33 of the
167 complaints about the 1996 Ford F-350 are about the
braking system — 20% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
91,773 miles.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
1/07 SQUEAK IN FRONT LEFT WHEEL, TOOK TO SEARS AS BRAKES/BEARINGS UNDER WARRANTY. ENDED UP W/ COMPLETE BRAKE JOB FRONT & REAR. PICKED UP VEHICLE, POOR PEDAL PRESSURE, NO E-BRAKE. TOOK BACK TO SEARS THEY ADJUSTED. IN APRIL HAD REAR BRAKES FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE WHILE PULLING HORSE TRAILER. ONLY FRONT BRAKES ENGAGED. TOOK BACK COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. TOOK TO ANOTHER SHOP THEY FOUND ONLY PADS REPLACED ON RT REAR NOT ON LEFT. THEY DID COMPLETE BRAKE JOB ON REAR (NEW DRUMS AND PADS) TOOK IN 2 WEEKS LATER STILL NOT CORRECT AND HAD VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. ENDED UP WITH RE-SURFACE OF FRONT ROTORS AND NEW PADS. 7/29/07 PULLING HORSE TRAILER REAR ENDED VEHICLE ON 19TH AVE IN SF DUE TO REAR BRAKES NOT ENGAGING AT ALL. ONLY FRONTS ENGAGED. REAR BRAKES NOT WORKING AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #10198472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,773 milesBridgeton, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE FLUID CAUSED CORROSION ON THE BRAKE FITTINGS. ON AUGUST 7, 2003 THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING UP HILL. THE FORD DEALER REPLACED THE TUBING AND FITTINGS. ON MAY 24, 2004 THE REAR BRAKES FAILED WHILE HE IN A PARKING LOT. AGAIN THE FORD DEALER REPLACED THE TUBING AND FITTINGS. ON NOVEMBER 1, 2005 THE MASTER CYLINDER EXPERIENCED CORROSION AT THE BRAKE FITTINGS, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID POURING OUT OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. ANOTHER DEALERSHIP DRAINED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPLACED THE LINE. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2004 -
NHTSA complaint #10141997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesMonroe, MICrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
STEPPED ON BRAKE TO RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING ME TO HIT A POST. ON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THE BRAKE LINE TO THE REAR WHEELS ROTTED IN THE MIDDLE. ALL OTHER LINES IN THE AREA ARE LIKE NEW. I HAVE OWNED MUCH OLDER VEHICLES WITHOUT HAVING BRAKE LINE PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THE MATERIAL IN THESE LINES ARE QUITE INFERIOR AND DANGEROUS FOR A VEHICLE. I HAD JUST BEEN TOWING MY FIFTH-WHEEL TRAILER THE DAY BEFORE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DROVE THIS TRUCK OVER 1000 MILES THIS TRIP AND PARKED IT FOR 2 WEEKS. THEN TO TRAVEL A SHORT DISTANCE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR FIRST TIME TO APPLY BRAKES.FOUND BRAKE FLUID RUNNING OFF FRAME, AND HAD MECHANIC INSPECT FOR PROBLEM.FOUND BRAKE LINE THAT GOES TO THE REAR BRAKES WAS ROTTED THE FULL LENGTH FRONT TO REAR. ALL OTHER LINES(FUEL,ETC) IN THE SAME AREA WERE IN GOOD CONDITION.NEW LINE WAS INSTALLED..
NHTSA complaint #762570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamston, SCCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
ON A RAINY DAY, REAR BRAKE LINING GRABBED ACTUATING THE ABS SYSTEM. AS I HAVE FOUND, THIS PROBLEM IS DISCUSSED IN FORD TSB 9805A24A. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL AS ADDITIONAL PRESSURE WAS NEEDED TO STOP. DESCRIBED AS "NORMAL" IN SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE 03731. (A NICE WAY TO DESCRIBE A PROBLEM THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO FIX.) THE ABS BRAKES STOPPED PUMPING. THE SYSTEM THEN APPEARED AS THOUGH NO BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE TRUCK WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN. EITHER THE BACK BRAKES AND POSSIBLY THE FRONT WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL, OR ALL 4 WHEEL WERE LOCKED UP AND THE TRUCK WAS SLIDING. (TIRES WERE ALL IN GOOD CONDITION.) I WAS FORCED TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO A DITCH IN ORDER TO AVOID THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. LATER TESTING ON A WET SURFACE REVEALED THAT I WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF TO PUMP THE BRAKES, SOMETHING THAT MANUFACTURERS OF ABS SYSTEMS ADVISE YOU NOT TO DO. AS I UNDERSTAND FROM READING INFORMATION BY OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, THE VACUUM SUPPLY ON THE SYSTEM IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO HANDLE REPEATED OPERATION BY THE ABS SYSTEM. I STILL AM NOT SURE WHAT THE CONDITION OF THE WHEELS WERE AT THE POINT WHEN I HAD TO LEAVE THE ROAD, WHETHER THE FRONT WERE ROLLING, OR LOCKED AND WHETHER THE BACK WERE ROLLING OR LOCKED.
NHTSA complaint #744416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamston, SCCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ON A RAINY DAY, REAR BRAKE LINING GRABBED ACTUATING THE ABS SYSTEM. AS I HAVE FOUND, THIS PROBLEM IS DISCUSSED IN FORD TSB 9805A24A. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL AS ADDITIONAL PRESSURE WAS NEEDED TO STOP. DESCRIBED AS "NORMAL" IN SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE 03731. (A NICE WAY TO DESCRIBE A PROBLEM THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO FIX.) THE ABS BRAKES STOPPED PUMPING. THE SYSTEM THEN APPEARED AS THOUGH NO BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE TRUCK WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN. EITHER THE BACK BRAKES AND POSSIBLY THE FRONT WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL, OR ALL 4 WHEEL WERE LOCKED UP AND THE TRUCK WAS SLIDING. (TIRES WERE ALL IN GOOD CONDITION.) I WAS FORCED TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO A DITCH IN ORDER TO AVOID THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. LATER TESTING ON A WET SURFACE REVEALED THAT I WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF TO PUMP THE BRAKES, SOMETHING THAT MANUFACTURERS OF ABS SYSTEMS ADVISE YOU NOT TO DO. AS I UNDERSTAND FROM READING INFORMATION BY OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, THE VACUUM SUPPLY ON THE SYSTEM IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO HANDLE REPEATED OPERATION BY THE ABS SYSTEM. I STILL AM NOT SURE WHAT THE CONDITION OF THE WHEELS WERE AT THE POINT WHEN I HAD TO LEAVE THE ROAD, WHETHER THE FRONT WERE ROLLING, OR LOCKED AND WHETHER THE BACK WERE ROLLING OR LOCKED.
NHTSA complaint #744416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nevada City, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235-85R16 )
NHTSA complaint #730112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nevada City, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235-85R16 )
NHTSA complaint #730112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whitehall, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
ON TWO OCCASIONS REAR BRAKE SHOES HAVE EXPANDED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, AND STAYED IN CONTACT WITH THE BRAKE DRUMS, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR AND BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #861397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saxton, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS CRACKED. FORD REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BRAKE ROTORS. *AKL
NHTSA complaint #849807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Doerun, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
POWER BRAKE VACUUM PUMP FAILED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #837773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pine, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ROTORS ARE CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHAKE AND BECOME UNSAFE. HAS SPENT OVER $100.00 BECAUSE OF BAD MATERIAL ON BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #824715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gilmer, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKES WILL EITHER GRAB HARD OR WILL NOT STOP, AND CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO DOWNSHIFT.DEALER HAS REPLACED CALIPERS/ROTORS AND DRUMS ,AND STILL CANNOT DETERMINE DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #835323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gilmer, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
BRAKES WILL EITHER GRAB HARD OR WILL NOT STOP, AND CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO DOWNSHIFT.DEALER HAS REPLACED CALIPERS/ROTORS AND DRUMS ,AND STILL CANNOT DETERMINE DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #835323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfax, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTORS CRACKED IN HALF TO THE HUB IN WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #824818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chubbuck, ID
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #543340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vista, CA
PARKING BRAKE
EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE LINKAGE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #604453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taney Town, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES MAKE NOISE AND FEEL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING.
NHTSA complaint #541155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sparks, NV
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #780459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
REAR BRAKE GATE AND GRAB AT LOW SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #536074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plainfield, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE HAS ABS BRAKES. ON WET TYPE PAVEMENT VEHICLE FAILS TO STOP WHEN ABS BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DEALERS HAVE NOT CORRECTED PROBLEM. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #823026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beach, ND
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MOTORHOME ELDORADO 29 1/2 FT. 12000 GVW, ABS FAILURE: PEDAL GOES TO WITHIN AN INCH OF FLOOR, CAN'T PUMP BRAKE, BRAKE ACTION SEEMS INADEQUATE IN STOPPING ON DRY PAVEMENT OR GRAVEL, ONLY REAR WHEELS STOP VEHICLE, NOT ENOUGH BRAKE PRESSURE DURING PANIC STOP.
NHTSA complaint #808287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rocklin, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
POOR ABS BRAKE PERFORMANCE, THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES. THE WHEELS LOCK UP AND EXTENDED STOPPING IS EXPERIENCED.
NHTSA complaint #804449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warrenton, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING LEFT REAR BRAKE TO LOCK UP.
NHTSA complaint #509622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warrenton, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING LEFT REAR BRAKE TO LOCK UP.
NHTSA complaint #509622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rodgersville, AL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE LEFT REAR WHEEL LOCKS UP IN A NORMAL BRAKING SITUATION. THE DEALER HAS WORKED ON THIS (7) TIMES. THE SYSTEM HAS ABS.
NHTSA complaint #803573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morgan City, ORFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WHILE DRIVING, GOING DOWN GRADE, TOWING A TRAILER, DRIVER'S FRONT BRAKES CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO BRAKE CALIPER PISTON FAILURE, EXPERIENCED SPONGEY, TRAVEL TO FLOOR AND NO BRAKES, HIT ELK, DLR CAN'T CORRECT.
NHTSA complaint #804546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clearwater, KS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
WARPING OF REAR BRAKE DRUMS, APPEAR TO BE OUT OF ROUND.
NHTSA complaint #802485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crystal Springs, MSCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS: WHILE COMING TO INTERSECTION, PUMPED BRAKES, REARENDED/ LOCKED UP , CAUSED ACCIDENT, VEHICLE HIT PASSENAGER'S SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #802109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crystal Springs, MS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS: PUMPED BRAKES WHILE COMING TO STOP, REARENDED/LOCKED UP, PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SIX TIMES SINCE PURCHASE, REPAIRED 2 TIMES, NO ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #802116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.