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Ford Escape Hybrid Brake Problems

131 messages,  Last post on Nov 10, 2009 at 11:36 AM

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

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#40 of 131 Brake failure by atreehugger Jul 31, 2007 (9:31 am)
Here's another FEH brake failure story. Sounds like we have all been very lucky. I was only going about 20-25 miles an hour when I lost mine completely. Both the ABS and the brake light came on. I was able to get the car off the road and stopped with the emergency brake. I shut the engine off and when I turned it back on again I had brakes. I am working about 80 miles away from home so I took it to the closest dealer. They have had it 3 days now. They have only told me so far that the computer said it was a "main switch" for the brakes. The car has a little over 15,000 miles on it and this is the first trouble I have had except for an annoying brake grabbing every time it rains or there is heavy dew in the morning! Of course the dealer has always told me there is nothing wrong with the brakes and never writes it on the receipt. From what I am reading here, though, I have a sick feeling they might be related. I haven't decided what I am going to do yet - I live in PA and we have a Lemon Law so I will probably go through the Better Business Bureau. I have no confidence in this vehicle now because it doesn't seem that Ford has a handle on it. Has anyone had a resolution? Replies to this message: mecheng1 (Jul 31, 2007 12:22 pm) atreehugger (Aug 01, 2007 9:44 am)
#41 of 131 Re: Brake failure [atreehugger] by mecheng1 Jul 31, 2007 (12:22 pm)
Replying to: atreehugger (Jul 31, 2007 9:31 am) Sorry to hear about your brakes going out completely. From the posts I have read, it appears that many of the brake failure problems are solved by replacing the master cylinder.   The "grabbiness" is probably not related to the failure...it is inherent to the hybrid design. In slightly wet conditions the brake surfaces stay wet until the FEH is close to stopping. At that point the computer switches the braking from the regenerative system (MG1) to the old fashion hydraulic brakes...and the brake force increases until it feels like it grabs too hard. In non-hybrids, the offending moisture on the brake surfaces is dissappated during the heavy portions of initial braking and are practically dry at the point just before the vehicle stops (where, on the hybrid, you should be feeling the "grabbiness")   A good solution on wet days is to perform all of your first few stops with the transmission selector in "N"-neutral. This shuts off the regen braking and forces regular hydraulic braking...which should dry off the braking surfaces. Stops after that should not be grabby. If it occurs again, hard braking or braking in "N" drys off the braking surfaces again.   Good luck and be safe. Replies to this message: atreehugger (Aug 01, 2007 9:44 am)
#42 of 131 Re: Brake failure [mecheng1] by atreehugger Aug 01, 2007 (9:44 am)
Replying to: mecheng1 (Jul 31, 2007 12:22 pm) Thanks for the info - I'll try that. They replaced the solenoid valve on my car but could not/would not guarantee the problem is fixed. However I did notice this morning (I just got it back from the shop) that the brakes did not grab like they usually do. I have no confidence in this car. I don't feel that these SUVs are getting repaired and I get the feeling Ford is sticking their heads in the sand. Can you say PINTO! There are at least 4 complaints filed on NHTS - Office of Defects Investigation (safercar.gov)but unfortunately there evidently aren't enough complaints yet (or no one's gotten killed yet!)as nothing is being done.
#43 of 131 Not enough complaints? by mschmal Aug 03, 2007 (4:08 am)
Couldn't that be a good thing? Maybe it shows that the problem is not wide spread and correctable.   Maybe your dealer corrected it.   At my dealer, none of my hybrid customers ever complained about the mechanical function of the car. Or have I heard of a complain from anyone else in the dealership or other customers.   I am not saying you are imagining the problem. However try to have a little faith. Remember that you can always go to another dealer.   Mark
#44 of 131 Re: Braking problem need help and comments [rearend] by kbrooks1 Aug 03, 2007 (11:20 am)
Replying to: rearend (Feb 23, 2007 6:14 pm) I've had my 2008 FEH for a month now. I've noticed that when using the brake the vehicle doesn't slow down right away. I've had to press hard on the brakes to stop the car. I actually got a ticket for overshooting a stop sign because when I pressed on the brakes, nothing happened! I thought I'd have heart attack. So far, I've driven over 900 miles in this car so, I'm very comfortable driving it and am familiar with some of its little quirks. At first I thought that I just needed to get used to the brakes and weight of this car. Now, I don't think so. It doesn't do this all the time though, but when it happens it can be quite scary. I've even bought a doggy seatbelt for my pup to keep her from sliding off the seats when this happens. I hope this is an easy fix or better yet user-error (I doubt it). Be safe!
#45 of 131 Brake Problems by atreehugger Sep 20, 2007 (3:06 am)
To all of you that have and or had brake problems - were they resolved? Do you feel the car is finally fixed? Did any of you have a brake failure after the solenoid valve block was replaced? I'm trying to gain some level of confidence in this vehicle but when Ford doesn't want to admit there is a problem and the dealership won't guarantee it won't happen again . . . . Any thoughts? Replies to this message: simmi (Sep 20, 2007 1:11 pm) raewyn (Sep 28, 2007 2:12 pm)
#46 of 131 Re: Brake Problems [atreehugger] by simmi Sep 20, 2007 (1:11 pm)
Replying to: atreehugger (Sep 20, 2007 3:06 am) My brake problem has been fixed since then. My car was in the shop for 4 days though and since then (2 month) I have not had a brake problem again. I did however have my engine light come on and the thermostat, after having the car only 2 month. The dealer fixed it really quick by replacing the thermostat and I had the car back with 2 days. So I am really dissapointed about the car. I've had the brake problem after 3 weeks and the engine problem after 2 month. I am on edge right now and just waiting what comes next. I really love the car but having these issues with a brand new 2008 Escape Hybrid upsets me.   I particpated in a focus group last week and the engineers from Ford were there. I had an opportunity to tell all good and bad so this was great. Hopefully they will listen and do something about it.
#47 of 131 Re: Brake Problems [atreehugger] by raewyn Sep 28, 2007 (2:12 pm)
Replying to: atreehugger (Sep 20, 2007 3:06 am) after experiencing catastrophic brake failure in my 10 month old feh we never used it again!!! ford never admitted there was a problem, and we refused to take back the car. we were lucky that after six months the ford dealership sold it. i admire folks who have the courage to trust the car after experiencing brake failure...i felt way too wimpy to go thru that a second time! so...i completely understand your reticence in getting behind that wheel. just hope that at some point ford acknowledges what's going on. good luck.
#48 of 131 Warning Lights message - Grounding problem by jurdean Oct 25, 2007 (8:23 am)
This morning,after travelling about 300 feet from start-up,in my 2006 Escape Hybrid,I heard a beep, then the brake light goes on and stays on until I get to my destination, another 3 miles travelled to work. The vehicle has about 8,900 miles driven. It's the same "beep" sound I hear when I engage the emergency brake. I tried this, thinking the emergency brake was still on - not disengaged. The light stayed on. A week ago, this "similar" problem happened - this time, right when I started the vehicle until I shut it off, 3-4 miles away. I went to the dealership that Saturday. They told me that the computer said I had a "grounding" problem. Has this problem happened with anyone else; Yes - what was the corrective action taken by the dealership. I'm not sure the problem has to do with the Emergency Brake; I'ld like to pinpoint the problem before servicing. What's funny is the problem doesn't always happen when I've driven the Hybrid - it's intermittent. Replies to this message: dsteak (Nov 01, 2007 12:16 pm)
#49 of 131 Re: Warning Lights message - Grounding problem [jurdean] by dsteak Nov 01, 2007 (12:16 pm)
Replying to: jurdean (Oct 25, 2007 8:23 am) this was the problem i had. check post #34.

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