Sudden Brake Failure - Crashed Into Building

[flyswatter]

As someone who used to investigate accidents for an insurance company, "pedal mis-application" is certainly a real thing. HOWEVER, in none of those incidents in which I was directly or tangentially involved, did a driver state that they pumped the brake pedal. It was either "I pressed the brake but kept going" or "the harder I pressed the brake the faster I went" - slash - it kept going even though I had my foot on the brake". Also, all instances involved drivers in their later years; much later. That is to say, all the ones I familiar with, so not intended as a blanket statement.

Anyway, that's a of lot text jus to say that, on the surface, this sounds to me like a problem with the automobile rather than the driver.

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[Rcrew]

Seriously? You drove after a total brake failure? What next, driving to a repair shop?

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I have to agree with everyone else. If the brakes failed once leading to you crashing into a building why in the world would you risk your life and the life of everyone else on the road by driving it home?

Exactly

Seriously? You drove after a total brake failure?

Correct. Anyway you look at it.
Either the truck(Bad Brakes) or the driver(??) were not capable to drive. Yet, both were allowed to leave the accident scene. ??
He did say he was with his wife. If she was allowed to drive and she experienced the same problem. Why did he say that he did. Unless he changed drivers midway home??
Many unanswered questions.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Correct. Anyway you look at it.
Either the truck or the driver we're not capable to drive. Yet, both were allowed to leave the accident scene under their own power???

If driver is over 80 it may be How the kids look at continuing to drive vote!

 

[HizJohnny]

I have to agree with everyone else. If the brakes failed once leading to you crashing into a building why in the world would you risk your life and the life of everyone else on the road by driving it home?

 

[MetalsGeek]

The service brakes in the hybrid are controlled by a single assembly called the Electric Brake Booster (EBB). The EBB contains the ABS module, solenoid valves, pressure sensor and hydraulic pump motor. The EBB also takes the place of the brake master cylinder and vacuum booster. It's serviced as a single assembly and should NOT be disassembled. You would expect a design that included some sort of fail-save mode whereby the pedal would never drop unless perhaps the main seal in the master cylinder failed (assuming it even has a M/C). However, I've not been able to find any information on the internet about the internal design of this device. The Mav shop manual provides no useful information that might contain a hint on failure modes. VERY annoying.

 

[NJBob]

Hot to say I had a 2011 F150 ecoboost. That had a electrical operated vacum pump that was prone to freezing. Backing out of my driveway I hit a car across the street. The pedal was alot harder than it should have been. And I did not react fast enough. Once the truck was warm it was fine. There must have been a recall because Ford replaced it for free.

 

[TheSEARCH]

The service brakes in the hybrid are controlled by a single assembly called the Electric Brake Booster (EBB). The EBB contains the ABS module, solenoid valves, pressure sensor and hydraulic pump motor. The EBB also takes the place of the brake master cylinder and vacuum booster. It's serviced as a single assembly and should NOT be disassembled. You would expect a design that included some sort of fail-save mode whereby the pedal would never drop unless perhaps the main seal in the master cylinder failed (assuming it even has a M/C). However, I've not been able to find any information on the internet about the internal design of this device. The Mav shop manual provides no useful information that might contain a hint on failure modes. VERY annoying.

Thats another of my questions. All PAST brake systems had a fail safe if brake booster didn't work you could still press BUT much harder down to get vehicle to stop. No idea whats inside the current hybrid brake system. Extra complicated with regen braking involved. .


On the WHY they let him drive home They didn't believe it was the Mav but him. MOST of the time they are correct. NOT saying this for OP.

 

[Kenny]

That is totally shocking. Sounds like a brake fluid leak somewhere. I would get the truck/brakes inspected by an independent shop before doing anything.

I'm with you on that. I would take it to an independent shop, so the Ford dealer can't fix it and say there was nothing wrong with the brakes.

 

[Propane Burning Man]

If you hit the brakes that don't work your vehicle will NOT suddenly jump the curb! Hitting the wrong pedal does happen. I do recall 10 or 15 years ago there were run away Priuses with "sudden accelerations" in the news constantly. Not 1 that I recall ever was found to just accelerate on its own AND at the very same time the brakes failed. This is driver error. Mistakes do happen.

 

[timctaylor]

Wow. Glad you are okay. I have the same year and trim level you do. Interested to hear what the final diagnosis is.

 

[Bob zimmerman]

If you hit the brakes that don't work your vehicle will NOT suddenly jump the curb! Hitting the wrong pedal does happen. I do recall 10 or 15 years ago there were run away Priuses with "sudden accelerations" in the news constantly. Not 1 that I recall ever was found to just accelerate on its own AND at the very same time the brakes failed. This is driver error. Mistakes do happen.

The Prius issue was found to be floor mats that caught the gas peddle. I think people were sent new and shorter floor mats.
Bob

 

[Maverstang]

The service brakes in the hybrid are controlled by a single assembly called the Electric Brake Booster (EBB). The EBB contains the ABS module, solenoid valves, pressure sensor and hydraulic pump motor. The EBB also takes the place of the brake master cylinder and vacuum booster. It's serviced as a single assembly and should NOT be disassembled. You would expect a design that included some sort of fail-save mode whereby the pedal would never drop unless perhaps the main seal in the master cylinder failed (assuming it even has a M/C). However, I've not been able to find any information on the internet about the internal design of this device. The Mav shop manual provides no useful information that might contain a hint on failure modes. VERY annoying.

The EBB allows the electronics to add braking boost to support things like ACC, it does not take braking alway. The fundamental fail safe connection between the pedal and master cylinder remains in place.

Addition pedal travel is provided to enable regen activation, but past a certain point, you are on the friction brakes just like a conventional boosted brake system.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

The EBB allows the electronics to add braking boost to support things like ACC, it does not take braking alway. The fundamental fail safe connection between the pedal and master cylinder remains in place.

Addition pedal travel is provided to enable regen activation, but past a certain point, you are on the friction brakes just like a conventional boosted brake system.

Yes, you may lose the electric power assist requiring much more pedal pressure to stop. I expect the E-Brake to have a separate power assist even if it's just increased voltage. Most likely triggered by continually holding lever hard up continually?

 

[ABTremor]

I fear that this will be yet another thread announcing a complaint or issue in which the OP will never come back to let the group know what the final outcome was...

I say that because OP has not stated that they have an appointment with a qualified repair facility to evaluate the vehicle, no mention of contacting Ford or their selling dealer... i am left to wonder, are you still driving it around town as if everything is fine??

Did we scare him off with talk of it being driver error?? Or did those comments strike a nerve??

I agree with the consensus that if this were my vehicle and it had an apparently major sysyem failure it would have gone on a flatbed directly to the dealer.

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