later that afternoon, the contact called the mechanic and they cleaned some grease from around the wheel hub. The mechanic stated that if the failure persists, he will order more new parts. The mechanic picked up the vehicle to install the new parts, but the failure recurred on june 4, 2008. The failure mileage was 3,000 and current mileage was 5,000. Updated 07/08/08. *bf updated