21 of the 169 complaints about the 1999 Ford F-350 SD are about the braking system — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 76,000 miles.
21
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE LINE RUPTURED WHILE DRIVING. AFTER CHECKING THE METAL BRAKE LINES FOUND ALL TO RUSTED BADLY.
NHTSA complaint #10414916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1 OPERATING HOUR AFTER COMING DOWN A 7% GRADE MY 1999 F350 TRUCK WITH CAMPER SUFFERED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO A CORRODED BRAKE LINE. THE FAULT OCCURRED IN A CLIP WHERE MOISTURE AND ABRASIVES HAD BEEN HELD AGAINST THE STEEL BRAKE LINE. NEARBY DIESEL FUEL LINES EXHIBITED NO RUST. BECAUSE FORD USED STEEL THAT CAN RUST FOR THE CRITICAL BRAKE LINE, MY FAMILY ALMOST LOST OUR LIVES AND POTENTIALLY CAUSED THE DEATHS OF OTHERS. THE REPLACEMENT LEFT PAR OF THE ORIGINAL BRAKE LINE IN PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #10410238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-350 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND THE FRONT BRAKE PADS FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND RUBBED THE CURB SO THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. THE CONTACT CALLED THE AUTHORIZED DEALER REGARDING THE FAILURE AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PADS FELL OFF BECAUSE THE ROTORS WERE TOO THIN. THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000.
NHTSA complaint #10358332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WENT DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD AND STUCK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME WHERE HE CHECKED THE BRAKE LINE AND SAW THAT IT WAS CORRODED ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE IN FRONT OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE INTO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT DID CALL; THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE BRAKE LINE AT HIS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 72,000.
NHTSA complaint #10327523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE LAIRD NOLLER FORD DEALERSHIP FOR A CAM SENSOR RECALL IN NOVEMBER 2008. THEY COULD NOT MAKE THE REPAIR THAT DAY AND MY APPOINTMENT WAS RESCHEDULED FOR AFTER CHRISTMAS 2008. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PARKING BRAKE MODULE AND THEY WOULD REPLACE IT AT THE SAME TIME THEY REPLACED THE CAM SENSOR. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AFTER CHRISTMAS (IT WAS A WEDNESDAY) I TOOK IT BACK IN FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE IT DONE AT THE END OF THE DAY, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THEY CALLED BACK AND SAID IT WOULD NOT BE DONE UNTIL THE NEXT WEEK. SO, THAT NEXT MONDAY (JANUARY 3RD ISH 2009) THEY CALLED, I WENT TO PICK UP MY TRUCK AND ALL THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE MADE. EVERYTHING WAS GOOD UNTIL SEPTEMBER 17TH 2009. I HAD MY TRUCK PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SET (IT HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSON), SO IT WOULD WARM UP THAT MORNING. I WAS WALKING BACK TO MY HOUSE WHEN I HEARD A LOAD POP, I TURNED TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING, AND MY TRUCK BEGAN ROLLING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND SMASHED INTO A TREE. CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY, TOLD THEM MY PARKING BRAKE MODULE BROKE AND THAT FORD HAD JUST REPLACED IT EARLIER IN THE YEAR. THEY TOWED MY TRUCK TO A BODY SHOP. I CALLED FORD NEXT, AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE CRASH. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD GATHER ALL MY PAPER WORK AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD GET A HOLD OF THEM, AND THEY WOULD TALK WITH THEM ABOUT WHO WOULD PAY FOR THE DAMAGES. THEN I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY, AND TOLD THEM WHO TO TALK TO. MY INSURANCE DECIDED THE PARKING BRAKE HAD FAILED, AND THAT I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO FORD TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. FORD LOOKED AT IT, AND AGREED THAT YES THE PART (FACTORY RECALLED AND REPLACED PART) HAD FAILED, AND PROCEEDED TO PRICE ME A NEW ONE. THEY TOLD ME MINE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE REPLACEMENT PART ALLEGEDLY HAD ONLY A 12 MONTH 12,000 WARRANTY, AND I WAS AT 10 MONTHS, 14,000 ON A PART THAT DOESN'T WEAR BECAUSE OF MILEAGE. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT REPLACED AND FAILURE OCCURS DURING EVERY USE.
NHTSA complaint #10293614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ROTTED OUT REAR BRAKE LINE BEHIND FUEL TANK. I WAS TOWING A TRAILER AND WENT TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND THE PETAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I SWERVED TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY RIGHT LANE WAS EMPTY ALLOWING ME TO USE IT AS A EMERGENCY LANE AND STOP BECAUSE THE TRAILER HAD BRAKES. I LIMPED HOME FOR REPAIRS. I REPLACED THE COMPLETE BRAKE LINE FROM FRONT TO REAR. IT HAD ROTTED OUT BEHIND THE FUEL TANK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10284202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1999 FORD F350. PULLS TO SHARP RIGHT WHEN BRAKING. WOBBLING WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CLUNKING WHEN YOUR TURN SHARP. HAS BEEN IN NUMEROUS SHOPS AND NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10276370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE HAD TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK. MY FIRST ISSUE WAS VERY DANGEROUS IN MY OPINION. THE CAM SENSOR WENT OUT WHICH CAUSED MY TRUCK TO SUDDENLY STOP WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. EVERY SYSTEM SHUT DOWN INCLUDING BRAKES. MORE THAN ONCE I WAS GOING 70MPH AND IT SUDDENLY STOPPED - I HAD TO GUIDE MYSELF TO THE SHOULDER AND STOP THE TRUCK WITH NO BRAKES. VERY VERY SCARY! I HAD THE TRUCK TO SEVERAL DEALERS AL TOLD ME THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG. FINALLY I TALKED TO MY COUSIN, A DODGE MECHANIC, HE EXPLAINED THAT FORD KNEW OF A SERIOUS DEFECT WITH THEIR CAM SENSOR ON THAT YEAR TRUCK - HE EXPLAINED WHAT IT SHOULD COST TO FIX IT. I TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND HE FIXED IT IN HIS SHOP FOR EXACTLY WHAT MY COUSIN SAID IT WOULD COST. FORD STILL HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THEY KNEW OF A PROBLEM. SECOND PROBLEM WAS WITH MY BRAKES. THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER BROKE OFF AND JAMMED IN THE REST OF THE BRAKE AND STOPPED MY TRUCK VERY SUDDENLY. I ALMOST WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD THEM REPLACED WITH FORD PARTS. I HAVE HAD THE NEW BRAKES BACK INTO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AS THEY SEEM TO BE DOING THE SAME AS THE FIRST SET - PULLING TO THE LEFT AND NOT WORKING PARTICULARLY WELL. I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO THE WAY I DRIVE - DOWNHILL AND STEERING TO THE RIGHT WHILE BRAKING - NONSENSE- I ANTICIPATE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AT ANY TIME AND STOPPING, DANGEROUSLY, SUDDENLY ON THE MAIN STREET OF MY SMALL TOWN JUST AS HAPPENED LAST TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10244644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
EMERGENCY BRAKE FILL NOT HOLD TRUCK ON A HILL AND CABLE BREAKS EVERY YEAR. HAVE ADJUSTED, REPLACED PEDAL, CABLE, ETC.
NHTSA complaint #10218111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I WAS TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH MY 99 FORD F-350 PULLING A 5TH WHEEL TRAILER WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. AS I WRESTLED THE TRUCK TO THE SHOULDER, THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. AS FAR AS I COULD TELL, EVEN THE ELECTRONIC BRAKES ON THE TRAILER WEREN'T HELPING TO STOP ME AS I DRIFTED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. THE TIRE TREAD WHEN IT SHREDDED APPARENTLY BLEW OUT A VACUUM HOSE AND THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SOME OTHER CONNECTOR OR LINE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ABS SYSTEM THAT WAS AFFECTED - BUT I THINK IT WAS JUST THE VACUUM HOSE. THE MECHANIC WHO GOT US BACK ON THE ROAD SAID THAT WHEN THE HOSE WENT OUT, THE ABS SYSTEM THOUGHT THE TIRE WAS LOCKED SO IT SHUT OFF THE BRAKES - APPARENTLY ALL OF THEM. IF I HAD BEEN IN CITY TRAFFIC, WE'D HAVE PLOWED INTO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF US POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN DEATH OR SEVERE INJURY FOR SOMEONE. TRYING TO REMEMBER TO DOWNSHIFT OR HIT THE PARKING BRAKE WHILE WRESTLING A TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER THAT IS RIDING ON THE FRONT WHEEL RIM AND TRYING TO PULL BACK INTO TRAFFIC IS RATHER CHALLENGING. I'VE LOST A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN ABS AND WONDER IF THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, SOMETHING ASSOCIATED WITH THAT PARTICULAR VEHICLE OR A BASIC HAZARD OF ABS SYSTEMS THAT IS UNKNOWN TO THE PUBLIC.
NHTSA complaint #10202172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F 350 SD WITH A FAILURE MILEAGE OF 132,000 MILES. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE HE HEARD A CRACKING NOISE, AND REALIZED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. HE HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE CONTROLLER FAILED. RECALL 02V068000 WAS ISSUED FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10187809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TOWING A TRAILER DOWN A HILL THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO STOP BY USING THE TRAILER BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE ALL FOUR BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. UPDATED 5/10/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10155030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WOULD WANDER TO THE LEFT TOWARD ONCOMING TRAFFIC. A BRAKE JOB WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED THE FIRST TIME. THEY TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ALL THE PARTS WERE FORD PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS BUT THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS.
NHTSA complaint #10127538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
A BRAKE LINE LEADING TO THE REAR WHEELS CORRODED/ERUPTED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKING. THE DEALER/ MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10097876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS FROM THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK TO THE BACK WHEELS RUSTED THRUOUGH THERE BY CAUSING ME TO LOSE MY BRAKES WHILE DRIVING THEROUGH THE MOUNTAINS .
NHTSA complaint #10060107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PERFORM POORLY. WHEN TAKEN TO THE GARAGE, THEY STATED THAT THE ROTORS APPEARED TO BE MADE OUT OF A DEFECTIVE STEEL. THAT WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED IF THE STEEL WASN'T DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10047545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
1999 F350 DULLIE, HAS NO PARKING BRAKES ,
NHTSA complaint #10031108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
I PURCHASED A 1999 F-350 SUPER DUTY DUALLY. FROM RECORDS FROM THE PERVIOUS OWNERS PROBLEMS AND THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS TRUCK, I CAN NOT BELIVE SERVICE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO THE PARKING BRAKE BLEW WHEN I WAS ON ALMOST LEVEL GROUND AND NEED LEAST TO SAY THE TRUCK ROLLED AND CRASHED, LUCKY NOT ONE WAS HURT.BUT IT DID QUIT A BIT OF DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK AND MY TRAILOR. NOW I KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM ON THESE FORDS BUT NOT YET ON MY PERTICULARE TRUCK. ALSO IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS I HAVE PUT IN A NEW CLUTCH WITCH IS EXPECTED. AND HAVE HAD CLOSE TO $ 3,000 IN BRAKE REPAIRS????? THAT WAS NOT!!!DRUMS CRACKING,HUBS EXPLOADING WITCH I UNDERSTAND IN A PROBLEM TOO BUT NOT ON MY TRUCK YET?????? PLEASE HAVE SOME ONE CONTACT ME I NEED SOME GUIDENCE, INFORMATION, HELP I HAVE HAD NO HELP FROM FORD.
NHTSA complaint #10003595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I PURCHASED A 1999 F-350 SUPER DUTY DUALLY. FROM RECORDS FROM THE PERVIOUS OWNERS PROBLEMS AND THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS TRUCK, I CAN NOT BELIVE SERVICE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO THE PARKING BRAKE BLEW WHEN I WAS ON ALMOST LEVEL GROUND AND NEED LEAST TO SAY THE TRUCK ROLLED AND CRASHED, LUCKY NOT ONE WAS HURT.BUT IT DID QUIT A BIT OF DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK AND MY TRAILOR. NOW I KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM ON THESE FORDS BUT NOT YET ON MY PERTICULARE TRUCK. ALSO IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS I HAVE PUT IN A NEW CLUTCH WITCH IS EXPECTED. AND HAVE HAD CLOSE TO $ 3,000 IN BRAKE REPAIRS????? THAT WAS NOT!!!DRUMS CRACKING,HUBS EXPLOADING WITCH I UNDERSTAND IN A PROBLEM TOO BUT NOT ON MY TRUCK YET?????? PLEASE HAVE SOME ONE CONTACT ME I NEED SOME GUIDENCE, INFORMATION, HELP I HAVE HAD NO HELP FROM FORD.
NHTSA complaint #10003595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
TRUCK WAS PARKED IN GARAGE, FACING OUT OF GARAGE. TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR 4 DAYS. TRUCK HAD HANDBREAK SET WHEN PARKED. I STARTED TRUCK UP DUE TO THE NUMBER OF DAYS IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN TO CHARGE BATTERY. VERFYED THAT HANDBRAKE WAS SET ( RED BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON) AND PLACE TRUCK IN NEUTERAL (5-SPEED). (GARAGE DOOR WAS OPEN DUE TO TRUCK RUNNING). I WENT INSIDE AND ABOUT 5 MIN PASSED LOOKED OUT KITCHEN WINDOW SAW TRUCK AT END OF DRIVE WAY. TRUCK WAS STOPPED BY TOW HOOK HITTING TREE. DRIVER SIDE MIRROW HIT TREE AND WAS FOLDED BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10003343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH BRAKING ON THE DIESEL TRUCKS. WHEN APPLING THE BRAKES IN A PANIC SITUATION AND ONE OR BOTH OF THE REAR WHEELS LOOSE TRACTION, THE RABS KICKS IN AND THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. THIS IS ALSO ACCOMPANIED BY SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT AT THE SAME TIME IF AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO STEER AROUND AN ACCIDENT SITUATION. THESE DIESEL TRUCKS USE A HYDRO BOOST SYSTEM RUN OFF OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP FOR THE BRAKES. THERE IS ALSO A SUDDEN DECREASE, MANY TIMES SEVERE, IN BRAKING POWER. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE ONLY WAY TO REGAIN THE BRAKES IS TO RELEASE THEM AND REAPPLY THEM, TAKING GREAT CARE NOT TO SKID ONE OR BOTH OF THE REAR TIRES. TALKING TO OTHER OWNERS, IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW AND REPLACING PARTS WILL NOT REPAIR THE SITUATION. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND CALIPERS ARE ALL WORKING PROPERLY AND THIS TRUCK HAS DONE IT FROM THE DAY IT WAS NEW. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE I HAVE HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES IN A PANIC STOP AND HAD ONE OR BOTH OF THE REAR WHEELS START TO SKID. THE BRAKE PEDAL THEN GOES TO THE FLOOR, BRAKING IS SEVERELY DIMINISHED AND THE ABILITY TO STOP IS VIRTUALLY NON-EXISTENT. ONLY BY RELEASING AND RE-APPLYING THE BRAKES CAN BRAKING BE RESTORED AND IT IS ONLY THROUGH THIS EFFORT AND THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS OF DRIVING POLICE VEHICLES THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AVOID SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. DT
NHTSA complaint #769249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.