Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 4 | 4% | 15,000 miles |
| 2012 | 8 | 5% | 90,000 miles |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% | 30,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 7% | 180,000 miles |
| 2008 | 13 | 10% | 53,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 6% | 70,000 miles |
| 2006 | 8 | 6% | 65,000 miles |
| 2005 | 7 | 6% | 30,000 miles |
| 2004 | 10 | 6% | 25,000 miles |
| 2003 | 8 | 9% | 41,000 miles |
| 2002 | 11 | 9% | 64,000 miles |
| 2001 | 25 | 16% | 30,000 miles |
| 2000 | 42 | 14% | 63,000 miles |
| 1999 | 78 | 19% | 120,000 miles |
| 1998 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 1997 | 32 | 21% | 97,000 miles |
| 1996 | 28 | 22% | 92,000 miles |
| 1995 | 41 | 31% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I have experienced an extremely violent vibration/wobbling of the vehicle at freeway speeds on several occasions. During these times, it is very difficult to control breaking, steering the vehicle, making it nearly impossible. I felt very unsafe not only for myself, but also other vehicles around me as I was driving a heavy-duty vehicle on the freeway at a high speed with essentially no control. Although I was shaken up, I was able to regain control of the vehicle and continue on my way. There have been no reports or inspections at this time. Prior to this happening, there were no warnings or messages. This happens twice in 2 days while driving on a long trip. Both times this occurred while driving at 65-70 mph and driving over a small bump in road.
Had a loaded trailer of about 10,000 lbs had truck in four wheel drive, had both feet on brake. Truck was stopped on a decline. Shifted truck to reverse and the brakes failed. The trailer brakes also went out. Truck went over a hill pushed by the weight of the trailer. I believe this has happened 2 other times but one time I thought it was ice and the other it was new and I thought it was my error. Ford refuses to acknowledge the defect unless they can duplicate it.
Truck hit bump (small curb) with driver's side front wheel and simultaneously started accelerating and had total brake loss. This happened while driving towards a gas bump in a filling station. Vehicle accelerated from about 10 MPH to probably over 30 MPH until it hit a stationary truck.
4 months ago I was traveling at 50 MPH. While driving my Ford f350 superduty at that speed the truck had an extremely bad and violent shake in the steering wheel. During this time I had no steering control, braking was at a very minimal, and pulled the truck into oncoming traffic. This has happened 6 other times in the past 4 months. During this time Ford mechanics have told me that this doesnt appear to be a common issue since it doesnt happen all the time. I replaced shocks, tires, and even had the suspension looked at by certified mechanics and nobody has an answer for this problem. This problem is a known issue by NHTSA and Ford and nobody seems to be doing anything to fix this issue. It's getting to the point where I cannot drive my only mode of transportation for fear of causing a serious accident injuring or killing myself, my family, or someone else in the road. …
Paeking brake backing plates completely rusted through when replacong brake rotors. Forums say this is a common problem. Ford should powder coat the parts.if this prone to rust. May cause wheel.lock at high speed.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-350. The contact stated that on several occasions while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the contact noticed a burning odor throughout the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear driver's and passenger's side wheels inadvertently locked without warning then released. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the brake pedal and plunger rod was replaced with a longer plunger rod; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that he had to applied pressure to the brake pedal that was depressed down to the floorboard. As a result, the vehicle glided to a stop. No warning lights were illuminated. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford f-350. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle veered to the right causing the contact to almost crash into a guard rail. The contact discovered smoke entering from a passenger side wheel. The contact stated that the passenger brake disc was red from the heat and emitted smoke. The contact also stated that the same failure occurred six times on different wheels. The contact had to wait for the wheels to cool down in order for the vehicle to return to normal. The vehicle was driven to the dealer six times and they were not able to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact mentioned that the brake system was repaired four times. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the brake pedal remained on the floorboard. The vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was restarted but the failure persisted. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.
Related recalls (3)
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.
Parking brake
Vehicle description: super duty single rear wheel pickup trucks. The parking brake system, when engaged with a force of 125 pounds applied to the park brake foot control, May not hold the vehicles on a 20 degree grade. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems."
Remedy: Dealers will burnish the parking brake using a specified procedure.
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-350 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (78), 2000 (42), 1995 (41), 1997 (32) and 1996 (28) model years. Brake complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Ford F-350 brake problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 02V-068 (linkage and cable, Mar 11, 2002); 98V-101 (parking brake, May 15, 1998); 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-350 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles; 48% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (116 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (35).
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.