Brake Master Cylinder problems of the 2004 Ford F-150

Brake master cylinder lost fluid. Leak was into the brake vacuum booster. Could cause loss of brakes if it occurred while driving.

Abs brake system. My brake system began to fail in may 2015 and has done it ever since. When I push the brake pedal brakes fade to floor. I have nearly had several accidents due to brake failure. I took it to my local dealer (sackelaris Ford in camdenton, mo) and they analyzed it for an outrageous fee and stated the problem was either the master cylinder or the haydraulic control unit on abs. I had the master cylinder replaced with a new mc and it hasn't helped. My brake pedal still fades to floor. I checked on the internet to see if this problem was a 2004 f150 f4 common problem. It is and a shocking pervasive one. Numerous accounts of this problem were posted on the internet. So I asked the dealer if there were any recalls for this and there isn't. I called the Ford customer service department and they corroborated there were no recalls. My mechanic stated there was a thecnical service bulletin for this reoccuring problem (TSB reference # 17750, NHTSA reference # 10008234) and Ford should fix it up to 100,000 miles. I again contacted the Ford customer service department and they at first denied the TSB. On a subsequent call I gave them the TSB number and they stated it did not cover payment for the repair. This is a frightening experience and I am amazed there hasn't been a recall on the abs issue. I will not drive my truck until I can get this repaired. The abs system is supplied by bosch.

2004 Ford F-150. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle frame rust problems. Consumer sent additional correspondence. The vehicle had to be towed to the repair shop, because the brakes went out. The rear brake lines, hoses, calipers, master cylinder and pads were replaced. Updated 03/09/15.

I have had brake problems since vehicle was purchased. The latest is the brakes locking up (mostly front) and the wheels getting so hot you can smell them burning and you can't touch the wheel. I have had the vehicle serviced several times at several different service stations starting at the dealer and the problem keeps returning. I have had new rotors installed several times (5), new calipers twice, new brake hoses, flush and fill brake fluid and had the master cylinder push rod adjusted only to have the same problem continue. I have looked online at the forums about F-150's and I am not alone and no one has any answers. I emailed Ford asking for help and they advised me to see the dealer which I already have several times and every time they say they can't duplicate the problem and the last time they adjusted the push rod which lasted a little while. I have spent thousands trying to fix this problem and I'm afraid to drive it.

3/23/06 took my truck into dealership for what seemed to be the front left caliper sticking (truck felt like brake was continuously pressed, area smelled strongly of burned rubber). Dealership stated they took left front wheel off and found no problems, truck was okay to leave in. 4/6/06 - while pressing brake pedal, it went all the way to the floor and brakes were hardly operable. While driving to dealership, brake pedal would continuously alternate between working okay and depressing all the way to the floor. Dealership acknowledged lack of brake functioning and stated that is was a safety hazard and advised me that they would replace master cylinder. Kept truck overnight. 4/14/06 - same exact problem as on 4/6/06. Dealership again acknowledged lack of brake functioning and stated safety hazard. Dealership stated that the new master cylinder that they put in must have been defective and that they would need to keep the truck over the weekend in order to get another new master cylinder in and replace it again. 4/24/06 - same exact problem again. Dealership acknowledged lack of brake functioning and safety hazard. Dealership told me that the master cylinder push rod was not adjusted properly. Adjusted push rod while I waited. 5/18/06 - once again, brake pedal goes all the way to floor. Drove straight to dealership & was informed of safety hazard and that they need to keep it overnight, because they are not sure what is wrong. I don't believe any consumer should be stuck with a vehicle that becomes potentially dangerous without warning and that has been in the Ford repair shop 5 times in 2 months for the same thing. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle due to the number of incidents and the dealerships lack of being able to correct it. I am now stuck with a $16,000 payoff on a possible death machine and I think someone higher than the dealership should seriously review my situation before this happens again.

I started having problems with pulsations and abnormal amounts of brake dust at around 1000 miles. The Ford dealer turned the rotors. At 11,000 miles the brake pedal went right down to the floor and had to be pumped to get the vehicle to stop. I took it to the dealer and they bled the brakes and inspected them and said they could find nothing.

Drove veh. 10 miles, parked, came out from shopping started vehicle. Brake pedal went right to the floor, could only obtain some brake by pumping pedal.

While driving 25 mph,the driver applied the brakes,the pedal went to the floor. The vehicle continue to pick up speed. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle by pumping the brakes. The driver was able to drive the vehicle home and called a towed truck to have the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the master cylinder needed replacing.