549 of the
5,731 complaints filed about the Ford F-250
are about the braking system —
10% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
The customer purchased a vehicle from Metro Motors on May 8, 2026, after visiting the dealership three times and speaking with multiple sales representatives. During each visit, the customer specifically stated that the vehicle would be used to tow a trailer and repeatedly asked whether it was safe and suitable for towing. The sales staff consistently represented that the vehicle was in good working condition, had low mileage, showed no significant issues on the Carfax report, and would be an excellent vehicle for towing. The customer was discouraged from test driving the vehicle because it was low on fuel, and sales staff stated that the only reason it had not sold was the snowplow attached to the front. Immediately after taking possession of the vehicle on May 8, the customer experienced a serious issue with the electronic parking brake repeatedly engaging while driving. The customer contacted Metro Motors on the next business day and was instructed by the manager, Nate, to bring the vehicle back. Metro Motors later determined that the parking brake cable was broken and that the brakes were in poor condition. After discussions, the dealership agreed to perform repairs if the customer paid for the parts. After the repairs were completed, the customer noticed smoke coming from the wheels and immediately returned the vehicle to Metro Motors. The dealership retained the vehicle but failed to communicate the nature of the problem or any repair costs until notifying the customer that the vehicle was ready for pickup on June 6, 2026. Before taking possession of the vehicle again, the customer arranged for an independent mechanic to inspect it. Although the dealership manager was initially hesitant to allow the inspection, he ultimately permitted it. The mechanic determined that the vehicle's frame was broken and that it was unsafe to operate, particularly for towing, which was the purpose repeatedly disclosed to Metro Motors before purchase.
NHTSA complaint #11747388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Truck had no check engine light then caught on fire going down the road and burned to ground within seconds Incident report 46-24-05039 08_30-74 US-30 - PA 74 30 W
NHTSA complaint #11618329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle is equipped with adjustable brake and accelerator. The pedals should move up and down together. But the brake pedal is several inches higher causing a safety issue.
NHTSA complaint #11556147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The brake lines located above the fuel tank rub and burst. This seems to be a very common issue related to a poor design. Ford will not discuss the issue when questioned about it.
NHTSA complaint #11510815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and making a left turn, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond and went to the floorboard. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stood on the brake pedal and the vehicle stopped. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot at a low speed. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the brake pedal responded as needed while driving to his residence. Upon investigating the failure, the contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.
NHTSA complaint #11502160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while standing next to the vehicle a burning odor was present coming from under the hood. Upon inspection of the vehicle, it was discovered that several wiring harnesses were saturated with leaking brake fluid. The contact was concerned that the saturated wiring harnessed had caused electrical failures within the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 240,000.
NHTSA complaint #11489797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON MARCH 27,2021. I WAS RETURNING FROM A SHOPPING TRIP. I PULLED INTO MY DRIVE WAY PARKED, TURNED OFF THE TRUCK. OPENED DOOR AND IMMEDIATELY SMELLED HOT BRAKES. I TURNED LOOKED TO REAR OF VEHICLE NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. I IMMEDIATELY GRABBED GARDEN HOSE A SPRAYED DOWN THE BRAKES REAR AND FRONT, WATER TURNED TO STEAM INSTANTLY. AS TO WHEN THE BRAKES LOCKED UP I CANNOT PIN POINT, BUT GOING TO SAY WHEN I TURNED TO MY STREET WHICH IS JUST UNDER 3/4 MILE FROM HOUSE. ONCE I WAS SURE VEHICLE WAS SAFE I CALLED SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO INITIATE REPAIRS. REPAIRS COMPLETE APRIL 6, 2021. I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY REAL ANSWER AS TO THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #11406765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, HE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A VEHICLE THAT HAD TURNED IN FRONT OF HIM. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT SOFT WHILE PRESSED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RON TIRAPELLI FORD (4355 W. JEFFERSON ST, SHOREWOOD, IL 60404, (815) 725-3033). THE DEALER CHECKED THE BRAKES AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE BRAKE PADS BE CHANGED AND THE BRAKE LINES BE BLED TO REMOVE AIR IN THE SYSTEM. THE CONTACT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AND TESTED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD THE MANAGER STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER MADE AN APPOINTMENT THE NEXT DAY AND PROVIDED COMPLETE SERVICE CHECK. THE FAILURE RECURRED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11383663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE TO HITCH A TRAILER ONTO TO THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED FROM THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. ADDITIONALLY, THE PRESSURE SWITCH WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE BRAKE SWITCH TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLUID PRESSURE WIRING HARNESS WAS DETACHED AND HANGING DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD AN UNKNOWN DEALER ORDER A NEW BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.*DT CONSUMER STATED MASTER CYLINDER PRESSURE MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #11361503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE EMERGENCY PARKING BREAK DOES NOT WORK, I DON'T THINK IT EVER HAS. I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED TWICE OVER THE YEARS AND IT QUICKLY QUIT BOTH TIMES. IT FEELS LIKE NORMAL RESISTANCE WHEN YOU PUSH IT IN WITH YOUR FOOT, AND DOES A NORMAL CLUNK AND RELEASE WHEN YOU RELEASE IT, BUT IT DOES NOT AT ALL HOLD THE TRUCK IN PLACE. IT IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION SO IT IS VERY INCONVENIENT FOR THIS TO NOT WORK. AN EXAMPLE, THAT I HAVE TO DEAL WITH REGULARLY IS HOOKING UP TO A TRAILER. I NEED TO GET OUT TO SEE HOW CLOSE I AM AND I HAVE TO PUT IT IN GEAR (ONLY REVERSE WILL HOLD IT, THE OTHER GEARS WILL SLIP AND THE TRUCK WILL ROLL) AND TURN IT OFF TO GO LOOK.
NHTSA complaint #11338722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY, BRAKES BARELY WORKED WHILE TRYING TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT MY TIRES WERE ABOUT TO COME OFF MY TRUCK, THE SHAKING WAS SO BAD THAT ITEMS IN THE SEAT ENDED UP ON THE FLOORBOARD OF THE TRUCK. WHILE TRYING TO GET THE TRUCK TO STOP AND OFF THE INTERSTATE I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY AN 18 WHEELER.
NHTSA complaint #11328200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SPARK PLUGS KEEP BLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE, WHILE ACCELERATING, HAS DONE FIVE TIMES,, WHEN IT DOES VEHICLE STALLED POSSIBLY CARE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRUCK TRYING TO TURN,
NHTSA complaint #11320910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.