Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-150. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floor when it was depressed and failed to stop the vehicle. The contact coasted to the side of the road and stopped the vehicle. The contact discovered that there was fluid leaking from underneath the front of the vehicle. The contact also noticed that the end of a flexible hose had excessive rust and was fractured where it was connected to the brake caliper. The contact was able to slowly drive the vehicle to his residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
Driving down highway and exiting onto my exit, the truck started to run rough and eventually shut off. I had to wait about 1hour for the truck to cool off before it would start again. While waiting for the truck to cool off, I changed the fuel filter. Today, 6/3/15, I can start the truck up and let it run for about a half an hour and shut it off and it will not start back. I wait another half an hour and it will start right up. I can't effort to take it to the shop and pay $50 to $100 for them not to be able to tell me what is wrong or how to fix it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-150. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and it traveled to the floorboard. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact also stated that the failure occurred every day for approximately a week. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic. The approximate failure mileage was 178,157.
2003 Ford f150 parked in driveway with no keys in truck. Heard loud pop noise from parking brake. Truck rolled back across street and into a house. Body shop was suppose to have sent to service dept. To ck out but didn't. Service dept has no record of getting truck from body shop. We traded truck in after repairs. We didn't trust it and no one could give us an answer. Ins. Had to pay for house and our truck damages.
Brake pedal became spongy at first but then went clear to the floor when attempting to stop. The vehicle stops but with very long reaction time. The master cylinder was replaced with a new unit...but the problem persisted. ABS unit was then replaced with salvage unit...problem still persists.
Anti-lock brake failure - failure of electronic hydraulic control unit while braking a few weeks ago I was driving on a highway at about 65-70 MPH when a car on the side of the road started to pull onto the highway. I was only about 200 feet away from the car so I slammed on my brakes - it seemed like the car was going to stop pulling out so I let go of the brakes for a second but then the other drive did pull right in front of me and I slammed on the brakes again. The second time the ABS light came on, the rear wheels locked up and the car began to fishtail. Only because there wasn't any oncoming traffic was a collision avoided. The light never turned off, and the brakes behave erratically. …
The brake line from cab area to rear wheel on my 2003 Ford f150 corroded and emptied the master cyclinder of brake fluid. It is significant to note that no other brakelines or connections showed simiilar corrosion- more like you would expect on a 7 year old vehicle. It is my opinion that the corrosion is a materials problem and May be a reoccurring problem in other vehicle of this type. I also noted excessive scaling of the front wheel hubs and stearing arms of the same vehicle. This I believe is the result of inferior parts- I have never seen this level of deterioation of vehicle components like this. Whether this is a safety problem or not I don't know. Please accept this information as a couple of data points on this vehicle. I just felt it was necessary to advise NHTSA of the situation.
Without warning, the brake pedal went to the floor while towing a 6000lb trailer. Stopped for dinner - all felt normal. Upon finishing dinner and returning to my truck, I put my foot on the brake and shifted from park to drive when suddenly the brake pedal went to the floor. I tried several more times and each time the brake pedal went to the floor. Inspection of the vehicle showed that the brake line leading to the rear brakes had rotted through from the outside. This vehicle is meticulously maintained and has never been used near salt water, or to launch boats. My mechanic has advised me that rotting brake lines is a common problem. With that knowledge, I am dismayed and disappointed to find out that Ford does not offer any type of replacement lines.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-150. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal abnormally into the floorboard. The contact continued to apply pressure to the brake pedal and was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics. The mechanic stated that the ABS hydraulic control unit would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 7/12/12 the informed the consumer, the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The consumer then went to get a second opinion, and the mechanic informed him, hydraulic control unit needed to be replaced.
On Ford harley davidson edition f-150 pickups, the brake pedal is stainless steel with rubber strips for traction. While they are very nice looking, they have a serious design flaw. These strips tear off very easily and quickly leaving a polished, stainless steel brake pedal. This is very slippery, especially when the least bit wet. It presents a serious safety hazard - foot sliding off while stopping, while sitting at a traffic light, etc. My truck had the problem at 2100 miles, replaced the pedals at 5000 miles and the new pedals were tearing again with a week. I am a member of the harley truck club (www.nhtoc.com) and the problem is widespread.
Brake complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Ford F-150, 7% of the model year's 423 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford F-150 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2003 Ford F-150, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford F-150 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles, and 42% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.