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 2000 Ford F-250 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2000 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while standing next to the vehicle a burning odor was present coming from under the hood. Upon inspection of the vehicle, it was discovered that several wiring harnesses were saturated with leaking brake fluid. The contact was concerned that the saturated wiring harnessed had caused electrical failures within the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 240,000.
While I was on a highway driving at 65 MPH my steering and brakes went out at the same time. I happened to be 200 yards behind the traffic in front of me and I was able to stop the vehicle before impact. A hydraulic hose failed and rendered the steering and brakes almost completely useless. The steering was extremely difficult to control but I managed. The brakes were almost completely gone but I managed to slow the truck down to a safe stop off the highway. When I had the truck towed to my diesel mechanic I was told by the owner that Ford engineered the hydraulic system to control the steering and brakes. I will never buy another Ford with that kind of ridiculous engineering. I had three hoses replaced at a total cost of $451.54. One factory hose was $172.53, another $100.68 and the third was $24.04. The safety issue here is unreal. …
When brake pedal was applied, brakes grabbed and released. Vehicle kept rolling, brake pedal pulsed and the vheicle did not stop and struck another vehicle in the rear. Dealer has been contacted.
We first had the front brakes pull right we had the truck in 2-3 times for that problem they finally fixed it. But now the brakes pull left. They do not know how to fix the problem. The engine/electrial problem. All of the sudden everything electical quits working. I didn't know how to classify this problem. They replace a module and it still happens. We are awaiting for them to fix again. On the tires one blew out in the middle of the night on a very dark road 1 mile from the house my husbad drove it home took it in the next day and the refused to fix because he drove on it. Approx a month later we were on a road driving only approx 45 MPH. My husband felt something when we were at a light,we pulled in to a store just passed the light got out and the back right tire had blown. …
Brakes first was having problems at approx 15,000 miles the rotors had went out. Fallon Ford supposely turned the rotors and put new pads on. At approx. 28,000 miles lithia turned the rotors and put new pads on, stating that fallon never did that, then later on the brakes still acting up pulling right. Lithia put on a new master cylinder, lithia also had the alighment problem so they had shimms put in. Lithia relplaced the electronic cluster twice. When taken in a gain for chattering lithia said there was nothing wrong with the brakes, they also said because it was out of warranty they would not work on it with out being paid. Jones west Ford reviewed all of the paper work and seeing that it met the lemon law they refused to work on it. Letter was written to the ceo of Ford, who said they could not do anything because the trunk is used for business. …
When brakes are applied with force, truck will not steer. This is a major concern and all 1999, 2000, 2001 250 and 350 trucks have same problem. Dealer has been contacted. Ford tech notes state (11/13/00: "...this is a normal condition and Ford isn't going to reengineer the vehicle to solve it. The condition comes from a new wider stance, tie rod angle and the fact that there is more weight in the front end than on the 97 old body style vehicle. The truck cannot be reengineered to solve the customers design issue unless the entire platform is redesigned. Ford is not going to incorporate a design change at this time and has not plans on the drawing board that the the hotline knows about." there will be fatalities because of this brake/steering problem! .
Vehicle fails to stop properly when brakes are applied. Would shake and vibrate badly. Took vehicle to dealership, mechanic noticed rotors were warped, which caused the braking problem. Had them replaced after 10,000 miles. Engine stalls and oil leaks from the turbo into the inter cooler. Transmission does not shift. Tires began to bulge out, consumer did not specify kind of tires. Electric window motor failed. Seals are out on the front axles and they were just replaced two months ago. Air filter system is inadaquet for this size of engine and has to be replaced every 2 to 3 thousand miles.
When braking hard and trying to turn/steer as in accident prevention and evasive maneuvering, the steering will lock momentarily. It is a hard situation to duplicate since it is a reactionary action and is adrenaline powered, but it can be simulated with the engine on and the vehicle in park. ?dealer insists this is a normal condition and there is nothing to fix!!! This has occured twice within the month of May and both incidents resulted in near collisions.
Vehicle was taken to dealership on 11 different occasions due to brake failure. Brakes were weak and would not work when vehicle would hit a bump or run at a fast pace. Dealer had unhooked the anti-lock brakes system, and the brakes are now working fine. Dealer had advised consumer that this defect was a problem to super duty trucks . Manufacturer is aware, and has no remedy, but to disconnect the antilock brake system.
The metal brake line from the master cylinder up to the front wheels has a hole, which was worn into from rubbing against the moving steering wheel shaft. Causing a loss of braking fluid. Consumer states that this line should have been secured to the firewall, to prevent situations like this from occuring. Also the brake line was replaced by the dealer under warranty.
NHTSA investigations
Parking brake failure
On May 11, 1998, Ford motor company filed a defect information report concerning parking brake failure on certain 1999 f-350 super duty vehicles built at the kentucky truck plant from January 26, 1998 through April 24, 1998; recall 98v-101.the reduction in parking brake effectiveness May occur on some of these vehicles, and is caused by the rust preventative coating the surface of the parking brake lining material…
Brake complaints in other F-250 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2000 Ford F-250?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the brakes of the 2000 Ford F-250, 12% of the model year's 326 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford F-250 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2000 Ford F-250, though it has 5 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 2000 Ford F-250 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 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.