2008 FEH Braking system: Warning lights, soft brakes.
 

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid brake system warning lights coming on and brakes becoming soft. Warning lights will go out and brakes return to normal with a restart. I have read multiple posts about owners having this issue.. Ford has a technical service bulletin about this issue, but no recall. In order for a recall to be generated for the FEH, we MUST file complaints with Ford Corporate 1-800-392-3673, NHTSA 1-888-327-4236 and the Federal Trade Commission 1-877-382-4357 to get ANY action. So, it's great to communicate here, but useless if this is where you stop. This statement is true to any manufacturer but my personal focus is the FEH. Let's help each other get this problem resolved.

Re: 2008 FEH Braking system: Warning lights, soft brakes.
 

Noticed same issue when I disconnected the battery for a brain reset

might be a gremlin related to an aging 12v battery or brake pump

won't be investigated until a resulting tragedy, thanks to under funded safety regs

Re: 2008 FEH Braking system: Warning lights, soft brakes.
 

The lack of correlation is because model year 2007-2009 Ford Fusions were not hybrids. 2010 model year Ford Fusion Hybrids could have been sold beginning Jan 1, 2009. It is likely that model year 2010 Fusion/Escape Hybrids were manufactured early in 2009, some could have been made late in 2008.


For example, I know my '07 FEH was one of the last to be produced in Dec '06, because in Jan-Feb '07 they switched over producing to the refreshed 2008 model. I don't know exactly how long the 2008 model year FEH was produced, but it was probably between Jan 07- Mar 08. It was maybe a little longer than 12 months since the '09 had a different powertrain.

Re: 2008 FEH Braking system: Warning lights, soft brakes.
 

I see what you are saying, wonder why Ford never mentioned that tidbit? Just said they were manufactured in different places. I edited the above, thanks for the input.

Re: 2008 FEH Braking system: Warning lights, soft brakes.
 

After 7 months, 4 tows, 5 mechanics, 2 dealerships (two bad HCU diagnosis), 1 ABS harness line and 1 ground cleaning...it was the brake hoses collapsing. I also had the brake fluid flushed to get any sediment out of the system from the brake/rotor install earlier in the year. A retail tire chain found it in less than 15 minutes. Dealerships here said that if those codes are present, Ford says to replace the HCU 1st! Will NOT even consider venturing into anything else. It's a win-win for Ford, they know this was a bad design, too expensive to recall and I believe they want these cars off the road due to liability. If they can get you in and diagnosis your car with a bad HCU 1) They are off the hook if it's not fixed and in most cases the owner takes the car off the road. 2) VIN specific and $5900 to replace HCU. 3) The part is worth more than the car, causing most people to scrap the car and possibly buy a new Ford (Not me). Big KUDOS to the dealerships who allow critical thinking and let their mechanics be mechanics. In the Louisville area, they are ARROGANT scanner readers and liars. I asked both dealerships to check the tone rings and brake lines, which both "said" they did however, it took a brake/tire store to find the front brake lines were collapsing causing the 1478/1480/2023 codes. It's been one month and no more ABS problems. I will never buy another Ford!