Problems · by component

1997 Ford F-150 service brakes, hydraulic problems

209 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1997 Ford F-150 cite service brakes, hydraulic, 7% of all 2,855 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
209
7% of all complaints
Crashes
21
Reported by owners
Fires
13
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the service brakes, hydraulic

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING) THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL STRAPS WERE CORRODED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REMEDY DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE CORROSION ON THE FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RECALL REPAIR AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE MANUFACTURER THE FUEL TANK MOUNT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME BRACKET HAD ROTTED AND THE RECALL COULD NOT BE PERFORMED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A SLIGHT HESITATION, THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE, THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY, THE BRAKE LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE BRAKES, CALIPERS AND HOSES. UPDATED 04/17/12 UPDATED 04/25/12*LJ UPDATED 05/02/12 *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 23, 2012Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasoline, Power trainODI 10452801
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE CABLE, EXHAUST SYSTEM MANIFOLD, FUEL TANK STRAP, BRAKE LINE, BOLTS, ERG VALVE, AND THE FRAME WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK OR PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 322,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 23, 2011Service brakes, hydraulic, Fuel system, gasoline, StructureODI 10441062
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN HE TRIED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED ABNORMALLY INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES RUPTURED AS A RESULT OF CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,500.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 18, 2011Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10436403
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES WOULD SQUEAK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED AT LOW SPEEDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE CONTACT REPLACED ALL OF THE BRAKE COMPONENTS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2011Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10435487
“I LAST DROVE MY TRUCK ON 06/20/2011. WHEN I WOKE UP TO FEED MY ANIMALS I HEARD A SOUND LIKE A BIRD CAUGHT UNDER MY TRUCK. I LOOKED UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE FENDER AND SAW FLAMES. I POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS ON FIRE. I GRABBED MY FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM MY BARN AND PUT THE FIRE OUT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2011Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemFire reportedODI 10409688
“TL*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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2011Service brakes, hydraulicFire reportedODI 10375128

Showing 6 of 209 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Service brakes

Free remedy

THE RETAINER CLIP THAT HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM IS MISSING.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 25, 1996NHTSA 96V184000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.