NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
129 reportsClear category filter55,000 miles · Aug 11, 2014
Service Brakes
A WARNING CAME ON LETTING US KNOW THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AS THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND HAD TO BE PULLED UP AND DEPRESSED AGAIN TO FULLY STOP VEHICLE. WE WERE FORTUNATELY ONLY A FEW BLOCKS FROM THE DEALER AND WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR IN. WE ARE WAITING FOR THE FULL DIAGNOSIS. THE INITIA…
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A WARNING CAME ON LETTING US KNOW THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AS THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND HAD TO BE PULLED UP AND DEPRESSED AGAIN TO FULLY STOP VEHICLE. WE WERE FORTUNATELY ONLY A FEW BLOCKS FROM THE DEALER AND WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR IN. WE ARE WAITING FOR THE FULL DIAGNOSIS. THE INITIAL REPORT WAS THAT THE HCU FAILED AND THE DEALER IS TRYING TO DETERMINE IF ANOTHER PART IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ISSUE. THEY WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE HCU IS IN FACT THE ISSUE BEFORE THEY REPLACE A $5,000 PART UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10621418
70,000 miles · Jul 24, 2014
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, IT BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST OUT OF TRAFFIC BUT RAN A RED LIGHT WHILE TRYING TO STOP THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, IT BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST OUT OF TRAFFIC BUT RAN A RED LIGHT WHILE TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO STEER THE VEHICLE INTO A CURB IN ORDER TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10615908
65,000 miles · Apr 8, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE CAR JERKED/PULSATES AND ABS INDICATOR BLINKED. THE PROBLEM IS CONTINUOUS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD BASED ON INTERNET RESEARCH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10578180
34,000 miles · Feb 25, 2014
Service Brakes
I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES ON IT WITH A HISTORY OF NO ACCIDENTS AND WELL KEPT MAINTENANCE. HOWEVER, THIS MORNING WITH NO NOTICE THE BRAKE ABS INDICATOR LITE UP WITH A WARNING "REGEN BRAKED DISABLE" AND "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM MESSAGE CENTER" FOR WHICH I DROVE IT DIRECTLY …
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I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES ON IT WITH A HISTORY OF NO ACCIDENTS AND WELL KEPT MAINTENANCE. HOWEVER, THIS MORNING WITH NO NOTICE THE BRAKE ABS INDICATOR LITE UP WITH A WARNING "REGEN BRAKED DISABLE" AND "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM MESSAGE CENTER" FOR WHICH I DROVE IT DIRECTLY TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. ONE HOUR LATER AND TWO CODES I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF C-1475 AND C-1312 AND AN ESTIMATE OF $5400 FOR THE REPAIR LEFT ME IN SHOCK. NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND A CAR BARELY USED IN 5 AND A HALF YEARS COULD HAVE SUCH A MAJOR CATASTROPHIC PROBLEM IF IT COULD NOT BE LINKED TO A PROBLEM WITH THE MANUFACTURER? I AM LUCKY I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY, AS THE BREAKS BECAME DIFFICULT TO USE ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP. FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM, AS THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS BEGINNING AS EARLY AS 2005 MODELS. I UNDERSTAND WEAR AND TEAR ON A CAR IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER, HOWEVER, IF IT IS MAINTAINED WELL AND EVEN THE MECHANIC HAS NEVER SEEN THE HCU AND ECU GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME, FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THEIR MISTAKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565863
73,050 miles · Nov 25, 2013
Service Brakes
ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON HEARD A BEEP AND HAD NO BRAKES WHAT SO EVER . I EVENTUALLY STOPPED BY ENTERING THE CAR IN TO NEUTRAL AND HITTING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WHEN I TURNED ON AGAIN IT WENT AWAY, MY MECHANIC SAYS ITS GOING TO COST $1200 MASTER CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I THINK FORD NEED…
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ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON HEARD A BEEP AND HAD NO BRAKES WHAT SO EVER . I EVENTUALLY STOPPED BY ENTERING THE CAR IN TO NEUTRAL AND HITTING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WHEN I TURNED ON AGAIN IT WENT AWAY, MY MECHANIC SAYS ITS GOING TO COST $1200 MASTER CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I THINK FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THE PARTS RELATED WITH THIS ISSUE SINCE IT'S SAFETY RELATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10553795
120,000 miles · Oct 21, 2013
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainService Brakes
WHILE EXITING A STATE ROUTE ON A OFF RAMP I WAS APPLYING BRAKES ON A TURN. THE BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, CHECK BRAKES WARNING CAME ON AND I LOST ALL OF MY BRAKES. FAULT CODES THAT ARE SETTING ARE U2023,C1526,C1477. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND TO REPAIR IT YOU MUST REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER $850 AND ABS PUMP ASSEMBLY $3500.…
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WHILE EXITING A STATE ROUTE ON A OFF RAMP I WAS APPLYING BRAKES ON A TURN. THE BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, CHECK BRAKES WARNING CAME ON AND I LOST ALL OF MY BRAKES. FAULT CODES THAT ARE SETTING ARE U2023,C1526,C1477. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND TO REPAIR IT YOU MUST REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER $850 AND ABS PUMP ASSEMBLY $3500. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10548815
40,000 miles · Sep 19, 2013
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ABS, BRAKE AND REGENERATIVE LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED AS THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STIFF AND SPONGY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WOULD NEED TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ABS, BRAKE AND REGENERATIVE LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED AS THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STIFF AND SPONGY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #10544443
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2013
Service Brakes
THE TONE RING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SPLIT CREATING A PULSATING SENSATION SIMILAR TO THE ABS PULSATING-HOWEVER THE ABS WARNING LIGHT DOESN'T ENGAGE THE STABILITY SENSOR FLASHES FOR AS LONG AS THE PULSATING OCCURS. THIS ONLY OCCURS WHILE DECELERATING NO MATTER WHAT SPEED. I HAD THE ISSUE FIXED. THEN THE ISSUE APPEARED AGAIN …
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THE TONE RING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SPLIT CREATING A PULSATING SENSATION SIMILAR TO THE ABS PULSATING-HOWEVER THE ABS WARNING LIGHT DOESN'T ENGAGE THE STABILITY SENSOR FLASHES FOR AS LONG AS THE PULSATING OCCURS. THIS ONLY OCCURS WHILE DECELERATING NO MATTER WHAT SPEED. I HAD THE ISSUE FIXED. THEN THE ISSUE APPEARED AGAIN IN MARCH 2013. I AGAIN TOOK IT TO BE FIXED AND AFTER THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CV AXLE AND RING THE ISSUE STILL WASN'T CORRECTED AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED FURTHER. THIS ISSUE IS AN ANNOYANCE AND UNCOMFORTABLE FOR ANY PASSENGERS RIDING IN THE VEHICLE THAT EXPERIENCES THIS ISSUE. THE OUT OF POCKET COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM ARE NOT 'CHEAP.' FORD SHOULD ADDRESS AND PROVIDE A REMEDY TO THIS PROBLEM THAT DOESN'T CAUSE UNDUE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP TO THE OWNER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10532592
88,886 miles · Jul 10, 2013
Electrical SystemService Brakes
SAME THING THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING. I HAVE PHOTOS FOR EACH INCIDENT. ABS LIGHTS, CHECK BRAKES LIGHT. AND E-BRAKE LIGHTS LIGHT UP. REGEN BRAKES DISENGAGED. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH [XXX] AT FUTURE FORD HE ASKED ME TO BRING IT IN THE NEXT TIME IT DOES IT, DURING BUSINESS HOURS SINCE THERE ARE NO OPTIONS FOR AFTER HOURS. I GET OFF WORK A…
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SAME THING THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING. I HAVE PHOTOS FOR EACH INCIDENT. ABS LIGHTS, CHECK BRAKES LIGHT. AND E-BRAKE LIGHTS LIGHT UP. REGEN BRAKES DISENGAGED. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH [XXX] AT FUTURE FORD HE ASKED ME TO BRING IT IN THE NEXT TIME IT DOES IT, DURING BUSINESS HOURS SINCE THERE ARE NO OPTIONS FOR AFTER HOURS. I GET OFF WORK AT 5PM AND PICK UP MY KIDS AND BY THE TIME THAT IS DONE THERE IS NOT TIME TO MAKE IT BACK TO DEALER. I AM MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE SOMEONE ELSE PICK UP KIDS SO WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN TOMORROW I CAN GO STRAIGHT TO DEALERSHIP AFTER WORK OR ON MY LUNCH. I ALSO PLAN ON HAVING THEM CHECK THE TONE RINGS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAYS THEY ARE UNABLE TO HELP, BUT HAVE STILL NOT ADDRESSED MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OTHERS HAVE HAD REGARDING SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10524277
88,885 miles · Jul 9, 2013
Electrical SystemService Brakes
I LEFT WORK. PICKED UP DAUGHTER. CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, ABS, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON @ 530PM. DROVE TO PICK UP BOYS FROM SUMMER PROGRAM. GET IN CAR. LIGHTS OFF. 553PM. PUT CAR IN REVERSE. SAME LIGHTS REAPPEAR. 555PM. REGEN BRAKES DISABLED. TAKES PEDAL TO FLOOR TO STOP AND FEEL PRESSURE OF BRAKES. CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS IN …
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I LEFT WORK. PICKED UP DAUGHTER. CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, ABS, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON @ 530PM. DROVE TO PICK UP BOYS FROM SUMMER PROGRAM. GET IN CAR. LIGHTS OFF. 553PM. PUT CAR IN REVERSE. SAME LIGHTS REAPPEAR. 555PM. REGEN BRAKES DISABLED. TAKES PEDAL TO FLOOR TO STOP AND FEEL PRESSURE OF BRAKES. CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL AND ROLLING BACK ON INCLINE UNLESS BRAKES ARE ALL THE WAY APPLIED. TALKED TO [XXX] AT DEALERSHIP EARLIER. SAID TO BRING IN WHEN LIGHTS WERE ON, DURING BUSINESS HOURS. SAID THAT FORD WAS UNABLE TO HELP DUE TO NO WARRANTY. SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE HCU UNIT. I ASKED WHY THIS WASN'T MENTIONED AT MY INSPECTION A WEEK AGO. HE SAID IT APPEARS TO BE WORKING FINE WHEN THEY LOOK AT IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10524042
NHTSA investigations
3DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving
Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages
DP12006 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.