FaultScore

Ford F Series (Light) brake problems

38 of the 163 complaints filed about the Ford F Series (Light) are about the braking system — 23% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1992.

38

Complaints

23%

Share of all complaints

4

Crashes

0

Fires

Brakes complaints by model year

Median failure at 60,000 miles

Median failure at 50,000 miles

Median failure at 67,200 miles

Median failure at 76,000 miles

What owners said

2002 Ford F Series (Light) at 76,000 miles Union Dale, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

CROSS FRAME MEMBER WHICH CONTAINS THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED OUT AND CRACKED. STATE SAFETY INSPECTION REP INDICATED IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE. FORD NO LONGER MANUFACTURES THE FRAME MEMBER. I WAS LUCKY AFTER A LONG SEARCH TO FIND A DEALER WHICH STILL HAD THE PART AVAILABLE. PART # IS: XL3Z6A023CA. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OPERATED IN WARWICK NY SINCE NEW AND IN NORTHEASTERN PA SINCE 2007. I BELIEVE IF THE FRAME MEMBER WOULD FAIL THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DROP DOWN. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE RUSTED UNIT. IF YOU CARE TO SEE THEM PLEASE SEND AN E-MAIL ADDRESS AND I'LL ATTACH THEM TO A E-MAIL. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO REQUIRE MANUFACTURES TO USE BETTER MATERIAL FOR PICKUP TRUCK FRAMES AND BRAKE LINES. I HAVE ALSO REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE LINES ON THIS TRUCK RUSTING OUT. ONE INCIDENT, I REPORTED, OCCURRED AFTER BACKING UP A RV IN A CAMPSITE AFTER JUST DRIVING OVER 150 MILES ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. PROVIDENCE PROTECTED ME AS I COULD HAVE LOST THE BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE! *JS .

NHTSA complaint #10616892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1990 Ford F Series (Light) at 60,000 miles Lincoln, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

STEEL BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE. SPARE TIRE RETAINER RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL FROM UNDER VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10326830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Ford F Series (Light) at 50,000 miles Andalusia, AL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

THE FRONT BRAKES ON MY 1997 FORD F150 LOCK UP. WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES GRADUALLY OVERHEAT FROM A FAILURE OF THE CALIPERS TO RETURN TO THEIR NON-BRAKING POSITION. I HAVE REPLACED THE RUBBER BRAKE LINES, REPLACED THE DISK BRAKE PADS. TURNED THE ROTORS, LUBRICATED THE SLIDING PORTIONS OF THE CALIPERS WITH HIGH-TEMPERATURE GREASE AND TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MY NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE BRAKES COMPUTER CHECKED AND REPAIRED. NEVER-THE-LESS, THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO LOCK UP DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS PRESENTS AN EXTREME SAFETY RISK. WHEN DRIVING TO A SAFE LOCATION TO ALLOW THE BRAKES TO COOL DOWN, THE VEHICLE LOSES MOST OF IT'S BRAKING ABILITY AND I HAVE SUFFERED TIRE FAILURE DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP IN THE BRAKES WHICH TRANSFERS IT'S HEAT INTO THE WHEEL CAUSING TIRE FAILURE. ALSO, THE ENGINE HAS TO WORK IN AN UNSAFE TEMPERATURE AREA IN ORDER TO DRIVE TO SUCH A SAFE LOCATION. THIS AFFECTS THE GAS MILEAGE, ENGINE RELIABILITY AND ENDURANCE, WHILE PRESENTING, YET, ANOTHER POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND CRUISE CONTROL. THIS ADVERSELY AFFECTS THESE SAFETY APPOINTMENTS, ALSO. I HAVE CONTINUALLY ASKED IF THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM OR A SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH MIGHT PROVIDED A SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY NEAREST DEALERSHIP, ANDALUSIA FORD-LINCOLN-MERCURY, INC. AND I AM TOLD THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR BULLETINS DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE GIVEN ME FALSE INFORMATION IN THE PAST. THEREFORE, I HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THEIR HONESTY WITH THESE ISSUES, ESPECIALLY DEALING WITH SHOP BULLETINS WHICH ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF ONE OF THESE VEHICLE WHO HAS INCURRED THIS PROBLEM. FOR THAT REASON I AM LODGING A COMPLAINT TO YOUR DEPARTMENT. SINCERELY, RON THOMPSON

NHTSA complaint #10199481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Ford F Series (Light) at 50,000 miles Andalusia, AL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

THE FRONT BRAKES ON MY 1997 FORD F150 LOCK UP. WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES GRADUALLY OVERHEAT FROM A FAILURE OF THE CALIPERS TO RETURN TO THEIR NON-BRAKING POSITION. I HAVE REPLACED THE RUBBER BRAKE LINES, REPLACED THE DISK BRAKE PADS. TURNED THE ROTORS, LUBRICATED THE SLIDING PORTIONS OF THE CALIPERS WITH HIGH-TEMPERATURE GREASE AND TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MY NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE BRAKES COMPUTER CHECKED AND REPAIRED. NEVER-THE-LESS, THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO LOCK UP DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS PRESENTS AN EXTREME SAFETY RISK. WHEN DRIVING TO A SAFE LOCATION TO ALLOW THE BRAKES TO COOL DOWN, THE VEHICLE LOSES MOST OF IT'S BRAKING ABILITY AND I HAVE SUFFERED TIRE FAILURE DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP IN THE BRAKES WHICH TRANSFERS IT'S HEAT INTO THE WHEEL CAUSING TIRE FAILURE. ALSO, THE ENGINE HAS TO WORK IN AN UNSAFE TEMPERATURE AREA IN ORDER TO DRIVE TO SUCH A SAFE LOCATION. THIS AFFECTS THE GAS MILEAGE, ENGINE RELIABILITY AND ENDURANCE, WHILE PRESENTING, YET, ANOTHER POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND CRUISE CONTROL. THIS ADVERSELY AFFECTS THESE SAFETY APPOINTMENTS, ALSO. I HAVE CONTINUALLY ASKED IF THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM OR A SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH MIGHT PROVIDED A SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY NEAREST DEALERSHIP, ANDALUSIA FORD-LINCOLN-MERCURY, INC. AND I AM TOLD THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR BULLETINS DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE GIVEN ME FALSE INFORMATION IN THE PAST. THEREFORE, I HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THEIR HONESTY WITH THESE ISSUES, ESPECIALLY DEALING WITH SHOP BULLETINS WHICH ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF ONE OF THESE VEHICLE WHO HAS INCURRED THIS PROBLEM. FOR THAT REASON I AM LODGING A COMPLAINT TO YOUR DEPARTMENT. SINCERELY, RON THOMPSON

NHTSA complaint #10199481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Ford F Series (Light) at 67,200 miles Ypsilanti, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

POWER BRAKES FAILED (ABS UNIT), PEDAL IS VERY SOFT AND LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS TO SLOW/STOP VEHICLE SAFELY. OWNER REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER(REBUILT UNIT), BLEED BRAKES, SAME CONDITION, TOOK TO CERTIFIED MECHANIC REPLACED MASTER CYL. WITH (NEW UNIT) SAME CONDITION, VEHICLE THEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT REPLACEMENT AT COST OF OVER $800 TO THE OWNER. TOLD THERE WAS A STUCK VALVE IN ABS UNIT. VEHICLE IS 2001 WITH 68,000 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE, VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN AND OWNER HAS 2 SMALL CHILDREN

NHTSA complaint #10122153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Ford F Series (Light) Carson, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

FRONT BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #505152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1990 Ford F Series (Light) Wooster, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES FAILED 2 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #503445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford F Series (Light) Sparks, NV

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #482445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Ford F Series (Light) Windsor, CA Crash

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE

EMERGENCY BRAKE DISENGAGED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL INTO PARKED VEHICLE/ACCIDENT PRIOR TO RECALL (94V-169). (F150) *SKD

NHTSA complaint #480834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Ford F Series (Light) Corydon, IN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

FRONT BRAKES GRIND. *SKD

NHTSA complaint #480728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 Ford F Series (Light) Sterling, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. *SKD

NHTSA complaint #482508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford F Series (Light) Duluth, MN Crash 3 injured

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

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE TRAVELING DOWN HILL, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURIES. (F150) *SKD

NHTSA complaint #482646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Ford F Series (Light) Lock Haven, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKES PULSATE WHEN APPLIED DUE TO CRACKED ROTORS. (OTHER VEHICLE ON 479571)

NHTSA complaint #480312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Ford F Series (Light) Lock Haven, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

BRAKE CALIPERS/PISTONS REPLACED. (F250)

NHTSA complaint #480312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Ford F Series (Light) Lock Haven, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

BRAKE PADS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #480312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1988 Ford F Series (Light) Lock Haven, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKE PROBLEMS. (2ND VEHICLE ON 480312) (F250)

NHTSA complaint #479571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Ford F Series (Light) Cave City, AR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM

BRAKE DRUMS REPLACED DUE TO VIBRATION WHEN APPLYING BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #481816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Ford F Series (Light) Cave City, AR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKE ROTORS FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. (F150) *SKD

NHTSA complaint #481816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Ford F Series (Light) Mahopac, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHEELS LOCK UP WHEN BRAKES APPLIED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. (F350) *SKD

NHTSA complaint #481762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford F Series (Light) Bakersfiel, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKE ROTORS/CALIPERS/PADS/MASTER CYLINDER/ANTI-LOCK VALVE FAILED. (F350) *SKD

NHTSA complaint #481646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford F Series (Light) problems