I don't know if this has been covered before (and I apologize if it has), but my 2006 (Build 2) Escape Hybrid, built on 10/10/2005 started exhibiting a squeak when I drove at low speeds, especially when making left turns. It turns out that this problem stems from an adjustment problem on the parking brake cable adjuster.

If your Ford Escape Hybrid/Mercury Mariner Hybrid exhibits this squeaking or grinding noise, don't fret -- Ford/Mercury has a fix for it! Your Ford/Mercury dealer simply needs to adjust the parking brake cable adjuster so that there is a "10 mm thread protrusion" on cars built before 5/3/2005 and a "15 mm thread protrusion" on vehicles built on 5/3/2005 or after.

It's possible that the squeak may persist after this adjustment is made. If so, the parking brake drum and shoes may have to be cleaned because of excessive lining buildup.

This may be a problem on FEH and MMH's built between 8/2/04 and 11/21/05.

Your Ford/Mercury dealer can reference OASIS article 302000 for this information.


Hope this clears up the numerous queries about this problem!
Byung Jay Kim