RoadVitals

2003 Ford F-250 Sd 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.
13
Latest Jan 14, 2014
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.
7%
of 178 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.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

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 2003 Ford F-250 Sd submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 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

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Brakes
Filed Jan 14, 2014
Crash reported

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING FIVE O CLOCK TRAFFIC AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME BEGAN CRASHING INTO EACH OTHER. I PRESSED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP AND SUDDENLY THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND I SMASHED INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. TODAY THE AUTO SHOP HANDLING THE REPAIRS CALLED ME IN TO LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED. THE MASTER CYLINDER BROKE COMPLETELY FREE FROM THE BOOSTER. THE METAL BRACKETS BROKE IN HALF AND SEPARATED CAUSING THE LOSE OF BRAKES AND THE ACCIDENT. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE MASTER CYLINDER BLOWN AWAY FROM THE BOOSTER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10559952
Incident
Dec 18, 2013
Mileage
198,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 4, 2013

TRUCK IS LIGHTLY USED. TODAY I HOOKED UP THE HORSE TRAILER TO HAUL HORSES AND WHEN I WAS HEADED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND USED THE BRAKES THEY COMPLETELY FAILED. I ENGAGED THE TOW MODE ON THE TRANSMISSION AND USED THE E-BRAKE TO STOP. THERE WAS NO WARNING JUST BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR FAILURE. IF THIS FAILURE OCCURRED 2 MINUTES LATER I WOULD OF BEEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THERE WAS A LARGE LEAK ON THE MAIN BRAKE LINE ABOVE THE REAR FUEL TANK. I INSPECTED THE MAIN BRAKE LINE AND EVERY PLACE THE BRAKE LINE IS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME THERE IS SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OF THE BRAKE LINE . 2 INCHES FROM THE ATTACHMENT THE BRAKE LINE LOOKS BRAND NEW. LOOKS LIKE THE ENGINEERS USED A DISSIMILAR METAL AND CAUSED A CORROSION CELL. 10 YEAR OLD TRUCK AND I AM SPENDING $800.00 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MAIN BRAKE LINE. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE ON A $50,000 TRUCK SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. DEALER SAYS HE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10541910
Incident
Sep 4, 2013
Mileage
24,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 20, 2010
Crash reported

2003 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHILE APPROACHING STOPPED CARS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS ORDERED WITH ABS AND A DUAL MASTER CYLINDER, SO IF THE FRONT OR REAR BRAKES FAILED, HE WOULD AT LEAST HAVE TWO WHEEL BRAKES TO STOP AND LOCK UP COMPLETELY. AFTER THE TRUCK WAS PICKED UP AND TAKEN TO A GARAGE, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER FOUND PARTS LYING ON HIS TRUCK BED. THEY WERE FROM A SWITCH ON THE END OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE HOUSING FOR THE SWITCH ROTTED AWAY ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO FALL APART. WITHOUT THE SWITCH BLOCKING THE HOLE IN THE END OF THE MASTER CYLINDER, THERE WERE NO BRAKES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE SYSTEM, BECAUSE IT SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST ALLOWED HIM TO HAVE TWO WHEEL BRAKES. THE CONSUMER STATED WITH ALL THE SAFETY BUILT INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM, HOW DID ONE SWITCH WIPE OUT THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM WHEN IT FAILED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10344379
Incident
Jun 24, 2010
BrakesEngine
Filed Aug 25, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-250HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY GIVEN SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND INSPECTED WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FROM THE INJECTOR WIRE HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A COST OF $100.00. FOUR YEARS LATER THE CONTACT NOTICED A ANTIFREEZE SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND INSPECTED WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE OIL COOLER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A COST OF $844.00. THREE MONTHS LATER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 76,286. BL THE DEALER DETERMINED THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL PUMP AND INJECTOR FAILED. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE AS WELL. UPDATED 10/07/09.

NHTSA ID
10281653
Incident
Mar 26, 2005
Mileage
20,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Jun 23, 2008

FORD F-250. LEAKING HIGH PRESSURE HOSE FROM BOSTER PUMP DRAINED FLUID. WHILE EXITING INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, LOST BOTH BRAKES AND STEERING. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP AND STEER. REPLACED FLUID TO GET TO DEALER, MEEGAN FORD IN MT. PLEASANT PA. HIGH PRESSURE HOSE REPLACED. I PAID. I HAVE OLD PART. FITTING RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10232083
Incident
Jun 4, 2008
Mileage
32,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 5, 2006

VEHICLE IS 2003 FORD SUPER DUTY F250. WITH 27K MILES. BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE CREATED A NEAR ACCIDENT. MANUAL TROUBLESHOOTING INDICATES A FAILURE OF THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ASSOCIATED WITH THE TURN SIGNALS. HAZARD LIGHT DO NOT FUNCTION EXCEPT FOR RT. HAND FRONT YELLOW LIGHT. VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY REPAIRED FOR DEFECTIVE FUEL LEVEL ACTUATOR UNDER WARRANTY AND PROBLEM POSSIBLY STARTED AFTER THAT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10156842
Incident
May 5, 2006
Mileage
26,200 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 12, 2005

DT: CONTACT STATED THE ROTORS WARPED ON 2003 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. THE SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE ROTORS UNDER THE WARRANTY. A MECHANIC THAT TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE PUT THE BRAKES ON THERE WAS PULSATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PADS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED SINCE CONSUMER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE. *AK *TT

NHTSA ID
10129735
Incident
Jun 1, 2005
Mileage
15,225 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 20, 2005

BRAKES LINE FROM MASTER CYCLINDER TO REAR BRAKES FAILED CAUSING THE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND ALL BRAKING CAPABILITIES. POWER STEERING CABLE WAS APPARENTLY CHAFFING BRAKE LINE, CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE TO RUST, AND OVER TIME, FAIL. TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 18,000 MILES, WITH VERY LIGHT AND INFREQUENT USAGE.

NHTSA ID
10125774
Incident
Jun 20, 2005
Mileage
18,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Feb 17, 2004

I HAD SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR MY 2003 F250 SD CC 4X4 TO HAVE DIRECTIONALS REPAIRED. ON DROP OFF, I ASKED TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED FOR AN INTERMITTENT PULLING TO THE LEFT ON HARD BRAKING. TWO DAYS LATER I CHECKED ON THE STATUS AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PULLING TO THE LEFT AND THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED BY FORD. THREE WEEKS LATER THE BRAKE PADS, CALIBERS AND FRONT LEAF SPRINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND IT STILL PULLS. AWAITING FOR A FORD SERVICE REPRESENTATION TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10058337
Incident
Feb 3, 2004
Brakes
Filed Dec 30, 2003

2003 F-250 6.0 DIESEL. WHEN STANDING ON BRAKES TURNS VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT. CONTACTED SALES DEALER: 3K MI. BRAKES NEED BRAKING IN. IN SERVICE DEALER: 12K MI. REPLACE CALIPERS ON DRIVER FRONT WHEEL. IN SERVICE DEALER: 25K MI. REPLACE COMPLETE BRAKING SYSTEM FRONT / REAR. DID NOT REPLACE HOSES. DID NOT CHECK PRESSURE. ADVISED THEY COULD NOT REPAIR AND TOLD ME TO GO TO ANOTHER DEALER AND TRADE UP. CONTACTED CUST. SERVICE WHO THEN ADVISED OWNER/DEALER TO "EXHAUST AVAILABLE RESOURCES." OWNER ADVISED THEY HAD DONE SO AND HANDED ME MY KEYS. SORRY. IMMEDIATELY PLACED IN SERVICE WITH ANOTHER DEALER 30 M AWAY. AGAIN, COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED. WAS ABLE TO CHANGE BRAKES TO VEAR TO THE RIGHT..BUT UNABLE TO REPAIR PER FACTORY SPEC. ADVISED VEHICLE UNSAFE. FIELD REP CONTACTED AND IS TO INSPECT. NOTE: TRUCK HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR REPAIR FOR OVER 5 WEEKS. LATEST SERVICE REP HAS ALLOWED RENTAL USAGE.

NHTSA ID
10051345
Incident
Dec 1, 2003
Mileage
3,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 6, 2003

TRUCK ROLLED BACK IN PARK 2 DIFFERENT TIMES ABOUT 2 OR 3 FEET AND SORT OF CAUGHT GEARS AND STOPPED. THE TRUCK WAS ON A SMALL INCLINE BOTH TIMES IN DIFFERENT PLACES THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND BUT NOT ICE AND IT ROLLED ALL THE TIRES WHEN IT MOVED. *LA

NHTSA ID
10049326
Incident
Dec 6, 2003
Brakes
Filed Nov 14, 2003

FORD F250 2003. WARPED ROTORS, REPLACED 3 TIMES. HAVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR A 4TH REPLACEMENT. *LA

NHTSA ID
10046946
Incident
Feb 15, 2003
Mileage
11,000 mi
BrakesInterior & seatsExterior lighting
Filed Oct 12, 2003
Fire reported

AFTER TOWING MY TRAILER SEVERAL BLOCKS I PULLED OVER AT MY DESTINATION AND REALIZED MY TRAILER LIGHTS HAD GONE OUT. THIS IS UNUSUAL BECAUSE THE TRAILER JUST MADE A 2500 MILE TRIP WITH NO PROBLEMS. AFTER CHECKING THE CONNECTIONS AND OPENING UP THE FUSE BOX TO LOOK FOR BLOWN FUSES I WENT BACK TO CHECK THE LIGHTS AGAIN. UPON RETURNING TO THE TRUCK SEVERAL MINUTES LATER I FOUND THE FUSE BOX AND A PORTION OF THE DASHBOARD IN FLAMES. I SMOTHERED THE FIRE AND FOUND ALL THE ELECTRONICS TO WORK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE PASSENGER POWER SEAT AND THE TRAILER LIGHTS AND BRAKES. THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 FORD SUPERDUTY LARIAT F-250 5.4L *LA

NHTSA ID
10041674
Incident
Oct 12, 2003
Mileage
14,296 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 .