The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while attempting to apply the brake, an excessive amount of pressure was needed to depress the brake pedal before the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that the brake pedal went to the floor. The contact had taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

- Dallas, GA, USA

When using the brakes there's a loss of about half of the brake pedal, and most likely the ABS system. The part retails for $1,747.32. The problem from talking to mechanics and searching is apparently sticking valve(s) which in turn makes the brake fluid by-pass half of the system. In other words you only have the use of part of the brake system. Our car has 170K miles but that's ~ 90% highway miles, we bought it ~6yrs ago with 15K miles, which means the brakes don't get that much use. The rear shoes were just replaced for the 1st time @ 170K and the front pads have been done once. Ford cares so much about the lives of people driving their cars that they continue to sell the same part (modulator valve - Ford (9L8Z-2C346-C)) without any engineering changes/updates, even though this is a common problem across car lines and even trucks. They have issued a recall, #19S54 for select 2006-10 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln mkz vehicles that exhibit the same issue, "a normally closed valve inside the hydraulic control unit may stick open, which could result in extended brake pedal travel, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.". an interesting point in the recall is this: "the system will be pressure-flushed with dot 4 brake fluid and the dot 3 reservoir cap will be replaced with a new dot 4 cap." Our vehicle has a dot3 cap, is dot3 what causes the problem with "stuck or slow-responding valves" per recall, and dot4 keeps valves from sticking or becoming slow acting because of the viscosity difference between the 2" from amsoil "dot 3 is the most common type used in cars and trucks today. Dot 4, however, is gaining popularity due to widespread use of anti-lock braking systems and traction control, which benefit from dot 4 fluid"S lower viscosity." This: "as of 2006, most cars produced in the U.S. use dot 4 brake fluid." Except for Ford apparently.

- Centerville, IN, USA

Coming to red light one car in front of me. I pushed down on brake petal and it was hard to push down. Engine revved up to over 5 RPM's and car wouldn't stop finally I put car in neutral and engine went back to idle position. Almost rear ended car in front of me. Took Mariner to dealer who wasn't very helpful because he never heard of this before & wanted to know if I wanted to leave Mariner there. Also ask if I had my foot on the gas petal instead of the brake. Dealer was unable to verify concern so they replaced canister purge valve. Have also had transmission problems with this Mariner that I believe still exist. Filled out surveys and was told manager would call but no one ever contacted me. Very unprofessional dealer.

- Howell, MI, USA