FaultScore

1991 Ford F-250 brake problems

34 of the 145 complaints about the 1991 Ford F-250 are about the braking system — 23% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 55,000 miles.

F

34

Complaints

3

Crashes

1

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Foundation Components 7 20.6%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 6 17.6%
Caliper 4 11.8%
Disc 3 8.8%
Drum 3 8.8%
Rotor 2 5.9%
Pads 2 5.9%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2 5.9%
Caliper 2 5.9%
Master Cylinder 1 2.9%

Brakes across every Ford F-250 year

1991 34 6.5%
1992 31 5.9%
1993 35 6.7%
1994 35 6.7%
1995 49 9.4%
1996 17 3.2%
1997 34 6.5%
1998 14 2.7%
1999 122 23.3%
2000 42 8.0%
2001 27 5.2%
2002 19 3.6%
2003 15 2.9%
2004 10 1.9%
2005 11 2.1%
2008 19 3.6%
2012 10 1.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 55,000 miles Snohomish, WA

SERVICE BRAKES

I HAD JUST BEEN JUMPED BY AAA BECAUSE MY TRUCK WASN'T STARTING; THE AAA AGENT ALSO CLEANED THE BATTERY TERMINALS. I INTENDED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER BECAUSE I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD START. SINCE THE AAA AGENT WAS ABLE TO GET TO START, I DECIDED TO STILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHY THE BATTERY WAS DEAD (GIVEN THEY HAD THE CAR FOR A MONTH AND HAD PUT IN A NEW BATTERY AND STARTER, AMONG OTHER REPAIRS). DRIVING THE 7 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR SEEMED TO BE ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, THE ENTIRE WAY, I ONLY STEPPED ON THE GAS ONCE; IT WAS GOING 35 MILES/HOUR BY ITSELF (PER THE SPEEDOMETER). I DIDN'T KNOW WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING AND WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN USING THE BRAKES, THE TRUCK WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP, SUCH THAT I NEARLY REAR-ENDED MULTIPLE CARS. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO PUSH THE BRAKE DOWN AND TWICE HUGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE (PROBABLY THE BRAKES WERE NOW OVERHEATING?). WHEN I WAS 500 FEET FROM THE DEALERSHIP I TOOK A QUICK LEFT TURN AND HONESTLY COULD NOT STOP THE TRUCK, I THREW IT INTO PARK AND SHUT IT OFF JUST IN TIME TO MISS PLOWING INTO PARKED VEHICLES. SMOKE BILLOWED OUT FROM BELOW THE HOOD. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO FRIGHTENED IN MY LIFE-I WAS SURE I WAS EITHER GOING TO SMASH INTO SOMEONE SINCE I COULDN'T STOP OR THE TRUCK WAS GOING TO IMPLODE IN FIRE, OR SOMETHING AND I WOULD BE DEAD. I WAS NOT ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY STOP IT USING THE BRAKES. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ALSO NOT WORKING (WHICH IS ALSO WHY I WAS RETURNING IT TO THE DEALER). WHEN I ASKED THE SERVICE PERSON AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP IF HE'D SEEN A STUCK THROTTLE LIKE THIS BEFORE, HE SAID, "YES, SOMETIMES WHEN VEHICLES SIT FOR A WHILE". THIS IS A SATURDAY, SO THEY ARE GOING TO EVALUATE THE PROBLEM ON MONDAY. THE SERVICE REP ALSO SAID SOMETIMES CLEANING THE TERMINALS MIGHT CONTRIBUTE TO EXTRA CONDUCTION, WHICH MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE ACCELERATION ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10689779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ventura, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

FRONT TIRE WEARING UNEVENLY EVEM WITH RECENT ALINEMENT-TOOK TO AMERICAS TIRE CO. FOR ROTATION AND WAS TOLD TIRE HAD FLAT SPOTS AND ROTATION WOULD NOT HELP-TIRE DEFECTIVE. IS THIS TIRE ON THE RECALL?

NHTSA complaint #734313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

So.san Francisco, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

BRAKES FAIL SOMETIMES. I NEED HELP. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS RECALL OF 03/11/92TO LATE FOR THIS RECALL ?. NHTSA CAMPAIGN 92VO26000 .

NHTSA complaint #760312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ventura, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

FRONT TIRE WEARING UNEVENLY EVEM WITH RECENT ALINEMENT-TOOK TO AMERICAS TIRE CO. FOR ROTATION AND WAS TOLD TIRE HAD FLAT SPOTS AND ROTATION WOULD NOT HELP-TIRE DEFECTIVE. IS THIS TIRE ON THE RECALL? (TIRESIZE: LT21585R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT21585R16 )

NHTSA complaint #734313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ventura, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

FRONT TIRE WEARING UNEVENLY EVEM WITH RECENT ALINEMENT-TOOK TO AMERICAS TIRE CO. FOR ROTATION AND WAS TOLD TIRE HAD FLAT SPOTS AND ROTATION WOULD NOT HELP-TIRE DEFECTIVE. IS THIS TIRE ON THE RECALL?( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT21585R16 )

NHTSA complaint #734313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shelton, CT

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

AFTERING DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MILES USING THE BRAKES FREQUENTLY VEHICLE SHUT OFF. AFTER VEHICLE WAS STARTED AGAIN, THERE WAS NO BRAKING ABILITY. THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE A CRASH. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #873147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose, CA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

WHEN DRIVING 25 MPH AND UPON ATTEMPTING TO STOP VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL , BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END CRASH. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER NOTED THAT MASTER CYLINDER FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #872290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lenoir City, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #550202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Olympia, WA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKE PROBLEMS--FAILING TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIX THEM. POWER STEERING UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES--CAR WANDERS.

NHTSA complaint #531560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Olympia, WA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY--WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE IS A PAUSE BETWEEN APPLYING THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPING.

NHTSA complaint #535228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Villa Park, IL 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKES. VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKING ABILITY AT ALL, WHICH CAUSED A CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #840123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marshfield, MO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

BRAKE CALIPERS FAIL CONTINUALLY. MJS

NHTSA complaint #545909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eureka, CA Fire

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

FRONT RIGHT DISC BRAKES; WHILE DRIVING STARTED PULLING AND FELT LIKE A FLAT TIRE. WHEN PULLED OVER THE RIGHT FRONT, DRUM WAS IN FLAMES. CONSUMER PUT OUT FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #827227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Olympia, WA

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

EXPERIENCING BRAKE PROBLEM, FAILING TO STOP THE TRUCK IN A TIMELY MANNER, INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, CAUSES US GREAT CONCERN FOR SAFETY OF OTHERS, ATTEMPT TO REPAIR REPLACE PAD, ABS BOX, VACUUM PUMP, BRAKE EQUALIZER, OR SEVERAL OTHER THINGS.

NHTSA complaint #531560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reseda, CA

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

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FADED PRIOR TO RECALL, CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #501179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Racine, WV

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

BRAKES OVERHEAT CAUSING CALIPERS TO BURN.

NHTSA complaint #531891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Racine, WV

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER

BRAKES OVERHEAT CAUSING LOSS OF BREAKING POWER.

NHTSA complaint #531843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Racine, WV

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER

FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS WEAR EXCESSIVELY CAUSING BRAKES TO OVERHEAT.

NHTSA complaint #531606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chambersburg, PA Crash 1 injured

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

FRONT ABS BRAKES; UPON APPLICATION, BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DUPLICATE FAILURE TO DETERMINE CORRECTIVE ACTION. TIHIS FAILURE IS NOT CONSISTENT.*AK CONSUMER STATED DEALER REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #817801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Monroe, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

IGNITION RECALL SERVICE DENIED WITH NO REASON GIVEN, WAS TOLD BY MCGARITY, CARTER FORD LINCOLN MERCURY TO GO TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THIS IS THE CLOSEST LOCATION. 96V071000. *AK CONSUMER STATES WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #805818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dunnellon, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS REPLACED TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #509735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dunnellon, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS REPLACED TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #509735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dunnellon, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #509735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glenn Carbon, IL Crash

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

ABS BRAKES LOCK UP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN A PANIC SUDDEN STOP, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #801084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Haven, WV

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES FAIL INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #506258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfiel, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #506146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfiel, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

FRONT ROTORS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #506146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LAS Cruces, NM

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

THE BRAKE FLUID IS OVERHEATING, CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE AND INABLITITY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. RECALL #92S44. *AK BRAKES HAVE FADED FOUR TIMES FAILURE OCCURED WITHOUT WARNING, REPLACED FRONT PADS THREE TIMES, REPLACED ROTORS ONCE, CURRENTLY ROTORS APPEAR TO WARPED.

NHTSA complaint #984084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LAS Cruces, NM

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

THE BRAKE FLUID IS OVERHEATING, CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE AND INABLITITY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. RECALL #92S44. *AK BRAKES HAVE FADED FOUR TIMES FAILURE OCCURED WITHOUT WARNING, REPLACED FRONT PADS THREE TIMES, REPLACED ROTORS ONCE, CURRENTLY ROTORS APPEAR TO WARPED.

NHTSA complaint #984084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Craig, AK

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, ALSO FRONT END MISALIGNMENT; WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED; REPLACED LEAKING AXLE SEALS; FUEL PUMP FAILURE/ FUEL LINE RECALL AND PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #983417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1991 Ford F-250 problems

← Full 1991 Ford F-250 report