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 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that an abnormal grinding noise would emit from vehicle upon depression of the brake pedal. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic for repair. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted, and parts were ordered for the repair. The dealer sent the parts to the independent mechanic who repaired the vehicle. Recently, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ABS warning light illuminated as the grinding noise returned. The contact also stated that the brake pedal had begun to depress to the floorboard. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle has been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
Went to press on the brakes to not hit an animal and yellow ABS light illuminates,red brake light illuminates, and "service brake system" message appeared and the car just slid. Once driving your ABS system is deactivated causing the car to just slide when pressing on the brakes. An obdi code reader indicates c1478, c1479, and c1480. Ford recommends changing hydraulic control unit costing over 5 thousand dollars. When unlocking the car or turning the key ignition to the on position you hear the brakes trying to build up pressure and then you hear a loud grinding noise and that is when all the messages appear on the dash. This seems to be a reoccurring issue with Ford Escape hybrids made from 2005 through 2008 according to many customers. No recall yet.
While driving at approx. 30 MPH the amber ABS and red brake warning lights came on. Power assist for braking failed. Unlike vacuum assist in a non-Hybrid vehicle (when in the case of failure you can still still stop fairly quickly with extreme foot pressure on the brake pedal) with the Escape Hybrid, no matter how hard you press the brake pedal, you are limited to about 10% of normal braking force. Diagnostic error code was c1477. Ford documented fix is to try bleeding the brake system and see if that works. If not replace ABS module and hcu. Dealer said bleeding system would be $900. If that did not work replace ABS module/hcu for an additional $4500. So, try bleeding the brakes, ride around for a month or two to see if problem returns. If problem returns replace ABS module/hcu and hope that fixes it. There May be 2 or 3 or 4 visits to the shop to have the problem fixed. …
I have a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid with 92518 miles on it. The break lights come on and then it has little breaks.it does this intermittently. I took it to the dealer and they said the hcu was bad and that it would need to be replaced and that it was going to cost me $6000 - $7000 to have it fixed.I put a used hcu on it and they said that one was also bad. I have owned many cars over the years and I have never had to put an hcu on before.I got on line and this seems to be a very common problem. So how come there is no recall since this has to do with the breaks..if this was a Toyota this would have already been addressed..I will never buy another Ford vechial again..I work at a very big shop in town and anyone who askes what kind of car to buy I will tell them to buy a Toyota and not a Ford. Cause apparently Ford doesn't care about safety. P.s. …
The car was stationary on May 7th 2016 ABS warning light came on and flashed after starting vehicle. My daughter took to Ford dealer in maryville tn they said needs complete braking system replaced at a cost of $4,349.08. Considering I had the Ford dealer in madison, oh check vehicle from top to bottom (safety check) in jan. 2016 they replaced the front rotors & brake shoes and deemed everything else in perfect condition. Anyway car was taken to a dealer in carey nc they said needs complete braking system replaced at a cost of $4,800. After researching I have found (hundreds) of people in my situation describing exactly the same issues! Shame on Ford for not allowing a recall! I cant afford the pricey repairs and can't afford another car! So sorry I replaced a Honda civic with 239,000 miles with this hunk of junk Escape Hybrid!!!! …
Vehicle displayed "service emissions system" warning immediately after driving off the lot. After replacement of all emissions parts, vehicle still intermittently displays this warning and occasional "stop safely now" messages causing the engine to shut down. Vehicle also displays "service brake system" warnings daily despite having entire breaking system replaced causing failure of ABS breaking system resulting in brake pedal going all the way to the floor and taking a much longer distance to stop while driving. Vehicle surges forward while stopped at traffic lights increasing the risk of a crash. Vehicle displays "passenger door ajar" warnings although door is shut. This results in alarm and lights flashing constantly resulting in several drained batteries so vehicle does not start. Transfer case or "power take off unit" failed at 125K miles resulting in non-drivable condition.
The ABS brake light and red brake lights come on and I have very limited braking. Almost like braking on an icy road and at times almost collided with some cars. Then it's not on the next time I start it up again, only to come on again on a different day or so. Brought the car in to my mechanic, but since the lights weren't on at that time, they could not diagnose it. They did however check out my brakes and said everything looked fine. I have 2 small children in my car and drive 20 miles each way everyday to work and their school, this is not safe!! The lights go and and then off the next time, when the lights are off, the brakes are just fine! There is something defective here that is happening and my mechanic cannot figure it out!!! This has been going on for 7 months now!! I will submit the date below of the last time it happened.
The brakes do not work. There is little to no braking power when depressing the brake, and the brakes feel stiff to engage. One shop fixed all my rotors and pads and a caliper, but the brakes still did not function. They told me I had to go to a dealer to get the brakes bled... Nothing else could be done. So I took it to a Ford dealer and they said it would cost over $4000 to fix. The main ABS control unit and hydraulic control unit were what the computers said were the problem. After some pleading, they agreed to try a used part for only $900. After installing the used part, the brakes still did not function. I was told the Ford main help line said only new parts would fix it... Technicians tried to diagnose the problem further but eventually said the only thing they could do is install the new parts for the hefty price.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at approximately 50 MPH, the brake pedal was jammed to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where they diagnosed that the brakes needed to be bled. The vehicle was repaired, however the failure recurred and the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brakes needed to be bled properly and tubing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure recurred again. The contact stated that vehicle was returned to the dealer where it was diagnosed as the hydraulic control unit. The vehicle was not repaired. The manuafactuer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000. The VIN was not provided.
Several times, over a period of 2 years, at low speeds (approx. 30 MPH) ABS and brake light come on with alarm sounds. Able to stop,but brakes not responding correctly, turned off ignition, restarted, everything OK. Then ABS and brake light come on and won't go off, have brakes but they don't respond correctly, making the car very unsafe to drive. Go for diagnosis; afterward no brakes and Hybrid assist message appears. Car is no longer operable. All brake incidents occurred on city streets or in driveway on starting. Diagnosis: master cylinder needs replacing and probably hydraulic control unit as well. Total cost for parts before labor $6,000,approximately the same as the value of the vehicle. The failure of these parts is apparently a common and well known problem that Ford refuses to address.
Brake complaints in other Escape Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid?
NHTSA has 55 complaints about the brakes of the 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid, 40% of the model year's 139 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › control unit/module (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2007 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 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 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.