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Ford F-250 SD abs comes on

32 of the 6,553 owner complaints about the Ford F-250 SD describe aBS light or ABS activating, most of them for the 1999 model year.

owner complaints
32
worst model year
1999
typical mileage
32,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2026
    2
  • 2024
    2
  • 2023
    2
  • 2020
    2
  • 2018
    1
  • 2017
    2
  • 2016
    3
  • 2015
    2
  • 2012
    1
  • 2011
    1
  • 2007
    1
  • 2006
    2
  • 2005
    3
  • 2004
    1
  • 2003
    1
  • 2002
    2
  • 2001
    1
  • 1999
    3

Often reported together

Brake failure 4Adaptive cruise 4Loss of power 3Collision warning 3Wipers 2Won't shift 2

Trouble codes mentioned

U3035 2U1012 2U0121 2U3000 1U0415 1

What owners say

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Brakes · WI

When having to brake hard such as when a deer runs out my trucks ABS does not activate and my tires lock up causing me to slide. This has happened several times over the past few months . there are no ABS dtc codes and I have consulted technicians to no avail. I will note the last incident below but it has happened repeatedly.

Filed Oct 8, 2026 · Brakes, Transmission · NC

Wrench light on dash comes on sporadically with message that there is a powertrain malfunction / reduced power. It said the system has detected a powertrain or 4 WD fault. Reduced power may put both the driver and others at risk depending on the area in which this occurs, ex interstate. Dealer has yet to remedy problem. Car has been to the dealer service department 4 times for this issue. Codes present are U0121 (lost communication with ABS control module A), U1012 (invalid internal control module data received from ABS control module), and U3035 (communication authentication signal invalid data)

Filed Jul 13, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · PA

While driving, multiple warning lights illuminate simultaneously — ABS, brake, and all driver assist/safety systems — and the drive mode drops to Standard Locked. During these events the anti-lock braking, stability control, traction control, and trailer sway control systems appear to go offline. I have photographs of the illuminated warnings. My own OBD-II scan on 7/9/26 recorded U0121 (lost communication with ABS module), U0415 (invalid data from ABS module), U3035 (communication authentication failure), and U1012. The dealer's own scan confirmed multiple stored "lost communication with ABS module" codes in module history. The vehicle has a documented history of water intrusion from the sunroof drains, which the dealer was unable to reproduce or repair; water tracked to the windshield/mirror electronics and into the dash. On 7/13/26 the dealer reprogrammed the ABS module with a software update but performed no physical inspection of the wiring, connectors, or modules for water damage or corrosion. The condition is intermittent and unresolved.

Filed Jun 8, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · GA

After the vehicle was jumpstarted the vehicle failed to correctly enter gear- when shifting into reverse it instead rolled forward downhill. The following systems also displayed failure warnings: ABS Traction Control Parking Brake ( Parking brake also showed as activated when it was not active- it would audibly disengage but the parking brake light stayed lit) Stability Control 4wd. The combination of the parking brake showing as active and the shifter showing the vehicle was in reverse while being able to roll forward freely is dangerous.

Filed Jun 5, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CO · crash

2k miles on a new 2026 ford transit. While in traffic there was sudden braking I had plenty of space in front of me (also reported by the driver in front of me) I was not able to stop in time which resulted in rear ending another driver. My abs acted extremely loose, as if I was on ice on a clear day 80 degrees. The driver behind me confirmed seeing my brake lights for a minute before impact. I'm a decent driver and leave plenty of room in case of emergency braking but was not able to stop in time due to the way the braking system acted. I also have a 2020 ford transit and the braking is much better than the 2026. I'm concerned someone is going to get hurt. Thank God no one got hurt during this accident.pre collision lights lit up on my dash prior and that's when the braking power went bad. Ford sent a technician to confirm my vehicle was not part of a cotter pin recall but that is not my concern, as I'm concern for when the pre collision came on, I had hardly any braking available. Insurance inspected the incident, but only place a fault not any other type of inspection. I will be calling on the morning to request a forensic inspection.

Filed Sep 16, 2025 · Acceleration, Airbags · WI · crash

On September 16, 2025, while driving my 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty at approximately 65 mph with cruise control engaged, I pressed the brake pedal to disengage cruise. The cruise control did not disengage. I pressed the brake pedal harder, but the truck did not slow down and maintained speed. There was no ABS activation sound or sensation, and no skid marks were left on the roadway. I struck the rear of a tractor trailer because the vehicle failed to slow down or cancel cruise control. In addition, the airbags did not deploy during the collision. This appears to be a failure of the brake pedal input/cruise disengagement system, braking system, and potentially the airbag system. This is a severe safety defect that could result in serious injury or death.

Filed Feb 6, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · OH

Vehicle has 44,000 miles, has never been wrecked in any way. Recently the advance trac system began displaying a fault at random. The light would come and go. At the time the fault light was active the turn signals did not operate normally. A message noted to service advance trac system. ( which is related to the abs) I noticed, once, the abs activate momentarily for no apparent reason. I narrowed the fault down to the steering wheel angle sensor. I had a Ford service center confirm the issue was the steering angle sensor. The sensor was on a backorder. I called around and other dealers confirmed. A week later while entering a cloverleaf and slowing down the system faulted, illuminated the error, and the abs activated. The brake system applied brakes unevenly pulling the vehicle to the left then right and aggressively slowing down without driver brake input. I had to fight to control the vehicle to prevent losing control or get rear ended. The roads were clean, dry, and it was daylight. Upon that i could see the complete loss of steering wheel angle sensor input. The dash can show this readout. Without the steering wheel angle input the system, which is to prevent accidents, nearly caused one. I tried turning off the advance trac via the traction control button, this was ineffective. I had to remove the abs pump fuse to get home safely. This system should not in any way be able to cause this severe loss of vehicle control simply due to the loss of one sensor. This is absolute unsafe software protocall. Attatched are images of the sensor reading then no place holder for it when it does not read.

Filed Sep 8, 2023 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NV

My new 2023 f250 super duty had approximately 540 miles when I received following messages: 1) pre-collision assist not available 2) service advance trac 3) abc or ABS not working ford service did a diagnosis and ordered and put in steering control module. Fixed codes for about 1000 miles and codes have come back. Ford service diagnosis on two more separate occasions has not found the problem and codes still exist. Ford service wants to do harness lay over and replace two major harness and do not know if this will fix the issue. I do not want a brand new truck dissected. Major safety issue if brakes activate at normal and/or highway speeds!!!!!!

Filed Sep 6, 2023 · Driver assistance · PA

Was driving on the highway when my truck(2020 f250) dash lit up, steering got extremely heavy, no abs, no drive modes, lost of collision emergency braking, lost all trailering functions, lost auto 4 wheel drive, hill assist, hill decline assist while hauling 10,00lbs. Ran diagnostics and it appear to be a wheels speed sensor. However, it went away and is now an intermittent issue. I understand parts fail on a truck but I am extremely concerned that I lost all of my safety features as well as all my towing features while towing on a highway, yet the truck still drives. I couldn't imagine towing max capacity (22,500lbs) and losing all those functions, it would almost guarantee a crash. How can a vehicle this new be rendered useless with a small sensor malfunction and continue to drive.

Filed Dec 15, 2022 · Driver assistance, Steering · SC

2020 Ford F250 Super Duty, I have a Severe Death Wobble that has developed for the second time in a short period of time. The Ford Death Wobble is The Violent Shaking of the Vehicle can cause loss of control of the vehicle and difficulty steering wile vehicle is in operation at any time under typical driving conditions or speed. This exposes the driver and occupants of vehicle, as well as others who share the road with them, to an increased risk of accident, injury, or death. This description of death wobble was taken from a class action lawsuit that was filed in 2019. The first occurrence happened around 47,000 miles. I brought it in to the dealership; they said it was a steering damper not covered under the warranty. I paid for the replacement of steering damper. However the replacement did not fix the issue. I took it back in for further evaluation and repairs. After nearly a week of them having the vehicle at the dealership; they finally agreed to have the track bar replaced under warranty. The technician working on vehicle said that an axle needed to be replaced as well but it was not replaced at the time. After track bar was replaced; there was a drastic improvement and problem was resolved but short lived. About 7 months later and at 85,000 miles the death wobble has returned and is much worse. Due to the issue, steering is very loose and sloppy. causing you to catch the vehicle from side to side of the lane due to the steering wheel not being straight. setting off errors and disables many of the safety features. Some of the features that are disabled wile driving: advanced traction control system, pre-collision assist system fault, abs system, hill descent control fault, hill start assist. After bringing truck to dealership for this issue again; they quickly realized that the issue has returned again and stated that the axle shaft will need to be replaced this time in addition to prior parts. They again are trying to say that warranty may not cover repairs

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkagesReported June 13, 2025 · 2,345 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 F-550 SD, F-450 SD, F-350 SD, and F-250 SD vehicles. The brake booster pushrod retaining spring may not have been installed, which can allow the pushrod to disconnect from the brake pedal and cause a sudden loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems" and 105, "Hydraulic and electric brake systems."
Risk
A sudden loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. Dealers will inspect and repair the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C26.

Recall number 25V401000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford F-250 SD abs

Why does the abs come on in the Ford F-250 SD?

Owners who report it most often also describe brake failure, adaptive cruise control problems and sudden loss of power, and the codes they mention most are U3035, U1012 and U0121.

Which Ford F-250 SD years have aBS light or ABS activating problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1999 (3 complaints), 2005 (3 complaints) and 2016 (3 complaints).

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