There was an electrical fire in the wiring harness connected to the master cylinder (brakes). No damage was done due to quick reaction but it left the brakes without power and the truck without brake lights. The problem is believed to be related to the "switch fire" problem that resulted in a wide-spread Ford recall. The vehicle in question is a 1997 Ford F-150 4X4. Truck was purchased from lease-holder and full warranty was transferred to me. I have received several recall notices but not the one associated with this problem.

- Mililani, HI, USA

The consumer owns a 1997 Ford F150 XLT. The consumer was involved was in a car accident over a year ago, and the driver's seat broke. The dealership replaced the drivers seat with another bracket. The seat broke again. When sitting in the seat the back of the seat went down to the floor while the front of the seat raised up. The bracket has been replaced three times. The ABS light illuminated.

- Sherveport, LA, USA

While parking brake warning light illuminated. A fire started from the front left tire. Consumer managed to pull over, and put out fire. Vehicle was towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Huntsville, TX, USA

While braking the pedal went to the floor on more than one occasion. The problem repeated itself on its own. Driver lifted up the hood, and noticed that fluid was leaking from ABS braking modular. This caused sparks from the master cylinder. Driver will contact a mechanic for an appointment. On second call. The original problem was intermittent cruise control operation about 1 year prior to this complaint. About 3 or 4 months ago the fuse on the circuit containing the scds blew. Replaced fuses about 2 times. The first time the fuse lasted several weeks. The second one did not last long. Then left fuse out. Next time was under hood and replaced fuse saw spark at scds and fuse blew again. Along with this problem the ABS warning light was coming on on the dash and staying on. After disconnecting the scds the ABS warning light went out. The crusie control still worked for a short period of time after disconnecting the scds electrical connector.

- New Iberia, LA, USA

ABS brake system was defective and rear brakes were not working. Consumer contacted the dealer and the manufacturer and was told that there was nothing they could do. The brakes were 60% defective. The dealer later determined that the vehicle's rear ABS valve was sticking.

- Cynthiana, KY, USA

Break failure Ford 1997 F150 VIN. [xxx]. the vehicle had been parked for about 45 min. Before starting out, I drove to a stop sign (about 200 ft) when the brakes were applied (10-15 mph) nothing happened, I used booth feet on the petal and applied all the force I could to slow down and it took about 75 ft to stop. I went to a side street and parked with engine off, checked the break fluid it was full. Took truck to nearest repair shop for check out. Truck was parked for about 10 min. With engine off when mechanic started it and tested brakes they were working at that time (ABS light was on). Took truck to Ford dealer in oscoda Michigan ( zubek auto sales 511 state St, oscoda mi. 989-739-3261) after checking it out they found a bad ABS sensor, they did not have any idea why I had no brakes. But they had another F150 in their shop that had a complete brake failure that they could not find the problem, they have had technicians from Ford (detroit) look at the truck and they dont know what is wrong. Updated 07/30/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- National City, MI, USA

Consumer complained about a brake problem., especially when driving on a wet or slick surface. Dealership indicated that ABS system needed to be replaced, but would not absorb the cost.

- Victor, MT, USA

Driver side front brake has locked up in moist weather conditions. Skid occurred.

- Bonifay, FL, USA

My front passenger side brakes lock up while driving my Ford F-150. This has happened twice. The first time it happened the mechanic told me my brake lines were twisted. The second time which occurred 1-1/2 years later, the mechanic told me that it could possible be a valve or a cylinder problem which doesn't allow fluid to the brakes. This is very dangerous. My wheel gets extremely hot and so does my tire. The vehicle pulls extremely hard to the right and smokes emerges from the wheel. I am afraid that my tire could pop if this occurs again. I consider this to be a very serious problem and I will not drive my truck until I get some explanation from Ford on this problem. The second time this happened was 5/25/2003. It occurred while driving down the freeway at 65 mph. Very unsafe... can you help me?

- Sandusky, OH, USA

The engine developed a severe knock when started one morning. The problem was a complete failure at the main crankshaft, severe wear at valve assembly, and corrosion throughout cooling chambers. Ford did a recall on the head gasket the year before, changing head gasket, hoses, & coolant. The truck is uses by house wife driving the children to school. Even though others have reported of same engine failure on 4.2L, Ford denies any problem. 5 months later while the truck while the truck was sitting in the driveway, the engine wiring caught on fire, melting the plastic master cylinder, fueling the flames to melt all circuities and plastic. The ABS lamp had lit earlier in the week, added brake fluid to reservoir, and the lamp went out. Independent fire investigator says evidence points to a defect in the ABS/master cylinder wiring in the engine compartment. ***dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis***762417

- Houston, TX, USA

I had purchased this truck on Dec 19, 2002. The next day I drove it to tampa fl. While on the way there and while in tampa I had a few brake failures. When I was coming to a stop the pedal seemed to get soft, then they would get really hard and start pulsating and the vehicle would not stop. I would have to let off the brakes, and try again. I was lucky that it was early in the morning and most of the time I was not in a lot of traffic, I was able to stop the vehicle. On Dec 29,02. I took the vehicle to the Ford dealership where I purchased it, they looked at it and said they could not find anything wrong with the brakes. In January it must have happened to me about a 12 times, all with the same effects. In Feb 03, I took it back in and they said they could not find anything wrong. A couple of days later the problem was back again now happening more frequently, now March and the problem has happen to me just about every week at least 4 to 5 times a week. On the morning of Mar 28 03, I was taking my child to day care while coming to a stop at a light. I could not stop the truck, I let off the brakes about 2 more times, then I finally just applied the brakes as hard as I could and got it to stop a few inches from the car that was stopped in front of me at that point I contacted the dealership, they said bring it in. I dropped it off the same day. When I called them the following week on April 1 2003. They could not find anything wrong with it, but they were going to replace the brake booster and master cylinder and a check valve. They told me that with all the information that I had given them and from what other mechanics said it would have to be the three components they replaced. That night my truck was ready. I was very confident that the repairs would fix the problem but I was wrong on Apr 06 03. While out and about and coming home I applied the brakes the truck then seem to slow down, then the brakes got hard again and started pulsating at the bottom.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

When brakes are applied in certain conditions other than wet, the ABS sensor's inproperly engage sending the brakes into a frenzy. When this happens all braking ability is lossed unless you smash down on the pedal. This has happend to me on dry land going over a man hole cover on the highway. I had to stop short but couldn't. I didn't hit anyone, but it is something Ford has not wanted to address. I know probably hundreds more who have the same problem on this truck. This is a major mechanical/electrical problem that should be address by Ford immediatly. First it was the tires going on the exploreres, don't let it be the brakes failing on some families truck causing serious injuries or possibly death!

- Little Ferry, NJ, USA

This vehicle has had a chronic brake problem. The previous owner traded the vehicle in due to brakes that would not work properly and sunny king Ford would not repair. Sunny king Ford salesman lied to me saying the problem was fixed. I purchased the truck based on his statement. I subsequently had to leave the truck with the on at least 3 different occasions before the brakes worked satisfactorily. Now, while driving down us hwy 280 at about 60 mph the 4.2L 6 cylinder engine, with only 68,000 miles on it, threw the #6 rod, blowing up the engine. Sunny king Ford service department later tells me they have no idea why it happened, it just does sometimes. I regularly service my vehicles and the engine oil had been changed at a kwik oil change located at 3635 mary taylor road birmingham, Alabama 35235 (205-655-4788) on 7-2-2002, 14 days prior to the engine blowing. This vehicle has been at the dealer for repairs more than I've had it, and I've only owned it for 6 months. When the engine blew sunny king told me it was out of warranty and I paid them an additional $3,375.99 so I wouldn't be making $360 per month payments on a junk vehicle I couldn't drive.why has my Ford truck been such a piece of junk?

- Ashville, AL, USA

Same problem on recall of 1995-1996 Ford mini vans. No safety defect listed.

- New Lenox, IL, USA

Consumer noticed extended stopping distance. Vehicle was inspected, and discovered that rear leaf springs were bent and needed to be replaced. Both rear leaf springs were replaced one year ago.

- San Mateo, CA, USA

Consumer states that every few days the brakes will fail, when the brake pedal is depressed, the pedal stops midway and can only be depressed further by applying extreme pressure, therefore causing no braking action, consumer feels the problem is with the ABS.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

Consumer states that every few days the brakes will fail, when the brake pedal is depressed, the pedal stops midway and can only be depressed further by applying extreme pressure, therefore causing no braking action, consumer feels the problem is with the ABS.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

Sudden, total brake failure.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

I have replaced the speed sensor on the driver side. I now have a leak from the ABS unit where the lines leave going to the brakes. I am trying to find out if there have been any other reported problems with other 1997 F150 trucks.

- Albany, GA, USA

Stress cracks inside of frame of driver's side door and passenger's side door. Also, ABS braking system isn't operable, and brake pedal goes all the way down to the floor. Dealership is aware of problem.

- Washington, DC, USA