2015 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 26owner reports
- 70,000median miles
- 6involved a crash
Newest report Sep 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
26 of the 1,105 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 26 reports
Brake wear on other Escape years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2016, 2019, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the pads and rotors (5 reports) and the ABS module (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the brakes covers the 2015 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Escape
Engine compartment fire. Closed feb 29, 2012, led to recall 12V-005.
Engine compartment fire. Closed jan 15, 2010.
Engine compartment fire. Closed apr 15, 2009.
Engine compartment fire. Closed apr 17, 2007, led to recall 07V-156.
None of these investigations covers the 2015 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 30,000 and 79,055 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2015 Ford Escape that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00.
Some 2013-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00.
SOME 2008-2017 FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC MAY GENERATE A VHR THAT IDENTIFIES A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION CATEGORY INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED DUE TO A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED.
What owners wrote
“Older man pulled out in front of me, I t-boned his truck going 47 mph. His insurance totaled it. The airbags never deployed.”
Filed Apr 21, 2025
“I was getting off I77 and went to push my brake pedal and it wouldn't move and i couldn't slow down. I had no warning lights come on. Thankfully i made it home. I checked for brake fluid and it was good”
Filed Sep 26, 2023
“I have been in two accidents since my purchase of the vehicle. I havenât even had a year. When itâs an emergency and breaks need to be applied suddenly the breaks are locking up and will not go down. It eventually does once I start pumping them. But I was recently in two accident BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE AND THE PURCHASE OF THIS CAR HAS BECOME MY NIGHTMARE”
Filed May 27, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 6 of 26 reports involved a crash and 6 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 226 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 145 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 136 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 120 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 74 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 68 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 52 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 46 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 39 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 36 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 30 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 27 reports