# 2003 FORD ZX2 (ESCORT) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
> NHTSA complaint `602459` · 2006-11-09 · Ford Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** FORD
- **Model:** ZX2 (ESCORT)
- **Year:** 2003
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
- **Miles at failure:** 2,090
- **Speed:** 35 mph
## Narrative
KINKED AND CRIMPED VACUUM BRAKE HOSE CAUSING THE BRAKES TO GO HARD AS A ROCK, LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR UPON BRAKING AND 2 ACCIDENTS.  CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALER FAILED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM LEADING TO THE ACCIDENTS.  ACCIDENT 1. $6,000 DAMAGE.  ACCIDENT 2, $1,600 DAMAGE.  I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE CRIMPED BRAKE HOSE CLOSED OFF UNDER THE HOOD.  AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SERVICE OPENED THE HOOD AND IMMEDIATELY SAW THE PROBLEM AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM WHAT WAS WRONG.  HE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT.  NO INJURIES, BUT I CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING KILLED HEAD ON AS I LOST CONTROL WITH THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. *JB
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*