Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 3% | 90,000 miles |
| 2012 | 10 | 4% | 32,000 miles |
| 2011 | 7 | 3% | 65,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2008 | 19 | 10% | 42,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% | 54,000 miles |
| 2006 | 9 | 4% | 63,000 miles |
| 2005 | 11 | 8% | 36,000 miles |
| 2004 | 10 | 6% | 100,000 miles |
| 2003 | 15 | 13% | 135,000 miles |
| 2002 | 19 | 12% | 85,000 miles |
| 2001 | 26 | 12% | 75,000 miles |
| 2000 | 38 | 12% | 81,000 miles |
| 1999 | 108 | 19% | 76,000 miles |
| 1998 | 11 | 20% | 9,000 miles |
| 1997 | 31 | 10% | 110,000 miles |
| 1996 | 15 | 9% | 141,000 miles |
| 1995 | 41 | 22% | 148,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford f-250. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle's front end wobbled uncontrollably. The contact stated it felt as if he were losing control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wheels and rotors were the cause of the wobble and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle lost components that needed to be tightened. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer again, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. ... Updated 08/23/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford f-250. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the ABS, reduced power mode, and check engine indicators illuminated independently. The contact called three different dealers, including wendle Ford at [phone] (located at 9000 n division st, spokane, wa 99218) and was informed to bring the vehicle to their facility. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford f-250. The contact stated that while driving, he had to slam on the brakes to avoid crashing into a vehicle that had turned in front of him. The brake pedal went soft while pressed down. The vehicle was taken to ron tirapelli Ford (4355 w. Jefferson st, shorewood, il 60404, [phone]). The dealer checked the brakes and recommended that the brake pads be changed and the brake lines be bled to remove air in the system. The contact picked up the vehicle and tested the brake pedal and the brake pedal went down to the floorboard. The contact had the manager step on the brake pedal and it went down to the floor. The dealer made an appointment the next day and provided complete service check. The failure recurred again while driving 45 MPH. The contact took the vehicle back to the same however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. …
On March 27,2021. I was returning from a shopping trip. I pulled into my drive way parked, turned off the truck. Opened door and immediately smelled hot brakes. I turned looked to rear of vehicle noticed smoke rising from driver and passenger side. I immediately grabbed garden hose a sprayed down the brakes rear and front, water turned to steam instantly. As to when the brakes locked up I cannot pin point, but going to say when I turned to my street which is just under 3/4 mile from house. Once I was sure vehicle was safe I called service department to make an appointment to initiate repairs. Repairs complete April 6, 2021. I did not receive any real answer as to the cause.
I can not get this soft break to go away! It never had a solid break but I bought it used and figured it needed a break job. I had calipers to start locking up one after the other within a couple days of each other, so I replace them all. Then the new ones started getting hot. So I replace all the break lines and master cylinder. After all that I still have a very soft break, almost as if there is air in the lines. I know air can't be the issue because the break system was bleed using a machine. Now after doing research online I have come across a lot of people talking about this exact issue. This needs to get fixed, there is no way to tell when you are actually having break issue come up because they feel spongy when they are working at there best.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford f-250. While driving over 60 MPH, the vehicle shook and the steering wheel locked. While the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle shook uncontrollably. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (koons silver spring Ford, 3111 automobile blvd, silver spring, md 20904 [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the ball joint, brake pads, and stabilizer bar needed to be replaced. Also, fluid was leaking on the shocks and the strut needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failures recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 58,100.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and making a left turn, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond and went to the floorboard. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stood on the brake pedal and the vehicle stopped. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot at a low speed. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the brake pedal responded as needed while driving to his residence. Upon investigating the failure, the contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.
I was on the interstate and attempting to get off at an exit when I touched the brakes they grabbed hard, the ABS light came on, the ABS whine started but I did not have my foot on the brakes. This caused steering to be almost impossible and there where significant downgrades on both sides of the road. While using force to turn the sterring wheel to the right to keep from goin over the embankment thye brakes released which cause me to almost go over the embanckment on the right. The brakes keep grabbing and releasing until I was able to pull off the roadway. The vehicle was towed to t he dealership and I am waiting to hear from them. This could have caused serious injury or death had the truck gone over the embankment on either side. I'm used to driving and stay pretty alert but there are those that this would have made them freeze up and it would have ended in tragedy!
Related recalls (2)
Parking brake › Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and cable
On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions, failure of the front parking brake cable input button could result in failure of the parking brake system to hold the vehicle stationary.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front parking brake cable and the controller and verify the performance of the parking brake system. Owner notification began April 5, 2002.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
The retainer clip that holds the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal arm is missing.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect to verify that the retainer clips are installed and if clips are missing will install clips.
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-250 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (108), 1995 (41), 2000 (38), 1997 (31) and 2001 (26) model years. Brake complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Ford F-250 brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 02V-068 (linkage and cable, Mar 11, 2002); 96V-184 (master cylinder, Sep 25, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford F-250 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles; 42% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (108 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (43).
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.