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-350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On 7/2/24, I went to Robinson Brothers Ford in Baton Rouge, LA to address an unrepaired Recall item on a 1994 F350. The service advisor refused to perform the recall work. They stated that the vehicle was too old. This recall is concerning an issue with a switch that can leak break fluid and cause an engine fire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford f-350. The contact stated that the independent facility and the seller of the vehicle made no mention of a failure with the front brakes and the rear brakes, which were warped before the vehicle was sold. In addition, the engine cooling fan had holes. The vehicle was not inspected nor diagnosed by a dealer. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that the engine cooling fan, and front and rear brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.
Lost steering and brakes towing a trailer on an off ramp. High way 80 in wamsutter wy. Sudden loss of steering and brakes at the same time seems to be unsafe to me. To happen on a high way off ramp towing a trailer makes it even worse.
On 1/28/2000, the operator of this vehicle parked it outside a business and put the truck in low gear, applied the emergency brake, turned the ignition off and exited and locked the vehicle. It was parked on a small downward slope and the vehicle began to roll and crossed 2 lanes of traffic, made a sharp left hand turned, looped around and ran through a wall of a business. The owner of this business was present and witnessed the incident and when our driver came out of the building he was in, the property owner and our driver and another witness walked to the truck and watched while our driver unlocked the vehicle at which time it began to roll backwards. Four people witnessed that the truck was turned off and also witnessed the truck being unlocked by our operator and verified the truck was in low gear and that the emergency brake was applied. …
Although I have only listed this as 1 instance of failure simply because this poorly designed (dangerous) solution finally cost me getting into an accident. This ABS problem has caused me to loose sleep at night since owning this vehicle because of the various times it has failed me! It shouldn't take an einstein to figure out there's something wrong with a brake system that fails when you really need it to work! Not only does it fail the brakes, but since the power steering is used to (hydroboost) power the brake system, when the ABS unit dumps the fluid to release the brake pressure, you also loose steering ability! I don't know how many people have been killed by this inadequate design. I guess I should count myself lucky that I'm even able to write this, but this system is plainly inadequate and flawed at the design layer. …
While driving on highway and slowing down to make a turn, vehicle started making loud noises. Also, steering got hard to turn, and had no brakes. Pulled over and shut vehicle off. Started it back up and everything was fine. Another time wife had the vehicle, went to stop at a red light, and vehicle went straight through the intersection into the ditch. Had no power brakes or steering. Contacted dealer.
Vehicle was sitting in traffic and another vehicle was in front, and consumer pulled off on the right shoulder of the road, and the other vehicle tried to make a u-turn, and hit consumer's vehicle broadside. Front end was smashed, and driver side airbag didn't go off . Also, ABS brakes didn't kick in at all.
While driving 5-70 MPH consumer lost power steering/braking. Consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. Deaalership repaired the power steering and brake components, but the consumer was still having the same problems.
While driving 45 MPH consumer applied the brake pedal and the brakes failed, causing consumer's vehicle to collide with the vehicle in front. Driver sustained minor injuries, and vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection.
Dates are not correct as I do not have information in front. Major brake issues, transmission shifting issues and turbo is now leaking oil again. Lots of intermittent issues that no one can duplicate. Unsure what to do.
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-350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2000 Ford F-350?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the brakes of the 2000 Ford F-350, 14% of the model year's 304 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford F-350 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2000 Ford F-350, 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 2000 Ford F-350 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 0 fires and 4 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.