ABS and stability control Ford: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Ford models it appears in.

- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Focus IIAlternator fault with false battery, ESP and power steering warningsThe alternator is the most repeated electrical fault of the Focus II across all engines: an unstable charge lights the battery and ESP warning lights for no real reason and, in the most pronounced cases, an occasional loss of power steering assistance may be noticed.Appears at around 60,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonFord C-Max IESP warning light permanently on due to a defective ABS module (code C1288)The C-Max I's ESP warning light can stay permanently on because of a defective ABS module that generates fault code C1288, a fault that affects all production years according to the source consulted.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFord B-MaxABS failure caused by the hydraulic unit and premature wear of the brake discsfiches-auto.fr documents 7 cases of ABS failure among 127 Ford B-Max owner testimonials, caused by a hydraulic unit that no longer modulates braking pressure properly, along with complaints of brake discs wearing out sooner than expected.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFord S-Max IElectronic faults on the S-Max: ABS/ESP warnings and steering wheel controlsOn the S-Max I, owners report 24 electrical cases: warning lights on all at once, ABS/ESP faults, steering wheel controls that do not respond, as well as batteries and alternators.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareFord S-Max IIElectric parking brake faults and ABS/ESP warnings caused by wheel sensorsAmong 24 owner reports for the second-generation Ford S-Max, fiches-auto.fr documents control faults or unexpected release of the electric parking brake, along with one case of an ABS/ESP warning caused by wheel sensors giving inconsistent readings.

By Ford model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Parts for your Ford for faults with the ABS and ESP

Add the model and engine in the shop, or better still the registration plate or VIN, to see only the parts that fit.

ABS sensor
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Frequently asked questions

What faults with the ABS and ESP do Ford cars have?

In 5 models from Ford there are 5 documented faults with the ABS and ESP. The most important: alternator fault with false battery, ESP and power steering warnings, ESP warning light permanently on due to a defective ABS module (code C1288) and ABS failure caused by the hydraulic unit and premature wear of the brake discs. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which Ford models have the most problems with the ABS and ESP?

Ford C-Max I (1 fault), Ford Focus II (1 fault), Ford S-Max I (1 fault) and Ford B-Max (1 fault).