I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY COMING UP TO AN INTERSECTION, PREPARING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT IN THE LEFT TURN LANE, WHEN MY BREAKS COMPLETELY FAILED. THE BREAK PEDAL WAS STIFF, AND WOULD NOT BUDGE. WE HIT TWO CARS THAT WERE SITTING AT THE INTERSECTION, TOTALING MY FORD ESCAPE AS WELL AS ONE OF THE OTHER CARS. IN THE PAST, THE "SERVICE BREAKS" LIGHT WOULD GO ON OCCASIONALLY IN THE SUMMER DURING THE HOT MONTHS, GIVING THE CAR SLIGHTLY LESS BREAK PRESSURE. THIS WAS NEVER A SERIOUS PROBLEM, AND HAS ALWAYS CORRECTED ITSELF ANYTIME I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR A WHILE. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER HAVING THE BREAKS CHECKED, THEY COULD NEVER DETECT A PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, MY CAR HAD ROUTINE INSPECTIONS DONE DURING AN OIL CHANGE A MONTH BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, AND A FULL SERVICE INSPECTION BEFORE THIS. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE FOR THE ROAD, AND THE ACCIDENT WAS OUT OF MY CONTROL. AFTER RESEARCH, I FOUND MANY 2004-2006 HYBRID FORD ESCAPE OWNERS TO HAVE THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINTS AND EXPERIENCES.