10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 29 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 14 / 4
- Average Mileage:
- 58,033 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
My son was driving to school, normal speed, pressed the brakes to stop at a stop light. He pushed the brake to the floor and the truck had no brakes, did not stop and slid in to the person ahead of him. Luckily, no one was hurt, but his vehicle sustained over $3000 in damages. The person ahead of him had no damages. Even now, the brakes are very light and you have to press down super hard. I am very nervous about him or anyone driving this vehicle. The dealer will do nothing about it. We purchased this vehicle in December of 2015.
- Newcastle, WA, USA
Brakes requiring frequent service with brake pads breaking on passenger side and rotors needing turning. We have 50,000 miles on truck and brakes are scrubbing again. This will be the fourth time we have had to correct this problem.
- Jasper, GA, USA
On 05/03/16 I went to bring my 9500lb rv home from storage. While driving to the lot the truck brakes were fine. After hooking up the rv to the truck and pulling out of the lot the brakes were still fine. But as I approached a traffic light, I pressed on the brakes and nothing was there, no brakes at all. Red lights on the dash was the only warning I got, but not until it was to late. If not for the rv having brakes I would not have been able to stop. I was able to get the rv home. I put fluid in the brake reservoir. I then drove down the street (without rv) with brakes but after the third stop I lost all brakes. I was able to pull into a local repair shop and had them fix the issue. I was told the master cylinder was leaking all fluid into the brake booster, and when the mechanic removed the booster he poured fluid from the booster. Before I left my house I found no wet brakes or fluid in the engine compartment or on the ground. I was told the same by the mechanic. I called my Ford dealership and told him of the issue and he stated because I was outside my warranty (45000 miles) it would not have been covered. He made no menchin of the possible brake issues. I went on the internet to see if others had a similar issue and found out about the investigation. I'm writing you today to let you know this is happening without any warning. I have all the parts and the repair cost me $873.26. All streets were local streets. Several traffic lights. After I lost braking I was able to stop and enter my residential street by using trailer brakes and the emergency truck brakes. Thank you
- Fruit Cove, FL, USA
Brake failure while pulling a travel trailer on I-95 in Virginia. The low brake fluid light came on and then the complete brake failure light came on and we had no brakes. I was able to coast to a stop on an uphill exit ramp. The vehicle and trailer had to be towed to a Ford dealership. Was told by the service manager at the Ford dealership that the master cylinder had failed and the fluid was pumped into the brake booster and contaminated the entire brake system.
- Lake Placid, FM, USA
Complete brake failure while pulling a travel trailer on I-95 in Virginia. The low brake fluid light came on, immediately followed by the brake failure light coming on. Fortunately, I was able to coast to almost a stop at an uphill exit ramp and then apply the emergency brake. The truck and travel trailer had to be towed to the nearest Ford dealership. The service manager told me that the master cylinder had failed and the brake fluid was pumped into the brake booster and contaminated the whole braking system. All parts needed to ne replaced.
- Lake Placid, FL, USA
Master brake cylinder failed, allowing brake fluid to enter brake booster, resulting in brake failure. Brake warning lamp illuminated, was still able to stop vehicle, but brake pedal went all the way to the floorboard.
- Flower Mound, TX, USA
On 4/16/2016 I was involved in a collision. After investigating the cause, it was found that the master cylinder was low with no visible leaks. Witness stated that they saw my brake lights come on but my vehicle didn't slow down. I contacted Ford about this and they had the "we don't care" attitude. My truck is still under warranty, and has had 99% of all maintenance done through Ford.
- Amarillo, TX, USA
My low brake fluid light came on this morning and my brakes were completely out when I started my truck. No sign of leaking. Filled brake fluid went to work came out to get lunch and brake fluid gone and light on again. No sign of leak. 2013 F150 limited with the 3.5L V6 engine. Could have been a very serious incident as I live on very busy roads. This is extremely concerning, I have 2 toddlers I drive and pick up from school everyday.
- Lake In The Hills, IL, USA
On third day of ownership the brakes failed and caused $6000 damage. While parking on the 4 th level of a parking garage @ 10 mph did a U turn to back into a parking place; the brakes failed to the floor and the the truck surged forward and hit a concrete wall causing $6000 front en damage. Ford would not accept any responsibility.
- Corpus Christi, TX, USA
Brake rotors are warping quickly; twice with only 25,000 miles. Dealer has turned rotors twice, but not willing to replace rotors.
- Atlanta, GA, USA
When entering vehicle to leave Ford vehicle was parked I went to turn on the ignition master brake cylinder reservoir low waring light on display illuminated, low brake fluid on displayed. Filled the reservoir to minimum, drove for 10 minutes on city streets low brake warning again. Ford looked at it and found brake booster filling up with fluid, ordered part. Vacuum hose may be the unknown cause. Ford replaced PCV valve earlier in the month due to gas oder in oil.
- Lubbock, TX, USA
On January 13, 2015 I was involved in a head collision with a 18 wheeler. The scenario was a two lane highway (hwy 67, lakeside, ca), there is minimal room for error and upon impact. I remember my brakes depressing completely to the floor board, yet as though there was no air lines. It has been a long recovery, which is why certain things are returning slowly. Yet, I remember that my brakes felt off or un-responsive before impact.
- San Diego, CA, USA
Had total brake failure while driving (50mph)on the roadway. Used the emergency brake (left foot on the pedal, left hand on the handle) to manipulate the vehicle brakes to get home (at 25-30mph) without incident.
- Houston, TX, USA
We have taken this vehicle in three times for squeeling brakes and it still makes a high pitched noise when I stop.
- Farwell, TX, USA
The warning light for low brake fluid came on while slowly moving in traffic. Vehicle was immediately parked as there was a safe place to do so. Brake master cylinder reservoir was checked and had very little fluid. Brakes were almost completely gone and pedal went to the floor. I called roadside assistance to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer found the brake fluid had leaked back into the booster and both the master cylinder and booster had to be replaced. I was fortunate no one was hurt or any crash resulted but I truly hope something is done before we hear of someone being hurt.
- Windermere, FL, USA
While driving truck about 1/2 mile away from my house I applied my brakes and the brake pedal went down. To floor after pumping the brake pedal several times the vehicle stop. I got scare and made a U turn to head back home and the low brake fluid low came on I pulled into a auto zone parts store open the hood and saw the brake reservoir was about 1/4 " fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.. I went into the auto zone store and purchase a bottle of dot 3 32oz brake fluid. I pour it in the reservoir and pump the brakes. Then check underneath the vehicle to check for any sign of leaks around the back plate around all the tires the rotors and rims and line there were no signs of any leaks.underneath the vehicle. I checked the reservoir once again was. Low again I pour more brake fluid into it. I pumped the brakes several times it held up so I processed back home. As a got close to my home the low brake fluid level came back on I applied my brakes and almost [xxx] on myself the brakes failed once again about fifty feet from my home I pumped the [xxx] out of the brake pedal until it finally came to a stop.. I checked the reservoir once again it was freaking empty I looked under once again to leaks could be found.. I left the truck there checked the web page to see if any incidents with my type of vehicles had encounter this type of brake failure while driving this Ford F150 type vehicle found this NHTSA preliminary evaluation on this real safety matter: Status: Open dated opened - February 29, 2016 recall : #PE16003 possible recall please take action before some one gets killed> calling dealer up today>>>> information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Clermont, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was applied, it did not respond and was difficult to depress. The vehicle was taken to the dealer more than once and they were not able to replicate and diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA action number: PE16003 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.
- Forrest City, AR, USA
Brake peddle goes almost to the floor when trying to stop. You have to give extra time and pump the brakes to stop. I had the brake pads replaced and the issue got worse and the mechanic stated there was an issue with the master cylinder. This should not be an issue at 48,000 miles.
- Diboll, TX, USA
I lost all pressure in the brake system. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor.. when I checked the brake reservoir, it was empty. I was unable to find any signs of leaking brake fluid. I refilled the reservoir and was able to restore pressure by pumping the brakes. A few minutes before total brake failure, I was in motion in an urban area, towing a boat equipped with surge brakes. I was travelling down a steep hill could feel the brake pedal travelling closer to the floor. I've had no problems since but routinely check the brake reservoir to ensure there is sufficient brake fluid I didn't report it until now, when I heard that other F150 owners had experienced the same problem.
- Keizer, OR, USA
- San Antonio, TX, USA