Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - DISC - ROTOR
984503/02/1998601264Availability of hub-mount brake rotor machining equipment. *yc07/15/1998
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
BPI990501/01/1999605849Customer may complain that the raybestos electronic brake controller does not work, works incorrectly, works intermittently, pulses the 4-way flashers, and / or interfers with antilock brakes operation. *tt07/29/1999
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
98356401/01/1998607835Experiencing a squealing noise from the front brakes when applying the brakes on some vehicles. *tt10/13/1999
9711109723811/10/199753664Subject on rear vibration/shudder when applying brakes. *yc03/30/1998
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
9521210/01/199546478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes is no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. if petroleum-based grease is used to lubricate any par04/25/1996
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
463308/01/1998615171Rear brake drag or excessive wear on rear brakes. *tt01/03/2001
985A2303/18/1998601026A comprehensive pull and drift diagnostic procedure has been developed to assist technicians in helping to resolve pull or drift conditions. *tt12/11/2000
9671803/25/1996613339Subject regarding on-vehicle caliper-mounted brake rotor machining accessories from rotunda, for certain vehicles, are now available for service use. *tt06/21/2000
9841303/02/1998601274A grabbing condition and / or squeal noise from the rear brakes during first few brake applications after rainfall and / or while brakes are cold. *tt07/16/1998
985A2503/18/1998601027A vibration or shudder may be felt during braking on some vehicles. *yc06/19/1998
985A1103/18/1998601009Service tip information regarding elimination of sanding rotors and drums. *yc06/17/1998
9622210/21/199650941Brakes - elimination of sanding rotors and drums - service tip. *tw06/17/1997
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC
985A1303/18/1998601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes is no longer acceptable. *yc06/17/1998
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - CALIPER
985A3203/18/1998601039Procedures on caliper-mount lathe machining setup. *yc12/13/2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
981401/19/1998605562Subject regarding the availability of hub-mount brake rotor machining equipment. *tt07/09/1999
985A503/18/1998601003Hub-mount brake rotor machining equipment from rotunda is now approved for warranty and service use. *yc06/17/1998
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - SWITCHES - BRAKE LIGHT
0217609/02/200210008580Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock. *mj08/05/2004

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
07/10/1997302/24/1997
 Brake system failure.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
03/20/200105/01/1996
 On a rainy day, rear brake lining grabbed actuating the abs system. as i have found, this problem is discussed in ford tsb 9805a24a. the brake pedal fell as additional pressure was needed to stop. described as normal in special service message 03731. (a nice way to describe a problem that you do not want to fix.) the abs brakes stopped pumping. the system then appeared as though no brakes were applied. the truck was not slowing down. either the back brakes and possibly the front were not functioning at all, or all 4 wheel were locked up and the truck was sliding. (tires were all in good condition.) i was forced to put the truck into a ditch in order to avoid the vehicle in front of me. later testing on a wet surface revealed that i would have been better off to pump the brakes, something that manufacturers of abs systems advise you not to do. as i understand from reading information by others who have had the same problem, the vacuum supply on the system is not sufficient to handle repeated operation by the abs system. i still am not sure what the condition of the wheels were at the point when i had to leave the road, whether the front were rolling, or locked and whether the back were rolling or locked. *ak
08/03/1998110/17/1997
 Abs brakes make noise and feel like they are dragging.
 Vehicle has abs brakes. on wet type pavement vehicle fails to stop when abs brakes are applied. dealers have not corrected problem. owner is very concerned for safety. *ak
10/30/1995
 Motorhome eldorado 29 1/2 ft. 12000 gvw, abs failure: pedal goes to within an inch of floor, can't pump brake, brake action seems inadequate in stopping on dry pavement or gravel, only rear wheels stop vehicle, not enough brake pressure during panic stop. *ak
02/15/1996102/01/1996
 Poor abs brake performance, the abs light stays on at all times. the wheels lock up and extended stopping is experienced. *ak
05/01/1996305/01/1996
 Antilock brakes failed, causing left rear brake to lock up.
01/04/1996112/28/1995
 The left rear wheel locks up in a normal braking situation. the dealer has worked on this (7) times. the system has abs. *ak
3
 Abs: while coming to intersection, pumped brakes, rearended/ locked up , caused accident, vehicle hit passenager's side of another vehicle.*ak
06/15/1996605/16/1996
 Abs: pumped brakes while coming to stop, rearended/locked up, problem has occurred six times since purchase, repaired 2 times, no accident.*ak
02/09/19966
 While traveling normal highway speeds, dual wheel brakes overheat, causing rear wheels to drag, brakes fade when hot, driver has had to put vehicle in reverse and back to release brakes, drums and shoes have been replaced 2 times, vehicle has been in shop five times, this is an intermittent problem. *slc
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
02/02/1997
 Rear brake gate and grab at low speed.
04/08/1996
 Vehicle vibrates when applying brakes, driver almost lost vehicle control. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC
03/10/1998212/01/1996
 No summary( dot number: tire size: 235-85r16 )
18
 Brakes will either grab hard or will not stop, and consumer will have to downshift.dealer has replaced calipers/rotors and drums ,and still cannot determine defect. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
08/25/199805/13/1997
 While driving at 55 mph and without prior warning the front brake rotors cracked. ford refuses to admit that they have a problem with brake rotors. *akl
06/01/1998204/01/1996
 Rotors are causing vehicle to shake and become unsafe. has spent over $100.00 because of bad material on brakes. *ak
06/03/1998
 The right and left front brake rotors cracked in half to the hub in which could cause loss vehicle control. dealer cannot determine problem. *ak
10/10/1998105/01/1998
 Brake rotors cracked.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM
05/01/1996305/01/1996
 Antilock brakes failed, causing left rear brake to lock up.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM - DRUM
18
 Brakes will either grab hard or will not stop, and consumer will have to downshift.dealer has replaced calipers/rotors and drums ,and still cannot determine defect. *ak
06/16/1996
 Warping of rear brake drums, appear to be out of round.*ak
02/09/19966
 While traveling normal highway speeds, dual wheel brakes overheat, causing rear wheels to drag, brakes fade when hot, driver has had to put vehicle in reverse and back to release brakes, drums and shoes have been replaced 2 times, vehicle has been in shop five times, this is an intermittent problem. *slc
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM - SHOES/LININGS
07/29/2007174400210/03/1998
 1/07 squeak in front left wheel, took to sears as brakes/bearings under warranty. ended up w/ complete brake job front & rear. picked up vehicle, poor pedal pressure, no e-brake. took back to sears they adjusted. in april had rear brakes fail to stop vehicle while pulling horse trailer. only front brakes engaged. took back couldn't find a problem. took to another shop they found only pads replaced on rt rear not on left. they did complete brake job on rear (new drums and pads) took in 2 weeks later still not correct and had vibration when braking. ended up with re-surface of front rotors and new pads. 7/29/07 pulling horse trailer rear ended vehicle on 19th ave in sf due to rear brakes not engaging at all. only fronts engaged. rear brakes not working at all. *jb
03/20/200105/01/1996
 On a rainy day, rear brake lining grabbed actuating the abs system. as i have found, this problem is discussed in ford tsb 9805a24a. the brake pedal fell as additional pressure was needed to stop. described as normal in special service message 03731. (a nice way to describe a problem that you do not want to fix.) the abs brakes stopped pumping. the system then appeared as though no brakes were applied. the truck was not slowing down. either the back brakes and possibly the front were not functioning at all, or all 4 wheel were locked up and the truck was sliding. (tires were all in good condition.) i was forced to put the truck into a ditch in order to avoid the vehicle in front of me. later testing on a wet surface revealed that i would have been better off to pump the brakes, something that manufacturers of abs systems advise you not to do. as i understand from reading information by others who have had the same problem, the vacuum supply on the system is not sufficient to handle repeated operation by the abs system. i still am not sure what the condition of the wheels were at the point when i had to leave the road, whether the front were rolling, or locked and whether the back were rolling or locked. *ak
2
 On two occasions rear brake shoes have expanded when brakes were applied, and stayed in contact with the brake drums, causing excessive wear and brake failure. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
08/07/200391773308/01/1996
 Dt: the contact complained about a brake problem. the brake fluid caused corrosion on the brake fittings. on august 7, 2003 the front brakes failed while the vehicle was going up hill. the ford dealer replaced the tubing and fittings. on may 24, 2004 the rear brakes failed while he in a parking lot. again the ford dealer replaced the tubing and fittings. on november 1, 2005 the master cylinder experienced corrosion at the brake fittings, causing the brakes to fail. there was brake fluid pouring out of the front driver side wheel. another dealership drained the brake system and replaced the line. the problem has not recurred. *ak updated 11/29/2004 - *nm
06/22/20037600008/12/1996
 Stepped on brake to release the parking brake and the brake peddle went to the floor, causing me to hit a post. on investigation i found the brake line to the rear wheels rotted in the middle. all other lines in the area are like new. i have owned much older vehicles without having brake line problems. i believe the material in these lines are quite inferior and dangerous for a vehicle. i had just been towing my fifth-wheel trailer the day before. *nlm
02/02/2002102/01/2099
 Drove this truck over 1000 miles this trip and parked it for 2 weeks. then to travel a short distance brake pedal went to the floor first time to apply brakes.found brake fluid running off frame, and had mechanic inspect for problem.found brake line that goes to the rear brakes was rotted the full length front to rear. all other lines(fuel,etc) in the same area were in good condition.new line was installed.. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - MASTER CYLINDER
 While driving, going down grade, towing a trailer, driver's front brakes caught fire due to brake caliper piston failure, experienced spongey, travel to floor and no brakes, hit elk, dlr can't correct. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST
05/11/1999
 Power brake vacuum pump failed, resulting in loss of power brakes. the dealer has been notified. *ak