Ask the Car People.SM


Ford Escape Hybrid Brake Problems

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

You are in the Ford Escape Hybrid Forum.

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

Messages Page 17 of 19

#155 of 179 Re: warning lights, service brakes message [dsteak] by unhappyforder

Nov 29, 2011 (3:57 pm)

Replying to: dsteak (May 04, 2011 4:49 pm)
I have the same thing...I just had my 2006 FORD Escape Hybrid in for service on an issue that caused the engine to turn of and ask me to pull over to a safe stop. ($700ish water pump fix) and now I'm getting TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE with the ABS light going on!
 
I've been told it is about $5000 to fix!!!!! This is a catastrophic failure that I've I've called FORD to ask for them to stand up and help me out. (My hybrid system is still under warranty, and the service dept says it is so expensive because of the Hybrid system!?!?)
 
I am so P.O's and this will be my last Ford! My sister was going to buy one like mine, but after hearing about this she switched to a GMC. I may be driving a GMC or Chevy next week.
 
What to you do with a 2006 Piece of junk ford?! Anyone know where I can find someone to take it off my hands? I can't afford to get it fixed.

#156 of 179 Re: 2007 Escape Hybrid Brake Failure [winkstart] by unhappyforder

Nov 29, 2011 (4:15 pm)

Replying to: winkstart (May 09, 2011 4:53 pm)
I had the same thing with my 2006 FEH. Now they are telling me it will be a $5000 fix! at 75k miles with no other brake problems. Unfortunately, no bubble for me. I am without a vehicle because I can't afford the $5k.

#157 of 179 Re: 2005 FEH brake issue: locked then codes :( [willieinmaine] by unhappyforder

Nov 29, 2011 (4:34 pm)

Replying to: willieinmaine (Nov 19, 2011 3:38 pm)
Willie,
 
I'm getting the same thing, but mine is intermittent which, to me, indicates a computer glitch. Everything works perfectly somethimes. For me it was a $5000 quote!
 
I've talked to several local mechanics who spit out their coffee or choke when I tell them the repair bill! They say they can't touch the FORD ABS system. (something about needing a VERY expensive programmer to match the computer to the car ID?)
 
I think I've scared off at least a dozen people from buying a Ford with the story of my brake bill. I'm going to tell it to everyone I know and then some. It doesn't look like there will be a happy ending since I have contacted FORD customer complaints and they said basically:
 
Yeah, you have a right to be mad about that bill, but you are on your own, we aren't going to help you out one bit.
 
What do they think they are, therapists? I have a right to be mad? No kidding sherlock! The vehicle is only 5 years old and I have a repair bill that makes my vehicle worthless unless I pay them the $5000 repair bill so I can sell it for only a couple thousand more if I'm lucky?!?
 
No Way, I'll junk it instead! Or, park it on my lot on the side of the main road with a big sign on it saying "for sale...needs a $5000 brake job according to ford!"
 
If you get a junk yard to take yours, let me know how much you get in maine, I'll do the same here.
 
I'm taking it to a different ford dealer for a second oppinion tomorrow. Wish me luck.

#158 of 179 Good news for now by willieinmaine

Nov 30, 2011 (5:24 am)

Good news (for me anyway)! I took it to another dealer in Waterville, ME (Ray Haskell Ford) and they were able to fix it without the expensive parts. I did not tell them about the first dealer experience, only about the first shop that could not bleed the brakes.
 
The receipt says:
 
"40 ECC tested 3 codes bled brakes and reprogrammed ABS, did pinpoint test - road tested OK"
 
so $176 instead of potential $7K.
 
Lesson: if this happens to you don't accept that the master cylinder and HCU are bad. Get other opinions. Make them go back at it.
 
Hopefully the fix will last me!
 
It seems like this regenerative brake thing is just too dang complex and reliant on computers. It is a scary feeling to know that you are at the mercy of Ford dealers for this rather than local mechanics.
 
thanks,
 
Will
 
There is more on this and shop manuals here: http://www.escape-city.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=11675

#159 of 179 Re: Good news for now [willieinmaine] by degu1

Nov 30, 2011 (7:33 am)

Replying to: willieinmaine (Nov 30, 2011 5:24 am)
I had the same thing happen with my 2006 Hybrid Escape brakes. I went to the manager of the dealership and asked him to intervene with Ford customer service...not much help, but fortunately for me I the manager of the service dept. said he would bleed brakes and see if this would "fix" the problem as the pads etc all looked good on the auto. Basically did the same as your tech, for under $200.00 and the ABS light hasn't come on since. This was back in Jan.2011.

#160 of 179 Re: 2005 FEH brake issue: locked then codes :( [unhappyforder] by dsteak

Nov 30, 2011 (9:24 am)

Replying to: unhappyforder (Nov 29, 2011 4:34 pm)
Yup. I've had this problem since 1.5 years (18K miles). While my car was still under warranty, they kept changing the ground saying that was the fix. I had it in 10 times. After my car was out of warranty, the fix was then a new computer module ($4,500). Even my dealer was on my side, saying that the fix should have been the computer module from the start, which was what other people were getting, which is what I asked in the beginning, "isn't that the fix, a new computer module?". Ford told my dealer to help me but Ford themselves wouldn't be providing any assistance whatsoever. My dealer told me they would provide the fix at cost ($3500). So apparently Ford makes $1000+ on this repair. Nice for them huh? There is a facebook page about this to LIKE - link title
 
Ford didn't want a recall or any negative publicity about their hybrids (the Mercury has the same issue) since times were tough in the auto industry. You can read the history of my posts on this site, but it provides no consolation. I tell everyone Ford hybrids are no good, but gee they made billions last year. This is my last Ford. How about a little class action?

#161 of 179 Re: FEH Brake Problem [wantasafecar] by sothsegger

Jan 07, 2012 (2:38 pm)

Replying to: wantasafecar (Nov 10, 2009 12:36 pm)
I have also had brake failure on a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. Two weeks ago, at 50,000 miles and just back from the dealer's service, the brakes failed at start-up: very little braking action and a warning on the dash. I drove it around the block and went through four stop signs. I had it towed back to the dealer, where it has been ever since. The technician there found a code for "over-extended brake pedal" -- naturally the result when the brakes fail and the pedal goes to the floor. The service manager says they cannot duplicate the failure despite frequent attempts, and that Ford will not authorize repair unless they can see the failure for themselves. The "Customer Service" Manager at Ford headquarters, implies that Ford's engineers are unaware of this kind of problem and have no explanation for it -- a position that is belied by the many posts at this site. The dealer's technician was more honest: he said "We can't replace the system without Ford's approval, and they won't approve that because of the high-dollar parts." But I have a high-dollar life.
 
I agree with those who say that a class-action suit is appropriate. Better now than after someone is killed.
 
In the meantime, I am taking my case to the Bureau of Automotive Repair of the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

#162 of 179 Re: Ford Escape Hybrid: Brake Problems [pf_flyer] by shoemad77221

Jan 13, 2012 (4:16 pm)

Replying to: pf_flyer (Sep 11, 2006 6:51 am)
Brakes working fine on my 2005. Curious if you can operate the vehicle without any hybrid battery life. Can you disable the hybrid so as to not replace batteries when they finally go?

#163 of 179 Re: Ford Escape Hybrid: Brake Problems [shoemad77221] by stevedebi

Jan 13, 2012 (4:26 pm)

Replying to: shoemad77221 (Jan 13, 2012 4:16 pm)
"Brakes working fine on my 2005. Curious if you can operate the vehicle without any hybrid battery life. Can you disable the hybrid so as to not replace batteries when they finally go? "
 
No. The battery has to be working for the vehicle to move.

#164 of 179 Re: 2005 FEH brake issue: locked then codes :( [willieinmaine] by wwest

Jan 15, 2012 (11:14 am)

Replying to: willieinmaine (Nov 19, 2011 3:38 pm)
First, "my shop"....
 
Second....Siezed/stuck brake caliper piston at 187,000 should be considered a normal failure.
 
The calipers should have been inspected/replaced/rebuilt at that initial brake service.
 
Lastly..."your shop" began a brake fluid proceedure without knowing, or knowing how, to completely bleed a system as complex as is the FEH.

Messages Page 17 of 19

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement