1999 Ford F-350 SD: brake failure

Filed Jul 1, 2011 · Brakes · 80,000 miles · CA

1 operating hour after coming down a 7% grade my 1999 f350 truck with camper suffered complete brake failure due to a corroded brake line. The fault occurred in a clip where moisture and abrasives had been held against the steel brake line. Nearby diesel fuel lines exhibited no rust. Because ford used steel that can rust for the critical brake line, my family almost lost our lives and potentially caused the deaths of others. The replacement left par of the original brake line in place.

Filed Oct 7, 2008 · Brakes, Engine · 60,000 miles · CA · 1 injury

I have had two major problems with this truck. My first issue was very dangerous in my opinion. The cam sensor went out which caused my truck to suddenly stop while I was driving it. Every system shut down including brakes. More than once I was going 70mph and it suddenly stopped - I had to guide myself to the shoulder and stop the truck with no brakes. Very very scary! I had the truck to several dealers al told me they had no idea what was wrong. Finally I talked to my cousin, a dodge mechanic, he explained that ford knew of a serious defect with their cam sensor on that year truck - he explained what it should cost to fix it. I took it to a private mechanic and he fixed it in his shop for exactly what my cousin said it would cost. Ford still has not acknowledged they knew of a problem. Second problem was with my brakes. The left front caliper broke off and jammed in the rest of the brake and stopped my truck very suddenly. I almost went through the windshield. I had them replaced with ford parts. I have had the new brakes back into the dealer several times as they seem to be doing the same as the first set - pulling to the left and not working particularly well. I was told it was due to the way I drive - downhill and steering to the right while braking - nonsense- I anticipate having the same problem at any time and stopping, dangerously, suddenly on the main street of my small town just as happened last time.

Filed Apr 13, 2007 · Brakes · 132,000 miles · CO

Tl*- the contact owns a 1999 ford f 350 sd with a failure mileage of 132,000 miles. While backing out of the garage with his foot on the brake he heard a cracking noise, and realized that the brakes failed. The vehicle rolled backward down the driveway. He had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who stated that the controller failed. Recall 02v068000 was issued for this year, make and model, but this vehicle was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired.

Filed Mar 7, 2007 · Engine · 105,000 miles · TX

The cps unit on my 1999 ford f-350 7.3 diesel motor gave out with no warning whatsoever. We were driving on a very curvy road and I was barely able to maintain control of the truck (no brakes, no power steering). It seems that these cps units fail over and over on all of these ford diesels. I can't help but think that they are very, very dangerous and that somebody has had to have died from this.

Filed Apr 11, 2006 · Brakes · 11,600 miles · MD

Dt*: the contact stated while towing a trailer down a hill the brakes failed. The vehicle was able to stop by using the trailer brakes. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where all four brake lines were replaced due to rust. Updated 5/10/2006 -

Filed Mar 25, 2006 · Engine · 90,000 miles · NY · crash · 2 injuries

1999 f350 7.3 diesel - cps failure caused engine to stall- no brakes or steering- caused accident-3rd cps

Filed Oct 27, 2004 · Brakes · 65,420 miles · NJ

A brake line leading to the rear wheels corroded/erupted while driving 65 MPH. This caused loss of braking. The dealer/ manufacturer were not notified.

Filed Nov 4, 2002 · Brakes · NY

There is a problem with braking on the diesel trucks. When appling the brakes in a panic situation and one or both of the rear wheels loose traction, the rabs kicks in and the pedal goes to the floor. This is also accompanied by sudden increase in steering effort at the same time if an attempt is made to steer around an accident situation. These diesel trucks use a hydro boost system run off of the power steering pump for the brakes. There is also a sudden decrease, many times severe, in braking power. When this happens, the only way to regain the brakes is to release them and reapply them, taking great care not to skid one or both of the rear tires. Talking to other owners, it appears to be a design flaw and replacing parts will not repair the situation. The master cylinder and calipers are all working properly and this truck has done it from the day it was new. There have been several instances where I have had to apply the brakes in a panic stop and had one or both of the rear wheels start to skid. The brake pedal then goes to the floor, braking is severely diminished and the ability to stop is virtually non-existent. Only by releasing and re-applying the brakes can braking be restored and it is only through this effort and the experience of years of driving police vehicles that I have been able to avoid several accidents. Dt