Ford Escape Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 473 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Ford Escape across 24 model years. The 2002 model year has the most (149). The words owners use most often: “control unit module” (13% of reports).
- 473service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 27mention a crash
- 14mention an injury
- 7related recalls
- $610typical repair cost reported by owners
- 19%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Control unit module: mentioned in 60 of 473 complaints (13%)
- Hydraulic antilock: mentioned in 45 of 473 complaints (10%)
- Master cylinder: mentioned in 45 of 473 complaints (10%)
- Anti lock: mentioned in 40 of 473 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes, hydraulic repair on the Ford Escape at $610, and half of them between $460 and $1,150.
Based on 16 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2005–2012), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 328 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 473 complaints, 27 mention a crash, 66 a fire, 14 an injury.
Ford Escape service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Escape | 1 | 4% | 5,000 |
| 2024 Escape | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 Escape | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2021 Escape | 9 | 3% | 17,000 |
| 2020 Escape | 6 | 0% | 37,500 |
| 2019 Escape | 2 | 0% | 15,832 |
| 2018 Escape | 2 | 0% | 61,500 |
| 2017 Escape | 4 | 0% | 94,301 |
| 2016 Escape | 4 | 0% | 91,511 |
| 2015 Escape | 1 | 0% | 70,000 |
| 2014 Escape | 7 | 0% | 45,000 |
| 2013 Escape | 9 | 0% | 48,250 |
| 2012 Escape | 4 | 1% | 14,848 |
| 2011 Escape | 4 | 0% | 77,000 |
| 2010 Escape | 7 | 0% | 33,000 |
| 2009 Escape | 12 | 1% | 112,000 |
| 2008 Escape | 19 | 1% | 50,500 |
| 2007 Escape | 13 | 5% | 45,217 |
| 2006 Escape | 20 | 4% | 45,600 |
| 2005 Escape | 24 | 2% | 51,000 |
| 2004 Escape | 11 | 2% | 45,459 |
| 2003 Escape | 41 | 7% | 60,000 |
| 2002 Escape | 149 | 15% | 96,000 |
| 2001 Escape | 122 | 12% | 93,153 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (7)
Electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic:power assist
Model years: 2025
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Maverick and Escape vehicles. The cover for the electric brake booster's ECU may cause the printed circuit board to overheat and result in a loss of vehicle stability control systems (anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, and traction control) or a loss of brake power assist.
Risk: Loss of vehicle stability control or brake power assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the electric brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 17, 2025.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:pads
Model years: 2020
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape vehicles. The rear brake pads may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can reduce brake function in the event of a brake booster malfunction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: Reduced brake function can require the driver to apply more brake pedal force, and the distance required to stop the vehicle may be extended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front brake pads, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C31. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 13, 2025. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V922.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Model years: 2021, 2022
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles. The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: During certain situations, the driver may have to apply more brake pedal force, and the distance required to stop the vehicle may be extended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front brake pads, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C31.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 2018
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with incorrect front brake hoses that may chafe against other components, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
Risk: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replacing any that are incorrect, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S04.
Structure; service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Model years: 2013
Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 escape vehicles manufactured from march 8, 2012 through june 7, 2012. Due to mis-positioned carpet padding the center console trim panel may be pushed outboard of the intended position, reducing clearance relative to the pedal package.
Risk: The reduced clearance may result in the driverâs foot contacting the side of the brake pedal while transferring the foot from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal, increasing stopping distances and the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the carpet padding and left-side console trim panel replaced with a new panel, free of charge. The recall began on july 20, 2012. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Model years: 2001, 2002
Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 escape vehicles manufactured from october 22, 1999, through july 19, 2002, equipped with a brake master cylinder reservoir cap that could leak brake fluid. If brake fluid leaks from the cap, it could come in contact with the antilock brake system (abs) module wiring harness connector.
Risk: Corrosion can develop in the electrical connector leading to melting, smoke or a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder reservoir cap and the abs electrical system will be modified. An interim letter was mailed on january 20, 2012. Due to a parts delay, however, the remedy may not be available currently. If parts are not available, ford will instruct owners to park their vehicles outside until such time as parts become available. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. This recall campaign is related to 07v-156.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (abs), the abs module connector may have missing or dislodged wire seals. This condition could allow contamination to enter the module connector, creating a potential for an electrical short.
Risk: An electrical short might cause an abs malfunction that would illuminate the abs warning light, and in some cases, the module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition could occur either when the vehicle ignition switch is in the off position or while the vehicle is being operated.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wire harness connector to the abs module for missing or dislodged wire seals, and repair or replace the harness connector as appropriate. The dealer will also inspect the connector on the abs module and replace it if it is found to be corroded or damaged. The recall began on april 23, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake warning light was persistently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the brake booster and brake master cylinder assembly needed to be…
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the powertrain malfunction warning light and the ABS warning light were illuminated. The driver was able to pull over, the battery was disconnected and reconnected, and the contact was able to continue driving. The brake pedal was…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the brake pedal was firm while depressed, and the vehicle lost brake assist functionality. The contact stated that there was an unknown brake warning light displayed on the instrument panel. The failure worsened, and the vehicle was no…
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal, the engine revved up unexpectedly. Additionally, more effort was needed to depress the brake pedal, causing the braking distance to become extended. The dealer was…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Escapes have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 473 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Ford Escape. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Escape service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 7 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Ford Escape?
Owners report a typical cost of $610 (half paid between $460 and $1,150), from 16 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Ford Escape?
The most frequent phrase is “control unit module”, in 60 of 473 complaints, followed by “hydraulic antilock” (45).
Other Ford Escape problems
- Engine problems (7,208)
- Power Train problems (4,655)
- Steering problems (3,945)
- Electrical System problems (2,525)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (2,331)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (2,298)
- Structure problems (2,296)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,834)
See all Ford Escape problems.