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

While braking, with no warning, brakes failed. Brake line running from diverter to rear axle rusted through behind front fuel tank at plastic bracket. There was no pedal resistance and no braking at all. All fluid was lost. The hole in the line is about 0.250 inch long and about 0.045 inch wide. There was never a problem or a soft pedal prior to this. Luckily this occurred in a valley in a driveway while turning around so there was no damage. This would have been potentially catastrophic had it occurred while driving on the road or while maneuvering on a steep grade. The truck is clean with no body rust. I am replacing the brake line. This should never have happened on a 7 year old vehicle.

- Lexington, KY, USA

Brake line rubbing against heat shield, causing fluid leak.

- Buchanan, VA, USA