10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 40,500 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Brakes failed while backing up due to a hole rusted in the rear steel brake line that runs from the left rear wheel caliper to the right rear caliper. Lost all braking. Towed to Ford dealer for service where brake line was replaced. Told by service manager problem is not uncommon. This is on a 1997 Ford Explorer with only 60,000 miles. I have the old brake line, which has minimal surface rust except for the center area that is held by a retaining clip to the top of the differential housing. I feel this is not a normal event and is not acceptable and was surprised to be told this failure is not uncommon! I had to spend $283 plus a towing fee to have a problem corrected, that I feel is a premature failure. I at first expected to find a blown caliper or a brake hose split, not a rusted out brake line. I do have the old brake line in my possession.
- Stratford, NJ, USA
1997 Ford Explorer developed two failures of the brake line.** answer required***. the consumers wife experienced a loss of brakes due to the failure of the brake line above the rear axle. The incident happened a second time, but there was no accident, both failures were caused by corrosion.
- Leonardtown, MD, USA
Brake failure leaving personnel residence (noted above). Rear steal brake line burst leaking brake fluid and de-mobilizing brake system (pedal went to the floor, stopped the vehicle with emergency brake). Leak was in the middle of the vehicle. Brake line between the rear axle and spare tire. Brake line was rusted away. Local repair shop replaced the line.
- Somers, NY, USA
While driving down a canyon lost all brake power and fluid. Brake pedal went to floor. Also, vent hose came out of rear differential, laying on top of brake line, and wore a hole in line. Please add VIN. A worn hole in the rubber brake line caused the failure.
- Alpine, UT, USA
Fuel line broke which is located near exaust system manifold. Consumer is very concerned for safety. The fuel line bracket broke at the bracket on the left hand side of the engine by the valve cover, this was found be the strong smell of gas while the A/C was on.
- Hampton, VA, USA
- Upper Saddle River , NJ, USA