Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
While driving down the road, all of the warning lights on the dash board came on and then the breaks failed. We were able to get to safety after going off the road. When taken into the Ford motor company repair shop they reset the codes and said everything was fine, no parts to repair. Less than 50 miles later, the same thing happened again injuring 3! This time it's the ABS module. After calling the Ford motor company, they refuse to admit there is any problem and no reason for a recall. We were given the NHTSA information to make a complaint and if eventually NHTSA informs Ford that they must do a recall we can be given a refund for our money spent on this repair. Our question is what happens when someone dies? Does it take that before someone is going to do something about the known Hybrid breaking problems? …
The ABS system turn off, took to shop they could not fine trouble it had reset. Today same thing ABS turn off. Will take it in if it does not reset. Both times that it turn off car was parked and I was just starting it to leave..*I would see a warning that says 'regen brake failure.' ABS just went out one day while coming home from the store, and would reset when the car sat for a while. And syre was not fun to drive, but unless it stayed off there was not much they could do at Ford to fine out what was going on. It went off and stayed off and then Ford fixed it, replaced the ABS module it has been o.k. Since then. I did not like the price of the repair at $1933.03. I do not think a women would be able to stop her car if this happen to her while driving you need too much push on the brake to stop even when going slow, and if going the speed posted two feet maybe*smch
The ABS tone rings on the 2008 model Mercury Mariner and Ford escape are defective in design - they are thin metal, but put under stress by being forced onto the half-shaft (different metal, different expansion rate), and therefore prone to cracking/breaking. When cracked/broken, they cause the ABS brake system and regenerative braking to fault out, sometimes intermittently and with no warning. The part itself is cheap (~$10 each), and apparently should be, but the dealer will not sell them separately, and instead requires the owner to replace the half-shaft, with estimates from the dealership and independent mechanics of between $400 and $1000 to replace both front half-shafts. …
"Takata recall" when I was leaving a store yesterday I noticed that my ABS, brake light came on along with a description indicating my check brake system. I never noticed an issue with my breaks prior to these signals coming on and my fianc's car had been functioning well for the last four years. I normally drive the SUV so when I noticed it said that I made sure the breaks were working when I started to move. I did notice that the breaks required more of a firm push when I was needing to come to a spot. I didn't have any accidents or caused me to run any stop lights or stop signs. However, after doing my own research I did find out that this is a problem for the 2008 Mercury mariners and from some of the warnings I have read stated the breaks ended up failing after this all accrued and about got them into accidents. …
I was traveling with my 15 month old son driving roughly 45 miles an hour on a multilane street when the ABS light (orange) and a exclamation point light (red) turned on and my digital read out said service brakes. I would estimate that I lost 75% of my braking power. Due to the lack of stopping power I had to swerve onto a shoulder to avoid colliding with the car in front of me as my car gradually slowed down. I ended up in a turn lane which thankfully was clear at the time. I would estimate that my car required and extra 5 to 6 vehicle lengths to stop. Had the turning lane been occupied a significant collision would had ensued. Very frightening especially with my son in the car! I am very upset to see that there exists a technical service bulletin on the defective and dangerous hydraulic control unit. There needs to be a recall to fix this.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard before the vehicle stopped. The anti-lock brake system and the brake indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred five other times intermittently. Once the vehicle was turned off and restarted, the failure would stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (ed whittmeier Ford in chico, california) for diagnostic testing, but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000. Consumer stated brakes fail intermittently when they fail the ABS and brake light on the dash are lit up. Updated 7/31/18
In stop and go city traffic going about 1 mile an hour I braked but my Mariner didn't and I slowly rear ended another vehicle. My ABS sensor went on then off eventually an ABS regen light came on and I had no brakes so I drove ,very carefully, 83 miles to my Ford dealer ( with no brakes) to find out that I needed a complete replacement of my ABS Hybrid braking module. $3900! My mechanic and I called two different junk yards where we received replacements and they were installed but when brought back to the Ford dealer the units wouldn't take the computer code and the (used) systems failed. $3900 is a lot of money for a vehicle, with 158,000 miles on it, that I bought used for under $5000. That said is there anyway that this ABS Hybrid brake module should have been on a recall list. Are others having similar issues? Is this why they quit making hybrids at this time? …
The brakes failed and ABS and brake lights came on. Had a soft pedal almost to floor before any braking was present. After turning of engine and restarting brakes returned to normal. The first time this happened my wife ran into e repair shop building causing $3000.oo dollars damage. Our insurance charged her with a at fault accident. We cannot locate the accident report.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Mariner Hybrid years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (34), 2006 (15) and 2007 (8) model years. Brake complaints make up 29% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Mercury Mariner Hybrid brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for any Mercury Mariner Hybrid model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Mercury Mariner Hybrid brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles; 19% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (1 mentions).
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.