FaultScore

2008 Ford F-350 brake problems

15 of the 176 complaints about the 2008 Ford F-350 are about the braking system — 9% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 70,000 miles.

D

15

Complaints

1

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Service Brakes 9 60.0%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 3 20.0%
Master Cylinder 1 6.7%
Rotor 1 6.7%
ABS Warning Light 1 6.7%

Brakes across every Ford F-350 year

1991 10 2.3%
1992 15 3.5%
1993 35 8.2%
1994 44 10.3%
1995 54 12.6%
1996 33 7.7%
1997 40 9.3%
1999 88 20.6%
2000 44 10.3%
2001 28 6.5%
2002 11 2.6%
2004 11 2.6%
2008 15 3.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 70,000 miles Rosendale, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-350. The contact stated that on several occasions while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the contact noticed a burning odor throughout the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear driver’s and passenger’s side wheels inadvertently locked without warning then released. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the brake pedal and plunger rod was replaced with a longer plunger rod; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that he had to applied pressure to the brake pedal that was depressed down to the floorboard. As a result, the vehicle glided to a stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that brake pedal and the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred after the vehicle was retrieved from the dealer. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the front driver’s side wheel locked without warning and then released. The contact stated that he steered the vehicle off the roadway and was informed by another motorist that there was smoke underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that he was assist by Law Enforcement and advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake caliper, front brake lock, brake pads, master cylinder and other undisclosed brake parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact was advised by the technician to take the vehicle to Bob’s 151 transmission Center where it was diagnosed that the ABS had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was too old, and no further assistance was provided. The contact stated that th

NHTSA complaint #11523641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Rosendale, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-350. The contact stated that on several occasions while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the contact noticed a burning odor throughout the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear driver’s and passenger’s side wheels inadvertently locked without warning then released. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the brake pedal and plunger rod was replaced with a longer plunger rod; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that he had to applied pressure to the brake pedal that was depressed down to the floorboard. As a result, the vehicle glided to a stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that brake pedal and the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred after the vehicle was retrieved from the dealer. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the front driver’s side wheel locked without warning and then released. The contact stated that he steered the vehicle off the roadway and was informed by another motorist that there was smoke underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that he was assist by Law Enforcement and advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake caliper, front brake lock, brake pads, master cylinder and other undisclosed brake parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact was advised by the technician to take the vehicle to Bob’s 151 transmission Center where it was diagnosed that the ABS had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was too old, and no further assistance was provided. The contact stated that th

NHTSA complaint #11523641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Rosendale, WI

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

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-350. The contact stated that on several occasions while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the contact noticed a burning odor throughout the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear driver’s and passenger’s side wheels inadvertently locked without warning then released. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the brake pedal and plunger rod was replaced with a longer plunger rod; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that he had to applied pressure to the brake pedal that was depressed down to the floorboard. As a result, the vehicle glided to a stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that brake pedal and the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred after the vehicle was retrieved from the dealer. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the front driver’s side wheel locked without warning and then released. The contact stated that he steered the vehicle off the roadway and was informed by another motorist that there was smoke underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that he was assist by Law Enforcement and advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake caliper, front brake lock, brake pads, master cylinder and other undisclosed brake parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact was advised by the technician to take the vehicle to Bob’s 151 transmission Center where it was diagnosed that the ABS had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was too old, and no further assistance was provided. The contact stated that th

NHTSA complaint #11523641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,692 miles Mifflin, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

CRUSE CONTROL SWITCH ON THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER DISINTEGRATED, CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKING. SWITCH BODY APPEARED RUSTY, WHILE THE SWITCH NEXT TO IT ON THE MASTER CYLINDER DID NOT. VEHICLE IN MOTION, DESCENDING DRIVEWAY WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND ALL BRAKING ACTION WAS LOST. VEHICLE STOPPED VIA EMERGENCY BRAKE.

NHTSA complaint #11300300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Mars Hill, NC

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PUT THE TRUCK IN REVERSE AND I HEARD A LOUD 'POP' WHICH FELT LIKE THE BRAKE PEDAL BROKE AND THEN IT SANK TO THE FLOOR, I POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS PART---"SWITCH ASSY - FORD PART-SW6349 (9F924)" HAD BLOWN OUT THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR WHILE THE METAL CASING WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS WILL LEAVE YOU WITH NO BRAKES. IF IT HAPPENED ON THE ROAD IN TRAFFIC IT COULD BE DEADLY.

NHTSA complaint #11219774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,000 miles NEW Bedford, MA

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.

NHTSA complaint #11088363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 118,000 miles Snow Shoe, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKING ABILITY SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA complaint #10939920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Freedom, NH Fire

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO ALMOST CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED SMOKE ENTERING FROM A PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER BRAKE DISC WAS RED FROM THE HEAT AND EMITTED SMOKE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED SIX TIMES ON DIFFERENT WHEELS. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT FOR THE WHEELS TO COOL DOWN IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RETURN TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED FOUR TIMES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA complaint #10766337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 129,000 miles Wagoner, OK

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

NHTSA complaint #10721406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,000 miles Jamestown, TN

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 WHEN THE TRUCK AND STEERING WHEEL STARTED VIBRATING VIOLENTLY, AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE IT PULLED SHARP TO THE LEFT TAKING THE VEHICLE ONTO THE MEDIAN. ONCE THE VEHICLE STOPPED, FACING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION I GOT OUT AND CHECKED THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, IT WAS TOO HOT TO TOUCH. I LET IT COOL AND THEN PROCEEDED TO THE NEAREST EXIT. I HAD THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL INSPECTED, BUT NO PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED. I CONTINUED ON MY TRIP FROM TENNESSEE TO FLORIDA. ON THE RETURN TRIP THE PROBLEM HAPPENED THREE TIMES, EACH TIME I STOPPED AND LET THE WHEEL COOL BEFORE CONTINUING. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL OTHER INDIVIDUALS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THE NTSB SHOULD REQUIRE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. THERE IS SUFFICIENT DOCUMENTATION ON THE INTERNET TO JUSTIFY THE NTSB TAKING ACTION.

NHTSA complaint #10640673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,000 miles Westport, CT

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK, I WENT TO BRAKE AND IT DIDN'T BRAKE FOR AT LEAST 20 FT. GOOD THING NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME. I TOOK IT HOME AND NOW IS NOT DRIVABLE , I CALLED FORD SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAID THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME.I HAVE A $48,000.00 LEMON ROTTING IN MY DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10593264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,000 miles West Columbia, TX

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AND I COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER. I COULD NOT BUDGE THE WHEEL AT ALL. MY BRAKES STILL WORKED, BUT IT DIDN'T FEEL 100%. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10-15 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. WHEN IT HAPPENS, I CAN SHIFT THE TRUCK INTO NEUTRAL AND REV THE ENGINE AND I'LL GET MY STEERING BACK. ALSO, IF I SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE TRUCK OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, THE STEERING WILL WORK. THE ONLY TIME IT HAPPENS IS WHEN I'M SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS, 55+ MPH. IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN TOWING ALSO. THIS IS MY FATHER TRUCK, BUT I USE IT FOR THE FAMILY BUSINESS.

NHTSA complaint #10515101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,000 miles LEE, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 2011, WE WERE DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD IN ROUTE TO SHARPS CHAPEL, TENNESSEE WHEN THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT PASSENGER CALIPER/ROTOR ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING SMOKING AND BURNING SMELL OF THE BRAKE SHOES FORCING ME TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER ALLOWING THE BRAKES TO COOL, I CONTACTED AND DROVE TO MORRISTOWN FORD IN TENNESSEE AND THEY TO ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE BRAKES BY DISASSEMBLING AND CLEANING THE CALIPER/ROTOR SINCE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO APPROPRIATELY RECTIFY THE SITUATION. THIS REPAIR WAS NOT EFFECTIVE AND THE PROBLEM HAS REPEATED ITSELF FOUR TIMES SINCE THEN, MOST RECENTLY ON OCTOBER 5, 2012. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE DESIGN AND/OR PART FAILURE!! FORD NEEDS TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM!!

NHTSA complaint #10490117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,813 miles EL Cajon, CA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DRIVER, ATTEMPTING TO STOP FOR A LIGHT RAIL CROSSING, DEPRESSED BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR SIMULTANEOUSLY, MOVING FORWARD INTO THE PATH OF ONCOMING TROLLEY. VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. DRIVER BELIEVES BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER AND ALIGNED WHEN DEPRESSED.

NHTSA complaint #10409631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,000 miles Arnold, MO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKE PEDAL LOCATION AND DEPRESSING VEHICLE'S BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME. STREET DEPARTMENT WORKERS WEARING PROPER WORK BOOTS HAVE FOUND THAT THE PEDAL SPACING IS NOT ADEQUATE BETWEEN GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL. THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 10 TIMES WHERE THE EMPLOYEE HAS DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL PLACEMENT ARE TO CLOSE TO EACH OTHER AND BOTH PEDALS CAN BE DEPRESSED AT THE SAME TIME GIVING THE OPERATOR THE FEELING OF NO BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE NOT STOPPING. WE HAVE REPRODUCED THIS SITUATION AT LEAST 5 TIMES AND FEEL THAT IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU BE NOTIFIED OF THIS DESIGN DEFECT. WE CONTACTED REUTEHR FORD, MIKE BOWEN A SERVICE ADVISOR AND THEY STATE THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS SITUATION BUT FORD HAS NOT ADDRESSED IT AT THIS POINT. THIS IS A LAWSUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA complaint #10363476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2008 Ford F-350 problems

← Full 2008 Ford F-350 report