This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F150. The contact stated that the unoccupied vehicle, engulfed into flames while parked in a garage. The fire department extinguished the fire and informed that the brake master cylinder was the area where the fire originated. The vehicle was completely destroyed, and towed to an impound lot. The failure mileage and VIN were unavailable.
After sitting for 2 days, the truck starting smoking. The consumer opened the hood and the smoke was coming from the master cylinder. A plug in front of the master cylinder had a short. The consumer had to use a fire extinguisher in order to put out the fire. The wiring is burned. The vehicle was taken to dealer and it was still there.
The vehicle was parked for about a hour when it caught on fire. The consumer extinguished the fire with water hose. The fire started at the master cylinder which was replaced. A couple of weeks later the cruise control stop working.
After the vehicle was parked for 6 hours consumer notices smoke coming from under the hood. Consumer lifted the hood and saw that the smoke was coming from the switch attached to the master brake cylinder which was overheating. The consumer disconnected the battery cables. Dealer and the manufacturer were not notified at this time.
Once the engine is started, the vehicle will not move from park to any other gear. There is an override procedure but it is inconvenient. When I took the vehicle to a dealer for repair, they told me Ford had put a stop on supplying the cruise control brake switch. So it is not possible to get this repaired until Ford replaces the part with one not defective. As a safety precaution, they removed the electrical connection to avoid fires at or around the brake fluid reservoir. However, brake fluid is leaking from the part and dripping. In the past month I have had to refill the brake fluid reservoir twice. I am concerned that the brakes will not function unless the part is replaced. The delimma seems to be Ford will not allow the part to be replaced and yet they do not offer an alternative.
- Taylor, UT, USA
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Truck started; however, would not go into drive. Connector for cruise control shut off on brake master cylindar was burnt. Occured while in parking lot with engine shut off. Appears that the brake relay leaked brake fluid into connector causing short. Ford did not replace connector. Cruise control no longer functions. Ford only replaced brake relay at my cost. Did not replace fried connector.
Vehicle experienced problems with the cruise control deactivation switch. Consumer replaced this switch back in may,2004. Currently, the replaced cruise control switch was beginning to leak again. Consumer saw smoke coming from under the hood and found the master cylinder switch was leaking brake fluid again.
While driving 50 mph, the consumer noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Then, vehicle caught on fire. Consumer extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher. The part that was on fire was the deactach switch on the master cylinder for the cruse control.
Fire originated in lr quadrant of engine compartment. Owner had parked vehicle in driveway 15-30 minutes prior to fire. Vehicle not running at time of fire. Origin is at or near master brake cylinder.
Consumer stated that without warning the brakes leaked fluid. The dealer was notified. The switch on the master cylinder started to leak on the ABS wiring and started the fire......
I had experienced a loss of brakes on three or four different occasions. I brought vehicle to manufactures service represenative. I explained I loss my brakes for a short momment and then they return. With the most recent occurance the ABS light came on. This did not happen in previous incidences. They checked the ABS system found no errors, they checked the brakes no problems. They couldn't find anything, I had to speek with the service tech directly giving more of a detail of what happens. They came back and found the master brake cylinder was leaking causing the intermittent (extremely random) failure. They charged me for the repair (no problem). I called Ford motor direct and asked to be refunded my repair cost because I did'nt think a master brake cyclinder should be failing @ 38K. They were very professional and had no objections, they agreed totally (they paid me for the repair). A week later, this morning I almost crashed into a semi. The end of my road has a stop sign conecting to a major highway. When I proceeded to use my brakes to stop the vehicle did not stop! the brake problem was back. This incident was the worst of the brake failures, I literally almost got crushed by the semidid. I called the manufactures service rep. They told me they thought they had the fix with master cycliner, obviously it was not the fix. I asked what they thought it could be they had no clue! I have an appointment this Monday with the shop to see if they can find the cause one more time. I stress, this problem is extremely dangerous. When one losses his brakes you loss total control. I hope this information can help save a life some where. Thank you
During the normal routine check up the owner of the vehicle noticed the master cylinder has a leak the leakage is between the master cylinder and brake booster.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ada, OK, USA