Brake Master Cylinder problems of the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid

-vehicle abs (anti-lock brake system) light came on and dash said �check brake system� and �regen brakes disabled�. Thank goodness I was parked when the issue occurred and when I tried to drive away, I was able to test the braking ability and quickly turned the car back off. -grinding noise when depressing the brake pedal. Sound came from front of car after car was turned off -was able to start car properly after 4+ attempts and waiting 15-20 minutes -this was an intermittent problem that could have reoccurred at any time (extremely dangerous) -contacted the manufacturer (Ford) to explain the issue and how (at the time) there were 80+ similar issues reported to NHTSA. -cost quotes ranged from $4,800-$7,000 to replace hcu (hydraulic control unit), master cylinder, abs module replacement -this is a manufacturer's defect in the braking system (dtc c1478) and extremely dangerous. Vehicle should be recalled -when contacted, Ford did not offer any assistance and seemed to not care about the issue -- I will never buy another Ford again -Ford was aware of issue (ssm 45870) and chose to do nothing ("some 2005-2008 escape/mariner hybrid vehicles may experience the abs warning indicator illuminated with the following diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) c1478, c1479, c1480 or c1481. Refer to workshop manual (wsm), section 206-09 inspection and verification procedure under diagnosis and testing. If no faults are identified while performing the inspection and verification procedure and before replacing the abs hydraulic control unit (hcu) verify the caliper flex hoses are thoroughly inspected for damage, internal restrictions or swelling. Damaged caliper flex hoses can generate these pressure control plausibility dtcs. ").

With frequent breaking I get break lights warning sign/sound and occasional abs sign/sound. If that occurs, my breaks sink to the floor needing an extra effort to stop the car. Upon turning the engine off and then on, the problem disappears. However the light come again during a frequent breaking in a rush hour traffic. This situation become quite scary and I am afraid of loosing control of the vbehicle and cause an accident. On perusing thru the internet, I fount that many other owners of Escape Hybrid 2005 on experience the same problems and are advised to change the master cylinder and hydraulic control unit with a cost in excess o $7000. 00. That the estimate given to me an many other Escape Hybrid owners. There needs to be a recall on this issues before people start dying, just from the driver's panic reaction alone. Ford CO. So far refuses to issue a recall or address this problem from the top management. Since my invoice includes personal information, I suggest you contact len stoler Ford directly.

Electro-hydraulic brake (ehb) system had a leak in the master cylinder and the abs brakes engaged while driving causing the brakes to smoke.

Was driving down highway 35 in downtown dallas when coming down hill went to hit brakes and brakes went all the way to the floor an we had no brakes. Information center was showing that brakes had been disabled and I pumped the brakes and was able to slow car down enough to keep from colliding with car in front of us. Limped home in car with no brakes at times pulled over in parking lot turned car off an upon turning it back on car reset itself an we had brakes for a small amount of time because incident occurred again. Took car to dealership an was told the abs hcu was bad an needed to be replaced which is a 4500 part and we had just bought the car a week before. Ford needs to be forced to recall these vehicles because in other forums other drivers are experiencing same issues with brake lines and master cylinders and this part the abs hcu.

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the abs, brake and regenerative lights all illuminated as the brake pedal became stiff and spongy. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the hydraulic control unit would need to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the master cylinder would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 40,000.

The abs system has been getting disabled intermittently and the check break light has been coming on. Breaks have not been working properly resulting in my vehicle going to far into an intersection when trying to stop at stoplights. Thankfully no accidents have occur yet. Took it to a dealership and they told me I needed a new master cylinder. Another place did a diagonostic on it and told me that the master cylinder is fine and the alarms are being set off because the battery ports were corroded. They cleaned them, cleared the codes. A few days later the alarms were coming back on again.

2008 Ford hybrid escape, 26,000k miles on it. The abs, regenerative brakes failed while putting the car into reverse leaving only manual brakes working. The emergency lights came on identifying regenerative brake failure. The car was towed to the dealer and when turned on the issue couldn't be replicated initially and appeared to working fine. The technician did tests and found the master cylinder was failing. I had the car taken back to the dealer I purchased it from to have it repaired and again the warning lights didn't come on and they couldn't find the issue. I left the car with them to look at and they drove it around testing it when the brakes suddenly failed again while a technician was driving it on the road. They ordered a new master cylinder which hopefully will address the issue.

In sept 2009 I experienced complete & unexpected brake failure in my 08 Ford escape. I was able to nurse the car to the dealership. The dealer told me that the brake pedal travel sensor circuit failed which they said was part of the master cylinder. I was told no operator error, just a defective part. The dealer also told me they couldn't just replace the travel sensor circuit, they had to replace the entire master cylinder which ended up costing me $1530. 63. My safety was totally jeopardized-I was just lucky I didn't get into an accident and wasn't on freeway when brakes failed. This was equipment that shouldn't have failed for years, if ever, especially not in a car with only 40569 miles on it. I was without my car for 5 days and had to cancel client meetings and rent a car. I tried to contact Ford to have them reimburse me for parts/labor ($1530. 63)but was told they wouldn't/couldn't do that even though this was not operator error, but a Ford defect.

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while reversing the vehicle the brakes failed. He was able to prevent a vehicle crash by using the parking break to stop. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, in which a technician concluded that the master cylinder needed to be replaced at and expense of 1,200. 00 . He contacted the manufacturer and was offered an $800. 00 discount. He had the component repaired at an expense of $400. 00 the failure mileage was 41,000. The current mileage is 42,000. Updated 09/23/09 updated 09/29/09.

2008 Ford hybrid escape previously had a master cylinder replaced by the dealership and the tone ring as a result of brake failure. Yesterday the brakes failed again this time the abs system was found to be faulty. The mechanic at the Ford dealership admitted that this was not a wear and tear issue, but a complete part failure that involved the abs system. The part is supposed to be replaced, but I will have it retained. The vehicle is only 3 years only and has less than 30,000 miles on it. This is the 3rd issue of brake failure in this vehicle and the dealership has continued to attempt to make fixes to no avail.