Brake Disc Pads problems of the 2003 Ford Escape

2008 Ford recalled my 2003 Escape for abs module connector. I had it repaired. My Escape has began to "grab" when I apply brakes. New rotors & pads did not help. While online to carcomplaints. Com, I saw another recall for abs module connection for 2003 Ford Escape has been reopened. (Jan 2010) but I was not notified. I have had trouble with brakes on this vehicle for the past 4 years.

Front brakes and rotors shot at 50 thousand miles and were replaced, rear brakes showed very little wear, 100,000 miles and rotor and brake wear are again excessive and need replacement soon, rear brakes still ok and are the originals. The brakes on this vehicle always have seemed inadequate, as if the rear brakes do not self adjust they were checked and cleaned and determined to be working ok. I do perform the reverse and brake technique to adjust them. Bottom line "the rear brakes do not self adjust and braking is wholly on the front brakes prematurely wearing out rotors and pads!".

The consumer is experiencing problems with the brakes. The brakes were completely hardened. The vehicle has been driven over mountainous terrain and the brakes burn out very quickly driving under these mountainous conditions. Owner has contacted the dealer and has had the pads and rotors replaced. Provide further details.

Ford Escape XLT 2003 rake pads worn to less than 4 mph and rotors worn to . 910 at 15,153 miles. I consider this excessive wear.

I have a 2003 Ford Escape. On April 17, 2003 I took my vehicle into the Ford dealership in vacaville with a complaint about the brakes making a grinding noise (25,503 miles). They told me that they could not duplicate the noise and checked the front brakes. They claimed to have measured the brake pads at above 5mm of pad remaining. The noise continued. I took the vehicle back to the dealership on June 27, 2003 (28,720 miles). This time they heard the noise as well as a bearing noise. They measured the brakes at 3mm and told me that the rotors may be warped. I left the vehicle for the bearing repair and received a phone message (on my answering machine) that they re-measured that brake pads and found them to be 2mm not 3mm. They didn't mention anything about the rotors. I asked about the excessive wear of the brake pads and they said that it was normal wear. They told me that they could do nothing about the pads or the rotors. I called my brother-in-law that works for Ford and told him about my experience. He made some phone calls and found out from one of Ford's engineers that they have problems with brake wear (both pads and rotors) on the Escape and the Ford focus. Today (30,270 miles) I took my Escape to midas and had a brake inspection. The midas employee said that the rotors are worn down below specs and need to be replaced. He also said that the rotors should not wear that quickly. As to the pads he said that it was normal wear because they are ceramic pads. I went to the Ford dealership in vacaville with this information. They told me that there was nothing that Ford could do for me about the brake rotors. The individual told me that Ford uses soft aluminum rotors on both the Escape and the focus and they wear out very quickly. My concern for Ford is that if they use substandard equipment and do not seem to be concerned, are they not opening themselves up to a law suit if their "soft rotors" fail and cause an accident.

There was a groaning noise coming from the brakes, when the vehicle was at a complete stop but idling. There was also a burning smell coming from the air vents. Upon inspection of the vehicle by the dealership the steering pump and pressure line had ruptured. The dealership indicated it was caused by the power steering fluid being contaminated.