Table 1 shows two common service brakes related problems of the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Brakes Failed problems | |
| Brake Light On problems |
After starting the car and backing out of my garage the brakes do not work. All of the warning lights come on saying check brakes. There are no codes when evaluated by the dealership. If the car is turned off and then on, the brakes work and the warning lights go off. This week, I was notified by the dealership that the brakes fail because I am stepping on the brake before starting the car. They say this results in bleeding pressure from the brakes which may result in the brakes failing. The solution, according to them, is to not step on the brakes before starting the car. They claim this is normal. I have spoken to the Ford service line and they have reiterated that there is nothing wrong with my car and that this is normal. I have been told by several people in the service department at my dealership, that there have been similar complaints by others. I am concerned that since it is normal (and necessary in several makes of cars eg. Toyota, mercedes and BMW) to have to step on the brake in order to start the car, that people could be injured since Ford considers this "normal". The owners manual does not say that one should not step on the brakes before starting the car. The brake failure incidents have occurred approximately 7 times over the past 9 months. It did occur once when going forward.
5 weeks ago the brake warning light on the dash lit up. I called the Ford dealership and they could not get me in for 3 weeks. I was planning on going on a vacation around that time, so decided to wait until after I got back. Unfortunately, 2 days prior to my trip, while driving on a city street the brakes completely failed. The only thing that saved me from a serious accident was downshifting and turning the ignition off which when I restarted it rebooted the brakes for a while, enough to get me to the Ford dealer. It has been in the shop for almost three weeks and they are still not sure what the problem is. They would like to replace the master cylinder and the hydraulic pump (for $5000. 00) which I am hesitant to authorize. I do not believe in a 6 year old vehicle that this is normal wear and tear. In doing research on line I have discovered numerous similar stories on different years of the same vehicle, especially 2008. I think this is a dangerous manufacturing issue and would like it investigated to see how many other similar cases are involved and if any fatalities have occurred as a result.