Ford Escape Brake Problems

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

You are in the Ford Escape Forum.

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

#74 of 128 2005 ford escape brake problems by tyates

Apr 14, 2010 (9:28 pm)

our 2005 ford escape has had the grinding rear brakes we bought it used in '07. we have had them checked many times and told that is 'normal'. we have replaced the front brake pads every six months since buying it due to the pads being wore out. got the brakes and rotors replaced last september. just had them replaced last week (april 2010) due to high pitched noise (not during braking). was told the brakes had 'crystalized'. picked the car up from the mechanic and on the way home still heard squealing. mechanic said wait through 'break in period'. drove the car 20 miles and when got out smelled 'brakes', checked front of the car and no smell. rear brakes we smoking and could smell it really strong. worried that it might catch fire before getting it back to the shop. called the mechanic and he said might let some air out??? wth? a friend said that the back brakes are self adjusting and that i need to drive it in reverse and slam the brakes on a couple of times... doesn't seem safe to me! has anyone had this problem and can i do something about it or should i have it towed to the mechanic?
 
thank you for any help!

#75 of 128 Re: 2005 ford escape brake problems [tyates] by vg33e power

Apr 15, 2010 (8:06 am)

Replying to: tyates (Apr 14, 2010 9:28 pm)
If your rear brakes were smoking and strong burnt brake compound was present after parking. Your rear brakes need to get checked out. Sound like the rear brakes are over adjusted or the rear cylinders are seized up open either way your shoes (asuming you have rear drum brakes) are constantly rubbing up against the drum, definately a fire hazard. One way you can check is by jacking up the rear wheels (one at a time) DO NOT put parking brake on and try to spin the wheel. If the wheel does not move then you have what I just mentioned. If the wheel moves from 3/4 to 1 and 1/4 turn, then your rear brakes are fine. Let us know what you find out.

#76 of 128 ford escape by tyates

Apr 18, 2010 (11:46 am)

ok, jacked suv up and tried to spin wheel, but only with alot of force. Have disc brakes in back, no springs. Can't see anywhere to adjust brakes? Any other suggestions, or should I take to shop?

#77 of 128 Re: ford escape [tyates] by vg33e power

Apr 19, 2010 (7:47 am)

Replying to: tyates (Apr 18, 2010 11:46 am)
Your Escape has rear disc brakes for regular braking, However, it also has separate rear brake shoes that are used for parking only. The center part of your disc brakes also acts as a small drum where the rear shoes are located.
 
Were you by any chance accidentally driving with your parking brake applied, even just slightly? Other then that and having the parking brake adjusted too much would cause the smoke and brake burnt smell.

#78 of 128 2007 HYBRID ESCAPE BRAKE ISSUES by michelem1

May 22, 2010 (9:33 pm)

I have an all wheel drive 2007 Ford Hybrid Escape.
At 36, 600 miles the master cylinder went out. Brakes squishy, would not hold until pressed almost to the floor, very scary. Some surging and acceleration preceeded this problem. I took it in to the dealer, they said the computer said it was the master cylinder, which they replaced to the tune of $1,800. The car was just off warranty.
This sucks. I am dubious about Ford escaping liability for replacement of that cylinder and braking.
Here is my question: HOW LONG SHOULD A MASTER CYLINDER LAST?
I live in Seattle, WA., if that makes it different from South Dakota. Hilly, but not exactly like San Francisco, and in the normal course of driving my routes are pretty flat. Any info about similar issues with your Ford Escape and any basic car knowledge about how long a master cylinder should last would be very helpful! Thanks.
Michele

#79 of 128 Re: ABS and traction control light [jvdx02] by rebbru

Sep 07, 2010 (10:12 am)

Replying to: jvdx02 (Apr 01, 2010 5:08 am)
We just had the traction control light show up on our 2010 Ford Escape limited. Car only has 5,000 miles. We tried to turn off the light with the manual override button...nothing. Thank goodness we immediately took the car in for service the next day. When the mechanic at the dealer took if for a test drive, the wheels on the right side locked up, car lost control - no joke. They had to replace a few sensory modules: AIr Bag Restraint system module, and the restriant control module. Not sure what those mean, but don't mess around if if that light goes on and won't turn off. Apparently it was so bad when it happened, it freaked the mechanic out pretty bad. Thank god we weren't in the car with the family!
Hope this helps!

#80 of 128 brake line by jmeising

Sep 07, 2010 (10:34 am)

has anybody had trouble separating the rubber to metal brake line connection on a 2005 ford escape/mazda tribute? the front passenger side line blew, so we removed the line from the caliper, removed the spring and loosened the strut bolt to release the line, then removed the spring and loosened the rubber to metal line fitting, but we can not separate them, any tricks? or maybe we missed a step? any feedback would be appreciated. thanks 2.3l, auto, fwd, 105k

#81 of 128 Re: brake line [jmeising] by davicho

Sep 07, 2010 (11:17 am)

Replying to: jmeising (Sep 07, 2010 10:34 am)
You should just be able to pull off brake line after removing the horse shoe locking clip. Perhaps a few twists to break the seal between the rubber hose and the metal line.

#82 of 128 Re: ABS and traction control light [rebbru] by irishgixxer

Sep 07, 2010 (4:05 pm)

Replying to: rebbru (Sep 07, 2010 10:12 am)
Good to hear this happened to a dealer as my brakes failed (only had 30% braking power) about 5 times already over 60k miles when the traction control light unexpectactly come on. Had it to the dealers twice and they where unable to find a faulty component. Sounds like in desperation they replaced a lot of stuff and also didn't find the true problem that causes this failure.
 
FORD suck not being able to pin point the failure and letting consumers drive these vehicles, talk about Toyota having issues!
 
Good luck, I hope yours doesn't re occur like mine. I am lucky as mine is a company car and we change 65k, 1k more to go whoo hoo!

#83 of 128 Re: 2007 HYBRID ESCAPE BRAKE ISSUES [michelem1] by exfordguy

Oct 28, 2010 (12:51 pm)

Replying to: michelem1 (May 22, 2010 9:33 pm)
$1,200 is a lot of money, but it could be worse.
 
I have a 2006 Escape Hybrid with 101,000 miles. The ABS Hydraulic Control Unit went out. OK, 101,000 miles. I can see something going out. The dealer said the replacement part was $4,500 plus 4 hours of labor for installation. I paid $29,000 for the car. If you back out transportation, Dealer profits and overhead costs and Ford profits, SG&A, advertising, etc, I can't imagine the direct material cost on the car when sold was more than $20,000. And this one stinking part - which can only be bought from Ford - is $4,500. It's criminal what they charge. So, sorry about the Master Cylinder, but it could have been worse.
 
At least I received a nice form letter reply from Ford when I complained about a part costing $4,500 though. I mean, no money or recognition that they were screwing their customers, but a nice form letter nonetheless.
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