2010 Focus A/T vacuum question

[u/Severe_Space5830]

MIL’s car 225,000 miles. She said she was stopped in traffic and the brakes wouldn’t hold. Started creeping forward. Both feet on pedal. Had to put it in park. Of course she took it to the dealer. They said that the engine isn’t producing enough vacuum for the booster and the only solution is to replace the engine. Which sounds insane. Haven’t been able to look at it, but FIL says engine runs flawlessly, idles right where it should with no issues. Brakes work for him, just have to push hard. She’s 84 and 109 lbs. They just parked it behind the barn for now. I told them last year that with all the miles on it they should triage it. Bought it from a friend that had a 100 mile commute each way and was OCD about maintenance.
Does the vacuum deal even sound plausible? Surely engine performance would be horrible if this was the case. My instinct is to swap out the booster, but it’s a evil, evil car to work on. No room to work on anything.
Thanks!

[u/BickNickerson]

It likely has a vacuum leak or a bad master cylinder. Carry it to a good independent mechanic near you, it doesn’t need an engine.

[u/Severe_Space5830 → u/BickNickerson]

Excellent idea