I just registered on this forum because the same thing happened to me, despite all the obvious nay sayers saying it can't happen. I have two ford escapes, a 2007 hybrid, and a 2005 base model. Yesterday when I drove to town without warning both front brake lines blew at the exact same time and I almost wrecked the car. I'll be selling it after it's repaired because that is inexcusable, the 2007 hybrid I have flashed a warning on the dash when I had 1 hose blow out, and I instantly knew I had brake problems. The wonderful engineering behind the 2005 I have the brake idiot light didn't come on until 10 minutes after I lost my brakes. My 85 corvette is 20 years older and the brake warning light on that does a far better job.

I'm no mechanic, but I know enough to get a cheap Chinese clone VCM from Ebay and fix my own brakes as I did on my 2007 hybrid, so I think 1st gen escapes have a serious flaw in them that hasn't happened to many that can kill you instantly when it does happen and I'll never drive one again. At least the hybrid has a more advanced system in it that does a far better job of warning you when you have brake problems rather than 10 minutes after you die like the 2005 base model.

I am just puzzled and cannot for the life of me figure out what would cause both lines to blow out at the exact same time, I'm wondering if there is some way that too much pressure could have went to both sides at the same time, I'm really shocked at this one.

 

So you joined to tell us you're selling?

But thanks for bringing this back to the top. It's good for people to see this topic and remind them to check the hoses.

 

Wow! This thread blows me away.
this is nothing but a maintenance issue. As stated by others, those lines should be checked for cracks and deterioration EVERY time the wheels are off, and an emergency brake that doesn't work is a shameful lack of maintenance. All those lines, metal and rubber are directly exposed to hot, cold, wet, salt, dirt & whatever else is on the roads. None of those parts can be expected to last forever.
I see no issue with Ford or any other automaker. Just do your normal maintenance & check these things.
I'm glad no one got hurt though, that's not a good situation to be in, ever!

 

A little late replying to the original post, but I've owned three early Escapes and one of the first things that I do when I buy one is to replace the front brake hoses. IMO, Ford used a crappy supplier AND the front hoses do a 180° bend that puts stress on the hoses.
In each Escape, the hoses all looked like they were ready to blow. I realize these vehicles are closing in on being 20 years old, but they are still in use and they need to be maintained. The hoses themselves are fairly cheap.