Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. While driving 30 MPH, the "pull over safely now" warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact stated that the braking system failed to operate as intended. The crash occurred while the contact was en route to coccia Ford Lincoln inc (located at 577 e main st, wilkes-barre, pa 18702, [phone]) to have the vehicle repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V526000 (Hybrid propulsion system). The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and issued case number: cas-14733790. The approximate failure mileage was 174,109.
When brake pedal is applied with constant pressure, brakes would engage then fail to engage for short seconds, then engage again, symptoms are intermittent. Some times it would trigger a brake related DTC. Technician determined it was a failed hydraulic control unit in the brake system and was told it was common and occurred on a number of the same model vehicles from 2005 to 2012.
Intermittent loss of braking over the past 12 months, with the 3rd occurrence resulting in a collision on June 28, 2016 on a city street. Vehicle has had intermittent brake and ABS warning lights with no diagnostic codes, and warning lights eventually reset with no additional action taken. Brake system has been serviced several times without resolution.
ABS light on, very weak and diminished braking power, almost not stopping, vehicle was off, then noticed upon startup, 123K miles on vehicle, Ford states it could be up to a $5K repair which far exceedes the value of this vehicle, suspect part is the hcu hydraulic control unit which pressurizes the break system before start up, also noticed this pump isn't coming on anymore, Ford says they won't cover anything of repair, no more fords or Chevy's for me!, you have to kill at least 125 people before they will recall anything just like the $2.25 ignition key recall, what about the 180+ people fords pinto exploding fuel tanks, because of break away fuel necks, lives aren't worth $8ea, to install the rubber bladder are they?, thanks for making another throw away car just like the Chevy vega, now Ford has another to add to pinto, edsel, maverick? Where did they go? Which one's next? …
I was stopped at a drive thru line my car made a noise I don't know how to describe accurately with words. I looked down and my ABS and brake light were on and the brake service needed was on the dash display. I put the car in park and turned the car off then on. All the same warnings were still there. I pulled forward slowly and when braking I still didn't stop in a reasonable time and almost completely missed the drive thru window. Needless to say a drive home at 10-15mph still felt like I was in danger of hitting someone because I could not judge stopping distance even with my foot applying full pressure on the brakes. From all the information I have found on line this seems a very apparent case of something Ford should be making a recall issue of high importance. I am hoping my reporting it here May help in preventing something very dangerous from happening in the future.
ABS and brake light illuminate (with service brake system displayed) and brake pedal goes all the way to the floor. Brakes fail to manual brakes only, very sensitive and will lock the wheels up; touchy with no real feed back, just applied or off with significant pressure required. Happened when pulling into a gas station and nearly went past the pump, but skidded to a stop instead. System resets with each key cycle on/off. It is somewhat intermittent. While waiting for my Ford appointment (cavalier Ford in chesapeake, va), I duplicated the event several times under a controlled, open parking lot test and drive to the dealership. Dealership ran diagnostics, and could not duplicate. The recommend replacing brake lines, then master cylinder, then hcu. Repairs in order are $615, $1400, and over $4900. Diagnostics ran $130...with no definitive answer to my problem.
Driving down the highway with my family, a car swerved into our lane cutting us off. We hit the brakes, the ABS and brake light came on and the brakes only worked when we slammed on them! Had to have the car towed as it was not drivable. Mechanic said it needed a new ABS control module. Ordered that part twice. Took car to car computer specialist - said car was could not be reprogrammed. Bill is now over $2,000 and it has been over 2 weeks. Mechanic called Ford (lots of complaints online about this issue). They said they could try to reprogram it, but it could take up to 10 hours and May not work. Ford said the last problem they saw like this didn't work and the owner had to trade in for a new car! Not only could this incident have seriously harmed my family, but now I'm out of a car and $2,000!
On ladson, sc road my brake light warning came on and I had no brakes. This happened three times before, but I pulled off the road and turned the engine off then turned back on and brakes worked. This time on ladson road, I could not get the brakes to work, and I had to call a tow truck to take the car home. I cannot drive the car, and feel stranded at home. I am an 82 year old widow. I have to get my son to take me where I need to go. He has to get off work to do this. I need my car. Please help. According to the Ford company it costs $5000.00 to fix. I do not have $5000.00. I live on a fixed income.
Computer controlling the brakes malfunction. I was on a state hyway when the dash light came on to warn of brake failure, and a couple of seconds later I had no brakes. I turned the motor off and back on, and I had brakes. This happened off and on until I was on ladson road going to a friends house and the brakes would not work and I had to call a tow truck and be towed home. This scares me and I will not drive the car until it is fixed. Ford says it will cost 5000.00 to fix it. I have to get my son to carry everywhere. I am 82 years old and need my car !!!!....updated 06/15/16
The ABS control module. Noticed many complaints. Had 1700 dollars of work to fix the issue and the brakes went out on me yesterday. Three weeks after the work. The ABS and brake light came on again and the brakes failed on hwy 19 fl. Pulled over ,turned the car off like what I read online about this type a vehicle, started up and the brakes were back' took it home and parked it. When is Ford going to put a recall on this, when someone dies.of course had I known about this defect I would have never purchased it. I have only had it for a little over a month and it has low mileage..
Brake complaints in other Escape Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid?
NHTSA has 71 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid, 37% of the model year's 190 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › abs warning light (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.