IllustrationABS & BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON; CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM & REGEN BRAKES DISABLED MESSAGE CENTER. BRAKING IS HARDER, UNASSISTED. NO ABS, TIRES CAN LOCK UP ON BRAKING. FORD DEALER WANTS $4900 FOR THE HCU PART + LABOR. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL REPORTS ONLINE OF THIS ISSUE; AND THAT IT CAN LEAVE A VEHICLE WITH NO BRAKES; A SAFETY HAZZARD.
2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Escape Hybrid years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape Hybrid years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
120–25K
4025–50K
8750–75K
7675–100K
131100–150K
69150K+
415 reports with mileage · 28 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes. Review the 129 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 110 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
Service Brakes complaints
129 reportsWHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED YELLOW, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE RED BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. A MESSAGE ON THE DASH SAID "REGEN BRAKES DISABLED". THE NORMAL BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED TO WORK. THE MANUAL (FAIL SAFE) BRAKING SYSTEM WAS INADEQUATE TO STOP PROPERLY. I HA…
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WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED YELLOW, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE RED BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. A MESSAGE ON THE DASH SAID "REGEN BRAKES DISABLED". THE NORMAL BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED TO WORK. THE MANUAL (FAIL SAFE) BRAKING SYSTEM WAS INADEQUATE TO STOP PROPERLY. I HAD TO PUT THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AS HARD AS POSSIBLE AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT BRAKE PROPERLY. AFTER MUCH ROLLING, THE CAR FINALLY CAME TO A STOP, BUT HIT A POLE IN THE PROCESS CAUSING A CRACK IN THE FRONT BUMPER. DUE TO THE LONG STOPPING PROCESS, THE POLE WAS UNAVOIDABLE. IT WAS THE POLE, THE DITCH, OR ANOTHER CAR, SO I HAD TO CHOOSE TO BUMP INTO THE POLE FOR THE LEAST AMOUNT OF DAMAGE AND TO BE SURE NOT TO HURT ANYONE ELSE. TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE FOR ME AND MY YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN!
I WAS IN A BUSY SHOPPING PLAZA AND CAME UP TO A 4 WAY STOP. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES, THE CAR DIDN'T STOP! A MESSAGE READING "REGEN BRAKES DISABLED" CAME UP ON THE SCREEN, FOLLOWED BY "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM". BOTH THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON ON THE DASH. I TRIED TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN AS SOMETIME…
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I WAS IN A BUSY SHOPPING PLAZA AND CAME UP TO A 4 WAY STOP. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES, THE CAR DIDN'T STOP! A MESSAGE READING "REGEN BRAKES DISABLED" CAME UP ON THE SCREEN, FOLLOWED BY "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM". BOTH THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON ON THE DASH. I TRIED TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN AS SOMETIMES WHEN IT HAS AN ELECTRICAL HICCUP THAT WILL RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE SAME MESSAGE REAPPEARED AND I DROVE STRAIGHT TO A LOCAL GARAGE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DEFINITIVELY DETERMINE THE ISSUE AND REFERRED ME TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. A FEW DAYS LATER, FORD ADVISED ME THAT IT WAS A FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WHICH WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. ALL OF THE PIECES WITHIN THE BRAKE SYSTEM ARE IN TACT, EVERYTHING THAT CAN BE INSPECTED DURING ROUTINE TUNE UPS LOOKS FINE, BUT SUDDENLY WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THE BRAIN OF THE CAR CAN'T REMEMBER HOW TO MAKE IT STOP.
"REGEN BRAKES DIABLED" NOTIFICATION COMES ON. AFTER WHICH, THE BRAKING SEEMS INCONSISTENT. THIS IS A CONCERN AS THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE REGEN BREAKS DISABLED LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. THE BREAKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY, IF AT ALL. NUMEROUS TIMES I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO STOP ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE BREAKS SOMETIMES LOCK ON AND THE VEHICLE WON'T MOVE AT ALL. UNABLE TO GO MORE THAN 40 MPH. IF YOU ATTEMPT, THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND THE BREAKS SMOKE. I TOOK IT TO FORD …
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THE REGEN BREAKS DISABLED LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. THE BREAKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY, IF AT ALL. NUMEROUS TIMES I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO STOP ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE BREAKS SOMETIMES LOCK ON AND THE VEHICLE WON'T MOVE AT ALL. UNABLE TO GO MORE THAN 40 MPH. IF YOU ATTEMPT, THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND THE BREAKS SMOKE. I TOOK IT TO FORD FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY INFORMED ME IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO THE THE BEAK SYSTEM AND THE HYBRID SYSTEM BEING INTEGRATED. THE PART BY ITSELF IS $4200 AND THE VEHICLE BLUE BOOKS FOR ABOUT $3000 AT THE MOST. THE VEHICLE WON'T START OR EVEN TURN OVER. THE BATTERY IS GOOD.
A.B.S. HCU. PART # 8M6Z2C286A THIS REPAIR ACCORDING TO THE DEALER COST IS $5835.56 THEIR ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM !
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE THE CONTACT'S GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO ENGAGE AS THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ONLY AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUMPED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GRIECO FORD (1…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE THE CONTACT'S GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO ENGAGE AS THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ONLY AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUMPED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GRIECO FORD (1651 NEW STATE HWY, RAYNHAM, MA 02767, 1- 888-680-8818) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,449.
MY CAR'S ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE COME WITH MESSAGES READING "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM" AND "REGEN BRAKE DISABLED." AT TIMES THE BRAKES WILL APPEEAR TO FAIL AND I HAVE TO SLAM THEM VERY HARD TO STOP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, "THE CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM" AND "REGEN BRAKE DISABLE" INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. *TT
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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.