10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 14 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 8 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 56,291 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Brake vacuum pump failed which resulted in brake pedal being very stiff and brakes being very poor after a cold start.
- Owatonna, MN, USA
Total loss of brakes, almost got into an accident. Brake light warking suddenly came on, pulled over to check, empty brake fliud, fillled up the brake fluid, in 10 minutes all the brake fluid is gone. No signs of leak on the floor. Towing it back to the hpuse
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
Had Ford customer satisfaction program 15N05 done on my truck January 2017 after vacuum pump noises in the front end. Vehicle was at 90.5K miles then and is now at 120.5K miles. Noticed a few weeks ago the vacuum pump was again making the same vibration noises at startup...probably even worse (noisier, several cycles of vibration instead of just one). Since I was past their 1-year/12K mile warranty program on the unit, Ford dealer and customer service have both declined to support another replacement in any way. Was reading on F150 forums and other customers are experiencing the same faulty vacuum pumps after having the warranty work done. So, now I have a noisy vacuum pump and very slight pedal changes at first start-up that I must pay to fix. No incidents so far but now I'm on the hook for an additional repair after only 18months/30K miles with the Ford recommend replacement pump. Nothing on vehicles these days only has a 30K mile life. That's terrible. For safety's sake, I'm going to handle this replacement on my own and have no recourse at this moment for satisfaction besides to atleast report that Ford replaced an easily failing vacuum pump with another easily failing vacuum pump and they do not stand behind that work. If this safety issue was severe enough to create a satisfaction program/extended warranty program the first time around, why is safety no longer important the second time around when it is failing again? answer - because they don't have the NHTSA investigating them this time around....maybe enough complaints like mine and it will re-open the case.
- Merrillville, IN, USA
I own a 2011 Ford F150 that was under a transmission recall that was very serious in nature: 16V248000 -Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed. I had this recall performed and ever since, I've had transmission issues. The transmission does not respond as it should. The truck takes off very slowly as it accelerates (very dangerous in traffic). On top of that it has shifting problems. The dealership (eby Ford in goshen, in) has been no help whatsoever. Now, on top of not getting this taken care of, I now have another issue with the vehicle (that's also been an ongoing problem): 'field service action number: 15N05. My vehicle has 152, xxx miles on it and they're saying they can't cover this because it's over 150,000. I need help getting this vehicle in a a safe driving condition so that I someone doesn't end up seriously injured or dead. Please help! these things occur while the vehicle is being operated. There is only one option below for "when did this happen?". I selected today, however, this has been an ongoing thing since the original recall was performed (mentioned above).
- Goshen, IN, USA
No or poor braking right after engine startup and traveling in reverse (vacuum assist). Very poor braking at emergency or panic stop (as if the brake lines need bled). Travel speed at about 45mph. Only 27K miles on vehicle. Similar to concerns that prompted the Ford 19S07 warranty extension for the electric vacuum assist unit, but this vehicle is not covered by that. Ford dealership wants over $100 to diagnose brake system. Very scarry driving!
- Clermont, FL, USA
Upon starting vehicle and beginning movement, the brakes do not work for a short time. Engine light has came on. Pressing on gas pedal movement is sluggish.
- Boston, KY, USA
While driving down the highway the fault code for timing chain P0016 came on and engine seized in the middle of the highway. I lost all power steering and brake power which caused me to almost collide with other vehicles trying to get off the highway with no power. After finally getting truck on the off ramp it took all I had to get it to stop at the intersection putting my life and the driver of the SUV at the intersection life in danger.
- Flint, MI, USA
The brake vacuum pump is not working. I'm unable to get into my car, start it then drive off. It needs to warm up for about 5 minutes to fill the pump. Based on research that I have done, there was a recall on this part 15N05. But my vehicle doesn't list it as a recall. Can I get an explanation why my vehicle doesn't list the recall? thanks
- Rochester, NH, USA
Transmission unexpectedly shifts into lower gear. Was informed by Ford dealer in writing that I needed to replace the lead frame assembly. Brakes fail on cold start. Vacuum pump replaced by dealer. Brakes still experience issue (as described in Ford's campaign) was informed by Ford that there was an issue with the brake booster.
- Capistrano Beach, CA, USA
The brakes do not work in the morning when I start up my vehicle.
- San Benito, TX, USA
Takata recall. The brakes will lock up and won't stop the truck even when pushed in all the way. After a few seconds it will go away but have still almost hit several things. This is very dangerous and I hope that this can be fixed. Thanks
- Olmstead, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle had not been started for a long period of time. As a result, the brake pedal was inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle needed to be idling for a period of time before the brakes would work. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
- Decorah, IA, USA
After sitting overnight, and turning on the truck the vacuum pump is extremely loud. If driving the truck immediately the brakes will not work unless pushed very hard. After about 3 minutes the sound diminishes and the brakes work adequately.
- Decorah, IA, USA
From a cold start, the service brakes did not work upon initial application. With extreme pedal pressure, truck eventually stopped rolling narrowly avoiding impact. Incident occurred in our driveway.
- Geneva, OH, USA
Had complete brake failure. Was able to get the truck stopped. Saw it was 2 pints low on fluid. Added fluid, drove towards my auto shop, had to stop to fill the brake fluid again (the light went on this time). Did this a few times. Just before I got to the stop, the truck blew out some smoke, chugged, and the motor seized up. Towed the truck to the shop, they found out the master cylinder leaked and the vacuum lines sucked the brake fluid out of the master cylinder and dumped it into the cylinders in the motor and this blew my motor. I hear there is a recall for this on 2014 F-150S but not on the 2011. Terrible design. A brake problem should not blow up my motor.
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
Vacuum pump and brake booster has failed on my F150. Ford states that the vehicle is not covered under "15N05" extended coverage/recall. Vehicle was manufactured at the effected plants during the time listed in the bulletin. Ford is charging me over $1300 to fix my vehicle, despite this being a known safety problem.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
Complete brake failure. This is an absolute safety issue as I could not stop my truck until I put the vehicle in park nearly hitting another vehicle. The brakes will not stop the vehicle on cold start as the RPM's run slightly higher at idle. Took 2011 F150 to dealer for servicing of the brakes and dealer was able to replicate issue and stated vacuum assist pump is not working and will be covered under a recall. Brake vacuum pump was changed, dealer tested and called me and said truck was repaired. I pick the truck up from the dealer and back up, again no brakes, brake pedal is to the floor as I am still moving in reverse I put shifter into neutral and come to a stop. I then shift into drive to park the truck and again no brakes and drive over the curb protecting Ford service department building before coming to a stop. Dealer performs maintenance and finds that the brake booster has an internal issue causing bleed off loss in pressure. I ask if this is a recall item and the dealer states that it is not. Waiting for repair to be completed and will cost $500 for parts and labor and was stated that this was a highly discounted rate.
- Granite City, IL, USA
When the vehicle is first started, the brakes do not work. When I crank the vehicle and put in reverse the brakes do not have any pressure and the vehicle slowly grinds to a halt when I press the brakes extremely hard. About 1-2 minutes after cranking the brakes work fine. I have nearly backed down a large hill multiple times.
- Vicksburg, MS, USA
When starting truck after sitting overnight, the vacuum pump is loud for approximately 3 minutes. Concurrently the brakes do not work which is a huge safety factor. When starting out of the driveway one cannot trust the brakes to engage when the petal is depressed. Once the noise diminishes the brakes work.
- Decorah, IA, USA
- Acworth, GA, USA