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 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated he depressed the brake to the floorboard to stop the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the HECU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake was applied however, was spongy and slow to respond. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The Regan brakes disable failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to a local dealer. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 165,931.
While driving under normal conditions, the check engine light illuminated yellow, the ABS light illuminated, and the red brake light illuminated simultaneously. A message on the dash said "regen brakes disabled". The normal braking system failed to work. The manual (fail safe) braking system was inadequate to stop properly. I had to put the brake pedal to the floor as hard as possible and the car still did not brake properly. After much rolling, the car finally came to a stop, but hit a pole in the process causing a crack in the front bumper. Due to the long stopping process, the pole was unavoidable. It was the pole, the ditch, or another car, so I had to choose to bump into the pole for the least amount of damage and to be sure not to hurt anyone else. Traumatic experience for me and my young grandchildren!
Brake failure. During normal driving I was coming to an intersection to stop. I applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor, brake effectiveness was almost non existent. The ABS light and a message indicating 'regen system disabled' came on. Ford has designed a braking system that can simply "disable" itself and leave a person without effective stopping power. I had to veer off the roadway to avoid hitting cars in front of me, resulting in minor damage to my front bumper and undercarriage. This should be a recall due to safety concerns.
Complete brake failure while traveling at 50+ MPH on an populated road. Had to stop using emergency brake and driving on the divider. Brake loss was due to a failed master brake cylinder and hydolic control unit. Similar if not identical to technical service bulletin, TSB 05-8-5 (August 5, 2005) (NHTSA id #10017553)
Regen brakes disabled malfunction, leads to loss of braking without warning. Many many other Escape Hybrid owners have filed similar complaints . Please do a google search to verify the extent of this problem. This needs to be investigated and addressed promptly before more people are hurt or killed.
One morning, no prior warning, or issues with brakes or mechanical systems what so ever, I start to drive to work and after turning out of my neighborhood onto a major street my brake lights light up and at the next stop sign my brakes don't work! I pressed all the way down and ended up using the emergency brake not to go through the stop sign. Someone could have died for sure, and it was a heart stopping scare! I pulled over and walked back home. Looked up online and found many complaints about this vehicles brakes suddenly going out and that it is a $5K fix!! I had the Escape towed back to my house. The next morning I wanted to try a few things to eliminate certain problems I found online. Now, the keyless entry doesn't work, I manually open the door, stick the key in, no lights, no sound, nothing. I turn the key and again absolutely nothing. …
Last week I went outside and got in my car to run some errands and when I started the car the red brake light, orange ABS light, and the chimer stating "regenerative brake disengaged" "check brakes" began to light. The brakes are working (knock on wood) but are tricky to operate. This morning I took the car to the mechanic and they stated it was most likely in need of a new hcu costing around $5,000 (I am going to get the vehicle checked one more time before parking it for good). As I read the complaints on NHTSA's web site, it appears folks at NHTSA are fully knowledgeable about this safety hazard (as each page is filed with same, if not worse, complaints) and are not going to act until someone gets killed. It is also blatantly obvious that Ford is not going to act either. The 2008 Escape Hybrid has been a great vehicle, until now (132,000 miles). …
Vehicle brakes fail for no apparent reason, then eventually begin working for no apparent reason. No warning is given that anything is wrong with the brakes (I.e. No brake light, and no "check engine" light). In addition, the "all OK" light remains green, indicating that nothing is wrong. This occurs when the vehicle is moving at any speed (I.e above 35 MPH or below 5 MPH). The vehicle eventually comes to a stop, but only after a lengthy deceleration distance.*updated 3-7-17 I would see a warning that says 'regen brake failure.' in some cases, depressing the pedal would cause the brakes to lock-up. In other cases, the vehicle would slow down gradually, but would never stop even if the brake pedal was fully pressed. In the second situation, I would bypass my intended stop point, often a turn. The situation would occur without warning and last until I turned off the car. …
"check brakes" and "ABS" lights came on, then "regenerative brake system disabled" illuminated, warning sounded. Took car for repair. Mechanic performed diagnostic, then bled all 4 brake systems. Lights went off and brakes worked. Several days later, same lights came on and warning bell sounded. Brakes were almost completely inoperable. Returned car to mechanic. Inspected, then told it might need regenerative brake system replacement. Warning lights were off, but illuminated again a couple of hours later (02/22/17) took car to autofair Ford, manchester, nh.where brakes failed while entering dealership at 15 MPH. They kept car overnight, spent 4 hours labor, bled brakes, and said car was fixed (charged $280). Couple hours later all lights illuminated, warning bell sounded and lost almost all braking capacity while on highway 93 south heading south towards boston. …
Brake complaints in other Escape Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid?
NHTSA has 154 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid, 35% of the model year's 443 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › master cylinder (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2008 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 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 110,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 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.