RoadVitals

2001 Ford F-250 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.
26
Latest Apr 12, 2020
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.
12%
of 220 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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
6

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 2001 Ford F-250 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 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 26, in the owner's own words

BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Apr 12, 2020

SPARK PLUGS KEEP BLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE, WHILE ACCELERATING, HAS DONE FIVE TIMES,, WHEN IT DOES VEHICLE STALLED POSSIBLY CARE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRUCK TRYING TO TURN,

NHTSA ID
11320910
Incident
Apr 12, 2020
Mileage
333,350 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 25, 2020

LOCATION MASTER CYLINDER CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SENSOR LEAKING BRAKE FLUID NON FUNCTIONAL BRAKES AND CRUISE CONTROL.

NHTSA ID
11311334
Incident
Feb 12, 2020
Mileage
240,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 14, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported1 death reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE. THE DRIVER WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BENT AND OVERLAPPED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS ISSUE MAY HAVE CAUSED THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000. UPDATED 04/04/17 LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
10954586
Incident
Jan 11, 2017
Mileage
109,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Jul 5, 2016

WHILE DRIVING BACK HOME FROM SHOPPING MY BRAKES (ANTI-LOCK STYLE) LOCKED UP AND VIOLENTLY SHOOK MY VEHICLE ALL OVER THE ROAD I WAS DRIVING ON. I HAD LIMITED OR NO CONTROL AT ALL OF THIS INCIDENT. WAS DOING ABOUT 40 MPH. TRUCK ACTED AS IF BRAKES WERE APPLIED ON AND OFF 50/60 TIMES SO FAST THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO DO BUT HANG ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL. AT ONE POINT I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO FLIP OVER AS THE TRUCK WENT SIDEWAYS. STEERING WENT FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT FIRST, THEN A CONSTANT PULL TO THE RIGHT. I THOUGHT ONE OF MY FRONT TIRES WAS BLOWN OUT. SLOWED DOWN ENOUGH TO GAIN SOME CONTROL BUT IT TOOK MY TRUCK OVER A CURB AND STOPPED ON A SIDEWALK AND SOME GRASS. WHEN I DID APPLY THE BRAKES NOTHING HAPPENED UNTIL I WAS ON THE SIDEWALK AND GOING VERY SLOW BY THIS TIME. GOT OUT AND INSPECTED MY TRUCK FOR DAMAGE BUT SAW NOTHING. WAS ONLY ABOUT .3 MILES FROM HOME SO I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND LIMED IT HOME AT WALKING SPEED. WHEN I TRIED TO GO A LITTLE FASTER IT WOULD START JUMPING AND SHAKING AGAIN. GOT IT HOME AND THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON. IT WAS NOT ON WHEN I STARTED HOME FROM THE STORE. THIS HAPPENED SO FAST THAT I AM GLAD NO ONE WAS IN ANOTHER LANE. THIS HAPPENED ON A 3 LANE EACH DIRECTION ROAD. ALL THIS OCCURRED ON JULY 4TH AT ABOUT 10:47 A.M.

NHTSA ID
10882574
Incident
Jul 4, 2016
Mileage
102,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 28, 2015

LUCKILY I WAS STOPPED, BUT COULD JUST AS WELL HAVE BEEN ON EXPRESSWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC!!! BRAKELINE RUPTURED, MAYBE RUSTED THROUGH IN RONT OF LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL, PEDAL WENTT O THE FLOOR & ONLY HAD SLIGHT AMOUNT OF BRAKES. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, THEY WERE LESS THAN CONCERNED. SEE ON LINE OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUE. SEEMS MOR OF A PROBLEM THAN THEY WILL ADMIT.

NHTSA ID
10744306
Incident
Jul 26, 2015
Mileage
150,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Jul 28, 2014

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ALONG A HILLY, WINDING ROAD THE ENGINE OF MY 2001 F-250 DIESEL 4X4 TRUCK UNEXPECTEDLY SHUT OFF. I LOST STEERING AND BRAKING. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I'VE HAD THE TRUCK FOR 12 YEARS AT THE TIME AND NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEM LIKE THIS. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK TO THE ROAD'S SHOULDER. AFTER THE TRUCK STOPPED I PUT THE SHIFT INTO PARK. THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE RUN POSITION. I SIMPLY TURNED IT TO THE START POSITION AND THE ENGINE STARTED RIGHT UP. I TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO RAN DIAGNOSTICS ON THE TRUCK. THEY FOUND NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM OTHER THAN ONE BATTERY'S VOLTAGE WAS SLIGHTLY LOW, BUT NOT OUT OF ACCEPTABLE RANGE. I REPLACED BOTH BATTERIES AS THEY WERE ALMOST 3 YEARS OLD. SO FAR, I'VE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. *JS

NHTSA ID
10617009
Incident
May 2, 2013
Mileage
94,703 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 26, 2006

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT SLOWLY TO FLOOR. PUMPING BRAKES HELPED IN STOPPING FAILURE WAS IN ANTI-LOCK BRAKES CONTROL PART # 5C7Z-2C286-A. *JB

NHTSA ID
10176936
Incident
Dec 14, 2006
Mileage
74,800 mi
AirbagsBrakesFuel system
Filed Aug 26, 2005
Crash reported4 injuries reported

DT: ABS BRAKES, AIR BAGS, AND FUEL SYSTEM FAILED. AT 4700 MILES THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM. HAD IT A MECHANIC SHOP AND DISCOVERED IT WAS THE ABS. WHILE GOING 55 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN KEPT PUSHING THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED CAUSING A WRECK. KEPT TAKING VEHICLE TO FORD, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO, FUEL LINES SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED ON MARCH 15, 2002. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10130864
Incident
Mar 15, 2005
Mileage
45,000 mi
BrakesEngineInterior & seats
Filed Jun 22, 2005

THE CONSUMER STATED AT 27,000 MILES HIS 2001 FORD F250 DEVELOPED AN ENGINE VIBRATION. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THERE WAS A VIBRATION. THE DEALER MACHINED THE FRONT ROTORS AND REPLACED THE PADS THAT WERE CRACKED. THERE WAS A RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE EXHAUST SHIELDS WERE LOOSE, THE HOSE CLAMP ON THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE POWER DOOR LOCK WAS REPLACED. *JB *NM

NHTSA ID
10127938
Incident
Jun 1, 2005
Mileage
27,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 25, 2005

WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE ROTORS WERE FLAKY. THE ROTORS AND CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10108807
Incident
Jan 22, 2005
Mileage
8,300 mi
Brakes
Filed May 11, 2004

THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED. THE LINE WAS MADE OF RUBBER. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE DRIVER'S FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE DRIVER HAD TO DOWN SHIFT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10066999
Incident
Mar 12, 2004
Mileage
36,800 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 1, 2004

THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE, AND GAS PEDAL IS 1/2 INCH LOWER. WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER CAN HIT THE GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME. DEALER STATES NO MODIFICATION BECAUSE OF DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS. *AK THIS PROBLEM WOULD BECOME WORSE IN THE WINTER WHEN THE CONSUMER WEARS BOOTS. *SC

NHTSA ID
10062965
Incident
Mar 11, 2004
Brakes
Filed Dec 15, 2003

WHEN DRIVING IN SLUSH/SNOW OR WET ROAD CONDITIONS AND DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE EITHER HAD NO BRAKES OR THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE TRUCK SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10050545
Incident
Oct 20, 2003
Mileage
32,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 13, 2003

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED REAR BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE PISTON IN THE CALIPER EXPLODING AND BROKE INTO PIECES. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10019703
Mileage
50,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 30, 2003

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL WONT TURN. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID
10005995
Incident
Jul 1, 2001
Mileage
13,200 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Jul 9, 2002

VEHICLE IS HARD TO STEER WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO DEALER AND PROBLEM WAS REOCCURRING. *AK STEERING IS BECOMING DIFFICULT TO HANDLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. CONSUMER HAS TO CONTINUALLY BE AWARE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE STEERING WILL FAIL. ALSO THE FRONT ROTORS NEEDED RESURFACING AT 25335 MILES. THE RIGHT FRONT WAS BADLY WARPED AND WAS CAUSING A VIBRATION WHILE IN MOTION. IT WAS GRABBING AT STOPS OR WHEN SLOWING DOWN. *JG

NHTSA ID
8013546
Incident
May 8, 2002
Brakes
Filed Apr 12, 2002

WHILE BACKING OUT OF DEALER'S SERVICE GARAGE, BOLTS FOR HYDROBOOST UNIT BROKE OFF. *AK DEALER REPLACED HYDROBOOST UNIT AND ADDED FLUID. *TT

NHTSA ID
8007469
Incident
Apr 8, 2002
Brakes
Filed Mar 26, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND THE VECHILE STARTED TO BECOME UMCOMFORTABLE, THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. NLM

NHTSA ID
8006402
Incident
Dec 21, 2001
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 26, 2001

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AND SLOWING DOWN ENGINE WILL CONTINUE TO SURGE AND ACCELERATE. THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSING AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE AND TROUBLE MAINTAINING CONTROL OF TRUCK. COULD NOT DETERMINE A CAUSE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID
898279
Incident
Apr 1, 2001
Brakes
Filed Oct 18, 2001

THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN APPLYING BRAKES WHICH CAUSES STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THIS OCCURS AT A LOW SPEED AS WELL AS AT A COMPLETE STOP. DEALER STATES THAT A "HIGHER STEERING EFFORT W/SITTING STILL W/BRAKES APPLIED" IS NORMAL. WHEN ASK TO TRY IT FOR HIMSELF, HE REFUSED. LEADING ME TO BELIEVE IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEM TO USE THE "HIGHER STEERING EFFORT" THEORY. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL OR STEER WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT A LOW SPEED OR AT A STOP!!!

NHTSA ID
753359
Incident
Oct 11, 2001
BrakesTransmission
Filed Oct 16, 2001

AUTOMATIC FAILS TO SHIFT INTO LOWER GEARS FOR ENGINE BRAKING. WHEN DECENDING A STEEP GRADE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILS TO APPLY. THIS HAS THE SAME EFFECT OF PUTTING THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL WHEN GOING DOWN HILL. WHEN DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN THAT IT REQUIRES THE BRAKES TO DO THE WORK OF SLOWING THE TRUCK. IF THE BRAKES OVERHEAT THEN THE TRUCK WILL "RUN AWAY". *AK

NHTSA ID
753301
Incident
Feb 6, 2001
Brakes
Filed Jun 21, 2001

I HAVE HAD THREE INCEDENTS IN WHICH I HAD TO USE HEAVY BRAKING TO TO AVOID AN SOMETHING. ALL OF THESE INCEDENTS WHERE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH. IN THE FIRST INCEDENT I HAD TO MAKE A HEAVY EMERGENCY APPLICATION ON THE BRAKES. WHEN I DID THIS THE TRUCK PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF MY TRUCK. IT APPEARED THAT I DID NOT HAVE ANY CONTROL OF THE STEERING OF THIS VEHICLE. SINCE THEN I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO DUPLICAT THIS SITUATION. IT DOES NOT ALLWAYS DO IT TO AS A SEVERE DEGREE. BUT I HAVE GOT IT TO VIOLENTLY PULL THE TRUCK TO THE LEFT ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS. I AM A ABOVE AVERAGE DRIVER BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN A DEPUTY SHERIFF FOR ABOUT 16 YEARS AND HAVE HAD ALOT OF EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING IN DRIVING IN EXTREME CONDITIONS. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THIS TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER OR ROTATED THE TIRES BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE NHTSA WANTS TO DRIVE ONE OF THESE TRUCKS BEFORE ANY WORK IS DONE ON THEM. I WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO LET YOU DRIVE THIS VEHICLE . PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT YOUR INTENTIONS ARE. *AK

NHTSA ID
747221
Incident
Apr 1, 2001
Brakes
Filed Jun 4, 2001

THE CLUTCH HOSE HYDRAULIC LINE THE RUNS FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER MELTED ACROSS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.

NHTSA ID
9002363
Incident
Mar 31, 2001
Brakes
Filed Mar 22, 2001

WHEN PRESSING ON BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER FOOT HIT GAS PEDAL BECAUSE THE TWO ARE SO CLOSE TOGETHER. WHEN THIS HAPPENS VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP IT SURGES FORWARD. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS DANGEROUS.*AK

NHTSA ID
883801
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Brakes
Filed Dec 18, 2000

BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. CONSUMER IS APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL AND WILL APPLY GAS PEDAL AT SAME TIME.*AK

NHTSA ID
876681
Incident
Nov 1, 2000

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 .