RoadVitals

1996 Ford F-350 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.
29
Latest Aug 4, 2007
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.
22%
of 130 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.
4
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 1996 Ford F-350 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 29 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 29, in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Aug 4, 2007

1/07 SQUEAK IN FRONT LEFT WHEEL, TOOK TO SEARS AS BRAKES/BEARINGS UNDER WARRANTY. ENDED UP W/ COMPLETE BRAKE JOB FRONT & REAR. PICKED UP VEHICLE, POOR PEDAL PRESSURE, NO E-BRAKE. TOOK BACK TO SEARS THEY ADJUSTED. IN APRIL HAD REAR BRAKES FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE WHILE PULLING HORSE TRAILER. ONLY FRONT BRAKES ENGAGED. TOOK BACK COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. TOOK TO ANOTHER SHOP THEY FOUND ONLY PADS REPLACED ON RT REAR NOT ON LEFT. THEY DID COMPLETE BRAKE JOB ON REAR (NEW DRUMS AND PADS) TOOK IN 2 WEEKS LATER STILL NOT CORRECT AND HAD VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. ENDED UP WITH RE-SURFACE OF FRONT ROTORS AND NEW PADS. 7/29/07 PULLING HORSE TRAILER REAR ENDED VEHICLE ON 19TH AVE IN SF DUE TO REAR BRAKES NOT ENGAGING AT ALL. ONLY FRONTS ENGAGED. REAR BRAKES NOT WORKING AT ALL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10198472
Incident
Jul 29, 2007
Mileage
174,400 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 7, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE FLUID CAUSED CORROSION ON THE BRAKE FITTINGS. ON AUGUST 7, 2003 THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING UP HILL. THE FORD DEALER REPLACED THE TUBING AND FITTINGS. ON MAY 24, 2004 THE REAR BRAKES FAILED WHILE HE IN A PARKING LOT. AGAIN THE FORD DEALER REPLACED THE TUBING AND FITTINGS. ON NOVEMBER 1, 2005 THE MASTER CYLINDER EXPERIENCED CORROSION AT THE BRAKE FITTINGS, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID POURING OUT OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. ANOTHER DEALERSHIP DRAINED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPLACED THE LINE. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2004 - *NM

NHTSA ID
10141997
Incident
Aug 7, 2003
Mileage
91,773 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 22, 2003
Crash reported

STEPPED ON BRAKE TO RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING ME TO HIT A POST. ON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THE BRAKE LINE TO THE REAR WHEELS ROTTED IN THE MIDDLE. ALL OTHER LINES IN THE AREA ARE LIKE NEW. I HAVE OWNED MUCH OLDER VEHICLES WITHOUT HAVING BRAKE LINE PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THE MATERIAL IN THESE LINES ARE QUITE INFERIOR AND DANGEROUS FOR A VEHICLE. I HAD JUST BEEN TOWING MY FIFTH-WHEEL TRAILER THE DAY BEFORE. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10023563
Incident
Jun 22, 2003
Mileage
76,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 2, 2002

DROVE THIS TRUCK OVER 1000 MILES THIS TRIP AND PARKED IT FOR 2 WEEKS. THEN TO TRAVEL A SHORT DISTANCE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR FIRST TIME TO APPLY BRAKES.FOUND BRAKE FLUID RUNNING OFF FRAME, AND HAD MECHANIC INSPECT FOR PROBLEM.FOUND BRAKE LINE THAT GOES TO THE REAR BRAKES WAS ROTTED THE FULL LENGTH FRONT TO REAR. ALL OTHER LINES(FUEL,ETC) IN THE SAME AREA WERE IN GOOD CONDITION.NEW LINE WAS INSTALLED.. *AK

NHTSA ID
762570
Incident
Feb 2, 2002
Brakes
Filed Apr 23, 2001
Crash reported

ON A RAINY DAY, REAR BRAKE LINING GRABBED ACTUATING THE ABS SYSTEM. AS I HAVE FOUND, THIS PROBLEM IS DISCUSSED IN FORD TSB 9805A24A. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL AS ADDITIONAL PRESSURE WAS NEEDED TO STOP. DESCRIBED AS "NORMAL" IN SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE 03731. (A NICE WAY TO DESCRIBE A PROBLEM THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO FIX.) THE ABS BRAKES STOPPED PUMPING. THE SYSTEM THEN APPEARED AS THOUGH NO BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE TRUCK WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN. EITHER THE BACK BRAKES AND POSSIBLY THE FRONT WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL, OR ALL 4 WHEEL WERE LOCKED UP AND THE TRUCK WAS SLIDING. (TIRES WERE ALL IN GOOD CONDITION.) I WAS FORCED TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO A DITCH IN ORDER TO AVOID THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. LATER TESTING ON A WET SURFACE REVEALED THAT I WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF TO PUMP THE BRAKES, SOMETHING THAT MANUFACTURERS OF ABS SYSTEMS ADVISE YOU NOT TO DO. AS I UNDERSTAND FROM READING INFORMATION BY OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, THE VACUUM SUPPLY ON THE SYSTEM IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO HANDLE REPEATED OPERATION BY THE ABS SYSTEM. I STILL AM NOT SURE WHAT THE CONDITION OF THE WHEELS WERE AT THE POINT WHEN I HAD TO LEAVE THE ROAD, WHETHER THE FRONT WERE ROLLING, OR LOCKED AND WHETHER THE BACK WERE ROLLING OR LOCKED. *AK

NHTSA ID
744416
Incident
Mar 20, 2001
BrakesTransmission
Filed Sep 4, 2000

NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235-85R16 )

NHTSA ID
730112
Incident
Mar 10, 1998
Brakes
Filed May 4, 2000

ON TWO OCCASIONS REAR BRAKE SHOES HAVE EXPANDED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, AND STAYED IN CONTACT WITH THE BRAKE DRUMS, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR AND BRAKE FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID
861397
Brakes
Filed Nov 18, 1999

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS CRACKED. FORD REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BRAKE ROTORS. *AKL

NHTSA ID
849807
Incident
Aug 25, 1998
Brakes
Filed Aug 8, 1999

MY BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE BRAKE LIGHT IN THE CENTER OF MY CAB STILL WORKS. I CHECKED ALL MY FUSES AND FOUND THAT THEY WERE OK. I THEN FOUND OUT FROM THE DEALER, AT COUNTRY FORD IN SOUTHAVEN, MS THAT IT WAS A FAULTY TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT IT WAS TO REPLACE IT. $400.00. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT TO BE BAD LUCK. AFTER TALKING WITH OTHERS, IT WAS FOUND TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. ALSO, UNDER THE HOOD A RADIATOR HOSE GOES OVER THE ALTENATOR AND IS HELD IN PLACE BY A CLAMP. PROLEM IS THE HOSE WERES THE PROTECTIVE COVERING OFF THREE WIRES THAT ARE UNDER THE HOSE. NO RECALL! CAN YOU HELP. $400 IS ALOT OF MONEY TO ME. THANKS

NHTSA ID
709749
Incident
Aug 5, 1999
Brakes
Filed May 11, 1999

POWER BRAKE VACUUM PUMP FAILED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
837773
Incident
May 11, 1999
Brakes
Filed Feb 26, 1999

BRAKES WILL EITHER GRAB HARD OR WILL NOT STOP, AND CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO DOWNSHIFT.DEALER HAS REPLACED CALIPERS/ROTORS AND DRUMS ,AND STILL CANNOT DETERMINE DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ID
835323
Brakes
Filed Jan 12, 1999

BRAKE ROTORS CRACKED.

NHTSA ID
543340
Incident
Oct 10, 1998
Brakes
Filed Oct 7, 1998

ROTORS ARE CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHAKE AND BECOME UNSAFE. HAS SPENT OVER $100.00 BECAUSE OF BAD MATERIAL ON BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ID
824715
Incident
Jun 1, 1998
Brakes
Filed Sep 19, 1998

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
780459
Incident
Jul 10, 1997
Brakes
Filed Aug 19, 1998

ABS BRAKES MAKE NOISE AND FEEL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING.

NHTSA ID
541155
Incident
Aug 3, 1998
Brakes
Filed Jun 30, 1998

THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTORS CRACKED IN HALF TO THE HUB IN WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
824818
Incident
Jun 3, 1998
Brakes
Filed May 22, 1998

REAR BRAKE GATE AND GRAB AT LOW SPEED.

NHTSA ID
536074
Brakes
Filed May 4, 1998

VEHICLE HAS ABS BRAKES. ON WET TYPE PAVEMENT VEHICLE FAILS TO STOP WHEN ABS BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DEALERS HAVE NOT CORRECTED PROBLEM. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *AK

NHTSA ID
823026
Brakes
Filed Oct 27, 1997

EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE LINKAGE FAILED.

NHTSA ID
604453
Brakes
Filed Jan 28, 1997

MOTORHOME ELDORADO 29 1/2 FT. 12000 GVW, ABS FAILURE: PEDAL GOES TO WITHIN AN INCH OF FLOOR, CAN'T PUMP BRAKE, BRAKE ACTION SEEMS INADEQUATE IN STOPPING ON DRY PAVEMENT OR GRAVEL, ONLY REAR WHEELS STOP VEHICLE, NOT ENOUGH BRAKE PRESSURE DURING PANIC STOP. *AK

NHTSA ID
808287
Brakes
Filed Nov 19, 1996

POOR ABS BRAKE PERFORMANCE, THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES. THE WHEELS LOCK UP AND EXTENDED STOPPING IS EXPERIENCED. *AK

NHTSA ID
804449
Incident
Feb 15, 1996
Brakes
Filed Nov 5, 1996

THE LEFT REAR WHEEL LOCKS UP IN A NORMAL BRAKING SITUATION. THE DEALER HAS WORKED ON THIS (7) TIMES. THE SYSTEM HAS ABS. *AK

NHTSA ID
803573
Incident
Jan 4, 1996
Brakes
Filed Nov 4, 1996
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING, GOING DOWN GRADE, TOWING A TRAILER, DRIVER'S FRONT BRAKES CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO BRAKE CALIPER PISTON FAILURE, EXPERIENCED SPONGEY, TRAVEL TO FLOOR AND NO BRAKES, HIT ELK, DLR CAN'T CORRECT. *AK

NHTSA ID
804546
Brakes
Filed Oct 8, 1996

ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING LEFT REAR BRAKE TO LOCK UP.

NHTSA ID
509622
Incident
May 1, 1996
Brakes
Filed Sep 17, 1996

WARPING OF REAR BRAKE DRUMS, APPEAR TO BE OUT OF ROUND.*AK

NHTSA ID
802485
Incident
Jun 16, 1996

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 .