Brake Antilock Wheel Speed Sensor Problems of Ford Escape Hybrid

The wheel speed sensor ring, also known as the tone ring, can split or crack while driving, causing loss of abs and 4 wheel drive. This is what happened to me. It's a known defect, is frightening when it happens, and should have long ago result in a recall.

See all problems of the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 🔎.

Six days after purchasing this vehicle used from a dealer, my father lost brakes while driving in town. The abs light came on and the brakes had to be pushed to the floor. The repair involved replacing the entire hybrid system. The next times the abs light went off while either he or myself was driving we would apply the brakes to make sure we had proper use of them. We decided not to bring the vehicle back in to be looked at because the abs light would never stay on and the brakes seemed to be in working order. Also, we did not want be without the vehicle for the lengthy period of time we experienced in January. The next time the vehicle completely lost brakes was September 5, 2012 when my father was driving. This time the traction control and abs lights went on. Our dealer sent us to the local Ford dealer and they wanted nothing to do with helping us out on the repair to have a safe vehicle to drive. We took the Ford back to our dealer who ended up putting a new axle on the vehicle and clearing the rest of the codes. I was shocked that I had to buy an axle. It was something to do with a the axle's tone ring being broken and not giving a reading to the speed sensor. The next time my father lost brakes was on September 26, 2012. This time the brakes went to the floor and he had no brakes at all. We had the dealer tow the vehicle this time. The service shop said they cleared the codes and could not get the problem to reproduce. By this time we are both done with this car. I told them I wanted something in writing that the vehicle was safe to drive in case someone got into a accident. They gave me the paperwork stating they could not get the problem to duplicate and the vehicle was operating as intended at this time . The very next day, my father lost brakes while driving to work. Again, we had the dealer tow in the vehicle.

I am the owner of a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid and have had at least four experiences of malfunctioning speed sensors. They have given me concern about the safety of the vehicle and caused me inconvenience and expenses for repair. The typical incident involves a malfunctioning of the abs and 4x4 systems, with warning lamps lighting up indicating that there is a danger of skidding and loss of vehicle control. In three instances I had the problem diagnosed and repaired by Ford dealers, who reported: "found rear wheel speed sensor to be faulty" (Jan. 08); "replaced the failed right rear wheel speed sensor" (sept. 08); "inspected the sensor at the right front wheel and found the tone ring on the axle cracked. Needs new axle" (Aug. 09). Two of these were done on warranty; the third cost $344. 95. All dealers have given assurances that even with warning lights indicating problems as described it was "safe" to continue driving the car until repairs can be made. On March 7 and 8, 2010, while on a trip away from home, the same symptoms occurred again. Given earlier assurances by dealers, I continued on my trip ignoring as best as possible the warning lights, popping sounds of the 4x4, and occasional shuddering of the abs system. Surprisingly, after some highway driving (perhaps 50 miles) the warning signals stopped lighting up and the car seemed to handle fairly normally. Now, a few days later, the car continues to operate without signs of malfunction, but it remains unclear whether the problem "fixed itself" or the computer-controlled read-outs have ceased functioning, thereby disguising the possible persistence of the underlying problem. I have not had any accidents as a result of these problems, but it is extremely disconcerting to have to worry about what may be an inherently faulty design that may compromise the safety of this vehicle despite assurances to the contrary given by dealers.