1997 Ford F-150 Brakes Problems

on two occasions now while traversing a slight downgrade (approx 8-10mph) applied brake (per pedal) and vehicle failed to stop! (felt as though it was sliding) which it wasn't. continued to roll! after re-gaining composer and control of the vehicle (avoiding any collision) brake system returned to normal !!!!!!!!! different circumstances could have resulted in collision damage,injury perhaps loss of life!! would appreciate any feedback your engineers have to offer in the matter!! i purchased the vehicle in 1998 and currently displays 87!!! k miles.

NHTSA ID

11552635

Incident

Oct 28, 2023

1997 Ford F150, had recall 25527072 05S28 performed in March of 2006. The switch installed as part of the recall has failed and brake fluid has leaked from the switched and the harness. It is not apparent that the switch is leaking until the harness connector is removed from the switch. The integrity of the brake system is compromised and the previous recall was for fires because of brake fluid in the wire harness. UPDATE 5/11/23 BRAKE SWITCH HARMESS RECALL 05S28 WAS REPLACED WITH A MITORCRAFT PART SW6350 AND CONSUMER IS REQUESTUING REFUND FOR PARTS FROM FORD.

NHTSA ID

11517479

Incident

Apr 1, 2023

1. SPONTANEOUS BRAKE FAILURE. PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. 10-20-2020 2. SPONTANEOUS SKIDDING ON WET PAVEMENT AND LOSS OF BRAKING CONTROL. 2ND INCIDENT 0N 10-23-20.

NHTSA ID

11366311

Incident

Oct 20, 2020

Mileage

184,000 mi

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK THE MORNING BEFORE THANKSGIVING. I SHIFTED FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AND THE BACK TIRES HIT A PATCH OF WATER AND I STARTED FISHTAILING. I WENT OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A PATCH OF OAK TREES. ONE HEAD ON. ON IMPACT, THE SEATBELT DID NOT RETRACT AND I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, THE DASH BROKE APART AND THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN MOVED WITH ME AND I HIT THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER HITTING THE WINDSHIELD, THEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. WHEN THE DASH BROKE APART FROM THE STEERING COLUMN MOVING, IT CUT MY SHIN WHICH REQUIRED STITCHES. MY KNEE HIT AROUND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASE WHICH DROVE MY FEMUR INTO MY HIP FRACTURING IT IN 3 PLACES WHICH REQUIRED 3 TITANIUM PLATES AND SCREWS. I HAD AN OPEN FRACTURE ON MY ARM WHICH WAS THE HEAD OF MY RADIUS (ELBOW) BROKEN OFF WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH MORE TITANIUM PLATES AND SCREWS. I BROKE THE ORBIT OVER MY LEFT EYE AND SINUS CAVITIES BEHIND IT. I HAD STITCHES AND STAPLES IN MY FOREHEAD THAT WILL NOW LEAVE ME A SCAR FOR LIFE. I SPENT 15 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL, I'VE MISSED A MONTH AND A HALF FROM WORK AND DON'T KNOW WHEN I CAN GO BACK, ACCUMULATED OVER$80,000.00 IN MEDICAL BILLS, AND I'M STILL IN A WHEELCHAIR. ALL OF THESE INJURIES ARE DUE TO FAULTY SEATBELTS AND AIRBAGS IN A FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW BY MY FATHER AND HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT IN 1997. I WORK AS A RECEPTIONIST AND OFFICE MANAGER FOR A DOCTOR'S OFFICE. MY FACE IS THE FIRST ONE SEEN WHEN PATIENTS COME THROUGH THE DOOR. NOW, IT'S MANGLED AND SCARRED FOR LIFE.

NHTSA ID

11297409

Incident

Nov 27, 2019

Mileage

104,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A DEFECTIVE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,599.

NHTSA ID

10597606

Incident

Jun 4, 2014

Mileage

94,599 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE GAS TANK REAR STRAP CORRODED AND SEPARATED FROM THE GAS TANK. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE ALSO FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 197,000.

NHTSA ID

10499308

Incident

Feb 8, 2013

Mileage

197,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE FRAME FRACTURED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE BROKEN AND THE VEHICLE LOST BRAKING ABILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST AND CORROSION ON THE SURFACE OF THE FRAME, BUT THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF CRACKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED SINCE THE DRIVER WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 205,000.

NHTSA ID

10462046

Incident

Jun 15, 2012

Mileage

205,000 mi

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE CORROSION LOCKED REAR WHEELS (RIMS LOCKED TO HUBS) FOR BALANCING AND ROTATING, WHILE VEHICLE WAS SUPPORTED ON HYDRAULIC LIFT, THE MAIN REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED. VEHICLE WAS OPERATED IN SOUTH CENTRAL NY STATE FOR 10 YEARS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN MECHANICALLY INOPERATIVE SINCE THAT TIME, THOUGH NUMEROUS NEW PARTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. THE VISIBLY CORRODED BRAKE LINE FAILED DURING ATTEMPTS TO "COAX" THE CORROSION LOCKED RIMS FROM THE WHEELS BY APPLYING LATERAL (90 DEGREE) PRESSURE TO THE SIDES OF THE PICKUP'S BED, WHILE THE TIRES WERE IN CONTACT WITH THE GARAGE FLOOR BUT WITH THE VEHICLE STILL SUPPORTED BY THE LIFT. POINT OF FAILURE WAS JUST IN FRONT AND ABOVE THE REAR AXLE. THIS WAS VEHICLE'S 2ND BRAKE LINE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR, THE FIRST HAVING OCCURRED ON THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE JUST BEHIND THE CALIPER/WHEEL CYLINDER.

NHTSA ID

10458730

Incident

Jan 23, 2009

Mileage

83,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING) THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL STRAPS WERE CORRODED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REMEDY DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE CORROSION ON THE FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RECALL REPAIR AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE MANUFACTURER THE FUEL TANK MOUNT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME BRACKET HAD ROTTED AND THE RECALL COULD NOT BE PERFORMED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A SLIGHT HESITATION, THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE, THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY, THE BRAKE LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE BRAKES, CALIPERS AND HOSES. UPDATED 04/17/12 UPDATED 04/25/12*LJ UPDATED 05/02/12 *JB

NHTSA ID

10452801

Incident

Sep 29, 2011

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE CABLE, EXHAUST SYSTEM MANIFOLD, FUEL TANK STRAP, BRAKE LINE, BOLTS, ERG VALVE, AND THE FRAME WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK OR PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 322,000.

NHTSA ID

10441062

Incident

Sep 1, 2009

Mileage

220,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN HE TRIED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED ABNORMALLY INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES RUPTURED AS A RESULT OF CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,500.

NHTSA ID

10436403

Incident

Aug 10, 2011

Mileage

85,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES WOULD SQUEAK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED AT LOW SPEEDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE CONTACT REPLACED ALL OF THE BRAKE COMPONENTS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA ID

10435487

Incident

Nov 1, 2000

Mileage

32,000 mi

I LAST DROVE MY TRUCK ON 06/20/2011. WHEN I WOKE UP TO FEED MY ANIMALS I HEARD A SOUND LIKE A BIRD CAUGHT UNDER MY TRUCK. I LOOKED UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE FENDER AND SAW FLAMES. I POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS ON FIRE. I GRABBED MY FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM MY BARN AND PUT THE FIRE OUT.

NHTSA ID

10409688

Incident

Jun 25, 2011

Mileage

197,690 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE, ENGULFED INTO FLAMES WHILE PARKED IN A GARAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS THE AREA WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10375128

Incident

Dec 21, 2010

LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKING. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED USING EMERGENCY BRAKE. BRAKE LINE HAD CORRODED THROUGH ABOUT 2-3 INCHES FROM LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER. LINE WAS REPLACED BUT OLD LINE WAS NOT RETAINED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10346971

Incident

Feb 1, 2010

Mileage

165,000 mi

1997 F150 BRAKES LOCKING UP AND ENGINE COOLANT LEAK INTO MOTOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10308579

Incident

Feb 5, 2010

1. REGULAR BRAKING WAS DISABLED BY MALFUNCTIONING ABS FIRING. FOR NO APPARENT REASON, IN DRY AND SLOW CONDITIONS ON CITY STREETS, BRAKES WERE NOT ALLOWED TO ENGAGE PROPERLY, RESULTING IN THE TRUCK ROLLING FORWARD AS THE ABS SYSTEM FIRED. 2. IN TRYING TO STOP THE TRUCK, WITH THE BRAKES FULLY ENGAGED TO THE FLOOR, THE PEDAL VIBRATED FROM ABS ACTIVITY AND THE TRUCK CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD INTO INTERSECTION. AT FIRST THIS ONLY HAPPENED ON THE FIRST STOP OF THE DAY, EVERY FEW MONTHS OR SO. LATER IT HAPPENED FREQUENTLY. I FOUND THAT IF I QUICKLY SHUT OFF THE IGNITION THE (ELECTRONIC) ABS WOULD BE DEACTIVATED AND THE TRUCK WOULD STOP NORMALLY. 3. CHANGING FRONT BEARINGS AND ASSOCIATED SPEED SENSORS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. DEALER PART AND INSTALLATION WAS AROUND $1200, BUT GENERIC PARTS WERE AVAILABLE THAT SHAVED SEVERAL HUNDRED OFF THIS TOTAL REPAIR COST. *TR

NHTSA ID

10288733

Incident

Jun 17, 2008

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, HE WAS UNABLE TO NOTIFY OTHER DRIVERS WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE WIRING ASSEMBLY IN THE BRAKE LAMP CONTROL AT AN EXPENSE OF $115.11. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED , BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 163,000. UPDATED 10/27/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE LIGHTS ONLY COME ON WITH EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. UPDATED 10/28/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10285813

Incident

Sep 5, 2009

Mileage

163,000 mi

THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE MASTER CYLINDER (BRAKES). NO DAMAGE WAS DONE DUE TO QUICK REACTION BUT IT LEFT THE BRAKES WITHOUT POWER AND THE TRUCK WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS. THE PROBLEM IS BELIEVED TO BE RELATED TO THE "SWITCH FIRE" PROBLEM THAT RESULTED IN A WIDE-SPREAD FORD RECALL. THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS A 1997 FORD F-150 4X4. TRUCK WAS PURCHASED FROM LEASE-HOLDER AND FULL WARRANTY WAS TRANSFERRED TO ME. I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL RECALL NOTICES BUT NOT THE ONE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10219342

Incident

Jun 20, 2007

Mileage

96,500 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS OF NOVEMBER 19, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 262,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 262,264. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA ID

10209308

Incident

Oct 1, 2007

Mileage

262,200 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY RIGHT HAND BRAKE AND THE ROTOR SHEARED OFF THE HUB. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. DURING THIS FAILURE, THE LEFT HAND BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND THE ROTOR FAILED. A MECHANIC HAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE AND FORD STATED THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 92,000.

NHTSA ID

10193635

Incident

Jun 6, 2007

Mileage

92,000 mi

DT*: 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 - *NM

NHTSA ID

10168222

Incident

Sep 14, 2006

Mileage

60,000 mi

(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. *NM

NHTSA ID

10156497

Incident

Apr 30, 2006

Mileage

37,000 mi

DT: CONTACT STATED THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED ON COLD STARTS. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE BRAKES, BUT THE PROBLEM RECCURED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. *AK

NHTSA ID

10143998

Incident

Jul 15, 2005

Mileage

29,000 mi

DT: THE CONTACT 'S VEHICLE HAD A BRAKE LINE FAILURE ON THE REAR BRAKE LINE. THIS HAPPENED ON 10-04-05. HE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN HE HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY. HE REPORTED HAVING NO WARNING PRIOR TO THIS , SUCH AS A LIGHT COMING ON IN THE CAR. THE BRAKES WERE NOT MAKING ANY KIND OF NOISES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HE PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD. HE SMELLED BRAKE FLUID, AND IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE STEEL BRAKE LINE THAT IS MOUNTED ON THE REAR AXLE HOUSING. THE BRAKE LINE SEEMED UNUSUALLY CORRODED. HE TAKES VERY GOOD CARE OF THE CAR AND THE CAR IS STORED PROPERLY. HE HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH VEHICLES, AND HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. ALSO, T THE GAS TANK WAS SUSPENDED BY TWO METAL STRAPS. THE REAR STRAP WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE GAS TANK WAS LAYING ON THE SKID PLATE. USUALLY, THERE WAS ABOUT ONE INCH CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TANK AND SKID PLATE. HE WAS AFRAID THAT THIS MAY CAUSE A GAS LEAK FROM THE GAS TANK .*AK

NHTSA ID

10138780

Incident

Oct 4, 2005

Mileage

66,206 mi