2011 Ford Escape Brakes Problems

The contact's husband owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test determined that the wheel sensors needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the wheel sensors were replaced by the mechanic; however, the warning lights remained illuminated. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced; however, the ABS module for the vehicle was no longer in production. The contact stated that several dealers where contacted; however, it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact suggested using an aftermarket part to replace the module; however, the dealers would not program the aftermarket part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered several recommendations, but none of the recommendations were able to assist the contact with repairing the vehicle. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11663653

Incident

Mar 1, 2025

The contact owned a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, as the contact was approaching a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed; however, it failed to stop as intended. The contact moved to the other lane when the vehicle came to a stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone and the contact was informed that three sensors needed to be replaced. Two sensors were replaced; however, the ABS sensor was not replaced due to cost. The contact stated that on the drive home, an abnormal odor was coming from the vehicle. While the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was consumed by fire and destroyed. The Fire and Police departments were called. A fire report was filed; the Fire Department stated the cause of the fire was due to faulty wiring. The contact notified her insurance company and the vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

NHTSA ID

11645090

Incident

Dec 30, 2024

Mileage

170,000 mi

The brakes completely failed and I was unable to stop the car except by turning up hill and applying the emergency brake. I had it repaired by Ford in Bangor and it turned out that the ABS module had failed. It seems unreasonable that there was no mechanical backup to a failure of an electronic part.

NHTSA ID

11607855

Incident

May 16, 2024

Loss of brake assist. Pedal hard and unresponsive.

NHTSA ID

11534567

Incident

Jul 24, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the brake pads needed to be replaced. The brake pads were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The brake rotors and calipers were replaced but the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the flex brake line needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The flex brake lines were replaced by the contact's husband. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

NHTSA ID

11532268

Incident

Jul 1, 2023

Mileage

77,000 mi

My 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid lost all braking when the brake peddle went to the floor while in the electronic mode on the battery not with the motor running. The internet has hundreds of ford escape with the same problem. My Ford dealer is not sure what is wrong. Can you please start an investigation to figure out how to fix this problem. I hit my own fence on the driveway after starting the car. Thank You [XXX] VIN: [XXX] 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid 4 door INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11432524

Incident

Sep 6, 2021

2011 Ford Escape AWD- passenger side brake issue- after driving and brake/rotor getting hot making the rim even feel hot. My car vibrates when driving down the street because of this problem. It also has very poor stopping and after stop vehicle doesn’t like to move until I hit the gas pedal. I have very poor gas mileage because something is hanging up ( passenger side only ) THIS IS DANGEROUS and no one wants to do a recall- I’ve been having problems since 2020 we have replaced caliper/rotor/brake pads and the rubber brake hose fixes the problem for about 3-4 months then comes back ( I called a FORD DEALER and they no about the issues I’m getting where I don’t feel safe in my own vehicle and FORD doesn’t want to do NOTHING about it. Guess when someone gets hurt/death they will have a law suit on their hands because they know about the problem with the brakes

NHTSA ID

11419685

Incident

May 31, 2021

2011 Ford Escape AWD- passenger side brake issue- after driving and brake/rotor getting hot making the rim even feel hot. My car vibrates when driving down the street because of this problem. It also has very poor stopping and after stop vehicle doesn’t like to move until I hit the gas pedal. I have very poor gas mileage because something is hanging up ( passenger side only ) THIS IS DANGEROUS and no one wants to do a recall- I’ve been having problems since 2020 we have replaced caliper/rotor/brake pads and the rubber brake hose fixes the problem for about 3-4 months then comes back getting where I don’t feel safe in my own vehicle and FORD doesn’t want to do NOTHING about it. Guess when someone gets hurt/death they will have a law suit on their hands because they know about the problem with the brakes

NHTSA ID

11419682

Incident

May 31, 2021

ALL BRAKE/ABS WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR ON STARTUP BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY, AND REPEATEDLY AT ONLY 50K MILES. RESTARTING THE CAR RESULTS IN SOME BRAKE FUNCTION WITH ABS AND CHECK BRAKE WARNINGS. MECHANIC HAS READ THE CODES WHICH INCLUDE EVERY PART OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. EVERY. SINGLE. PART.

NHTSA ID

11414190

Incident

Feb 18, 2021

Mileage

50,000 mi

THE PROBLEM IS BRAKE LOSS IN REVERSE. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND INFREQUENTLY OVER THE PAST 7 YEARS. USUALLY WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AND CANNOT STOP IMMEDIATELY. THE PEDAL WILL BE ROCK HARD WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS WILL DEPRESS AND BRAKES BACK TO NORMAL. SUMMER OR WINTER OR IN THE GARAGE THIS HAPPENS. I BROUGHT IT TO TWO DEALERSHIPS BUT THEY CANNOT FIND PROBLEM AS IT IS SO INTERMITTENT. IT SEEMS LIKE THE POWER ASSIST IS COMPLETELY GONE.

NHTSA ID

11387262

Incident

Jan 5, 2021

Mileage

56,000 mi

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ROLLING, THE RIGHT TIRE LOCKS UP AND STARTS SMOKING, THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. MECHANIC CANNOT FIND IT TO FIX IT IF FIXABLE AND NOT A RECALL? I AM DRIVING CITY STREETS (IN VIRGINIA-SUBURBIA.

NHTSA ID

11386052

Incident

Dec 31, 2020

Mileage

153,000 mi

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED BY FLASHING ALL LIGHTS TO STAYING ON. THEN THE SPEED CONTROLS, SPEEDOMETER, RPM GAUGE, AND HEAT SENSOR WOULD NOT WORK. ON TOP OF ALL THIS. THE BRAKES BEGAN TO MAKE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THIS ISSUE WOULD HAPPEN AND THE BRAKES WOULD ACT ROUGH. NO MECHANIC COULD FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM UNTIL IT WAS TO LATE. THIS NEEDS TO BE BETTER KNOWN AND BETTER MANAGED.

NHTSA ID

11377241

Incident

Nov 1, 2020

Mileage

147,000 mi

THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRID FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING AT ONLY 60K MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AND ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON AT ONCE AND THE SYSTEM READ "CHECK BRAKES." THE BRAKES FELT LOOSE, AND I TOOK IT A MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY. THEY THOUGHT THAT PRESSURE WAS GETTING SENT UNEVENLY TO BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE, SO THEY FLUSHED THE BRAKES. HOWEVER, THEY DISCOVERED TOTAL ABS FAILURE, AND A $3000 FIX ASSOCIATED WITH IT. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THERE ARE FACEBOOK GROUPS ADVOCATING FOR A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE DIDN'T CRASH INTO SOMEONE. THE BRAKES ONLY WORK IF YOU APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO THEM, AND EVEN THEN THEY GET LOOSE AND THE CAR STARTS TO ROLL AWAY. THESE ISSUES ARE BECOMING EXTREMELY PREVALENT NOW IN 2020 THAT THE 2008-2011 ERA OF THIS HYBRID IS GETTING A BIT OLDER. THAT BEING SAID, THIS MODEL ONLY HAS 60K MILES ON IT AND SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD BRAKE FAILURE. HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/FORD/ESCAPEHYBRID/BRAKE-ABS-WARNING-LIGHT-PROBLEMS.PHP HTTPS://FORUMS.EDMUNDS.COM/DISCUSSION/5850/FORD/ESCAPE-HYBRID/FORD-ESCAPE-HYBRID-BRAKE-PROBLEMS/P4

NHTSA ID

11308785

Incident

Feb 11, 2020

Mileage

60,000 mi

WHEN TRUCK HAS A FULL OR EVEN HALF TANK , ALWAYS SMELL A LOUD GAS SMELL COMING FROM TRUCK. GAS SMELL SO LOUD CAN NOT HAVE TRUCK PARKED IN GARAGE DUE TO FUMES. ALSO WITH BRAKES, WHEN FORCED TO STOP IMMEDIATELY THE BRAKES MAKE A WEIRD SOUND AND WONT LOCK PROPERLY.

NHTSA ID

11269178

Incident

Aug 5, 2019

Mileage

141,000 mi

FRONT-RIGHT BRAKE DISC LOCKED UP ON AUGUST 21ST, 2019. IT ALSO MADE SMOKE. AFTER ONE HOUR, IT CAN DRIVE AGAIN. NOW IT ALWAYS MAKES BIG NOISE WHEN I PARK.

NHTSA ID

11254174

Incident

Aug 21, 2019

Mileage

95,000 mi

THE PROBLEM IS BRAKE LOSS IN REVERSE. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY SOMETIMES ONCE A MONTH OR MAYBE 6 MONTHS WITH NO PROBLEM BUT SCARY WHEN BACKING OUT AND CANNOT STOP IMMEDIATELY. THE PEDAL WILL BE ROCK HARD WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS WILL DEPRESS AND BRAKES BACK TO NORMAL. IF IN A TIGHT SPOT OR PEDESTRIAN WALKS BEHIND THERE COULD BE BAD CONSEQUENCES AND GOOD LUCK PROVING IT IN COURT THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. SUMMER OR WINTER DOESNT MATTER. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO DEALERSHIP AND COMPLAINED ON ANOTHER FORUM BUT DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM AS IT IS SO INTERMITTENT. IT SEEMS LIKE A VALVE IN THE SYSTEM STICKS. I HAD IT HAPPEN TO ME SEVERAL TIMES BUT MY WIFE DIDNT BELIEVE ME. WELL IT HAPPENED TO HER LAST WEEK AND SHE WAS SCARED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS WITHOUT RESOLUTION AND IF NOTHING ELSE WILL PUT THIS CONCERN ON THE RECORD OR HOPEFULLY FORD TAKES THIS MORE SERIOUSLY. I WILL BE CONTACTING DEALER AGAIN AS THIS MUST BE FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL. ANY IDEAS WELCOME.

NHTSA ID

11210240

Incident

May 23, 2019

Mileage

40,000 mi

WE BEGAN HAVING INTERMITTENT BRAKING INCIDENTS. SOMETIME THE CAR WOULD PULL SHARPLY, OR NOT AT ALL. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE CAR SEEMED TO NEED EXTRA PETAL PRESSURE TO STOP. WE TOOK IT TO SPENCER CREEK TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. INITIAL DIAGNOSTICS WAS POSSIBLE STICKING OF CALIPERS. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN OUTSIDE THE SHOP TO AWAIT PARTS. WHEN THE IT WAS TIME TO BRING THE CAR BACK INSIDE TO PUT ON THE LIFT, THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HAD FROZE UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. SEE ATTACHED WORK ORDER. IF THIS MODULE HAD FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, TI WOULD RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL.

NHTSA ID

11209554

Incident

Apr 16, 2019

Mileage

51,051 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE ABS AND STABILITY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANDY SHAW FORD (1231 E MAIN ST, SYLVA, NC 28779, (828) 586-0900) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SENSOR AND COLUMN NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,349. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID

11067107

Incident

Jan 28, 2018

Mileage

41,349 mi

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMULTANEOUS DEPRESSION OF THE VEHICLE BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS RESULTING IN THE CAR LURCHING FORWARD OR BACKWARDS UNCONTROLLABLY DEPENDING ON WHETHER TRAVELING FROM STATIONARY IN REVERSE OR GOING FORWARD. MOST RECENTLY, THIS DEFECT HAS RESULTED IN A TOTAL RIGHT -OFF OF OUR VEHICLE WHEN THE CAR REVERSED INTO A BRICK WALL AS WE WERE BACKING UP SLOWLY FROM A COMPLETE STANDSTILL. LUCKILY, NO INJURY WAS SUSTAINED TO PASSENGERS OR OTHER BY STANDERS BUT IT MOST CERTAINLY COULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF A PASSER BY.

NHTSA ID

10985584

Incident

Apr 12, 2017

Mileage

94,000 mi

BRAKES FAIL WHEN CAR IS IN REVERSE. PEDAL BECOMES VERY HARD, DOES NOT DEPRESS, AND CAR DOES NOT STOP. HAS NEVER HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING FORWARD. CONSISTENTLY HAPPENS, DAILY, ON THE FIRST APPLICATION OF BRAKES IN REVERSE.

NHTSA ID

10969857

Incident

Mar 30, 2017

Mileage

60,000 mi

I WAS TRAVELING NORTHWEST ON I 26 WHEN I HEARD A POP AND LOST SPEED AND CONTROL. I EASED OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND TRIED TO STOP. AT THIS TIME, THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. EVENTUALLY THE CAR STOPPED AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I HAD TO BE TOWED TO NEWBERRY AND LEFT THE CAR AT A GARAGE AND RENTED A CAR TO CONTINUE MY TRIP TO PICK MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND RETURN TO CHARLESTON. I HAD TO PAY 85.00 TO THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER, 385.00 FOR THE CAR RENTAL AND 486.36 TO THE GARAGE FOR THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT. NOW I FIND OUT THIS HAS HAD A RECALL. IF I HAD BEEN NOTIFIED, I WOULD NOT BE OUT NEARLY $1000.00, NOT TO MENTION THE SAFETY ASPECT OF THIS WHOLE INCIDENT. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10606726

Incident

Apr 19, 2014

Mileage

113,354 mi

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IT OPERATES AS IT SHOULD, ONCE THE RPM SLOW TO AN IDLE THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE AND STALL AT IDLE. AT SLOW SPEEDS (10-20 MPH) THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE AND STALL WHEN THE THROTTLE IS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AND STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITIES ARE MINIMAL, THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE AT SPEEDS OF 45MPH HOWEVER IT DOES NOT STALL AT THIS SPEED. ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE SLIGHTLY, HOWEVER IT IS NOT AS NOTICEABLE OF AN EVENT AS AT SLOWER SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10592863

Incident

May 20, 2014

Mileage

50,948 mi

2011 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE WAS UNDERSIZED. WHILE DRIVING, HE FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND INSTEAD HIS FOOT HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONSUMER HIT THE BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND ANOTHER OCCASION, HE WAS FORCED TO DRIVE THROUGH A TRAFFIC CONTROLLING ARM AT A LOCAL GUARD HOUSE, BREAKING THE EXTENDED BARRIER ARM.*JB UPDATED 11/26/14

NHTSA ID

10561997

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING, AND HAD PULLED FROM A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO STALL, AND SHE HAD NO CONTROL- NO BRAKES, NO THROTTLE, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DIDN'T STOP HER, AND SHE FINALLY PUSHED IT INTO PARK AND THAT DID NOTHING. IT ROLLED TO A STOP, ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING. SHE TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES, RESTARTED IT. IT RESTARTED, AND SHE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE TO HER DESTINATIONS WHICH WAS CLOSEBY. VERY SCARY, BUT FORTUNATELY, NO OTHER REAL TRAFFIC, BUT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC. *TR

NHTSA ID

10557042

Incident

Dec 22, 2013

Mileage

15,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE SXLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE WOULD ABNORMALLY TRAVEL TO THE FLOORBOARD. ALSO, THERE WAS NO PRESSURE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. A REPRESENTATIVE ALSO KEPT HER VEHICLE FOR FOUR DAYS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,250. UPDATED 12/27/12 *CN UPDATED 12/31/2012 *JS

NHTSA ID

10479790

Incident

Jun 12, 2012

Mileage

15,000 mi