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 2005 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal traveled to the floor. The driver immediately turned the steering to avoid hitting several kids that were crossing the street. During the failure, the brake warning light illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the part to replace the ABS module was no longer produced by the manufacturer and was therefore unavailable for a repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 174,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a stop sign, he had to pump the brake pedal to fully stop the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
My brake booster or vacuum line has went out during driving and I almost lost control with my family. I see theres recalls on my make model and year. So I wanted to check and see because it was scary I had to leave my truck and get it towed some how back still also.
Fuse 14 controlling ABS module, dtr sensor, reverse lights, pcv heater, air conditioner compressor, cruise control deactivator switch and daytime headlights was repeatedly blowing. Truck was serviced by dealer on 3-23-16, replacing the A/C compressor. Replacing the A/C compressor did not resolve any issues. The truck was returned to the dealer on 4-6-16 for the same issue with the same fuse. The dealership replaced the fuse and performed diagnostic tests on the truck, then informing me that they could not diagnose or locate the short. The dealership informed me that I would have to drive the truck until the fuse started blowing more frequently. The first time the truck was driven after work was performed the cruise control was not functioning properly. The truck engine would surge as the truck went down the road with the cruise control on. …
The vehicle has a removable rubber cover on the brake pedal which can come off during braking causing one's foot to come off the pedal. This is what happened causing me to hit the car in front of me as I was coming to a stop.
I was in an accident due to brake failure. I was traveling at approximately 25 MPH and approaching a stop light in moderate traffic. I had 80 ft to the vehicle in front of me and when I depressed my brake pedal it went 3/4 of the way to the floor and was vibrating as anti lock was engaged. I rapidly depressed the pedal again and the same occurred. On the third attempt the brakes finally engaged but was to late to stop the vehicle as I was only 2 feet from the car in front of me resulting in a crash. My speed was reduced to 8-10mph upon impact. The smaller car in front of me was knocked into a third car stopped at the light. Damage occurred to the truck and the smaller car and very minor damage to the 3rd vehicle. The weather was sunny and the streets were completely dry. I could not get my vehicle stopped even with no load other than my passenger who is a witness to the incident. …
Tl contact owns a 2005 Ford f150. While slowing down to a complete stop, the vehicle rapidly accelerated. The contact depressed the brake pedal again to make sure that she depressed the correct pedal, and the vehicle jerked, continued to accelerate, and the engine revved. The vehicle only stopped when the passenger placed the gear into park. The contact struck the preceding vehicle and the bumper sustained minor damages. The contacts vehicle was towed to the dealer because she was afraid to drive it again. A police report was filed. She filed complaint number 0405860938 with Ford. She was informed that it would be at least two weeks before she would hear from their legal department. There is currently an open investigation number pe08001 (service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum. Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the driver started the vehicle and heard a popping noise. There was smoke seen rising from under the hood. The contact appeared on the scene to examine the vehicle and noticed that the power assist feature on the brakes was no longer functioning. The vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that various hoses for the braking system failed. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 08V208000 (service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The manufacturer would not honor the recall a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 95,173.
Dt*: the contact stated after attempting to apply sudden brake pressure, the vehicle struck another vehicle in the rear resulting in minor damage. The brakes stopped the vehicle, however not before the point of impact. No injuries were sustained and the police were not notified. Afterwards, the contact discovered the brake pedal was too close to the accelerator pedal. It was suspected that due to the design this could be unsafe, although the placement of the accelerator pedal was not a factor in the accident. The dealer was notified. A manufacturer representative inspected the vehicle. It was determined the placement of the accelerator and brake pedal met federal motor vehicle safety standards and no corrections were made.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Ford f-150. While driving 50 MPH, the rear calipers froze. The wheels began smoking and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. They stated that there was a malfunction with the calipers. The dealer also discovered that an axle seal was leaking, which saturated the brake fuse for the emergency brake. The dealer replaced the seal and calipers and turned down all four rotors on the vehicle, but did not replace the brake pads. The failure recurred and the dealer replaced the rear calipers, rear rotors, and brake pads. The contact wanted to charge him for the brake pads (parts, not labor). The current mileage was 29,250 and failure mileage was 12,500. Updated 4/2/08 updated 04/02/08
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Ford is recalling 605,684 my 2005-2006 f-150 and Lincoln mark lt vehicles equipped with 5.4l 3-valve engines. The brake booster vacuum supply hose attached to the intake manifold fitting May swell over time and lose retention force.
Remedy: Dealers will replace a rubber hose on the brake booster vacuum supply tube assembly. The recall began on June 27, 2008. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of brake power-assist
By letter dated May 5, 2008, Ford motor company (Ford) notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 08v-208) to address a manufacturing defect in approximately 605,684 model year (my) 2005 and 2006 Ford f-150 and Lincoln mark lt vehicles originally equipped with the 5.4l displacement, 3-valve per cylinder, v-8 engine.the recalled vehicles were built from July 18, 2004 through May 31,…
Brake complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 120 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Ford F-150, 11% of the model year's 1,112 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › master cylinder (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford F-150 brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-208 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, May 7, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford F-150 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 3 fires and 5 injuries 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.