I have a 2003 Escape and I have to say I do love this vehical (but)! I had it into the shop a couple of weeks ago for a squeek in the steering wheel when turning right. The Tec did what Ford told them to do and the problem is now when turning both ways. It also seems to happen mostly when it is hot outside. To add to this after my last visit again only when it is hot outside the Airbag light comes on. 4 flashes a pause and 4 flashes. Does this about 6 times and then it is on solid. Or it just comes on and stays on when I start to drive. Now today we add to this with the ABS light. I stopped at a stop light and the ABS light came on (at the same time all of the lights dimmed and the radio went out) When I took my foot off the brake all was back to normal. So all of the way home if I had to brake light on all others out. I took her home and parked her in the drive way scared to drive her. This is the only vehicla that I have to drive and I have a disabled husband. The last time it was in they did not get to it for several days as I used to work at this dealership.[sm=dontgetit.gif]

 

Just bought the 2006 XLS manual 2.3L so I'm a new had to these cars, however based on other cars I've worked on I'd say it's a problem with the clockspring in the steering wheel not making contact. Explains the sqeek too.

The airbag light fashing a code like that means that the SRS isn't working and it found a fault in the systems, the Ford tech should be a having any problems tracking the problem down.

 

I would agree. There is a "Clockspring" in behind the steering wheel where all the wiring to the airbag, horn, cruise , and other things. They are also known to make noise when bad.

The brake problem with everything going crazy sounds to me like a battery going bad or the connections to the battery bad.

Good luck!