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Ford Escape Brake Problems

128 messages,  Last post on Mar 26, 2013 at 10:55 AM

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

Messages Page 5 of 13

#39 of 128 Re: 02 Ford Escape brake problem by monjon

Sep 09, 2009 (9:10 pm)

Brake issues with a 2002 Escape XLT FWD 103k miles, even split between highway and city driving.
 
 Several months back I had a small tranny hose leak that sprayed fluid on the inside of the left front tire, the brake light came on at this time. When I applied the breaks at that time, they were very spongy and pulsating. A mechanic friend replaced pads and rotors (L & R front) at the time of the tranny hose repair due to warping from the fluid. Brakes were still spongy and now grinding after this "fix." Took it to a certified mechanic for a second look. He said the ceramic pads that were installed were inferior and he replaced with a higher quality, more compatible set. He also swapped out a break line, replaced the left caliper and replaced an ABS sensor as there was an excessive pulsating in the brakes. When I picked up the Escape, it seemed to be braking just fine. Off and on I could feel a slight pulsating in the pedal but nothing major.
       Over the course of about 2 weeks (the car is driven infrequently) I am experiencing on a very somewhat consistent basis: normal braking, spongy braking, a grinding sound when I brake, pulling hard to the left then the right when I brake as well as standing on the pedal and the brakes taking forever to respond. These incidents can happen all in the same 10-15 mile drive or over the course of several drives. It may be spongy only on the drive or the metal-on-metal grinding alone. If I feel the brakes are not really responding or the car is pulling to the left side, I can pump them several times and "feel" they are going to catch and know to apply them on that pump. Both left and right front brakes are making varied sounds: grinding and groaning. It almost feels like they are not catching or catching and holding. When I do stop, on occasion there is a hot or acrid smell, from either one or both of the brake areas. They are extremely hot to the touch when these problems have presented.
      Any ideas? I will be calling the mechanic to re-visit, I just would like an idea of what I am looking at here. Thanks.

#40 of 128 Re: 02 Ford Escape brake problem [monjon] by vg33e power

Sep 10, 2009 (7:25 am)

Replying to: monjon (Sep 09, 2009 9:10 pm)
Two questions...were all parts replaced with genuine Ford/Motorcraft parts? If you used aftermarket parts your problem may be there.
 
Did the tech bleed the system, the spongy feeling and pull may be related to air in the lines. Make sure he/she purge the lines.

#41 of 128 Re: 02 Ford Escape brake problem [vg33e power] by monjon

Sep 17, 2009 (9:05 pm)

Replying to: vg33e power (Sep 10, 2009 7:25 am)
Everything was Motorcraft parts and he did purge the lines. I have had to quit driving my Escape because the last time I applied the brakes, responsiveness was very low.

#42 of 128 Re: 02 Ford Escape brake problem [monjon] by vg33e power

Sep 18, 2009 (7:40 am)

Replying to: monjon (Sep 17, 2009 9:05 pm)
I would check the following in no particular order:
 
-Master cylinder
-Brake booster
-Proportioning valve
-Brake hoses
-Calipers
-Rear slave cylinders

#43 of 128 2006 ford escape 2x4 abs light on again by lynnt2

Sep 25, 2009 (3:22 pm)

I have an ABS light on again, last year the right ABS was repalced, now the light is on again., The front end is noisy and 2 weeks ago we replaced both front wheel bearings. What is going on with this car, It has 43, 000 miles on it??

#44 of 128 Brakes by madmomof4

Sep 26, 2009 (12:19 pm)

I am the owner of a 2008 ford escape ~ bought vehicle off lease with 30K have already redone brakes with top of the line napa parts ~ ford has already reshimmed my rotors ~ car makes awful sound when braking from high speeds ~ front end feels all loose and wheel shakes ~ anybody have any ideas???? HELP please.

#45 of 128 08 Escape Brakes by prgal

Nov 25, 2009 (9:50 am)

I bought my '08 with 25,000 miles last year (it now has 48,000) and it seems to have the typical Escape problems - seats that look like I have four toddlers (I don't), noises from every corner of the cabin, bad tires that have been replaced (I thought the front end was going out), just something all of the time, and now it's the brakes. Last week as I was driving on a two-lane road, hills and curves with no shoulder. I braked going down a grade into a curve and had a pretty unnerving experience as I wondered what in the world was going on with my brakes. it was like there was nothing there, then the pedal engaged again and the next immediate sensation was like that of running over a very rough "rumble strip", including the noise. I felt the vibration in the floor board. It actually felt like it made the car hesitate ever so slightly so I even wondered for a split second if it would go forward. At 11:00 p.m. on a dark road by myself 30 miles from nowhere, this was a pretty scary event, especially knowing I had lots of hills and curves ahead. The same thing happened one more time. My speed was probably 40 mph both times. When I got into town, the next event was at a stop light. I depressed the brake pedal, it engaged, then let go completely, then re-engaged and made the same noise/vibration. Of course, when I took it to my dealer, nothing is wrong. They think it might be in the anti-lock braking system, but no code showed up, so I'm out of luck until something fails. I called my insurance company to warn them...
I'm about ready to trade. I want my truck back.

#46 of 128 Re: 08 Escape Brakes [prgal] by irishgixxer

Nov 26, 2009 (1:25 am)

Replying to: prgal (Nov 25, 2009 9:50 am)
Good to know someone else has the same problem, I got this vehicle brand new (2008 model) as a company car in Apr 2007, within the first 5k on start up and within less than 1/2 mile the front left vibrates with a feeling that the brakes are pulsing on/off and when you apply the brakes they suck. Exactly the same symptoms as you describe.
 
I had it towed to the dealers asap and no error codes where found, that was Jun 07, since then it has happened 5 times until approx Dec 08 but only on start up after 100 - 200 yards of driving but clears after 1/2 mile as usual, every time.
 
I have just lived with it as it is a company car although it happened today and the brakes/traction control on the left groaned for a longer time than before , brakes grabbing and brakes where crap when applied. Sure enough it stopped after 1/2 mile (as usual) and the traction control light came on. I had to stop at a store and when I came out the traction control light was off and everything is all good.
 
I called my fleet maintenance company and its scheduled to go in to a different Ford dealer on this Saturday, hopefully they will find something along its going to be hard to find as it is unpredictable. There is 48k on it now and my company changes every 65k
 
Weird Ford!!!!!!

#47 of 128 Re: 08 Escape Brakes [irishgixxer] by prgal

Nov 26, 2009 (12:17 pm)

Replying to: irishgixxer (Nov 26, 2009 1:25 am)
It's great to know I'm not the only one - it is really frustrating when no one will believe you. Oh, by the way, I happen to be blond. lol

#48 of 128 Re: 08 Escape Brakes [prgal] by irishgixxer

Nov 26, 2009 (1:21 pm)

Replying to: prgal (Nov 26, 2009 12:17 pm)
"really frustrating when no one will believe you", now there is 2 of us with the same issue/story. They probably won't find anything unless someone gets in a wreck or worse killed.
 
Its going into the dealer on Saturday for investigation, I will let you know the outcome.
 
Happy 'T' day!

Messages Page 5 of 13

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