FaultScore

Ford F-350 brake problems

474 of the 3,845 complaints filed about the Ford F-350 are about the braking system — 12% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1999.

474

Complaints

12%

Share of all complaints

62

Crashes

13

Fires

Brakes complaints by model year

1991 F-350 10 2.1%

Median failure at 133,867 miles

1992 F-350 15 3.2%
1993 F-350 35 7.4%

Median failure at 190,000 miles

1994 F-350 44 9.3%

Median failure at 212,000 miles

1995 F-350 54 11.4%
1996 F-350 33 7.0%

Median failure at 91,773 miles

1997 F-350 40 8.4%

Median failure at 97,000 miles

1998 F-350 1 0.2%
1999 F-350 88 18.6%

Median failure at 77,500 miles

2000 F-350 44 9.3%

Median failure at 63,424 miles

2001 F-350 28 5.9%

Median failure at 30,300 miles

2002 F-350 11 2.3%

Median failure at 64,000 miles

2003 F-350 9 1.9%

Median failure at 41,088 miles

2004 F-350 11 2.3%

Median failure at 16,619 miles

2005 F-350 7 1.5%

Median failure at 25,000 miles

2006 F-350 9 1.9%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

2007 F-350 2 0.4%

Median failure at 36,250 miles

2008 F-350 15 3.2%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

2009 F-350 2 0.4%

Median failure at 95,500 miles

2011 F-350 4 0.8%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

2012 F-350 8 1.7%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

2014 F-350 4 0.8%

Median failure at 14,700 miles

What owners said

2003 Ford F-350 Lancaster, CA 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

I was under the truck working on it and the truck was on I had the emergency brake on and the truck went into reverse and ran me over

NHTSA complaint #11750135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Ford F-350 Portland, OR Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

Death wobble

NHTSA complaint #11671293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Ford F-350 Baton Rouge, LA

SERVICE BRAKES

On 7/2/24, I went to Robinson Brothers Ford in Baton Rouge, LA to address an unrepaired Recall item on a 1994 F350. The service advisor refused to perform the recall work. They stated that the vehicle was too old. This recall is concerning an issue with a switch that can leak break fluid and cause an engine fire.

NHTSA complaint #11598243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Ford F-350 Cape Coral, FL Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

This truck has never stopped well. Seems like the ABS coasts to a stop no matter how hard I stand on the brakes.

NHTSA complaint #11556610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Ford F-350 at 184,000 miles Mableton, GA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT

The contact owns a 2006 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the brake pedal remained on the floorboard. The vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was restarted but the failure persisted. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.

NHTSA complaint #11524001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Ford F-350 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.

2008 Ford F-350 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.

2008 Ford F-350 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.

2014 Ford F-350 San Antonio, TX

SERVICE BRAKES

I have experienced an extremely violent vibration/wobbling of the vehicle at freeway speeds on several occasions. During these times, it is very difficult to control breaking, steering the vehicle, making it nearly impossible. I felt very unsafe not only for myself, but also other vehicles around me as I was driving a heavy-duty vehicle on the freeway at a high speed with essentially no control. Although I was shaken up, I was able to regain control of the vehicle and continue on my way. There have been no reports or inspections at this time. Prior to this happening, there were no warnings or messages. This happens twice in 2 days while driving on a long trip. Both times this occurred while driving at 65-70 mph and driving over a small bump in road.

NHTSA complaint #11495220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Ford F-350 Stanley, NC

SERVICE BRAKES

Was driving down the rd came to stop light and I had nothing for breaks. I quickly pumped brake and got it to slowdown and made the turn. Went to pull into hospital and had no breaks even tried pumping it again and still had no breaks.

NHTSA complaint #11480883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Ford F-350 Yuma, AZ Crash Fire

SERVICE BRAKES

[XXX] who performs automotive work out of his residence [XXX] and [XXX] of [XXX] have worked on this vehicle to spite the customer and to gouge the customer in unnecessary fraudulent repairs. They have deliberately set this vehicle up to fail with the braking system, the 6.0 engine being rebuilt to no avail, and constant driving problems such as pulling to the right and the left when brakes applied, constant overheating, constant oil temperature overheating, shuttering at highway speed, transmission failure, air conditioning failure, coolant system failure, electrical system failure, and every system that they have repaired, continues to fail. They specifically performed work on the electrical wiring and truck keeps blowing fuses. They performed work on the transmission and the transmission failed shortly after. They performed work on the engine and deleted illegally all the emissions EGR pollutant controls. They installed faulty wiring for the electric trailer brake controls and the electronic speed controls. They tampered with the air conditioning system causing the compressor to blow out, send metal through the a/c lines, and the belt stopped turning causing the serpentine belt to break, tear the fan shroud apart and shred. They also installed a trailer brake controller that was aftermarket and it caused brake loss and intermittent failure with the service brake system and speed control. Domingo also tuned the computer to make the truck output 550 horsepower which caused the new engine to fail prematurely and the transmission to fail as well. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11437093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Ford F-350 Yuma, AZ Crash Fire 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

[XXX], [XXX] approx age 40 lives and works at [XXX].[XXX] can also control the computers to cancel out and delete the use of catalytic converters, delete the use of DEF intake, delete the use of DPF particulate filters, and not react to controls such as manual braking or acceleration because the computer is controlling when and not the driver. [XXX] strictly states that he cannot have any emissions controls such as EGR, DEF, DPF, catalyst, or any pollutant controls. [XXX] intentionally set it up to have flaws and be dangerous for one reason: to get the customer to keep returning again and again with vehicle problems, wiring electrical problems, performance problems, overheating problems, and never ending engine problems not to mention transmission problems because the transmission could not handle the increased output of the engine. The hydroboost and ABS module and master cylinder that controls the brakes can be easily rigged so that when the driver stomps on the brakes, there is no braking action whatsoever for a 3-5 second delay before skidding the tires and locking the brakes. [XXX] altered the hydroboost and ABS module and master cylinder and the electronic controls to the braking system. [XXX] [XXX] partner admitted the hydrobooster and master cylinder was the problem because he admitted what [XXX] did as sabotage to the customer’s truck. [XXX] deletes the DPF and DEF and the electronics rewiring the truck. [XXX] has a pattern of keeping customers vehicles for excessively long periods of time: 42 days to change batteries, change fuel pump change PCM fusebox and rewire truck. [XXX] has removed the all the catalytic converters and he has removed all the EGR and emissions pollutant controls on [XXX]. [XXX] has sabotaged this truck’s braking system, electrical systems, fuse box wiring, electronic braking wiring, accelerator electronic control. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11437097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Ford F-350 at 110,000 miles Burney, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

AS I AM SURE YOU MUST BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE: I PURCHASED USED A 2003 FORD -F350. I HAD MANY ISSUES AND HAD WORKED MOST OF THEM OUT. THERE WERE MANY ISSUES THAT WERE POSSIBLE I WAS CLEARLY UNAWARE OF. ONE BEING OF UTMOST SAFETY TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. MY HIGH PRESSURE OIL PUMP LOCATED INSIDE THE ENGINE OF MY 2003 FORD F-350 6.0 DIESEL FAILED. WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE ENGINE STOPS. THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL PUMP PROVIDES NEEDED PRESSURE TO THE INJECTORS IN ORDER TO HAVE A RUNNING ENGINE. BEING PARKED AND THE HPOP FAILING IS ONE THING HOWEVER DRIVING 55MPH ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY AGAINST ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON A TURN IS A VERY BAD SITUATION. I AM FORTUNATE THAT I AM STILL VERY STRONG AT THE AGE OF 54. MY HPOP FAILED GOING 55MPH ON A LONG LEFT HAND TURN. AS THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN BY BRAKES ARE LIMITED TO A SMALL AMOUNT OF STORAGE AND THEN THEY FAIL. THE STEERING HOWEVER FAILS IMMEDIATELY. I WAS HEADING STRAIT HEAD ON I TO A TRACKTOR TRAILER RIG. IT TOOK EVERY OUNCE OF STRENGTH TO ATTEMPT TO STEER THIS VEHICLE OUT OF THE OTHER LAND AND BRAKE GETTING IT OFF THE ROAD ASAP. IF THE BIG RIG HAD NOT MADE AN ATTEMPT TO MISS ME, I WOULDNT BE SENDING THIS LETTER. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAD NOT THE STRENGTH TO STEER OUT OF A SITUATION OR HAVE TIME TO STOP AND WERE KILLED. THE REPORT MOST LIKELY SAID" DRIVER FELL ASLEEP." OR SOMETHING TO THAT AFFECT. THERE IS NO WAY THIS ENGINE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE OPERATION ON THE ROAD PERIOD. FORD SHOULD HONOR ALL CURRENT OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE WITH A VERY REASONABLE SETTLEMENT NOT TO MENTION HAVING A FORMAL INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER. I KNOW OF NO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD THAT HAVE SUCH AN ISSUE. COMPLETE FAILURE OF STEERING AND BRAKES DUE TO AN UNFORESEEN INTERNAL MECHANICAL ISSUE IS A VERY POOR DESIGN. RUNNING OUT OF FUEL IS ONE THING, HOWEVER RUNNING OUT OF CONTROL IS ABSURD. HAD I KNOW WHO TO WRITE TOO SOONER I WOULD HAVE.

NHTSA complaint #11386656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Ford F-350 at 90,000 miles Honolulu, HI

SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO GET ON TO THE FREEWAY, THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING AND RATTLING I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. WHEN I TRIED TO PRESS ON THE BRAKES IT WASN'T WORKING THAN THE STEERING LOCKED. I HIT MY EMERGENCY BREAKS PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHT AND TURNED OFF THE CAR UNTIL A POLICE OFFICER ARRIVED. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 2/28/2020 AND WHEN I RETURNED TO PICK UP THE TRUCK THE NEXT DAY THEY COULD NOT PRODUCE THE KEYS, THIS TOOK ABOUT 2 WEEKS. ON 04/06/2020 APPROX. 2 WEEKS AFTER PICKING UP THE TRUCK THE IT WOULDN'T START, I JUMPED THE TRUCK AT WHICH TIME THERE WAS A RATTLING AND KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICING. I GOT THE TRUCK BACK AGAIN A LITTLE OVER 2 WEEKS LATER ON 04/23/2020. I FEEL THE TRUCK IS SO UNSAFE THAT IT WILL CAUSE ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT PLACING MY LIFE THAT OF MY FAMILY OR ANOTHER DRIVER IN A SEPARATE VEHICLE AT STAKE. UPON REVIEWING ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS NONE OF THE DOCUMENTS HAVE THE SAME ODOMETER READING AND THE NUMBER IS APPROX. 24000 OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11338214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Ford F-350 at 110,000 miles Vinton, IA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

TRUCK HIT BUMP (SMALL CURB) WITH DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL AND SIMULTANEOUSLY STARTED ACCELERATING AND HAD TOTAL BRAKE LOSS. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING TOWARDS A GAS BUMP IN A FILLING STATION. VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM ABOUT 10 MPH TO PROBABLY OVER 30 MPH UNTIL IT HIT A STATIONARY TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #11309643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Ford F-350 at 116,000 miles Mchenry, IL

SERVICE BRAKES

4 MONTHS AGO I WAS TRAVELING AT 50 MPH. WHILE DRIVING MY FORD F350 SUPERDUTY AT THAT SPEED THE TRUCK HAD AN EXTREMELY BAD AND VIOLENT SHAKE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. DURING THIS TIME I HAD NO STEERING CONTROL, BRAKING WAS AT A VERY MINIMAL, AND PULLED THE TRUCK INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 OTHER TIMES IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS. DURING THIS TIME FORD MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THIS DOESNT APPEAR TO BE A COMMON ISSUE SINCE IT DOESNT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. I REPLACED SHOCKS, TIRES, AND EVEN HAD THE SUSPENSION LOOKED AT BY CERTIFIED MECHANICS AND NOBODY HAS AN ANSWER FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY NHTSA AND FORD AND NOBODY SEEMS TO BE DOING ANYTHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. IT'S GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE I CANNOT DRIVE MY ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FEAR OF CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT INJURING OR KILLING MYSELF, MY FAMILY, OR SOMEONE ELSE IN THE ROAD. IF AN INVESTIGATION IS NOT DONE VERY SOON I WILL SEEK LEGAL ACTION AGAINST FORD AND AGAINST THE NHTSA FOR OVERLOOKING THE SEVERITY OF THIS PROBLEM. YOU CAN READ ALL THE OTHER REPORTS ON WHAT THE INTERNET IS CALLING THE DEATH WABBLE. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED SITUATION AND IF I NEED TO BRING THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE NEWS SO IT'S MORE PUBLIC I WILL DO THIS.

NHTSA complaint #11309061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Ford F-350 at 107,000 miles Bainbridge Island, WA

SERVICE BRAKES

PAEKING BRAKE BACKING PLATES COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH WHEN REPLACONG BRAKE ROTORS. FORUMS SAY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. FORD SHOULD POWDER COAT THE PARTS.IF THIS PRONE TO RUST. MAY CAUSE WHEEL.LOCK AT HIGH SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #11300483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Ford F-350 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.

2012 Ford F-350 at 165,000 miles Dayton, TX

SERVICE BRAKES

ON 12-24-19 I WAS DRIVING ~55 MPH ON A 2 LANE ROAD AND HAD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR IN FRONT OF ME IN WHICH I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID THE WRECK. MY TRUCK SLOWED BUT NOT LIKE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO AND I HAD TO SWERVE OFF THE SHOULDER TO AVOID CONTACT WITH OTHER VEHICLES. THE BRAKES MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR HAD BLOW OFF CAUSING MY TRUCK TO LOOSE BRAKE FLUID AND THE USE OF MY BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #11292084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Ford F-350 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.

Other Ford F-350 problems