RoadVitals

2005 Ford F-150 Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
120
Latest Jan 31, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
11%
of 1,112 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
16
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Ford F-150 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 120 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 120, in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Jan 31, 2023

The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a stop sign, he had to pump the brake pedal to fully stop the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11504605
Incident
Jan 1, 2022
Brakes
Filed May 27, 2022

My brake booster or vacuum line has went out during driving and I almost lost control with my family. I see theres recalls on my make model and year. So I wanted to check and see because it was scary I had to leave my truck and get it towed some how back still also.

NHTSA ID
11466311
Incident
May 27, 2022
Brakes
Filed Jun 3, 2021

The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal traveled to the floor. The driver immediately turned the steering to avoid hitting several kids that were crossing the street. During the failure, the brake warning light illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the part to replace the ABS module was no longer produced by the manufacturer and was therefore unavailable for a repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 174,000.

NHTSA ID
11419488
Incident
Jun 1, 2021
Mileage
174,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 14, 2020

ME ENTER HOY QUE MI TRUCK TENA VARIOS RECALL Y NO HE RECIBIDO AVISO, GRACIAS POR SU ATENCION.

NHTSA ID
11299187
Incident
Jan 14, 2020
BrakesElectrical
Filed Oct 21, 2019

THE BRAKE WARNING LITE REMAINS ON. I'M TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT IT IS DUE TO A BROKEN CONNECTION IN THE DASH BOARD CIRCUIT BOARD AND HE SAID IT IS A RELATIVELY COMMON FAULT. REPAIR REQUIRES REMOVING THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD AND REPLACEMENT OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD.

NHTSA ID
11270066
Incident
Apr 5, 2018
Mileage
127,000 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 15, 2019

1. BRAKE DOT 3 IS RUNNING OUT AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE KEEPS GOING. IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE RUNNING, I MUST PUSH DOWN THE BRAKE VERY HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY REFILL THE OIL TANK. 2. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SPEED REACHES AT AROUND 45-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY LOSES POWER AND HIT AT 3-5 MPH BEFORE STOPPING. AFTER I COMPLETELY TURN OFF AND RESET THE BATTERY, THE VEHICLE STARTS NORMAL AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAPPENED FROM 2009 TO CURRENT TIME, BUT THE ODB SCAN DOES NOT DETECT ANY CODE OR ERRORS.

NHTSA ID
11268423
Incident
Jan 1, 2009
Mileage
75,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Sep 15, 2018

WHILE DRIVING, MY F150 WITHOUT WARNING, DIED 3 TIMES IN 1/2 MILE. LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES. VERY DANGEROUS. NEARLY HAD A ACCIDENT. HAD 1/2 TANK OF GAS. NEW BATTERY. IT DID NOT GIVE A CODE. I DID GET IT STARTED EACH TIME AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT.

NHTSA ID
11129695
Incident
Sep 1, 2018
Mileage
60,000 mi
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 21, 2018

MY 2005 FORD F150 TRUCK HAS HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS & SOME REPLACE TWICE & IM OVER IT IM ABOUT TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK NOW IT SOUNDS LIKE MY ACULATOR AGAIN WITH THE SOUND OF METAL SCRAPING ON THE GROUND AND WHEN I SWITCH IT TO 44 THE SOUNDS STOPS .BUT IF ITS NOT IN 44 THE SOUND STAYS AND IT IS LOUD ! I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH GET MY TRUCK FIXED AND WHAT UPSETS ME IS I TAKE CARE OF MY TRUCK CHANGE OIL SPARK PLUGS EVERYTHING SINCE PURCHASED IN 2005 BRAND NEW AND IM OVER IT SOMETHING NEEDS TO DONE WITH ALL THESE PARTS DEFECTED AND IT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE.

NHTSA ID
11080625
Incident
Feb 5, 2018
Mileage
100,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 13, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TWO FRONT WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AT LEAST EIGHT OCCASIONS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS12702472. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT CITED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V208000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

NHTSA ID
11005169
Incident
Jul 10, 2017
Mileage
230,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 17, 2017

HAD NEW BRAKES INSTALLED SEVERAL YEARS BECAUSE IT WAS SHAKING AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP AT HIGHWAY SPEED. WELL IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN IF YOU ARE TRAVELING HIGHWAY SPEED. BRAKES ARE VERY BAD AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 55,000 MILES ON IT AND SHOULD NOT HAVE WORN OUT BRAKES FOR THE SECOND TIME. SOMETHING IS TERRIBLY WRONG WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. I AM TO THE POINT OF BEING AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO MASH HARD ON THE BRAKE AND FEEL THE FRONT SHAKING BEFORE IT WILL FINALLY STOP!

NHTSA ID
10945621
Incident
Jan 1, 2016
Mileage
53,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Aug 3, 2016

BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY METAL STAND PIPE RUPTURED. THIS WAS WHILE DRIVING. LOSS OF VACUUM AND LOSS OF ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND BRAKES WERE SLUGGISH. HAVE TO PUSH ALL WAY TO FLOOR.

NHTSA ID
10892919
Incident
Mar 15, 2016
Mileage
210,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 25, 2016

THE BRAKES FADED DURING A EMERGANCY STOP ON THE HIWAY. I WAS ABLE TO GET STOPPED BUT THE BREAK PEDDEL WENT CLEAR TO THE FLOOR.I COULD NOT PUMP UP THE PEDDEL TO MAKE THE BREAKE WORK ANY BETTER.

NHTSA ID
10888280
Incident
Aug 15, 2015
Mileage
70,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Apr 26, 2016
Fire reported

FUSE 14 CONTROLLING ABS MODULE, DTR SENSOR, REVERSE LIGHTS, PCV HEATER, AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR, CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATOR SWITCH AND DAYTIME HEADLIGHTS WAS REPEATEDLY BLOWING. TRUCK WAS SERVICED BY DEALER ON 3-23-16, REPLACING THE A/C COMPRESSOR. REPLACING THE A/C COMPRESSOR DID NOT RESOLVE ANY ISSUES. THE TRUCK WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER ON 4-6-16 FOR THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME FUSE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUSE AND PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON THE TRUCK, THEN INFORMING ME THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE OR LOCATE THE SHORT. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK UNTIL THE FUSE STARTED BLOWING MORE FREQUENTLY. THE FIRST TIME THE TRUCK WAS DRIVEN AFTER WORK WAS PERFORMED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE TRUCK ENGINE WOULD SURGE AS THE TRUCK WENT DOWN THE ROAD WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. THE ISSUE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL HAPPENED ON 4-9-16. ON THE MORNING OF 4-10-16 THE TRUCK WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES AND PARKED IN THE DRIVE OF MY HOME. AFTER ENTERING THE HOUSE THE ALARM WAS HEARD SOUNDING ON THE VEHICLE, AT WHICH TIME I STEPPED OUTSIDE TO FIND THE TRUCK ON FIRE. THE FIRE SEEMED TO HAVE STARTED ON THE INSIDE OF THE TRUCK.

NHTSA ID
10861613
Incident
Apr 10, 2016
Mileage
114,000 mi
BrakesEngineFuel system
Filed Feb 3, 2016

I PURCHASED MY 2005 F150 WITH A 5.4L TRINITRON ENGINE USED IN 2010. I COMPLETED ALL REGULAR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE USING THE RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS, MOST OF IT DONE IN FORD DEALERSHIPS. THIS 5.4L ENGINE IS A POOR DESIGN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. IT HAS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I HAD A SAFETY INSPECTION DONE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP AND IT PASSED EVEN THOUGH IT HAD A TICKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE AND I HAD HESITATION AND LOSS OF POWER. REPLACE SPARK PLUGS, I HAD ALREADY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 98,000 MILES! THIS ENGINE IS A PIECE OF JUNK! FORD NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND ITS' "BUILT FORD TOUGH" TRUCKS AND MAKE THIS RIGHT. I CANT ENJOY MY TRUCK!!!

NHTSA ID
10824080
Incident
Jul 15, 2015
Brakes
Filed Dec 3, 2015

BRAKE WARNING LIGHT IS LIT ON THE DASHBOARD. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. I HAVE READ THAT THERE IS A WIRING PROBLEM WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKE LIGHT TO STAY ON. FORD HAS RECALLED OTHER F150 MODEL YEARS BUT NOT 2005 F150S.

NHTSA ID
10808316
Incident
Dec 1, 2014
Mileage
75,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 12, 2015

THE WARNING LIGHT FOR BRAKES, ON THE DASH, STAYS ON ALL OF THE TIME.

NHTSA ID
10790011
Incident
Nov 12, 2015
Mileage
96,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 20, 2015

I WAS STARTING THE TRUCK TO LEAVE A WAL-MART PARKING LOT AND MY LEFT FOOT WHICH WAS ON THE BRAKE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR OF THE TRUCK. I HAD NO BRAKES. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS STOPPED AND NOT ON THE ROAD WITH OTHER CARS OR GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL. I HAD THE AUTO SHOP TOW THE TRUCK TO THE SHOP. THEY FIXED TWO BRAKE LINES. COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID
10765341
Incident
Sep 11, 2015
Mileage
627,633 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Apr 21, 2015

UPON STARTING MY CAR THAT MORNING IT BACKFIRED AND WHITE SMOKE EXITED FROM THE EXHAUST WHICH IT HAS NEVER DONE BEFORE. ONCE IDLING I PUT THE TRUCK IN REVERSE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND MY TRUCK ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. I HAD TO DEPRESS MY BRAKES WITH SIGNIFICANT FORCE TO GET IT TO STOP. UPON CHECKING THE ENGINE LATER THERE IS NO VACUUM DETECTED AT THE POWER BRAKE ASSIST. THERE IS A RECALL ON OTHER FORD TRUCKS OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL WITH THE SAME ISSUES THAT MINE WAS EXHIBITING. UPON CALLING FORD THEY SAID THAT MY VIN # WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL. GO FIGURE! *TR

NHTSA ID
10711949
Incident
Apr 19, 2015
Mileage
140,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 7, 2015
Crash reported

THE VEHICLE HAS A REMOVABLE RUBBER COVER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH CAN COME OFF DURING BRAKING CAUSING ONE'S FOOT TO COME OFF THE PEDAL. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10692716
Incident
Nov 19, 2014
Mileage
18,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 1, 2014

WHILE STOPPING FOR A PEDESTRIAN, AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH,THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE RUBBER BRAKE LINE SEPARATED FROM THE STEEL BRAKE LINE,RESULTING IN THE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ALL BRAKE FLUID AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR.THE CAUSE OF THIS SEPARATION ,WAS CORROSION OF THE FACTORY STEEL CLAMP ,CLAMPING THE RUBBER HOSE TO THE STEEL BRAKE LINE. UPON EXAMINATION,IT WAS FOUND THAT TWO OTHER CLAMPS WERE IN THE SAME CONDITION.I WAS ABLE TO COMPLETELY REMOVE ONE CLAMP ,BY RUBBING IT BETWEEN MY FINGER AND THUMB.THESE STEEL COMPONENTS ARE UNSAFE FOR USE IN STATES THAT USE SALT OR BRINE ON THEIR ROADS.THIS WAS MADE WORSE BY THE FACT THAT THE RESERVOIR USED,IS NOT SPLIT INTO TWO SECTIONS, ALLOWING LOSS OF ALL BRAKE FLUID FOR BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AT THE SAME TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10640665
Incident
Sep 4, 2014
Mileage
70,157 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 2, 2014

ON 6/01/2014 I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK WHEN I STARTED TO APPROACH AN INTERSECTION TO STOP AND WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP AND THE TRUCK THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL AWAY TO THE FLOOR, THEN I REALIZED THAT EITHER I WOULD HAVE TO CRASH THE TRUCK INTO THE WALL OF THE BRIDGE AND POSSIBLY GO OVER OR CRASH THE TRUCK IN TO OTHER VEHICLES. HOWEVER THIS WAS A PANICKY SITUATION IN THE LAST SECOND BEFORE CRASHING THE TRUCK I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. AFTER TOWING THE TRUCK TO THE GARAGE I TOOK FEW PHOTOS OF THE FRONT BRAKE LINE HOSES AND HOW CLOSE THEY ARE TO THE TIRE RIMS. ONE OF THOSE BREAK LINES WERE DAMAGE BY RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE RIM. OTHER BREAK LINES PHOTO IS SHOWING HOW CLOSE THE BREAK LINES ARE TO THE TIRE RIM. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD WOULD INSTALL OR DESIGN THE HOLDING BRACKETS THAT COULD POSSIBLY MOVE CLOSE TO THE TIRE RIM FOR THE BRAKE HOSES THAT CLOSE TO THE TIRE RIM. ALSO I STOP OVER TO A FORD DEALER IN READING PA WHY THEY WOULD NOT ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM WHEN I HAVE THE TRUCK INSPECTED IN OCTOBER OF 2013. THE SUPERVISOR AT THE DESK HAVE NO ANSWER TO MY QUESTION. THEN I CHECK SIMILAR TRUCKS THE YEAR WAS 2008 AND THE BRAKE LINE WAS LESS THAN .250" FROM THE TIRE RIM. WHEN I CHECKED THE 2014 E150 IT LOOKS THAT THE BRAKE LINES LOCATION WERE REDESIGN. SO OBVIOUSLY SOMEBODY NEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM HOWEVER I WAS NEVER NOTIFY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, THE BRACKET THAT HOLD THE BRAKE LINES WERE NEVER ADJUSTED AWAY FROM BEING THAT CLOSE TO A TIRE RIM AT THE INSPECTION. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT A GOVERNMENT AGENCY WOULD ALLOW THE BREAK HOSES TO BE INSTALLED ABOUT .250" FROM THE TIRE RIMS OR MOVING PARTS. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR A TOWING AND THE REPAIR OF THE TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10595703
Incident
Jun 1, 2014
Mileage
49,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed May 13, 2013

CONSTANT TICKING NOISE FROM ENGINE, SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE, REMAINS TICKING THE ENTIRE TIME./ WHEN APPLYING BRAKES EITHER ON A HARD STOP OR ROLLING OVER TRACTION IN ROAD, GRINDING FEELING IN PEDAL AND NOISE AND WILL NOT STOP IMMEDIATELY.-----WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT THE "TICKING" WAS TYPICAL FOR FORD AND THE BRAKES WAS PART OF THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM, I DO NOT THINK SO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10511799
Incident
May 10, 2006
Mileage
5,555 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 23, 2012
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THERE WAS SMOKE SEEN RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT APPEARED ON THE SCENE TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE POWER ASSIST FEATURE ON THE BRAKES WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT VARIOUS HOSES FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V208000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,173.

NHTSA ID
10467052
Incident
Jul 20, 2012
Mileage
95,173 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 27, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKES STARTED TO PULSATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND AS A RESULT, THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 03/16/12*LJ UPDATED 04/19/12

NHTSA ID
10449498
Incident
Feb 2, 2009
Mileage
12,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 2, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE THEY WERE WARPED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE STEERING TO WHEEL TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND BRAKING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED TWICE WITHIN 7,000 MILES OF DRIVING. THE DEALER HAD NOT GIVEN A REASON FOR WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ID
10446299
Incident
Jan 10, 2011
Mileage
23,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .