Source: Dearborn, Mich. – CarComplaints.com posted reporting by David A. Woods that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has closed its formal investigation into “soft brake pedals” which led to Ford recalling more than 600,000 vehicles for faulty anti-lock braking systems (ABS).
According to NHTSA Part 573 Safety Recall Report 19V-904 the Dec. 2019 recall covered 600,166 model year 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles which suffered from an ABS hydraulic control unit (HCU which might not function properly.
A valve inside the HCU may stick in the open position, which could result in extended brake pedal travel potentially increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy was replacement of the control unit and a switch from a Dot 3 to a Dot 4 brake fluid.
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The recall came about following a formal investigation opened in 2016 after owners complained of “soft brake pedals and problems getting the vehicle to stop,” reported Wood.
The investigation was upgraded two years later to cover more than one million vehicles and then a formal recall campaign was announced.
According to the NHTSA, the soft pedal issue was not easily diagnosed because the problem, sticking valves within the control unit, could become unstuck, thus allowing normal functionality.
According to the NHTSA, Ford acknowledged 10 accidents and two injuries that may be related to the ABS stuck-valve issue.
NHTSA believes the problems may be solved and closed the investigation based on Ford’s soft brake pedal hydraulic control unit recall of 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and Lincoln MKZ vehicles.
