tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post1014386793583325912..comments2024-02-25T14:08:42.814-05:00Comments on Just One Point Of View [justonepov.com]: Ford Escape Hybrid Brake Failure - RevisitedKenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11519831519646337908noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-34725177439339834702013-03-26T23:08:42.097-04:002013-03-26T23:08:42.097-04:00Sorry, but there are no other ways to generate the...Sorry, but there are no other ways to generate the problem codes... it's the HCU.<br /><br />I still own the FEH and have vowed to keep it until it dies in order to get my money back out of the repair cost. I now have 160,000 miles, and no more braking problems associated with the HCU.<br /><br />The problem that you have is that the vehicle is now essentially worthless. Like being totaled in a wreck, but without the insurance benefit. It's very expensive to repair, but it's worthless without the repair (i.e. you can't sell it in the present condition).<br /><br />It's a tough call. Sell the vehicle for salvage value, or break open the piggy bank. Good luck.Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519831519646337908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-34882137556921105212013-03-26T15:19:10.125-04:002013-03-26T15:19:10.125-04:00HI Ken,
I may be really late to this party, and s...HI Ken,<br /><br />I may be really late to this party, and sorry to possibly be bringing up old problems you would rather not think about again, but my 2006 FEH with 137K miles just started with the ABS and Brake lights issue. My experience is a little different then most, I've never lost braking ability, they still work fine, although they now serge a bit as if I have a warped rotor. I have lost the regenerative breaking and dropped about 3 miles/gallon in overall MPG. The computer codes at the dealers must have pointed to the HCU as the service writer took me all the way into the showroom and over in a corner away from everyone else to tell me that it was the HCU and it wasn't worth fixing it..... He also told me it was safe to drive and only the ABS would be affected????? Hope that's right!!!!! First, in your opinion, is it possible for a simpler set of problems to generate the same codes, like a stuck parking brake cable, or bad sensors. Obviously I am hoping to figure out another cause and get it fixed for less then $5K. Do you still have your hybrid and did the replaced HCU work for you? Hopefully you will still have a few words of wisdom for anyone only now facing this problem.<br />Bill W.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-52718548472676783582013-03-16T20:43:01.708-04:002013-03-16T20:43:01.708-04:00Was looking into buying an used '05 Ford Escap...Was looking into buying an used '05 Ford Escape but have reconsidered and will not! Ford's apparent lack of concern is appalling! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-18861897961860357102012-07-06T21:58:34.142-04:002012-07-06T21:58:34.142-04:00just a side note, I have seen many wire harness...just a side note, I have seen many wire harness's damaged due to battery acid.people put aftermarket oversized batteries that touch the wire harness in the left front and when they start to leak acid eats the wiring and also corrodes the grounds that anonomys feb. 15th. wrote about!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-14636519748942791562012-04-11T14:50:13.043-04:002012-04-11T14:50:13.043-04:00I would like to add to the previous entry, that 2 ...I would like to add to the previous entry, that 2 weeks prior to the initial brake failure my wife noticed the power went out on the entertainment console (radio clock etc). When both brake failures occurred, turning the ignition off and on and recalibrating the brakes fixed the problem. As a retired electronic engineer with over 40 yrs in process control my feeling is it is an electrical problem. April 11,2012 and no further problems.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-39847366418723593462012-04-02T16:01:56.064-04:002012-04-02T16:01:56.064-04:00Hi I own a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid and exspierianc...Hi I own a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid and exspierianced a simular problem.I did not loose brakes but the abs light came on the dash and I felt a definate jerk and vibration and a warning to service the abs and the 4x4. It has happend only in the last week seems as after the car sits over night or a longer time. I was going to take it to a Ford dealer but after reading about the cost I would not be able to afford it. I will check to see if they have a recall for it. If not I am going to see if a class suit is feasible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-65559063933314061322012-03-27T14:41:52.245-04:002012-03-27T14:41:52.245-04:00Anonymous (12/26/2012) - I am not aware of the sub...Anonymous (12/26/2012) - I am not aware of the subject Master Cylinder / HCU failure resulting in leaked brake fluid.<br /><br />Sorry for your misfortune, and I hope that the repair is economical.Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519831519646337908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-38666815851928524232012-03-26T12:19:11.325-04:002012-03-26T12:19:11.325-04:00I have a quick question... when this brake failure...I have a quick question... when this brake failure happened... did brake fluid pour out, or did it just come up with the service brake system?<br /><br />Cause this happened to me yesterday, and I now have brake fluid coming out from somewhere. I'm going to Ford tomorrow... I'm hoping my issue is just a leaky line or something, and not this catastrophic failure. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-66430177097130106362012-02-15T23:20:02.208-05:002012-02-15T23:20:02.208-05:00Anonymous (02/15/2012) - I hope that you are corre...Anonymous (02/15/2012) - I hope that you are correct. However, I can attest that the problem that I experienced was VERY intermittent. Sometimes it would happen three days in a row, and then not again for three months. I could not "make" the problem occur. It finally reached a point to where I felt that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and I pursued the repair, even three Ford Dealer Service Managers told me I was nuts.Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519831519646337908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-49919724617692337342012-02-15T11:34:26.648-05:002012-02-15T11:34:26.648-05:00I have a 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. Brakes faile...I have a 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. Brakes failed in Nov for my wife and in Dec for me. I have taken all the ground points from the Neg of battery to where they connect to the body and cleaned them. One is below the battery, one is on the passenger side of engine, on the wheel well and one you need to remove the driver side front tire to redo. I think it is an electrical problem. I have not had a failure since. 2-15-12Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-31625238484438599732012-01-14T00:30:38.414-05:002012-01-14T00:30:38.414-05:00Kevin (01/13/2012) - I couldn't agree with you...Kevin (01/13/2012) - I couldn't agree with you more. I continue to hear from Ford Escape Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid owners who are experiencing this same problem. Some of their brake failure experiences are harrowing. And all of them continue to get raked-over by the Ford Service Departments for thousands of dollars. Yet the NHTSA and Ford Motor Company remain silent. It's an amazing and very sad situation.<br /><br />I am probably more surprised that there has not been a class action lawsuit proposed.Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519831519646337908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-64292688986552741862012-01-13T23:55:09.885-05:002012-01-13T23:55:09.885-05:00Getting a new HCU and ECU a couple years back seem...Getting a new HCU and ECU a couple years back seems to have fixed the problem, but I'm very upset that Ford has not fixed this for everyone. This is a very dangerous problem. I have not looked at the NHTSA site for this problem for a few years since I reported my failure (2/13/2009). I now see at least 42 reported problems that are very similar for 2005 and 2006 Escape Hybrid and Escape HEV. I'm going to check the 2007 models as well.<br /><br />How can we get Ford to address this problem? I wouldn't be surprised if people have already been seriously injured or killed. Since there's no visible signs of the problem, I would expect that investigators chalked up some accidents to driver error that were actually caused by brake failure.Kevinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-14489981503860955102011-11-23T17:45:20.232-05:002011-11-23T17:45:20.232-05:00Willie - Unfortunately, a failed master cylinder o...Willie - Unfortunately, a failed master cylinder or HCU would not provide visible clues to the person viewing the outside of the component. It is a mechanical failure on the inside of the component... just the same as failed components on a rear wheel drive Volvo. <br /><br />I would imagine that there are bench rigs that can test the master cylinder and HCU. However, such a device is likely uncommon and likely only to exist back in the Ford labs where they design the parts and the computer monitoring hardware and software.Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519831519646337908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-3630001025003848922011-11-23T09:51:10.181-05:002011-11-23T09:51:10.181-05:00Thanks Ken - I guess the thing I am wondering abou...Thanks Ken - I guess the thing I am wondering about this is: if you (a mechanic I mean) are holding a new master cylinder or HCU is there any way to tell there is anything wrong with it by looking/bench testing somehow? Other than the computer and the codes? If not that is kind of scary. Can you 'tell' the computer a part is new? These questions are kind of rhetorical, I guess I am pointing out the potential downside of over-computerized cars. Up to this point all I have owned is rear-wheel drive Volvos.<br /><br />thanks,<br /><br />willieWillienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-2467852090042218852011-11-22T18:52:43.342-05:002011-11-22T18:52:43.342-05:00Willie - Best of luck with the repair. However, it...Willie - Best of luck with the repair. However, it's been our experience that "reprogramming" the ABS does not resolve the problem for long. That is why there are Technical Service Bulletins from Ford addressing this issue. Please keep us posted on your vehicle's braking performance.Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519831519646337908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-12762165725936634602011-11-22T17:22:53.004-05:002011-11-22T17:22:53.004-05:00Good news!
I took it to another dealer in Waterv...Good news! <br /><br />I took it to another dealer in Waterville, ME (Ray Haskell Ford) and they were able to fix it without the expensive parts. I did not tell them about the first dealer experience, only about the first shop that could not bleed the brakes.<br /><br />The receipt says:<br /><br />"40 ECC tested 3 codes bled brakes and reprogrammed ABS, did pinpoint test - road tested OK"<br /><br />so $176 instead of potential $7K.<br /><br />Lesson: if this happens to you don't accept that the master cylinder and HCU are bad. Get other opinions. Make them go back at it.<br /><br />Also, if you really do need a master cylinder you can find a Motocraft one for $600 delivered on eBay, not the $1100 for the part only the dealer wanted.<br /><br />Hopefully the fix will last me!<br /><br />thanks,<br /><br />WillieWillienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-50772100986018292902011-11-18T21:21:56.523-05:002011-11-18T21:21:56.523-05:00Willie in Maine - The codes are the codes. Any oth...Willie in Maine - The codes are the codes. Any other dealer or mechanic will tell you the same thing. <br /><br />It is my understanding that it does require special equipment to bleed the brakes, so even if you have a local mechanic replace the master cylinder, you will still need a visit to the Ford dealer to perform the bleed. That is the process I used, which did result in a lower cost. However, there is no way to know for certain if the HCU is bad as well until you clear-up the error codes caused by the bad master cylinder.<br /><br />I faced a similar decision... sell it for whatever I could, or have the repairs done. I decided to bite the bullet and fix the brakes, as the vehicle only had minimal salvage value with the failed regenerative brakes. Since I could not afford a new vehicle, the repairs made sense for me.<br /><br />Good luck with your situation.Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519831519646337908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-7663265950053079252011-11-18T18:30:21.668-05:002011-11-18T18:30:21.668-05:00Hi there,
Thanks for all the great info. I wish I...Hi there,<br /><br />Thanks for all the great info. I wish I did not need it! ;)<br /><br />I have a 2005 FEH with 187K miles. I had the front brakes replaced this June (rotors, etc.), drove from Maine to SC - everything great, up to 30mpg.<br /><br />Yesterday (11/18/11) I was driving home and the car was lurching, acting strangely. I pulled over and the front right brake was really gushing smoke and hot as a pistol. My shop was near by so I let it cool and limped it over. <br /><br />This morning he replaced the caliper and brake hose but said he could not bleed the brakes after trying for nearly 2 hours. He arranged for me to go to the Ford dealer so I did as I have been there before. So $239 for him.<br /><br />From his shop to Ford dealer, almost no brakes, pushing down very hard, ABS light on and SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM displayed, and brake light.<br /><br />The Ford dealer had the car for a few hours and said they could not bleed the brakes either. Here is what the 'receipt' said: <br /><br />"Tried to perform an ABS bleed with the IDS, can not perform. Codes in system C1323, travel sensor 1 fault. C1524, calibration incomplete, brake travel.C1525, initialization incomplete. These are hard faults. Ford has bulletin for code 1524 to replace master cylinder first before proceeding further. Customer declined repairs. Vehicle unsafe, should not be driven."<br /><br />I limped it home on on just reserve brakes - pushing all the way to the floor, really hard! <br /><br />I do not trust the Ford dealer, especially that one. After reading this blog I am also concerned that they will charge $1142 for the master cylinder (their estimate) then want another $4K for the HCU.<br /><br />OK - How f&^%ed am I?<br /><br />Seriously though is there any way an independent mechanic can have a look at this and really determine if I need a master cyl and the HCU? Any in New England?<br /><br />Any help or advice would be appreciated. Is it worth taking to another Ford dealer? Is it time to trade it in for whatever I can get?<br /><br />My shop guy did pay the $137 Ford charged to look at this so still just $239 into this. I paid $5500 for this car about a year ago, very clean, have driven 20K miles. I really love it besides this.<br /><br />thanks,<br /><br />Willie in MaineWillienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-79526024503326705112011-11-17T22:55:58.147-05:002011-11-17T22:55:58.147-05:00My 2005 FEH has about 90,000 miles on it. Back in...My 2005 FEH has about 90,000 miles on it. Back in May-July, I started having braking issues. The pedal would tense up and it was hard to stop, but the car stopped. Then one day just a block from work, the brakes went out completely. Took it to the local dealership and they "reprogrammed" the brakes. Drove it to TN and back (from OH) without an issue until I was a mile from my house. Toward the end of July, the brakes went out again. Took it to the dealership by my house and they replaced the master brake cylinder to the tune of almost $1600. A week after that, I found out I was getting laid off. Well, this past Saturday, the brake light and "service brake system" appeared on the dash. Took it to the dealership for an oil change, tire rotation and it needed rear brakes. The technician performed a TSB procedure that may or may not work, but seeing as how I am unemployed I went for the cheaper route. Well, this morning the brake light came on again with the same message. Fantastic. I've already been told that it's going to cost about $4000 to replace the HCU. Of course I don't want to put it off since I got lucky the two times the brakes did go out completely and I wasn't on the highway. This is a safety issue and I think it's crap FORD won't cover it. My family have been loyal FORD customers for years. My grandfather worked for them for over 30 years. Because of this, I am done. I'd consider getting a new car, but I can't get a loan without a job, nor do I have money for a car payment. This one has been paid off for years. I'm livid over this. I will be filing complaints with everyone I can think of. Not that I think it will do any good, but it might make me feel better.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02638041724142374490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-28617814840735561192011-10-02T10:59:39.795-04:002011-10-02T10:59:39.795-04:00I have had the exact same issue with my 2008 Ford ...I have had the exact same issue with my 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The first time I had the problem was 500 miles after I had my regular brake service. The error code was: Check Brake System, Regen Brakes disabled, ABS Light on. This code would come and go. I took it in to my dealer and they Replaced my Master Cylinder. The next week I still had the Check Brake System, Regen Brakes disabled, ABS Light error. Once again the error would come and go. It happened again recently but the code would not go away so I took it in again. This time the technician said I needed new brakes and that he has seen new brakes solve the problem before. So I had the brake pads and rotors replaced. On my way home with my new brakes the same Check Brake System, Regen Brakes disabled, ABS Light error appeared. Went back in and this time they said I needed a new hydraulic control unit. Now I'm out of warranty so they said the $3000+ bill is my responsibility. I haven't done it yet but I'm having a real hard time spending money on something that is defective by design and I believe the fault lies with Ford Motor Company so they should recall this potentially dangerous problem.Adamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-73100766236564091372011-09-27T09:03:50.761-04:002011-09-27T09:03:50.761-04:00Thanks! Just brought it to the dealer. They said...Thanks! Just brought it to the dealer. They said after a new battery, the braking system needs to be recalibrated and it should take care of the problem. It really is a little harrowing driving on the fail safe braking system. I wondered if it was the same as the situations discribed above, but with it only happening immediately after a dead battery I hoped it was not. It has never happened spontaneously.. I really do like this car and this is the first issue I have had with it. Fingers crossed! I have a 15 year old son and hope to pass this vehicle on to him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-82503927620947005412011-09-26T15:04:09.444-04:002011-09-26T15:04:09.444-04:00Anonymous: I have had the 12 volt battery in my FE...Anonymous: I have had the 12 volt battery in my FEH fail as well. However, I do not recall a jump start resulting in a problem with the brake system. <br /><br />The symptoms related to the failed master cylinder and hydraulic control unit are described in detail on this blog [http://blog.yagelski.com/2010/01/my-ford-escape-hybrid-brake-repair.html] and in the many visitor comments. It is not clear to me that you are experiencing the same issue.<br /><br />Is the vehicle worth repairing? In my case, the FEH was in excellent condition except for the failed brake system. "Junking" the vehicle for salvage value was not an acceptable economic alternative for me and my family. If your FEH is having the same problem, you will need to decide whether or not $7,000+ in repairs is a good idea.Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519831519646337908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-23264368672855138182011-09-26T14:12:38.486-04:002011-09-26T14:12:38.486-04:00I have a 2005 FEH. My car battery died on Friday ...I have a 2005 FEH. My car battery died on Friday last (9/23) Jumped the car, and the ABS brakes took about 2 minutes to kick in. Same thing happened this morning, except it took 15 minutes for the brakes to work. Is this the same thing you were speaking of? My car has 107k miles. Is it worth fixing?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-59416293913667102872011-09-10T01:40:40.449-04:002011-09-10T01:40:40.449-04:00This is going to get more interesting before it ge...This is going to get more interesting before it gets better. Our 2010 less than 17K miles Mariner Hybrid had this exact problem earlier this week. Very fortunately it happened on a very slow street and no one got hurt. The local Ford dealer, which I really like and has treated me very well over the years has said "We see you had a problem, but we can't reproduce it...."<br />Sound familiar??<br />Will be taking printouts of this blog and comments into the service manager to see what they have to say.<br />This is the first time in my lifetime (and I'm an old guy...) that I have ever been afraid to drive a car because of brakes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-80142580521237253822011-09-06T11:38:37.454-04:002011-09-06T11:38:37.454-04:00Ok. Own a '06 Merc Mariner Hybrid with ~63K mi...Ok. Own a '06 Merc Mariner Hybrid with ~63K miles and no issues ever until yesterday. While driving about 65 mph on cruise control on a remote stretch of Utah highway, my ABS warning and brake warning lights both suddenly lit up, for no apparent reason. Brakes had worked normally at an intesection about 10-15 minutes earlier, so at 65mph I applied brake pedal lightly to see what the warning lights were referring to. The pedal went nearly to the floor before I could get any braking action, so I slowed the car using the emergency brake to pull over and look for any sort of mechanical cause. None found. Limped the car home using the emerg brake; now researching before going to the dealer, only to find this depressing thread. I don't have $7K to repair, so the car is now driveway junk, I guess, at just over 63K. Thanks Ford! Never again.Mark_in_UThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06702917871865517649noreply@blogger.com