# 2002 Ford Escape - Scary brake issue

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-escape-scary-brake-issue/182030>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** ford\
**Created:** [January 20, 2022, 8:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-escape-scary-brake-issue/182030 "2022-01-20T20:06:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![EdMcCann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/22d042/32.png) [@EdMcCann](https://community.cartalk.com/u/EdMcCann)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 8:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-escape-scary-brake-issue/182030/1 "2022-01-20T20:06:22Z")

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While sitting at a red light the brake pedal suddenly just went almost to the floor. I was still able to brake, but the pdeal went nearly to the floor.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 8:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-escape-scary-brake-issue/182030/2 "2022-01-20T20:22:38Z")

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The car needs a new brake master cylinder.

Tester

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**Author:** ![GorehamJ](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/gorehamj/32/24103_2.png) [@GorehamJ](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GorehamJ)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-escape-scary-brake-issue/182030/3 "2022-01-20T20:24:18Z")

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You should have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic immediately. Tow it if your mechanic isn’t across the street. It may be a simple fix, or something more serious. Tester is most likely correct. You may also have had a brake line or connection fail and have lost fluid. Of somehow have air in the lines if work was recently done on them (but you would have mentioned that).

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**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 8:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-escape-scary-brake-issue/182030/4 "2022-01-20T20:25:18Z")

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you need to stop driving this vehicle and have it checked out. you have a leak somewhere. it could be the brake master cylinder, a leaking brake caliper, or a leaking brake line to name a few.

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**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-escape-scary-brake-issue/182030/5 "2022-01-20T21:21:30Z")

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I had the same experience years back in 71 Buick. The master cylinder failed with no warning, I was lucky I was only a block from home. Get it towed to a shop, don’t drive.

Ed

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**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 9:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-escape-scary-brake-issue/182030/6 "2022-01-20T21:24:54Z")

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Agree with the others have it towed to the shop.

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**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-escape-scary-brake-issue/182030/7 "2022-01-20T21:25:10Z")

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I had that experience once in a work truck, felt like I was speeding up, luckily no vehicles in the intersection, limped it to the shop, bad master cylinder!