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.
After vehicle was warmed-up and driving home after about 5 miles of stop and go driving, the brakes failed without any prior indication of problem. When I hit the brakes, the brake pedal had absolutely no play or "brake feel". it was as if a "brick" had been placed behind the pedal assembly. The brakes would only "slightly engage" (e.g. it took about 500 to 600 feet to stop from 15 mph after several fruitless attempts to "pump" the brakes. Almost all free-play was gone from the pedals, the brake "feel" was all gone & I had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The brakes had worked flawlessly up until this point. I checked all warning lights, fluid levels and hydraulic lines and connections & under the dash (no obstructions to the brake pedal were found). The fluid in the master brake cylinder was correct and no leaks were detected. As my dealer is out of town & the car must be towed (brakes remain non-functioning) - I am having a local repair service - visalia expert tire & wheel & brake (Firestone dealer) check the brakes tomorrow morning. For their determinations, please contact me by E-mail. Thanks!
If you were to actually look at the reports already filed about the brakes on these vehicles you would see a pattern of non-working brakes and many crashes I was smart enough to disable my ABS and have had no accidents.
Consumer was pulling into a parking space & suddenly vehicle accelerated. Consumer was unable to stop vehicle. Brakes were pressed completely to the foorboard. Vehicle was stopped by a 2,000 concrete barrier. Insurance company was taking over. Consumer has been instructed to contact manufacturer.
- San Jose, CA, USA
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Windshield wipers -- beginning summer 1998 I experienced problem with my windshield wiper, dome light, and door chime coming on intermittently. In December 1998 the wipers stopped working so I brought the vehicle to maguire Ford for repair. The wiper motor was replaced (obviously this intermittent on/off cycle burnt it out), as was a switch for the door. The features were trouble free (though the dome light still has problems) until 5/10/2000. On that day I started the vehicle during a rain storm, and the wipers would not work. I brought the vehicle back to maguire Ford for repair. I was told the vehicle had been repaired, but when I started it the wipers still would not work. The vehicle is still in the shop and requires a part (costing ~$150). The mechanics at Ford kept referring to "intermittent wiper" problems on other Ford's, prompting me to check the "car talk" web site, which had a link to the NHTSA site. On this site I saw that many others have been having similar wiper/door chime/dome light problems. While on this site I noticed numerous instances where people had problems with their ABS systems. On 11/28/99 while driving on I-81 just North of binghamton, NY I had a frightening experience with my brakes. A car cut closely in front of me, prompting me to apply my brakes with force, in order to prevent a collision. The brake on the front right-hand side lock, causing the truck to jerk to the right. I surprisingly was able to maintain control of the truck, but after another 30 miles of driving I began noticing a grinding sound in the area of the front right brake. I took the truck to midas and was told the the caliper on the front right brake broke and that something (the brake?) had seized. I paid for repairs and dismissed this incident until reading on the "car talk - NHTSA" link that many other have experienced a similar events with their brakes. The problem, it seems, is worthy of a recall. Thanks for your help.
When applying the brakes in the 4 wheel drive mode, the back brakes seem to grab quicker causing the brakes to lock on all 4 wheels. This causes the vehivcle to go in to a uncontrolled slide. This has happened numerous times on hills or even level ground in snowy conditions. When the vehicle is in 2 wheel drive, the brakes appear to act normal. But when in 4 wheel drive the brakes lock and pulse, there is no controlled deployment of the pads. The tires on the vehicle are the size that the manufacturer calls for, the only difference is that I use studded tires on the rear. As I stated there does not seem to be a problem in 2 wheel drive.( dot number: Tire size: 205,70R-15 )
While driving the vehicle out off a lot in pouring rain brakes will lock up. If consumer drive over slick surface and attempts to apply brakes, the brakes automatically release and driver is forced to pump the brakes in order to gain control of vehicle. Has contacted the dealer. Dealer told consumer that the pump that distributes the brake fluid is leaking and is not covered under extended warranty, and refused to repair or replace.
Brakes lock-up in bad weather conditions causing vehicle to loose control and went off the road, consumer took vehicle to two different dealers to correct failure, problem still exist.
When the brakes are applied on wet conditions they grab and become hard and grab, and often times the pedal goes to the floor, resulting in extended stopping, once causing a minor collision. Dealer has replaced the front disc pads. Manufacturer has not been notified.
When cold or wet, brakes lock up and fail to "catch" pavement briefly before stopping. Happens every time it is raining or very cold outside. No accidents yet, because we are aware it may happen and prepare for it, but know it can inevitably cause an accident in more adverse conditions.
ABS warning light remains illuminated, indicating malfunction within the system. Also, when the brakes are applied they grind and make a loud popping noise, cause unknown.
While driving the truck when it was wet outside the driver applied the brakes and the truck slid. The brakes do not hold when it is wet. The truck does not stop when applying the brakes.
When there is ice or snow on the road the ABS would not kick in, causing the truck to lose all control of the brakes and steering, this only happens when there is ice or snow located on the road.
ABS brake failure, when brakes are applied in humid/damp or wet weather conditions, brakes lock up when they become wet, has no control, vehicle skids and slides.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Piedmont, MO, USA