Ford Aerostar brake failure problems

Filed Jan 21, 2005 · Brakes · 68,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Owner was going at approximately 45 MPH. Owner applied the brakes and the brakes went to the floor. Owner says that the front right brake hose line popped right off. Causing the vehicle to lose all brake pressure preventing the vehicle from stopping. Provide further details.

Filed Nov 3, 2004 · Brakes · NY

Consumer applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. The brakes had less braking power. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that brakes pads and rotors needed to be replaced. *ak

Filed Feb 6, 2002 · Brakes · IN

There is a fitting for the brake line, mounted to a bracket behind the right front wheel. The rubber line popped off the pin that holds it in place, dumping the break fluid and leaving me with no brakes. I had hit the breaks to avoid hitting a dog. Fortunatly there was no immediate danger that would cause an accident. I was able to steer around the dog. If there had been a car that pulled out I wouldn't have had any chance to stop. This is the secont time this has happened. Last time I was taking the transmission out of park on an incline when the other side popped. I feel this is a serious problem.

Filed Sep 21, 2001 · Brakes · MO

Master cylinder loses pressure and brake pedal goes to the floor, stops vehicle very little. Consumer may try it next time and brakes will work fine. This problem is intermittent. Consumer contacted ford about recall on brakes. Ford stated that there were no recall on brakes. Ford file#9005975796. *ak

Filed Jul 3, 2001 · Brakes · MI

While backing out of a parking space and depressing brake pedal, pedal traveled to floorboard. Consumer noticed loss of braking power . Vehicle was towed home when consumer noticed that brake hose was broken.*ak consumer states the front flexible brake hose has a heavy rubber boot covering the upper swagged fitting, this boot entraps salt and water causing the fitting to corrode severely and is hidden under the boot, consumer replaced the opposite line because it was rusted on the same fitting.

Filed Jun 11, 2001 · Brakes · MI · 3 injuries

While driving the brakes failed resulting in vehicle collision with three injuries, upon expection of the brake pedal travel and reservoir (oshp units 977), no pressure on the pedal and no fluid in the reservoir (ohio traffic crash report)

Filed Sep 12, 2000 · Brakes · FL

Right side front connector to brake flexible line broke off. Dealer said left side was ready to go and both were replaced. The major problem I see was that I had no braking save for the emergency brake. The rear brakes failed also and independent mechanics have told me that I should have only lost the front brakes due to the redundant brake cylinder system. However, the ford service manager said this was normal if you lost one line. If that's the case, this is a severe safety hazard that should be addressed. I contacted ford motor co. For technical advice and to report a possible flaw. The service manager had even said that the protection for the brake fittings had been improperly installed upon the vehicle at the factory.

Filed Sep 4, 2000 · Brakes · VA

As promised, I'm back. Major brake failures at 32,518, 55,638, and recently at 58, 700. I checked your site through the cartalk website and found 12 brake problems reported out of 79. I am not the only owner whose family is at risk. Mosy recently, the brake pedal bottomed out two consecutive times at slow speed. The passengers in the car said they smelled heated brakes. I believe the calipers may be dragging, overheating the brakes. I cannot duplicate the problem. We owned an aerostar previously and had no such brake problems, certainly not a pad replacement at 32,000. These brakes are wearing prematurely. Although the car was under warranty, we were charged for pad replacement and rotor resurfacing. Ms brenner, the principal driver noticed a grinding sound which cased her to take it in for service. I believe the dealer was wrong to charge us for this repair, as brakes do not wear this quickly. I believe that the pad of caliper failed, unrelated to the wear. Our honest, competent independent mechanics, b&m automotive inmc lean, va (703)356-1532 tell us that they see many problems with ford brakes. What's it going to take, folks? Does somkeone have to lose his life at the hands of ford before you recall these cars?

Filed Sep 1, 2000 · Brakes · VA

As driver was applying brakes, to shift from park to drive or reverse, brake pedal went to the floorboard. Also, brake hose line separated from metal that was connected to the brake line due to rust. Brake hose has been replaced. Please provide any further information.

Filed Jul 19, 2000 · Brakes · CA

My brakes failed after an extended downhill drive--although not an unusual circumstance. In taking apart the disk brakes, my mechanic discovered that the calipers had become brittle (over time from heat) and they crumbled in his hands. The pads had worn down but still were within an acceptable thickness (but at the low end). The rotor was normal. The mechanic believes that there is a design flaw in these brakes resulting from a rotor that is too thin (normally) and as a result does not absorb heat well from the pads. He has observed the same problem on other aerostars and has concluded that the brakes need to be check earlier than normal pad wear would indicate. He said that we were lucky that we did not end up in an accident.