2000 Ford F-250 SD: brake failure

Filed Sep 5, 2011 · Brakes · 141,121 miles · OH

The rear brake line failed due to corrosion. The failed brake line allowed the brake fluid to totally drain the reservoir on the master cylinder. The reservoir for the rear brakes is shared with the front brakes so that the front brakes were no longer able to function as well. The operator then has no brakes at all on the vehicle with the exception of the parking brake. In the case of the first failure, I was able to use the manual transmission to slow the vehicle and then shift into reverse (it has synchros in reverse as well) to stop the vehicle. In the case of the second failure, the vehicle was in my driveway when the failure occurred. Even though the brake pedal was only pushed once, the reservoir still completely drained leaving absolutely no brakes. I feel that this brake failure mode does not comply with the intent of what I understand the law to be, that requires a split brake system that enables the operator to stop the vehicle when either front or rear brakes fail. The current brake system does have a split master cylinder but the common reservoir feature prevents the split master cylinder from operating as intended/required.

Filed Sep 30, 2007 · Brakes · 40,000 miles · CT

Brake line failure,while backing down driveway, brakes were put on the stop, pedal went all the way to the floor, used emergency brake to stop, pulled forward back up the driveway and noticed a lot of brake fluid on the driveway, upon investigation, noticed main brake line had ruptured near the fuel tank due to rust and corrosion,went to napa to get new brake line and replaced ourselves because it was on sunday and no dealers were open, talked to ford mechanic at local dealership and was informed that this problem is well know with this truck,"poor design he says"

Filed Aug 6, 2007 · Brakes · 45,000 miles · MA

I have a model year 2000 ford f-250 pickup truck with approximately 45k miles on the odometer. This truck is driven primarily in the summer, and has never been used for snow plowing. Yesterday, as I was driving with my young son in the truck, I experienced a failure of the braking system when I tried to slow down descending a steep grade. Fortunately, I was able to downshift to slow the vehicle and eventually bring it to a complete stop safely. Had the brakes failed when approaching stopped traffic or even pedestrian traffic, the outcome could have been far worse. I know two other people who have had similar experiences with ford trucks, one of whom was in a crash due to it. Since I haven't heard of incidents like this with any other vehicle, I suspect this is a pattern unique to ford, and wanted to make sure it was reported. It appears to be a brake line failure, presumably due to corrosion, but I have not yet had it serviced.

Filed Dec 18, 2006 · Brakes · 20,312 miles · KY

Tl*- the contact stated that the first time he noticed a problem with his 2000 f250 truck, was when he hit his brakes and the pedal went to the floor. The contact stated that he turned off vehicle and call the dealership. The dealership ask that he bring vehicle in. Once the dealership looked at vehicle they said that his brake line had rusted out. The contact said that he asked mechanic why this happened and he was told that it was because of the vehicle sitting for a period of time. Contact stated that he only drives this vehicle once a week because it uses diesel fuel. And during the summer he drives vehicle more. Contact stated that he does use the truck to tow his 5th wheel camper during the summer. The repair was done and contact does have repair order.

Filed Dec 14, 2001 · Brakes · VT · crash

Since we purchased this truck we have had it to the dealer numerous times for the emergency brake failure. They offered to replace emergency brake with a new system, but then recanted the offer. They even admitted they knew this was a problem. Vehicle is not safe.