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

- Andalusia, AL, USA

: the contact stated while pulling out of the driveway at 3 mph, when the brakes were applied, the pedal went to the floor. An independent repair shop determined the brake line had rusted and exploded. Updated 10/4/2006 -

- Wayne, PA, USA

(1) no specific events preceeded failure. (2) during routine inspection by owner, a leak was discovered in a steel brake line near the front drivers side wheel. Cause of leak appears to be rust through. There is extensive rusting of brake lines on this vehicle. (3) repairs have not been performed yet. Rusted brake lines will be saved after repairs are performed.

- Randolph, NJ, USA

1. driving 5 mph along smooth dirt lane 2. rusted brake line ruptured, causing total brake failure 3. towed truck to mechanic for brake line replacement, old part is available.

- Doswell, VA, USA

Consumer states that the brakes went out with no warning. Dealer said that one section of the brake line had rotted out because it was wet. Consumer states that it's always wet and he lives in a salt air environment. The consumer's main concern is that the fuel line was not replaced with an improved fuel line. Instead it was replaced with the same line that failed.

- Wall Township, NJ, USA

Loss of brakes due to brake line rupturing caused by rust.

- Homosassa, FL, USA

Vehicle had a ruptured brake line that ran parallel with the gas line which had corroded away. Owner called the dealer who wanted to charge him $450. Please provided further details.

- Alliance, OH, USA

While vehicle was stopped and brakes were depressed consumer was ready to shift park pail into reverse and brake pedal traveled to floorboard. Dealership serviced vehicle and replaced the brake line.

- Barry, IL, USA

While driving the pickup truck the brakes failed totally. Inspection found that the brake line rotted at rear axle flex hose connection. This truck has never been backed into fresh or salt water (as in launching a boat). The truck has spent all it's years in new england and salt is used on the roads in winter. I do not believe a truck. Just under 5 years old should have the brake lines rust out and cause a total loss of braking. Either the brake lines are of the wrong material or wrongly positioned. I could have been killed if I had been at higher speed and in traffic. This truck has been employed in normal passenger transportation only.

- Rye, NH, USA

Consumer state while driving the rear flex brake line chaffed through causing it to rub againt the emergency brake cable. Consumer states that the cause was Ford had clipped and tucked the brake line up. Consumer is seeking a refund, but the dealer refused.

- Kittery Point, ME, USA

While driving at 40 mph consumer had to apply brakes to slow down, and when doing so, brake line separated from vehicle. Consumer could not stopvehicle. Had to stop vehicle with parking brake on. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.

- Knoxesville, TN, USA

Driver side rear brake line experienced leakage which caused momentary brake loss. Dealer notified, and made repairs under warranty. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

- Webster, FL, USA

Left rear brake line flare cracked, allowing brake fluid to leak out, resulting brake failing.

- Middleton, ID, USA

Brake line freezing due to exhaust pipe being in front of wheels (alongside brakeline). I bought a 97 F-150 7 months ago. I recently noticed that it's increasingly difficult to get out of my driveway some days, the truck smells terrible (like something burnt) & my gas mileage is awful. I have been releasing the brake, the light is off, the pedal is up, but the brake apparently is still on. The tires & rims are icing up, the brake shoes on that side are crumbling. This causes poor braking conditions. I called the dealership, I had been told to watch for this problem, & had wanted it fixed. ( I would rather not find out how bad this is by something or someone. ) in fact, that is the reason that I was given when I was told that Ford would fix it, until they saw the milage on the vehicle, then they told me, nope we wonT fix it, youll have to pay us $700 (cdn) as a "good will gesture" from Ford. (this seems a little steep!) & also they thought I should bring the truck in so they can make sure that thereS no damage to the wheels or brakes. If the brakes can freeze on, ... what stops them from freezing when they are not on?? I'm told there is a great deal of hydraulic pressure that stops this from being an issue, but the system is only as good as it is weakest part, & when using "brute force" to break them free, I would think something somewhere has got to give. If there were safety concerns that were the reason that Ford was making the modifications whilst the vehicle was still under itS original warranty, I should think these safety concerns do not go away once the truck is not on warranty. I would think that this would be a recall situation, not just a bulletin. They have admitted that it is a problem, & were even fixing it if it was under the original warranty, but I believe that this problem goes much further, & Ford should be liable for the repairs, since it is a flaw in the design of the vehicle. I have contacted Ford Canada, & got no result.

- Bon Accord Alberta Canada, AK, USA