On Saturday, March 8, 2008, I was traveling with my 2006 Ford F-150 and stopped for gas. Upon engine restart I heard a backfire and smelled a peculiar odor. I checked under the truck and under the hood and found nothing unusual. I started the truck and didn't notice anything either. There was no check engine light or any other visual reference to indicate there was a problem. I got back on the highway and drove for approximately 2 hours (100 miles) and exited the highway. While on the exit ramp I applied the brakes only to discover that they were extremely hard to depress and were ineffective. I managed to guide the truck off the road while simultaneously applying the emergency brake and gearing down and was able to stop before hitting vehicles stopped at a traffic light at the end of the ramp. I discovered later (after being towed to a dealership) that the vacuum line from the intake manifold had ruptured (occurred when the vehicle backfired) leaving no power assist for the brakes. There was no check engine light. There was no brake warning light. There were no codes from the on board diagnostic computer. I had traveled for 2 hours and 100 miles with no brakes unaware of the existing hazard. The dealer could not explain the absence of any warning. I was fortunate to have been able to stop the truck and avoid an accident.

- Newport, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Ford F150. Ever since the vehicle was purchased, it has been to the dealer on four occasions. The contact stated that his brakes feel spongy at all speeds and when idling. He stated that the brake pedal stops the vehicle, but it is not firm and extends all the way to the floorboard at any given moment. During one of the four trips to the dealer, the mechanic bled the brake line, but this did not resolve the failure. The contact received a letter from Ford in February of 2006, which stated that the vehicle failed to conform to both standard #105 and #135. The current mileage is 6,888 and failure mileage was 100.

- Winter Garden, FL, USA

: the contact stated that when applying the brakes the accelerator systematically depressed as well. On the first occasion while traveling 55 mph and the vehicle almost crashed into a train. There have been other incidents where the vehicle could have hit pedestrians and caused other major accidents. These incidences occurred under normal driving conditions. The vehicle was test driven by the dealer however they could not determine the cause of the problem. However the dealer indicated that the problem may be related to the recall pertaining to the speed control switch disconnecting. 08/02/06 contact stated on several occasions, due to the location of the break pedal and the accelerator pedal, contact has mashed both pedals at the same time while trying to stop.

- Holden, LA, USA

2006 F150 lariat brake pedal felt spongy and goes to the floor when applied. Master cylinder was replaced but did not remedy the problem. The consumer suspected the ABS was malfunctioning.

- Eufaula, AL, USA

: the contact stated while driving 10 mph attempting to apply brake pressure around a curve the vehicle accelerated without warning. This occurred on a normal road during normal braking. The driver was wearing a seat belt and a police report was filed at the scene. The vehicle went into a three foot ditch and had to be pulled out. It sustained frontal damage and the tow bar was bent. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. They replaced the tow hook, front license plate bracket and balanced the front end of the vehicle. However, after the accident, the contact received recall #06C11, concerning the hydraulic and electrical brake system. The manufacturer was alerted.

- Festus, MO, USA