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Ford Escape Hybrid Brake Problems

179 messages,  Last post on Oct 11, 2012 at 8:32 AM

You are in the Ford Escape Hybrid Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Escape Hybrid, Brakes, SUV

Messages Page 15 of 19

#137 of 179 Re: FEH 06 Brake Failure [bingo01] by owlsnestkid

Jul 29, 2010 (7:23 am)

Replying to: bingo01 (Jul 29, 2010 6:35 am)
I did not report my exact same problem to the NHTSA. What is their contact information, I will definitely contact them. I emailed Ford back in February of this year (and even involved a local news investigative reporter, Susan Wornick, cc'd) and here was their (disappointing) response (and my original inquiry is below that):
 
From:
To: steve
Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 9:49 AM
Subject: Ford Motor Company
 
> Dear Steve,
>
> We apologized for the inconvenience the situation may have caused you.
> However, our records indicate that a decision has been made and the CRC
> can not overturn this decision. However, to ensure our records are
> complete we have documented your feedback
>
> We are sorry that our response could not be more favorable to you.
>
> Sometimes e-mail communication does not allow us to gain additional
> information that may be helpful in responding to your inquiry. Should you
> feel that we have not adequately addressed your questions, please feel
> free to contact us via telephone at (800)392-3673 between the hours of 8am
> and 5pm, local time, Monday through Friday. Hearing-impaired callers with
> access to a TDD may contact 1-800-232-5952. Upon calling us please
> provide your reference number - 0465220390.
>
> Sincerely,
> Rex Bryan
> Customer Relationship Center
> Ford Motor Company
>
> For online support visit us at: www.customersaskford.com which contains
> answers to frequently asked questions and links to other key product and
> service information.
>
> Ford Confidentiality:
> --------------------
> For security reasons, please do not submit any sensitive personally
> identifiable information, such as credit card numbers, driver license
> number, SSN, DOB, etc.
>
> [THREAD ID:1-525GWZ]
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> From: steve
> Sent: 2/9/2010 07:55:48 PM
> To:
> Cc:
> Subject: Re: Ford Motor Company
>
> Hello Rex,
>
> Thank you for your prompt reply to my inquiry. I was informed of Ford's
> recent decision to fix brake problems (re: your Fusion and Milan Hybrids)
> via the WCVB evening news program in Boston, Massachusetts. Susan Wornick
> is
> a consumer investigative reporter that I trust. It was an interesting
> report
> and seemed very similar to troubles I experienced with my Mercury Hybrid.
> So
> I notified Susan of my circumstances, and she also wanted to understand
> what
> Ford's response would be. I have cc'd her here and kindly request that you
> continue involving her in our communications going forward.
>
> The problem -- in 2009 my Mercury Mariner started experiencing an
> intermittent braking issue during summer 2009. When I applied the brake, a
> brief slippage occurred. Rather than a full immediate response, the
> vehicle
> continued to lunge forward, and then after this lapse, the brake fully
> engaged. This was a very unsettling feeling. I first brought this to the
> attention of my Mercury dealer, State Motors, in August 2009. The dealer
> conducted a vehicle evaluation and were unsuccessful in identifying the
> problem, so it remained unsolved.
>
> However, the problem persisted. After continuous concern about our safety,
> I
> researched the issue online and found numerous other Ford Escape Hybrid
> owners describing similar experiences. Some had noted defective tone rings
> as the cause. I brought this research to my dealer's attention, which
> contributed to proper identification and repair of the vehicle. As it
> turned
> out, the two front ABS Tone rings were cracked. It seems apparent these
> tone
> rings are not designed sturdy enough by Ford's supplier.
>
> While my Mariner Hybrid may no longer be under factory warranty, this
> problem introduced a dangerous driving condition that compromised optimal
> vehicle control. I insist that full reimbursement is made by Ford for the
> expenses related to this particular repair. I paid nearly $550.00 for this
> braking issue in September, 2009. An issue such as this should not be
> categorized as 'normal wear and tear'.
>
> One remark recently made by Toyota this week was -- they consider the
> company's priority to be on safety rather than sales. I'm encouraged that
> you emailed me today -- but sincerely hope Ford will do what is right for
> me
> and all other Ford customers affected by any safety-related issue -
> regardless of how many or few that may be. The brake issue experienced
> could
> have contributed to an unfortunate road accident for myself and other road
> travelers. My diligence to research and identify the issue proved to be my
> best defense, but Ford should not wait for a tragedy to occur before
> taking
> action.
>
> As requested, here is my contact information along with details about my
> 2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid:
>
> Name:
> Address:
>> City:
>> State:
>> Zip Code:
>> Cellular Phone Number:
>> Daytime Phone Number:
>> Home Phone Number:
>> Vehicle Identification Number: 4M2CU39H08KJ05143
>> Odometer Reading: 85383
>> Servicing Dealership: State Motors, Manchester, NH
>> Has the vehicle been diagnosed by a Ford/Lincoln-Mercury Dealership for
>> the current issue?: Yes, I have attached copies of the service reports.
>
> I trust that you will escalate this within Ford and that a Customer
> Satisfaction Program will be initiated as a result. Our correspondence on
> this matter should make a positive difference. I look forward to your
> correspondence Rex.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Steve

#138 of 179 Brake failure on 2009 FEH by coloradodriver

Aug 20, 2010 (11:36 am)

Hi,
 
I am new to this forum. I purchased a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid about 6 months ago. It was a one-owner car with 42,000 miles on it. A couple of weeks ago the check engine light and red brake light came on. I took it to the Toyota dealer where I bought it used, but they couldn't find anything wrong. I drove it without problem for 2 more weeks, then the 2 lights came on along with a beep, and I lost the brakes. Had to use the emergency brake to get home. Took it to a Ford dealer this time. They had to call the Ford company because the technicians had never seen this problem. Ford told them the brake pedal assembly was the problem, and it needed to be replaced at a cost of $1315 (which was not covered under the extended warranty I had been convinced to purchase from the Toyota dealer). I asked how certain Ford was that this would fix the problem and was assured they were confident because my car showed a fault code "C1012."
 
So my questions are as follows:
1. Has anyone had experience with this fault code or having the brake pedal assembly replaced, and did this fix the problem?
2. Does anyone know of a class action lawsuit or other legal action in the works? Reading through this forum it is clear Ford has known of this problem for years. It's amazing no one has been killed - yet.

#139 of 179 2007 Ford Escape Limited FWD by bolter24

Sep 22, 2010 (2:16 pm)

When I make a left hand turn I get a metallic swishing sound from my right rear tire. Has anyone heard of this? I also have the groaning brake syndrome, alot of noise when applying brakes at low speed.

#140 of 179 Re: 2007 Ford Escape Limited FWD [bolter24] by scalabilitydab

Sep 22, 2010 (2:41 pm)

Replying to: bolter24 (Sep 22, 2010 2:16 pm)
I had the same problem. Turned out not to be brakes but the bearing going out. Front drive side bearing at 36K, front passenger side bearing at 48K, rear driver side bearing at 60K. All had the same symptom. Ford charged me for a brake job the first one and I didn't even make it out of the service bay without reproducing the symptom.

#141 of 179 Re: 2007 Ford Escape Limited FWD [scalabilitydab] by bolter24

Sep 23, 2010 (5:24 pm)

Replying to: scalabilitydab (Sep 22, 2010 2:41 pm)
Not such good news. What did you have to pay for the bearing replacement?

#142 of 179 Re: 2007 Ford Escape Limited FWD [bolter24] by scalabilitydab

Sep 23, 2010 (6:10 pm)

Replying to: bolter24 (Sep 23, 2010 5:24 pm)
Hard to say. There was the $800 bill they charged me for the brake job which I told them I didn't need. So they "comped" me the labor for both and charged me another $400.
 
The second and thrid bearing replacements were $500 - $600.

#143 of 179 Re: 2007 Ford Escape Limited FWD [scalabilitydab] by bolter24

Sep 23, 2010 (6:25 pm)

Replying to: scalabilitydab (Sep 23, 2010 6:10 pm)
Thanks for the info, I will bite the bullet and take it in this weekend. I will post the results.

#144 of 179 Brake rotors by otiswinston

Nov 01, 2010 (2:33 pm)

I've had to replace the brake rotors (front and rear) three times on my 2005 FEH, and it only has 100K kms on it. Ford denies there's a problem with the vehicle. Has anyone else experienced this problem? I've been driving for over 35 years on multiple vehicle types and never had this type of wear.

#145 of 179 Re: FEH 06 Brake Failure [bingo01] by escapeforever

Nov 01, 2010 (7:05 pm)

Replying to: bingo01 (Jul 29, 2010 6:35 am)
Sorry to hear you were quoted $600 for two new tone rings. My 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid had to have both replaced (at a Ford Dealer) for only $230 total. That was this summer (2010) and I've experienced no problems since. Many report that dealers and repair shops insist on replacing the axles too -- at considerably more expense. It would seem that this isn't necessary if it's only cracked tone ring(s).
For more info suggest you search the web for "Ford Escape Tone Rings" -- there's much to hear about out there in cyberspace about them.

#146 of 179 Re: Brake rotors [otiswinston] by pf_flyer HOST

Nov 02, 2010 (4:55 am)

Replying to: otiswinston (Nov 01, 2010 2:33 pm)
Rotors are so much thinner and lighter now (I suspect cost-cutting is the culprit) that it doesn't surprise me that on a vehicle like the Escape that you'd be doing replacements like that. So much depends on the driving conditions and type of driving you're facing when it comes to brakes. But back to the rotors, it used to be that it took two hands to carry one rotor, now you can easily carry one in each hand. Less metal means less weight, less cost. It also make the rotors thinner, less able to dissipate the heat, and more prone to warping. So I guess that technically, there's no "problem",, at least not one that has a fix other than to replace rotors when they warp, but it sure as heck is a pain.

Messages Page 15 of 19

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