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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 3 of 19

#15 of 179 Re: 2006 Escape Hybrid - Smart Junction Box Failure (door lock)? [raewyn] by mcedwardsc

Nov 17, 2006 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: raewyn (Oct 26, 2006 7:44 pm)
I had the exact same problem this week in a new 2007 model with less than 2000 miles on it. Barely made it to the side of the road TOTAL brake failure. Dealer says the computer failed. Waiting on a back ordered part at this stage, but to tell you the truth, I'm not sure I want to drive the thing again. Anyone know of a recall? Or a way to bring this to Ford's attention nationall?

#16 of 179 way to complain by mschmal

Nov 17, 2006 (12:54 pm)

visit www.safercar.gov
 
Mark.

#17 of 179 Re: 2006 Escape Hybrid - Smart Junction Box Failure (door lock)? [mcedwardsc] by raewyn

Nov 18, 2006 (3:41 pm)

Replying to: mcedwardsc (Nov 17, 2006 12:10 pm)
Thanks so much. I'm sorry you've had the same problem but its great to know I'm not the only one. Could you tell me which part you are ordering and which dealer has your car. Perhaps my dealer here in Santa Barbara will call them and get the lowdown on this problem. I'm going to pursue the website at safergov as well to see how we get to Ford national.

#18 of 179 Re: 2006 Escape Hybrid - Smart Junction Box Failure (door lock)? [raewyn] by mcedwardsc

Nov 23, 2006 (5:08 am)

Replying to: raewyn (Nov 18, 2006 3:41 pm)
Yes. I don't have the name of the part but they described it as the computer that controls the brakes. It was on backorder and they finally got it in, bled the brake lines, the service manager drove it for a day, everything fine. It's Lou Sobh Ford in Decatur, Ga, and the service manager is Billy. Have you approached your dealer about replacing the vehicle? I'm starting to think we will. I can't put kids in that car any more, too shaken, and get this... we got the car back yesterday after 1.5 weeks waiting on this part--- and I'm on my way to work at 6am and the brake light comes on again and the service brake light. This time, however, the brakes did not fail. But it's clear we still have a problem. I'll have to get it in there again after Thanksgiving. This is horrifying. Please feel free to email me directly if you want more info on the dealership.rr3puslinchaol.com

#19 of 179 Re: Ford Escape Hybrid: Brake Problems [pf_flyer] by dsteak

Dec 08, 2006 (3:51 pm)

Replying to: pf_flyer (Sep 11, 2006 6:51 am)
i've had my escape for 18 months. i have the squeaking problem, but also, the other day the "service brakes" message popped up and the brake warning light came on. i took it in, and they claim there's no information in the car's computer regarding this message, so it probably didn't happen. i had the car serviced, and drove it home. the next day, the message came on again along with the warning light. when they serviced my car, they said the brakes are fine. anyone else have this issue?

#20 of 179 Re: 2006 Escape Hybrid - Smart Junction Box Failure (door lock)? [mcedwardsc] by testes

Dec 14, 2006 (12:00 pm)

Replying to: mcedwardsc (Nov 23, 2006 5:08 am)
I had the exact same problem after they replaced my braking system... It turns out you have to bleed the brakes 100% (99.5% will not work) or the light keeps coming on. Have them call the tech at Sentry West Lincoln in Shrewsbury, MA. They can tell them all about it. Good luck.

#21 of 179 WORK? by dsteak

Jan 07, 2007 (8:36 am)

Thanks for your response. Did this ultimately fix the problem? My dealer won't call Sentry, saying they're not allowed, they have to go through Ford engineering, who apparantly don't know how to fix this?
 
MY LAST FORD.

#23 of 179 Braking problem need help and comments by rearend

Feb 23, 2007 (7:14 pm)

Replying to: dsteak (Jan 07, 2007 8:36 am)
Hello All,
 
I have been reading alot about the Ford Escape Hybrid and have had some issues with the brakes of my vehicle...
 
I work for a local organization and we have quite a few of the SUVs in our Fleet... Recently due to a number of complaints they pulled the WHOLE Fleet of the Ford Escape Hybrids off the road due to Brake Failures... mine being one of them. It turns out that in a fleet of hybrids over 30, at least 7 of the vehicles had some sort of failure... a couple of which were 2nd or 3rd time issues. and a few resulted in accidents...
 
Ford has reviewed all of the vehicles in the fleet and will be issuing a letter saying its safe to drive. They say that they have found "No Codes" showing any kind of failure in the braking system... but Im not an idiot! I know that when my foot goes to the floor to stop, the truck should stop... which it didn't! I have had to make many panic stops in the truck previously and never had a problem before... until recently... the brakes did return a few hundread meters down the road at a stop light... but no lights showed on the dash and no abs kicked in... Thank god the person in front of me moved before I hit them.
 
My vehicle is my office for atleast 8Hrs a day and I put on it, anywhere from 100 to 250 Km a day at work and the majority is City Driving.
 
Please tell me that I am not an idiot... or that this is not an isolated incident or if you know what the problem is... or if you have had this happen to you.
 
Thanks in advance for your help and comments...

#24 of 179 Re: Braking problem need help and comments [rearend] by mecheng1

Feb 26, 2007 (8:19 am)

Replying to: rearend (Feb 23, 2007 7:14 pm)
My local County Park Service owns a 2006 FEH as part of their vehicle fleet. They are frustrated because they have had to send it back to the dealer a few times for braking issues. I get the feeling that the dealership and Ford are not sensitive to "bad press" that this can cause - because they never seem to fix the problem.
 
Braking "by-wire" is a relatively new concept for mass produced cars. My guess in that the Technicians are not as adept at finding these electical and computer software issues (especially when diagnostic codes are not forthcoming). [The design of the mechanical portions of the brake system seem to be fine.] From reports of previous FEH brake problems, I suspect the component known as the "Smart Junction Box". Not a trivial part that Ford would replace unless it was proven to be "bad".
 
To address your question: You are not an idiot for wanting confidence in your braking system. Unfortunately, having someone commute in the vehicle (who understands the "brake-by-wire" system) my be what it takes to get to the root cause of the problem. Have the dealer monitor TSBs that are issued by Ford for ones related to FEH brakes. Be safe.

Messages Page 3 of 19

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