I own a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The vehicle has a recurring loss-of-braking problem associated with the ABS/ AdvanceTrak system. While driving, the vehicle can suddenly lose normal braking ability and does not stop as it should when I press the brake pedal. The ABS, AdvanceTrak, traction control/hydroplaning and other warning lights illuminate at the same time. I have had to use the emergency/parking brake to help stop the vehicle.The exact underlying component causing the failure is UNKNOWN. The ABS module/ ABS hydraulic control unit (HCU) has been diagnosed and replaced more than once, and the vehicle has also been repeatedly reprogrammed and diagnostic codes cleared. The vehicle has been inspected by three different Ford dealerships for the same recurring problem. The dealerships have performed diagnostic work and repairs, including replacement of ABS-related components. Most recently, 1 paid approximately $1,600 to a Ford dealership for an ABS-related repair. I was told the vehicle was repaired and picked it up on [10-6-26]. Less than 24 hours later, while driving, the vehicle again lost normal braking ability. The same warning lights appeared, including ABS and Service AdvanceTrak, and I again had to use the emergency/parking brake to stop. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The recurring loss of braking creates a serious safety risk to me and other road users because the vehicle may not stop normally when the brake pedal is applied. I have not had a crash or injury from this failure, but I have had to take emergency action to avoid one.The warning lights and symptoms have occurred repeatedly before and after repairs. Previous Ford dealerships have diagnosed and attempted to repair the problem, but the failure continues to return. The most recent failure occurred less than 24 hours after the last repair.
Ford Fusion Hybrid brake failure problems
53 of the 1,204 owner complaints about the Ford Fusion Hybrid describe brake failure, most of them for the 2010 model year.
- owner complaints
- 53
- worst model year
- 2010
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,750
- typical mileage
- 98,000
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 23Check engine light 4Warning lights 3Sudden acceleration 2Stalling 1Loss of power 1Jerking 1
What owners say
I own a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and am reporting a recurring and serious braking problem. On XXX, while driving to pick up my mom and my [XXX] son, I pressed the brake pedal to stop, but the vehicle did not stop normally. I repeatedly tried to brake, but the vehicle took much longer to stop than it should have. The brake pedal became spongy and did not have normal resistance. The BRAKE, ABS, and AdvanceTrac warning lights appeared. The vehicle’s computer/system was reset afterward, and the vehicle drove normally for several days. On XXX, the same braking problem happened again while i was driving to go pick up my [XXX] son from school. The brake pedal became spongy, and repeatedly pumping the brakes did not properly stop the vehicle. This time I had to use the emergency/parking brake to help bring the vehicle to a stop. The same BRAKE, ABS, and AdvanceTrac warning lights appeared.After this incident, the rear brakes were replaced and a new ABS Anti-Lock Brake Pump (part number 9E58-2C555-AF) was installed. The computer/system was also reset again. On XXX, the BRAKE, ABS, and AdvanceTrac warning lights came back on again despite the new brake components and computer reset. The mechanic who performed the repairs has been unable to determine the cause, so the vehicle is being taken to another repair shop for further diagnosis. I am concerned that this may be a safety defect involving the braking/ABS system of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The vehicle has experienced an actual loss of braking ability, including an incident where I had to use the emergency/parking brake to stop. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the brake system, ABS, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the message "Brake System Failure" was displayed. The contact drove with caution to the residence, and then had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that further diagnostic testing was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V904000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 162,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the "Check Brake System" message was displayed on the instrument panel and the brakes failed to engage while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal to the floorboard, the vehicle responded as needed. The ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact engaged the electric parking brake and the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle and determined that the brake line on the output of the ABS pump had failed. The contact stated that the front driver's side brake hose had previously ruptured and was replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 160,300.
I was driving the vehicle and it started beeping. I looked at the dashboard and multiple lights in relation to the brakes were on or flashing such as the brake light, abs, service advancetrac, traction control etc. The main issue was I was driving and the vehicle had some sort of glitch and all the lights for the brake system came on the and vehicles brakes did not work. The brake was soft and if depressed it went down to the floor. Luckily no cars were ahead of me and I was able to pull the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. After researching this, this was an issue for these model vehicles, but I thought this was addressed on my particular vehicle. This is a common issue with these cars and has happened to many of the vehicles as reported on various consumer report and the federal safety agency. This issue is documented in the TSB-09-22-11 as well as 19S54 Recall. I shut the car off and turned it back on and the lights went away and it worked. Car was towed the dealer and they were unsure and I also reached out to Ford Motor Co but they were unwilling to help.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal, there was a grinding sound coming from the front brake pads. After shifting into drive, the message "Emergency Brake Failure, Vehicle Shutting Off" was displayed and the vehicle turned off. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 180,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The brake warning light was illuminated, and the check braking system message was displayed. Additionally, the check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact activated the parking brake, and the vehicle came to a complete stop. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but no cause for the failure was found. The contact was informed that the caliper was leaking. The failure reoccurred and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed that the ABS unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was 180,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The contact's husband pressed the reset button on the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer. The dealer informed the contact's husband that the failure might be related to the ABS computer system, but the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 216,319.
Precursor 1: car had three short trips with brief breaks. And about 1 min in off/park before problems occurred. Precursor 2: engine did not fully start and vehicle gear dial wouldn't move out of park. Received a mesage about the brake. Thought this was caused by not depressing the brake pedal enough. Turned off engine, firmly pressed brake pedal and turned on engine, same problem. Tried a 3rd time, same problem. On, maybe 4th attempt the major problem occurred (vehicle engine not turning off). The not starting - brake connection problem had occurred in aug 2019 and feb 2020. Ford dealer could not identify problem in aug. In feb, problem accompanied by "parking brake failure" message and ford replaced it. Not sure if it's part of the problem again. Major problem: on about the 4th attempt to start the car engine, the vehicle engine would not power down and was not driveable. Power on/off button was not responsive to touch, the small green light on power button blinked. Two warning lights appeared when this occurred--the battery light and triangular warning light with the exclamation point. Turned off radio and AC in response to lights. Could move gear dial from park to drive and back but there was no power to drive the vehicle. Engine continued to run for long time quietly seemingly on battery although panel didn't show it was in hybrid mode. Windows and locks worked. When opened door, the "door ajar" message appeared that appears only when engine is on. When tow truck driver arrived, he walked long distance from car with key--engine still ran-- and he was unable to power down the engine from inside vehicle too. Eventually resorted to disconnecting the small battery to turn off engine; however, that cleared out the codes from the warning lights and so there's no data for ford to find other than the battery codes upon reconnecting the vehicle.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Ford Fusion Hybrid brake failure
Which Ford Fusion Hybrid years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2010 (34 complaints), 2011 (6 complaints) and 2012 (3 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix brake failure on the Ford Fusion Hybrid?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,750 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Ford Fusion Hybrid?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history