1999 Ford F-150 Brakes Problems

THIS WHOLE EPISODE HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN MY 1999 FORD F-150. I DID START TO NOTICE THAT WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN TO MATCH TRAFFIC SPEEDS, THE TRUCK WOULD VEER TO THE LEFT.THE BRAKES DID TAKE IN A FUNNY WAY AND THANK GOD THERE WAS NO COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. AFTER 30 MILES, I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY TO TURN AROUND AND WHEN I CAME TO A STOP SIGN, I COULD NOT STOP AT ALL. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK EVEN AFTER I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I ALSO SMELLED BURNING RUBBER COMING FROM NEAR THE ENGINE.THE PARKING BRAKE DID WORK AND I LIMPED INTO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. I CALLED AAA TO GET IT TOWED TO THE FIRESTONE TIRE SHOP NEAR MY HOUSE THAT HAS DONE ALL MY TIRE AND AUTO REPAIR NEEDS FOR OVER 15 YEARS. WHEN THEY TEST DROVE IT AFTER THE 2 HOUR TOW, THE BRAKES STARTED WORKING AGAIN. ROBERT/FIRESTONE TOOK THE WHEELS OFF AND AFTER EXAMINING THE ROTORS/PADS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT RIGHT PADS HAD LOCKED AND WERE PRESSING UNEVENLY ON THE ROTOR. HE ALSO PLANNED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE FLUID HOSE THAT HE THOUGHT WAS WORN OUT AND POSSIBLY LEAKING. I ALSO WENT OVER TO THE FORD DEALER AND CHECKED WITH THEM TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANY RECALLS OR ADVICE. NO RECALLS OR SERVICE NOTICE WAS UNCOVERED. ALL I WAS TOLD WAS TO CHECK THE MASTER CYLINDER AS IT COULD BE LEAKING INTERNALLY. THAT IS ALL I GOT FROM FORD. I AM VERY LUCKY THAT I DID NOT HAVE A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE ON THE FREEWAY POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT/INJURY. WE DETERMINED THAT WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE.FORD DOES NOT MAKE IT ANY MORE AND WE HAD TO SEARCH THE SALVAGE YARDS TO GET THIS PART AS IT IS NIT MADE NAYMORE BY THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURE.VERY FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE.WILL NEVER BUY A FORD TRUCK AGAIN. .

NHTSA ID

10840074

Incident

Aug 7, 2015

Mileage

14,452 mi

SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE NEW FROM MY LOCAL FORD DEALER I'VE NOTICE THAT THERE IS VERY EXCESSIVE TRAVEL IN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AN AIR NOISE WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO CHECK IT OUT I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE BLED. WHEN THIS WOULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM I WAS TOLD MY FLUID WAS CONTAMINATED AND I WOULD NEED A FLUID FLUSH. THIS ALSO DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. A FEW YEARS AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD WAS UP I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAPPENS TO FORD TRUCK A LOT AND I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE A PART THAT WAS OVER $800.00 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I DECLINED THIS WORK STATING IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ON MY PREVIOUS VISITS THAT WERE ALL DOCUMENTED. SINCE THEN THEY ARE BACK TO THE SYSTEM BLEED AND FLUID FLUSH ROUTINE EVERY TIME I MENTION THE ISSUE. TODAY I READ THAT NEWER TRUCKS ARE HAVING BRAKE ISSUES AND I BELIEVE THIS IS NOT JUST A NEWER TRUCK ISSUE BUT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

NHTSA ID

10839858

Incident

Jul 1, 1999

Mileage

1,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE BRAKES STOPPED FUNCTIONING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

NHTSA ID

10734407

Incident

Jun 4, 2015

Mileage

134,000 mi

WHEN BACKING UP AFTER MY F150 HAS BEEN SITTING ABOUT 2 DAYS I HAVE NO BRAKES UNLESS I REV UP THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT 20 SEC TO BUILD UP PRESSURE IN THE ELECTRIC VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER. HAVE ALMOST HIT MY WIFE'S CAR IF I FORGET TO LET IT SIT TO BUILD UP PRESSURE. I HAVE CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE I AM PAST THE WARRANTY. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE IT MYSELF BECAUSE THIS IS UNSAFE CONDITION AND FORD WON'T REPAIR IT. ALSO MY TRUCK LOSES POWER SOMETIMES WHEN ACCELERATING AND FORD STATED THAT THE TURBO CHARGERS ARE SOMETIMES SUCKING IN WATER THAT SHUTS DOWN ONE SIDE OF THE ENGINE TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE TURBO CHARGERS. THERE FIX IS TO PUT A SHIELD OR LONGER TUBE ON IT TO PREVENT THIS. AGAIN BECAUSE IT IS OVER THE WARRANTY PERIOD THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY F-150 3.5 ECOBOOST AND WON'T BE BUYING ANOTHER ONE.

NHTSA ID

10732474

Incident

Feb 2, 2015

Mileage

48,000 mi

WENT TO STOP AT LIGHT HAD NO BRAKES WITH NO WARNING. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME IN THE REAR THIS ALSO CAUSED A DELAYED RELEASE OF THE AIR BAGS. THIS APPEARS TO BE PROBLEM GOING BACK YEARS THAT FORD OR THE GOVERNMENT WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT.

NHTSA ID

10730602

Incident

May 12, 2015

Mileage

137,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID

10689913

Incident

Nov 3, 2014

Mileage

115,000 mi

PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE, APPLIED BRAKE AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. TRUCK ROLLED FORWARD INTO BUMPER OF PARKED CAR. UPON INSPECTION, FOUND STEEL BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH, JUST ABOVE FLEX LINE RUNNING TO DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BRAKE, WITH BRAKE FLUID FLOWING OUT OF CORROSION HOLE. THERE WAS NEVER ANY INDICATION THAT THE TRUCK HAD ANY PROBLEMS AT ALL WITH THE BRAKES. I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE HIGHWAY AND AM THANKING GOD I DECIDED TO MAKE A QUICK STOP TO MY LOCAL FOOD STORE FIRST. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE DISASTER! I CAN'T BELIEVE FUEL AND BRAKE LINES ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL - MOST ESPECIALLY IN STATES THAT SALT THE ROADS IN WINTER! *TR

NHTSA ID

10489421

Incident

Dec 20, 2012

Mileage

133,000 mi

BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT. FIRST WAS THE PASSENGER SLIDE FRONT, THEN THE IN 2008 THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE RUSTED OUT. NOW THE FRONT DRIVER SLIDE BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT. I PURCHASED THE TRUCK IN OHIO AUGUST 1999. I MOVED TO NORTH CAROLINE IN JUNE OF 2000. WITH THE OCCASIONAL TRIP TO OHIO THE TRUCK HAS BEEN HOUSED IN NORTH CAROLINA FROM 6/1/2000 TO PRESENT DAY. I WOULD EXPECT THIS IF HAD REMAINED IN OHIO BUT NOT FROM A SOUTHERN TRUCK. I QUESTION THE QUALITY OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINES. ARE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME TROUBLE??? *TR

NHTSA ID

10458208

Incident

May 6, 2005

Mileage

50,000 mi

THREE BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT AND LEAKING IN LAST 2 YEARS INCIDENT DATE IS AN ESTIMATE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10455242

Incident

Oct 19, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR BOARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINES AS A RESULT OF CORROSION OF THE BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000. UPDATED 05/08/12*LJ

NHTSA ID

10454329

Incident

Apr 4, 2012

Mileage

157,000 mi

FORTUNATELY, I WAS UNDER 1/2 MILE FROM MY HOUSE. MY ROAD DEAD ENDS ONTO ANOTHER. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AS I APPROACHED THE STOP SIGN. I WENT THROUGH THE STOP SIGN AND INTO THE DRAINAGE DITCH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS 4 WHEEL DRIVE, I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE DITCH AND RETURN HOME. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINE THAT GOES FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR WAS RUSTED AND FAILED. THERE WAS LITTLE DAMAGE FROM THE CRASH, JUST A FENDER THAT NEEDS REPLACED. I AM ANAL WITH REGARD TO MY VEHICLES CONDITION AND MAINTENANCE. TO HAVE A FAILURE LIKE THIS ON A WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE BEST BUILT TRUCK IS ABSURD AND TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! MY BROTHERS 1999 HONDA, MY STEP SON'S 1991 NISSAN STANZA (RECENTLY SOLD) A 1993 GEO PRIZM (I.E. TOYOTA COROLLA!!!) RECENTLY SOLD HAD ZERO RUST ON ANY BRAKE FITTING, BRAKE LINE OR FUEL LINE. *KB

NHTSA ID

10441987

Incident

Dec 1, 2011

Mileage

76,825 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL WOULD FEEL SPONGY AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GOING TO STOP. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER ALSO REPAIRED THE LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINE BUT NOT THE AIR THAT WAS BEING RELEASED AND CAUSING THE BRAKES TO NOT PERFORM PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE DEFECT WAS NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 204,000.

NHTSA ID

10440407

Incident

Nov 23, 2011

Mileage

204,000 mi

FRONT BRAKES:: GRADUAL UNKNOWN BRAKING DEGRADATION OVER TIME UNTIL IT GOT TO THE POINT I HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES LIKE AS IF A BRAKE LINE WAS SUCKING AIR OR THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS GOING BAD, IN ORDER TO STOP. UPON INVESTIGATING I FOUND THAT BOTH DUST SHIELDS ON THE FRONT BRAKES WERE EXTREMELY RUSTED AND THE RUST PIECES WERE FALLING BETWEEN THE FRONT INBOARD BRAKE PADS AND REAR ROTOR SURFACES CAUSING EXTREME CONTAMINATION OF THE BACKSIDE OF BOTH ROTORS TO THE POINT THAT LESS THAN 50% CONTACT SURFACE WAS LEFT. SINCE THE INBOARD BRAKE PADS DO MORE STOPPING THAN THE OUTSIDE BRAKE PADS IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TO ADD TO THE DANGER THE FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM DOES ABOUT 75% OF A VEHICLES TOTAL BRAKING. AND, IF IT HAPPENS ON A LONG DOWN HILL GRADE WITH ALLOT OF BRAKING, IT CAN CAUSE THE FRONT BRAKE FLUID TO BOIL INSIDE THE CALIPERS GIVING SOMEONE ONE HELL-OF-A WILD RIDE. IN FACT, ONE DAY I HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES WITHOUT HAVING TIME TO PUMP THEM AND JUST ABOUT HIT A KID ON A BIKE THAT DARTED OUT FROM BETWEEN 2 CARS. THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED I HAD BETTER DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I SUSPECT FORD HAS BEEN LOVING IT BECAUSE NON-MECHANICAL PEOPLE WILL NEVER KNOW OR FIND OUT AND FORD WILL JUST RIP PEOPLE OFF FOR A MAJOR BRAKE OVERHAUL IN THE TUNE OF $600.00 AND THROW EVERYTHING AWAY SO NOBODY WILL EVER KNOW. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A GRADUAL DEGRADATION OF BRAKING. THE FIX IS TO REPLACE BOTH DUST SHIELDS (FORD P/N= 2L3Z - 2K004 - AA) "THE PRIMARY CAUSE" OF THE PROBLEM. I TOOK MANY PICTURES WITH MY DIGITAL CAMERA OF ALL THE COMPONENTS AND CAN E-MAIL THEM TO NHTSA . I ALSO HAVE ALL THE FRONT BRAKE COMPONENTS; 2 ROTORS, 4 BRAKE PADS, 2 DUST SHIELDS. THE ROTORS ARE VERY HEAVY BUT I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PACK EVERYTHING UP AND SEND IT TO NHTSA IF YOU PAY THE SHIPPING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10438671

Incident

Sep 22, 2009

Mileage

76,500 mi

BRAKE LINE IS RUSTED COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF BRAKES. GAS TANK AND SUPPORTS ARE RUSTED REPLACED ONCE BUT STILL ALL RUSTED. ALL FRAME UNDERNEATH IS RUSTED IMPOSSIBLE TO DO REPAIRS. *KB

NHTSA ID

10425512

Incident

Jul 14, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F150. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. AS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ABNORMALLY DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD. AFTER INSPECTING THE FAILURE HE NOTICED CORROSION AND RUST ON THE BRAKE LINE AND THE FUEL STRAPS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RUST AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10422585

Incident

Aug 29, 2011

Mileage

100,000 mi

1999 FORD F150 BRAKE FAILURE DO TO BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10389744

Incident

Mar 9, 2011

Mileage

162,000 mi

I HAVE A 1999 FORD F-150 WHILE ON VACATION I HEARD SOMETHING BREAK WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THEY SAID THAT ALL OF MY STRAPS HAD SNAPPED THE ONLY THING HOLDING IT UP WAS SKID PLATE AND ON THE SECOND INCIDENT WAS WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY BRAKE PEDAL HAD WENT SOFT CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT THEN THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD CAME ON WHEN I TOOK IT TO FORD THEY HAD SAID THAT ALL MY BRAKE LINES FROM THE BACK TO THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED SO BETWEEN THE TWO INCIDENTS THE TRUCK HAS COST ME CLOSE TO ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS. *TR UPDATED 08/01/11 *BF BOTH STRAPS FAILED DUE TO RUST. THERE WAS NO FUEL SPILL. UPDATED 08/02/11

NHTSA ID

10375341

Incident

Jul 4, 2010

Mileage

135,356 mi

3 SEPARATE INCIDENTS OF BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO ROTTED/RUSTED BRAKE LINES. LUCKILY THE INCIDENTS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. IF I WAS GOING FASTER THIS COULD HAVE HAD DEADLY CONSEQUENCES! SINCE THEN, ALL BRAKE LINES HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH STAINLESS STEEL LINE AT MY OWN EXPENSE. EVERY PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS TRUCK (AND THERE WERE MANY) CAN BE TRACED BACK TO CATASTROPHIC METAL FATIGUE! THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS MANUFACTURERS CONTINUED USAGE OF SUBSTANDARD AND/OR POORLY DESIGNED MATERIALS!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10361040

Incident

Apr 16, 2009

Mileage

65,000 mi

WAS STOPPING ON HIGHWAY, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. VEHICLE STOPPED, UPON INSPECTION FOUND REAR BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED AND LEAKING. I REPLACED THE FAILED BRAKE LINE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10348270

Incident

Jul 30, 2010

Mileage

146,000 mi

1999 FORD F-159 ABS LIGHT ON AND RED BRAKE LIGHT ON INTERMITTENTLY WITH CHANGE IN BRAKE "FEEL". *TR

NHTSA ID

10312969

Incident

Feb 15, 2010

Mileage

62,000 mi

FORDS RECALL OF F150'S FOR DEFECTIVE LEAKING CRUISE CONTROL CUT-OUT SWITCHES DOES NOT TOTALLY FIX THE PROBLEM BY THEM JUST ADDING AN INLINE FUSE FOR THE FIRE PROBLEM. THE PRESSURE SENSITIVE SWITCH IS SCREWED INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND EVEN IF THE FUSE BLOWS DISABLING THE CRUISE CONTROL BY REMOVING THE 12 VOLTS GOING TO IT THE BRAKE FLUID CAN STILL LEAK OUT OR BE FORCED OUT BY BRAKE FOOT PEDAL PRESSURE (WHICH IS VERY HIGH) THRU THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH SEAL ONTO THE SUPER HEATED EXHAUST SYSTEM CAUSING IT TO CATCH FIRE, AND/OR ENOUGH BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT CAUSING AIR TO BE SUCKED INTO THE MASTER CYLINDER CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE, AND/OR ENOUGH BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. THIS IS A "TYPICAL" FORD KLUDGE REPAIR TO SAVE MONEY AT PEOPLE'S LIVES EXPENSE. PAYING LAWSUITS APPEARS TO BE MORE COST EFFECTIVE IN FORDS EYES. THEY HAVE PULLED THIS CRAP FOR AT LEAST THE 30+ YEARS I CAN REMEMBER GOING BACK TO THE EXPLODING FORD PINTO'S. MY CURRENT 1999 FORD F150 IS THE LAST FORD I'LL EVER BUY, PERIOD !!!*TR

NHTSA ID

10287340

Incident

Aug 8, 2008

Mileage

62,000 mi

MY BRAKES FAILED ON MY 1999 FORD F150 THAT ONLY HAS 102,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS AMAZED TO DISCOVER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A HEAVILY CORRODED STEEL BRAKE LINE. I AM HAVING A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING WHY THE NHTSA DOESN'T REQUIRE AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS TO USE STAINLESS STEEL FOR BRAKE LINES. AFTER TALKING WITH A FEW MECHANICS, IT SEEMS THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS NOT UNCOMMON IN VEHICLES WITH 100,000+ MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I'M AFRAID TO THINK WHAT KIND OF ACCIDENTS CAN OCCUR WITH THIS TYPE OF PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10275472

Incident

Jun 29, 2009

Mileage

102,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F150. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. HE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES AND NOTICED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT HE WOULD RECEIVE A LETTER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 170,000.

NHTSA ID

10262427

Incident

Mar 17, 2008

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F150. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ABS MODULE. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PART DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER DISCONTINUING THE COMPONENT. THE TECHNICIAN ATTEMPTED TO SEARCH THE SALVAGE YARD FOR A USED PART, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY INOPERATIVE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 86,000. UPDATED 11/12/08 *CN UPDATED 11/18/08. *JB

NHTSA ID

10245562

Incident

Oct 1, 2008

Mileage

86,000 mi

I WAS ON A TRIP IN ALABAMA TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-85 ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2008. I STOPPED FOR A BREAK JUST NORTH OF MONTGOMERY. WHEN I GOT ON THE ON RAMP TO I-85, MY LEFT FRONT TIRE SUDDENLY WENT FLAT. I REPLACED THE WHEEL WITH THE SPARE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL HAD BEEN RIPPED OPEN. I DROVE TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER IN MONTGOMERY WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THAT A BRAKE CALIPER BOLT HAD COME OUT AND CAUSED THE BRAKE CALIPER TO RIP THE WHEEL APART. I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ON THE ON RAMP RATHER THAN TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MILES AN HOUR. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THE SAME CALIPER BOLT HAS COME OUT. THE LAST TIME WAS IN ONEONTA ALA AND WAS REPLACED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALER IN ONEONTA. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE DEATH OF TWO PEOPLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10241186

Incident

Sep 1, 2008

Mileage

91,000 mi