DETROIT (May 25, 2016) — Ford Motor Co. is recalling nearly 271,000 previous-generation F-150s after a three-month investigation by federal safety regulators into dozens of complaints about front brake failures and nine crashes.
Ford said May 25 that the problem involves fluid leaking from the master brake cylinder into the brake booster, resulting in reduced or no braking ability. Some owners who complained said they could not stop even when pressing the brake pedal all the way to the floor.
Dealers will replace the master cylinder and, if there are signs of a leak, the booster, according to Ford.
The auto maker said it knows of nine crashes potentially linked to the problem but that none caused any injuries. One driver reported being injured while trying to brake but without being involved in a crash, Ford said.
The affected vehicles are equipped with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine and include 225,012 in the U.S. and 43,682 in Canada.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into 33 complaints of brake failure in February. Since then, 74 more complaints about brake problems on the 2013 and 2014 F-150 have been posted on the agency's website.
“We have had three wrecks in this truck from rear-ending people because the truck would not stop or the pedal would go to the floor,” reads a complaint submitted in March by an owner in Arkansas.
“I still own this truck because I still owe a lot of money on it. I can't afford to get rid of it. So I just hardly ever drive it unless I have to.”
A complainant from Texas reported crashing in April because the pickup didn't slow down even though a witness reported seeing the brake lights come on.
This is the first recall for the 2013 F-150 and the largest of four recalls for the 2014 version.
Separately, Ford said it was recalling five 2016 Lincoln MKX crossovers in the U.S. because one of the second-row seats was errantly fitted with the Chinese-market trim cover, blocking access to the child-seat tether anchor.
This report appeared on the website of Automotive News, a Detroit-based sister publication of Tire Business.