Ford Escape brake problems, 2016–2026
188 of the 9,226 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Escape 2016–2026 name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). The loudest years: 2021 (57), 2017 (49), 2022 (47). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ford Escape brake problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the brakes | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 25% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 47 | 12% | 22k | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2021 in depth | 57 | 12% | 5k | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2020 | 7 | 0% | 30k | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2019 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2018 | 27 | 1% | 32k | 6 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2017 | 49 | 2% | 17k | 12 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 | 0 | — | 50k | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the brakes. Nothing here is a rate.
When the brake complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 4 · 2018: 10 · 2019: 6 · 2020: 4 · 2021: 13 · 2022: 37 · 2023: 35 · 2024: 37 · 2025: 30 · 2026: 12
Across the model years, half of the 112 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 7,000 and 40,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Brakes became sluggish and parking brake would not disengage. Towed car to Autonation Ford. They diagnosed and found "internal failure of electric brake booster requiring replacement. It took them 30 days to locate a part and complete repairs.
Received a notice that a recall was necessary to correct fuel vapor issues which might result in a fire. Simultaneously notified the dealer that the brake booster was defective. They agreed and both assured me the part had been delivered and subsequently informed me that the part for the brakes was defective.
Reported this issue 3 times to the dealer and they claim they can't replicate. When I release the parking brake and begin to drive, there is a grinding noise particularly in the front of the vehicle. When I press the brake, the front of the car shakes and the brake seems to knock as if it's gripping and then releasing. Very scary.
My wife and I purchased a 2017 Ford Escape, brand new, 6 months ago. We noticed that the brake light plastic cover was fogging over making it hard to see the brake light. After checking with our dealer, mac haik Ford, georgetown, texas, I was informed that this is normal. Normal? Sounds more like a safety concern to me.
Rear brakes squeak every time I back up in the cold weather, they have attempted to fix them, still not fixed. Then when driving about 10 MPH and coming to a stop, brakes will all the sudden grip and about throw you through the dash
What is on file about the brakes, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 25V787000 HighNov 14, 2025 · 2 vehicles
- 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.
- 25V693000 HighOct 10, 2025 · 13,451 vehicles
- 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."
- 21V922000 HighNov 23, 2021 · 114,666 vehicles
- 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."
- 18V104000 HighFeb 12, 2018 · 88 vehicles
- 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.
Other systems with a record on the Ford Escape
Source: the same files- electrical problems
- engine problems
- fuel system problems
- body and structure problems
- transmission and drivetrain problems
- visibility and wiper problems
- backup camera and parking sensor problems
Every system, every model year: Ford Escape problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford Escape years have the most brake complaints?
2021, 57; 2017, 49; 2022, 47. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2026 (25%).
Is there a recall for the brakes on the Ford Escape?
Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 25V787000 (2025), 25V693000 (2020), 21V922000 (2022), 18V104000 (2018). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the Ford Escape?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 19,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 7,000 and 40,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.