2001 Ford F-150 brake problems

SERVICE BRAKES

n/a

NHTSA complaint #11644534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

The contact's associate owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated while his associate was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle experienced a braking failure. The ABS warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the braking system had failed and the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V017000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

NHTSA complaint #11460761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

WE PURCHASED OUR 2001 F150 SUPERCREW USED. I AM A MECHANIC, SO THE FIRST THING I DO WHEN BUYING A USED VEHICLE IS INSPECT IT THOROUGHLY. THERE WERE A FEW MINOR ISSUES, BUT ONE STOOD OUT AS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, IT SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY COMMON TO ALL 1997-2003 F-150S. SYMPTOMS - THIS ISSUE MAINLY AFFECTS THE REAR LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HAZARD LIGHTS. THESE LIGHTS, PARTICULARLY BRAKE LIGHTS, CAN CEASE TO FUNCTION ENTIRELY, INTERMITTENTLY AND UNKNOWN TO THE DRIVER. CAUSE - THERE IS A WIRE HARNESS WHICH CONNECTS TO THE "MULTI - FUNCTION SWITCH". THIS WIRE HARNESS IS PULLED WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TILTED DOWN. AS A RESULT, THE CONNECTOR OR INDIVIDUAL TERMINALS CAN BECOME LOOSE OR DISCONNECTED. THIS PROBLEM IS MOST PREVALENT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE DOWN POSITION, BUT ONCE LOOSE CAN HAPPEN AT ANY POSITION AND ANY DRIVING SITUATION. SOLUTION - REPAIR OR REPLACE WITH MOTORCRAFT PART# WPT607, AND ENSURE THE HARNESS HAS ENOUGH SLACK TO ALLOW STEERING WHEEL TILT WITHOUT TENSION ON THE HARNESS. IN OUR CASE, I REPLACED THE CONNECTOR AND PULLED THE WIRES ENOUGH TO ALLOW SLACK FOR STEERING WHEEL TILT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE ONLINE, AND IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED BY F150 OWNERS. I HAVE PICTURES BUT THE FILE SIZES ARE OVER 5MB.

NHTSA complaint #11406715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE REVVED UP AND STALLED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS EXPOSED AND INSTALLED ADDITIONAL BOLTS. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.

NHTSA complaint #11397503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT'S BOYFRIEND OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE COULD HEAR AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, WITHOUT WARNING. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE BRAKE BRACKETS HAD LOOSENED AND DAMAGED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SOON AFTER THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LINKED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V095000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND INFORMED HER TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MAC HAIK FORD (10333 KATY FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77024) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL, AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11387240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. NO BRAKE PEDAL. CRUISE CONTROL RELEASE ON MASTER CYLINDER BROKE OPEN. LUCKILY IT WAS IN A PARKING LOT, NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES WHATSO EVER.

NHTSA complaint #11282319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKES LINES ARE RUSTING AWAY.

NHTSA complaint #11120367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ADDED BRAKE FLUID TO THE VEHICLE. AFTER DRIVING TEN MILES, THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #10822640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF ABS SYSTEM INDICATED BY ABS WARNING LIGHT. OBD ERROR CODE C1185 - ABS POWER RELAY FAILURE. WHEN FAILED, ABS SYSTEM INOPERABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10595073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

SEVERE CORROSION ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #10579057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

TRUCK STARTING PULLING BADLY TO RIGHT, LOSS OF POWER, SPEED AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. RIM, CALIPER WERE SMOKING , HAD TO POUR WATER ON TO WHEEL TO KEEP FROM BURNING. AFTER TOWED TO SERVICE CENTER WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD TRUCKS THAT THE SLIDE PIN ON THE CALIPER CAN SEIZE AND LOCK THE BRAKE IN ACTIVE POSITION PREVENTING IT FROM RELEASING FROM THE ROTOR CAUSING THE EXTREME HEAT AND BURNING THE BRAKE BAD AND SEALS IN THE CALIPER. I WAS LUCKY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AT 70 MPH AND LOCK THE WHEELCAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. I VE ALSO LOOKED AT THE REPORTS ON THE INTERNET AND SEE WHERE OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS IN BLOG BUT NOW TO SAFETY COMMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #10480794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKE LINE RUNNING FRONT TO BACK BURST DUE TO RUST DAMAGE AS I STARTED TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION AT THE SERVICE STATION , THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF SEVERE RUSTING AT VIRTUALLY ALL OF THE BRAKE LINE ATTACHMENT POINTS AND ALL BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED. DUE TO RUST DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10468428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN IT SUDDENLY DROPPED TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #10453761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE RETURNING HOME, TOWING 25' PONTOON BOAT, APPROACHING DRIVEWAY WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, NO BRAKES. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE INTO MY YARD AND STOP WITH PARKING BRAKE. ROOT CAUSE WAS FOUND TO BE BRAKE LINE ABOVE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL HAD RUSTED THROUGH AT FITTING CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. UPON CLOSE INSPECTION, MANY BRAKE LINES, TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES, GAS TANK STRAPS (THE LATTER SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED PER FORD RECALL) ARE DETERIORATING DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. ALTHOUGH THIS VEHICLE IS 11 YEARS OLD, IT ONLY HAS 58,867 ORIGINAL, DOCUMENTED MILES, AND HAS NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO EXCESS ROAD SALT (MID-ATLANTIC REGION). I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE ROTORS, CALIPERS, BRAKE SHIELDS, EGR TUBE, EXHAUST SYSTEM FROM MUFFLER BACK, AND PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY ALL DUE TO EXCESSIVE, AND WHAT I CONSIDER, PREMATURE RUST. IF THAT WERE NOT BAD ENOUGH, YESTERDAY I LOOK UNDER THE TRUCK AND SEE A PUDDLE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. ONE OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE UPPER RADIATOR HAS RUSTED THROUGH, AND ONCE AGAIN I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. I HAVE OWNED MANY FORD PRODUCTS IN MY 44 YEARS OF DRIVING BUT HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING OF THIS MAGNITUDE WITH A VEHICLE OF SUCH LOW MILEAGE. BRAKE LINES RUSTING OUT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. IF I HAD LOST BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY TOWING A 3000 LB BOAT AND TRAILER IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. I FEEL THE GAS TANK STRAP RECALL IS A START, BUT FAR FROM ADDRESSING THE OVERALL ISSUE OF UNDERCARRIAGE DETERIORATION WITH THIS YEAR/MODEL VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10446944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I HAVE A 2001 FORD F-150 THAT I WAS USING TO DROP MY SON OFF AT HIS FRIEND'S HOUSE. ON THE WAY HOME MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 35 MPH AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP AT THE INTERSECTION LIKE I WAS SUPPOSED TO. I DID MANAGE TO DRIVE HOME WITH LITTLE TO NO BRAKES. WHEN I GOT HOME I LOOKED IN THE BRAKE FLUID WELL AND THERE WAS NO FLUID IN THERE. I LOOKED AT THE GROUND ON THE DRIVERS SIDE NEAR THE REAR TIRE AND I SAW FLUID DRIPPING ON THE GROUND. I GOT UNDER THE TRUCK AND WAS SURPRISED TO SEE A LOT OF BRAKE FLUID ON THE SIDE OF GAS TANK AND DRIPPING FROM THE FRAME. THIS IS A VERY UNUSUAL AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I NO LONGER HAVE THE USE OF MY VEHICLE. I RECENTLY TOOK THE TRUCK IN FOR RECALL SERVICE TO HAVE THE GAS TANK SUPPORT STRAPS REPLACED, IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS COMPROMISED DURING THE RECALL WORK? I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS UNUSUAL INCIDENT AND THEY STATED THAT BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE LARGER ISSUE IS THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN, WARRANTY OR NO. WHAT IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT A FASTER RATE OF SPEED OR ENTERING A BUSY INTERSECTION OR A NERVOUS DRIVER. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE ENDED VERY BADLY. THE BRAKE LINES SHOULD NOT RUPTURE. MY CONCERN IS WHETHER THESE WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, OR HAVE OTHER BRAKE LINES RUPTURED CAUSING ACCIDENTS AND HAVE NOT BEEN REPORTED.

NHTSA complaint #10440558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

RE: 2001 FORD F150 2WD, BOTTOM BOLT HOLDING LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER TO SPINDLE ASSEMBLY FELL OUT. SCRUBBING SOUND AT BRAKING INITIATED AN INVESTIGATION OF PROBLEM AND FOUND LOWER FASTENER MISSING AND UPPER FASTENER LOOSE. THE CALIPER HAD ROTATED AND CAST IRON PISTON ASSEMBLY WAS RUBBING INTERIOR OF ALUMINUM WHEEL. FORTUNATELY I WAS WITHIN THREE MILES OF HOME. CONTINUING TRAVEL HAD THE POTENTIAL TO DESTROY THE WHEEL AND CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE OR ACCIDENT. THE RIGHT SIDE WAS INVESTIGATED AND BOTH FASTENERS WERE IN PLACE. THE FORD SUPPLIED CAPSCREWS (BOLTS) DID NOT HAVE SERRATED FLANGED HEAD, DID NOT HAVE LOCKWASHERS, DID NOT HAVE THREAD LOCKING LIQUID COMPOUND APPLIED TO THREADS. LOCAL FORD DEALER WAS CLOSED ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON. ALL FOUR FASTENERS WERE REPLACED BY OWNER USING FLANGED STAINLESS STEEL CAPSCREWS OF THE CORRECT THREAD AND LENGTH USING THREAD LOCKING LIQUID COMPOUND. OWNER HAS POSSESSION OF THE THREE FASTENERS REMOVED. VEHICLE MILEAGE 04-03-2010 WAS 046741.4 THERE ARE REPORTED INCIDENCES OF THIS POTENTIAL DEFECT ON THE INTERNET WHICH HAVE THE ABILITY TO CAUSE A CRASH OR DAMAGE OR DEATH. TO MY KNOWLEDGE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUED OR POTENTIAL SAFETY DEFECT SENT TO VEHICLE OWNERS.

NHTSA complaint #10323678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED BOTH FRONT ANTI-LOCK WHEEL SPEED SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE CONSUMER TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/19/06.

NHTSA complaint #10167131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

THE TWO MOUNTING BOLTS FOR THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS COME LOOSE. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE, IN EACH CASE IT HAS OCCURRED ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT CALIPERS. BOTH TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED AFTER A BRAKE JOB. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 200-300 MILES ON THE NEW PADS, THE CALIPER BOLTS CAN BE RE-TIGHTENED AND DO NOT COME LOOSE AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10143346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

1.LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, TOUGH TO BRAKE, BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON 2. ABS MODULE CORRODED 3. ABS MODULE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE($1400.00).

NHTSA complaint #10134811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

TAKE A LOOK A MY VEHICLE HISTORY, I BABY MY TRUCK - NEVER USED OFF-ROAD. I HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL ITEMS THAT I FEEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY FORD. I HAD TO BUY A WARRANTY THAT COVER MOST OF THE STUFF. SOME PARTS WITH DEFECTS THAT WERE REPLACED. MOST REPLACED AT 40,000-80,000 MILES 1.) TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY REPLACED 2.) REAREND REPLACED 3.) I'M ON MY THIRD SET OF ALL 4 BALL JOINTS 4.) TIE RODS, TIE ROD ENDS (REPLACED TWICE NOW) 5.) COIL 6.) HEADLIGHT HOUSING (3-4 TIMES) 7.) BRAKES, NUMEROUS THINGS WORKED ON AND REPLACED DEALERSHIP WAS NEVER ABLE TO STOP THE THUMPING NOISE THAT IS STILL THERE, SAID IT WAS NORMAL (NOT) 8.) IDLER ARM (REPLACED TWICE) 9.) SUNROOF SWITCH REPLACED TWICE, REPORTED LOUD BANG WHEN OPENING. A&B KIA SAID IT WAS NORMAL - NO, NOW IT IS COMPLETELY BROKE AND WILL BARELY OPEN AND HAVE TO FORCE CLOSED. 10.) SIDEVIEW MIRRORS VIBRATED 11.) ABS SENSOR REPLACED 12.) KEYLESS ENTRY REPLACED 13.) STEERING BEARINGS REPLACED 14.) BACK BUMPER IS RUSTING THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE THINGS I CAN REMEMBER RIGHT OFF HAND. I'VE GOT ALL RECEIPTS. I TAKE CARE OF THIS TRUCK - WASH AND WAX ONCE A WEEK BY HAND (UNLESS REALLY BAD WEATHER) THEN I JUST TAKE IT TO THE CAR WASH AUTOMATIC OR ACTUAL PEOPLE WASHING. KEEP INSIDE JUST AS NICE. IF YOU WANT TO CHECK OUT A VEHICLE FOR SAFETY/RECALL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD START WITH MINE.

NHTSA complaint #10114221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

THE VEHICLE IS NOT BRAKING PROPERLY. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND WAS TOLD THE ROTORS WERE NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #10113111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

1) WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP I NOTICED MY TRUCK ACCELERATING. I NATURALLY PRESSED HARDER AND NEARLY RAN THROUGH MY GARAGE DOOR. ON 5 OTHER OCCASIONS SINCE I HAVE COME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING SEVERE ACCIDENTS EXPERIENCING ACCELERATION. HAD I NOT BEEN CONSCIOUS OF THE CAUSE THE INCIDENTS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY. 2) THE CAUSE DISCOVERED WAS THE PROXIMITY AND HEIGHT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL IN RELATION THE GAS PEDAL. NEARLY 1/3 OF MY FOOT CAN BE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND STILL PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME. UNLIKE OTHER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT STOP BEFORE REACHING THE PLANE OF THE GAS PEDAL. 3) ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, PARTICULARLY IN HAVING TO MAKE QUICK STOPS MY FOOT HAS INADVERTENTLY PRESSED BOTH THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL. REALIZING THAT THE RESULTING ACCELERATION WAS DUE TO IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE PEDALS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECOVER BUT NOT WITHOUT THE LOSS OF PRECIOUS TIME. SOMEDAY I FEAR THAT THIS DEFECT WILL RESULT IN A COSTLY AND SEVERE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10106092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.