RoadVitals

2008 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.
39
Latest Jun 30, 2024
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 368 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.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

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 2008 Ford F-150 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 39 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 39, in the owner's own words

AirbagsBrakes
Filed Jun 30, 2024
Crash reported

My emergency brake doesn't work and light is on,and air bags did not deploy when I was hit from behind.

NHTSA ID
11597786
Incident
Jun 30, 2024
Brakes
Filed Jan 20, 2024

When stepping on brake peddle gos so far Dow foot hits accelerator pedal causing the truck to lunge forward as if accelerator stuck. Nearly caused accident, dealer said there was no fix to raise the brake pedal.

NHTSA ID
11566646
Incident
Jan 22, 2023
BrakesElectrical
Filed Apr 21, 2022

The three rear brake lights stay on all the time, even after the truck is turned off and key removed. The malfunction is definitely available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself and others are put at risk, because vehicles behind me don't know when I'm actually applying the brake. This safety defect has been an issue (off and on} for the last 2 years. I'm apprehensive about taking my truck to a Ford Dealership, due to an expense that I shouldn't be responsible for. I have not been able to drive my truck for the last 3 months, due to this safety defect. My truck hasn't been inspected by police or insurance representatives, because I haven't been in a fatal accident yet. I'm the original owner.

NHTSA ID
11461705
Incident
Mar 1, 2020
Brakes
Filed Aug 25, 2020

BRAKES FAILED, TWICE. AUGUST 2020, AUGUST 2019. BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT AND BRAKE PETAL WENT TO FLOOR, BOTH TIMES. VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WHEN PUT IN GEAR, BRAKE WENT TO FLOOR AFTER TWO SOFT PUMPS AS VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD.

NHTSA ID
11351219
Incident
Aug 24, 2020
Mileage
108,024 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 13, 2020

MY ABS/BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. A COUPLE OF WEEKS PRIOR TO THE LIGHTS APPEARED I TOOK THE TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE. MY COMPLAINT THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES. I WAS INFORMED NO PROBLEM FOUND.

NHTSA ID
11320984
Incident
Jan 16, 2018
Mileage
72,177 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Apr 12, 2020

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH ROTORS SINCE I BOUGHT TRUCK IN 09', A MONTH OR 2 AFTER I BOUGHT IT I HAD ROTORS CHANGED AND THEN EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS AFTER THAT. MY FRONT WHEELS ARE BLACK AFTER 2 WEEKS OF DRIVING. I HAVE NEVER PULLED A TRAILER WITH THIS TRUCK AND THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN USED LIGHTLY. ALSO AFTER 12 YEARS OLD, MECHANIC TOLD ME YESTERDAY I HAVE A YEAR OR 2 BEFORE MY FRAME IS GOING COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU AND BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
11320904
Incident
Apr 1, 2009
Mileage
7,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 7, 2020

THE VEHICLE HAS STARTED TAKING LONGER TO STOP SO I REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ALL AROUND, THIS DID NOTHING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. IT FEELS LIKE THE SYSTEM IS TELLING ITSELF TO NOT BRAKE USING THE ABS EVEN ON DRY ROADS OR JUST NOT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES.

NHTSA ID
11307805
Incident
Feb 5, 2018
Mileage
89,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesExterior lighting
Filed Dec 31, 2018

AIR BAG LIGHT ON RED BRAKE LIGHT ON

NHTSA ID
11164202
Incident
Nov 10, 2018
Mileage
200,000 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 31, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11098961
Incident
May 1, 2016
Mileage
200,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceFuel system
Filed Apr 24, 2018

WHEN I BRAKE THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE ITS RACING LOUDER AND LOUDER AND SEEMS LIKE I'M EXCELLERATING INSTEAD OF STOPPING. ITS VERY HARD TO STOP IN TIME AT A STOP SIGN AND I CAN'T. I ALMOST IT A CROSSING CAR.THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITH MYSELF AND ALSO WHEN MY HUSBAND DROVE THE TRUCK.WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC. THE SAME HAPPENED TO 2 MECHANICS AT THE SHOP ON TEST DRIVES. THEY HAVE A THEORY IT IS HAPPENING BECAUSE WHEN WE TAKE OUR FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND PUT IT ON THE BRAKE TO BRAKE WE ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL AND ARE UNKNOWINGLY PRESSING BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THAT WAS HAPPENING, BUT MAYBE IT WAS BEC NOW WHEN I BRAKE , I PLACE MY FOOT MUCH FURTHER FROM THE GAS PEDAL. I'VE HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN TRUCKS, BUT I WASN'T WARNED AND I DON'T THINK THIS IS SAFE.

NHTSA ID
11089969
Incident
Apr 16, 2018
Mileage
10,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 16, 2017

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT , BRAKE AND ABS. ABS MOTOR AND CONTROLLER BAD.

NHTSA ID
11015829
Incident
Jul 18, 2017
Mileage
61,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 20, 2017

POOR BRAKING--I'M NOT ALWAYS SURE IF MY TRUCK WILL STOP OR NOT---I'VE PUT NEW BRAKES ON EVERY YEAR THEY ALL FEEL GOOD FOR ACOUPLE MONTHS THEN IT STARTS TAKING LONGER AND LONGER TO STOP EVEN WHEN I BUY OFF BRAND AND EITHER DRILLED AND SLOTTED OR WHAT EVER THEY JUST DON'T STOP THIS TRUCK WELL--HELP.

NHTSA ID
10967386
Incident
Jun 8, 2008
Mileage
36,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 7, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, THE ABS ACTIVATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULSATE AND THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DRAINED THE FRONT BRAKES; HOWEVER, THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ID
10840199
Incident
Mar 1, 2014
Mileage
20,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 15, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,200. UPDATED 03/10/16*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
10820385
Incident
Jan 4, 2016
Mileage
28,200 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Mar 25, 2015
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER, WHILE REVERSING AT 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID
10701629
Incident
Aug 15, 2013
Mileage
90,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jun 25, 2014

I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW WITH 26 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SINCE HAD BRAKES GO OUT...STEERING GO OUT, POWERTRAIN REPLACED WITH REFURBISHED ONE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE STEERING ISSUE IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND ALL THE MECHANICS AT FORD SAY IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE SPARK PLUGS CAN'T BE REMOVED WITHOUT BREAKING OFF AND FORD IS TOTALLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. MY TRUCK STEERING ...I WAS TOLD A PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED THAT HAPPENS TO ALL THESE TRUCKS...IT IS AT LEAST $1300.00...AND WHEN I ASKED FOR A TUNEUP AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE THE SPARK PLUGS BREAK OFF IT CAN BE OVER 800.00...I WAS ASTONISHED THAT WITH ALL THE TROUBLE WITH GM RECALLS YOU WOULD NOT TARGET THIS 2008 FORD F-150...THERE ARE MULTIPLE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES. I ALREADY WENT UP AGAINST FORD ABOUT THE POWERTRAIN AND HAVE PAID $35,000.00 FOR THIS TRUCK, I OWE THOUSANDS MORE. CAN YOU HELP OR BE OF ANY ASSISTANCE FOR ALL FORD TRUCK OWNERS? OH, AND THE TRUCK STARTS SHAKING AND I HAVE TO STOP PUT IN 4WD AND THEN OUT AGAIN IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TO GET IT TO RUN RIGHT, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKES STICKS TOO. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10605976
Incident
Nov 18, 2008
Mileage
2,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 21, 2013
Crash reported

THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN BRAKING THE ACCELERATOR IS ALSO DEPRESSED AT THE SAME TIME. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY. TODAY WHILE PULLING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE HOUSE PUSHING IT OFF THE FOUNDATION AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE TO CLOSE TOGETHER. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY WIFE AND SHE WEARS A SIZE 6 SHOE. ARE THERE ANY RECALLS OR CLASS ACTION SUITS THAT ANY ONE IS AWARE OF. OR DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE IT MATTERS. I HAVE BEEN ON OTHER WEB SITES AND FIND MANY OWNERS OF AND \08 F150 HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10556939
Incident
Dec 21, 2013
Mileage
74,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 13, 2013

THE BRAKES COME ON WITHOUT STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10547743
Incident
Oct 1, 2013
Mileage
75,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 1, 2012

FRONT ROTORS NEEDED REPLACED AT 20000 MILES THEN AT 44000 MILES....IN ALL THE VEHICLES I OWN HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE????WARPED ROTORS COSTING OVER 600 TO REPLACE EVERY 20 TH MILES....DEFECTIVE!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10478234
Incident
Oct 6, 2010
Mileage
20,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Jun 12, 2012

BOUGHT A 2008 FORD F150 FROM A SO CALLED REPUTIBLE DEALER. HAD ISSUES AFTER THE FIRST COUPLE OF MONTHS WITH A VIBRATION TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER RAN A DIAGNOSTICS CHECK ON IT, THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG. TWO YEARS LATER PROBLEM HAS ESCALATED WHERE TRUCK VIBRATES SO BAD THAT IT SPILLS A CAN OF SODA. FORD NOW SAYS NO WARRANTY LEFT ON VEHICLE AND WE HAVE TO PAY FOR FIXING. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY TWO YEARS AGO WHEN PROBLEM ARISED. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD ITSELF. I AM THINKING ABOUT FILING A LAW SUIT AGAINST FORD IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT RECTIFIED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10461318
Incident
Dec 8, 2010
Mileage
27,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 16, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150 FX2. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE ALSO FAILED TO STOP PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT BOTH ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,322 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,383.

NHTSA ID
10458653
Incident
May 2, 2012
Mileage
59,322 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 26, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS WERE POSITIONED TO CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, HE ALSO UNINTENTIONALLY DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ID
10456576
Incident
Mar 26, 2009
Mileage
59,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 18, 2011

ABS TONE RING BREAKAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10430727
Incident
Oct 11, 2011
Mileage
26,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 6, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS WERE EXTREMELY CLOSE TOGETHER AND ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WOULD SIMULTANEOUSLY DEPRESS BOTH PEDALS. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED AND EXPRESSED TO THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD CALL HIM BACK AT A LATER DATE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 8/29/11 *CN

NHTSA ID
10410725
Incident
Oct 1, 2009
Mileage
3,400 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 7, 2011

THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW SAFETY PROBLEM. ON MY 2008 FORD F-150 PICK-UP TRUCK, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS MOUNTED TOO CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL. IF, DURING A "PANIC STOP" MY FOOT IS NOT PLACED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT TENDS TO OVER LAP THE GAS PEDAL AND WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE, WILL ACTUALLY ACCELERATE THE TRUCK. THIS PROBLEM GETS WORSE AS THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES WEAR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSES EVEN FURTHER. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ADVISED ME TO CONTACT MY DEALER, WHICH I DID. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT CAN DO NOTHING TO FIX IT SINCE FORD HAS NOT GIVEN THEM A FIX. THIS COULD E A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN TOWING A HEAVY LOAD SUCH AS A TRAVEL TRAILER OR LARGE BOAT. I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ADDRESSED ON THIS SITE AND ALSO OTHER FORD TRUCK BLOG SITES.

NHTSA ID
10376124
Incident
Jun 1, 2009
Mileage
3,000 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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .