Ford Recall Brakes

Ford Logo: Ford Motor Company

A safety recall can be somewhat concerning for any vehicle owner. Many drivers are even wary that operating their vehicles could place them in harm’s way, which is understandable.

However, a safety recall is often issued because one or more vehicle components may not meet the imposed safety standards or because select parts have a safety-related issue.

Take, for example, the automotive titan Ford Motor Company. Despite being in the industry for many decades, the automaker has had its fair share of car recalls, with some even affecting millions of vehicles.

In fact, in 2023, Ford was involved in a huge recall announcement regarding a concern with faulty brake hoses.

In the same year, the automotive company recalled more than 870,000 units of its vehicles due to a potential parking brake problem.

But what happens when your Ford vehicle is part of a recall?

What are the risks of a faulty braking system? How will your dealer rectify the situation? Are there other Ford vehicles recalled due to a brake problem?

This article provides comprehensive information regarding these problems and discusses previous Ford recalls instigated by brake issues. Moreover, this write-up gives valuable tips about what to do in case your Ford vehicle is affected by a recall.

For more information and legal assistance about vehicle recalls, visit and read through our website, Lemon Law Lawyers.

Ford Recalls 1.3 Million Cars Over Faulty Brake Hoses: Investigation into Ford Fusion Brakes Concluded Following Recall

Image Courtesy of Ford Media Center | 2018 Ford Fusion

In 2023, Ford Motor Company recalled certain 2013 to 2018 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles because of a potential problem with their brake hoses.

The brake hose might be damaged in the affected vehicles, causing a brake fluid leak.

Such an issue could increase the required pedal travel for the brakes to be initiated. Increasing pedal travel extends the distance a driver needs to stop the vehicle, which, in turn, makes a crash likelier.

In a recent finding, Ford stated that the rupture in the front brake jounce hoses (supplied by Hitachi) was caused by the failure of the internal reinforcement braid due to cyclic fatigue during suspension and steering articulation.

The hoses Ford used in its remedy had a different material braid that was tougher and more robust than the previous one.

Rewind to August 2022, a previous safety recall for the same problem prompted an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

However, an online automotive complaint resource said that the recall had convinced officials to halt their investigation following the newly announced recall in 2023.

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) was opened in August 2022 after NHTSA received 50 complaints about the front brake jounce hose used in 2013 to 2018 Ford Fusion sedans.

During the time the complaints were filed, the incidents weren’t within the scope of the original recall, which only included the 2015 to 2018 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX SUVs (sport utility vehicles).

Which Ford Models Are Being Recalled?

The vehicles recalled for the aforementioned brake hose issues are Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ sedans manufactured between February 3, 2012, and July 19, 2017.

Because of inadequate testing during the designing process, there were risks that the front brake hoses of these vehicles might leak brake fluid due to regulating suspension travel and steering. If such an instance occurs, the vehicle may be more difficult to stop, which could lead to a crash.

To help rectify the issue, authorized Ford dealers replaced the faulty brake hoses at no additional cost to the owners. Notification letters were dispatched for this safety recall on April 17, 2023.

The Part 573 Safety Recall Report of the NHTSA, submitted on March 10, 2023, revealed the details of Ford’s massive safety recall concerning an issue with front brake hoses.

According to the report, the number of potentially involved vehicles totals 1,280,726, with an estimated 2% having defects.

The subject hoses were included in production in February 2012 and were taken out in July 2017.

If you have any queries or concerns about recalls, contact Ford’s customer service hotline at 866-436-7332. Call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety at 888-327-4236. You can also use your TTY (teletypewriter) and dial 1-800-424-9153.

What Is the Ford Brake Problem?

As stated, the 2023 Ford recall notice regarding a potential brake problem stemmed from a front brake hose issue.

An integral part of a car’s braking system, the brake hose, carries fluid from the brake line to the brake caliper.

The brake hose must be flexible enough to permit seamless wheel movement with the suspension.

Unlike brake lines, a brake hose is usually made of rubber, although some vehicles use stainless steel.

Rubber hoses provide optimum stopping power and work well under various weather conditions. They are used on each front wheel for efficient suspension and steering movement and at the rear to allow the rear suspension to travel.

Although rubber hoses are more resistant to high pressure and temperature, they can still crack, leak, or blister over time.

Usually, a brake hose is durable enough to last for thousands of miles. Still, it should be regularly checked for damages or any signs of wear and tear.

A faulty brake hose can greatly compromise your car’s braking system and put you at risk of a crash. 

Thankfully, a faulty brake hose will present some noticeable signs, such as:

Abnormally low brake fluid level – If the hydraulic system operates without a problem, your brake fluid level should also fall within normal parameters. However, if you regularly refill your brake fluid, you should consider inspecting your braking system and replacing faulty hoses.

Leaking – To check for a leak in your car’s braking system, ask another person to apply the brakes as you look underneath the vehicle for any sign of liquid squirts. If you see fluid leaking, your hydraulic system, including the brake hoses, will likely need a repair or a replacement.

Soft brake pedal – A telltale sign of a brake fluid leak is when you’re feeling pressure loss whenever you apply your brake pedal.

A faulty brake hose poses a substantial risk to the driver and other occupants of the vehicle. When a brake hose ruptures or malfunctions, it can lead to a leak in the braking system, resulting in a loss of stopping power.

Moreover, a faulty brake hose can lead to problems with the braking system’s components. A leaking hose can cause the brake fluid to come into contact with other braking system parts and cause corrosion.

Over the past few decades, braking systems in automobiles have evolved significantly.

For instance, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), power-assisted braking systems, four-wheel brakes, and automatic brakes have been implemented in newer vehicle models throughout the years. 

The earliest braking systems in vehicles involved pushing down a wooden block against the rims, which causes friction to slow down and eventually halt the vehicle’s movement.

Still, even as braking systems have undergone several improvements, there continue to be design problems, manufacturing issues, and sometimes, outright product defects that compromise the brake’s operation.

When brakes fail to work as intended, it can put the driver, the passengers, and other people on the road at risk of an injury or even a fatal accident.

There are several possible areas where braking system problems may arise. Some examples of these are the following:

  • Electrical issues
  • Software error
  • Welding defects
  • Faulty or worn-out brake pads
  • Substandard materials
  • Faulty brake lights
  • Faulty designs

What Do You Do if You Think You Might Be Affected?

If you’re wondering whether your vehicle is affected by the brake hose recall notice, contact Ford’s toll-free line at 1-866-436-7332. You can also contact your local Ford dealership.

Use the NHTSA online search tool to see if a specific vehicle is under an active recall.

Simply input your VIN (vehicle identification number) in the space provided, and the recall checker will show if your Ford vehicle is part of a recall.

The VIN is a 17-digit alphanumeric code found on the bottom edge of your vehicle’s windshield on the driver’s side. Each segment of the VIN contains information about the vehicle, such as where or when it was manufactured and by whom.

Ford sends updates via FordPass (Ford’s smartphone app), physical mail, and email to keep owners posted on recalls and other announcements. Moreover, the Ford website is continually updated to reflect new information.

You can also subscribe to email alerts from the NHTSA. On the subscription page, enter your registered email address and select the make, model, and year of the vehicles you want to receive alerts for.

Recall Issued for Ford F-150 Pickups as Parking Brake May Activate During Driving

Image Courtesy of Ford Media Center | 2023 Ford F-150.

On July 20, 2023, Ford Motor Company announced a safety recall for specific units of its top-selling vehicle, the F-150, due to a potential wire chafing problem. The affected units are equipped with a single exhaust system.

The safety recall includes over 870,000 vehicles manufactured from 2021 to 2023. The table below highlights the specifics of the recall.

IssueRemedyReference Number
• The rear axle wiring harness may be damaged through contact with the rear axle housing.
• Such a condition may cause the unintentional activation of the vehicle’s electric parking brake.
• Sometimes, the parking brake warning light may be lit, and a warning message will be displayed on the dashboard even if the brakes aren’t activated.
• Dealers installed a protective tie strap and tape wrap.
• The rear axle wiring harness was replaced if found necessary.
• These repairs were done free of charge. 
• 23S35

Owner notification letters detailing the safety risk were dispatched on September 18, 2023. If you want to know more about this safety recall, call the Ford customer service hotline at  1-866-436-7332.

Ford Mustang Recalled Because Low Brake Fluid Warning Light May Not Illuminate

Image Courtesy of Ford Media Center | 2023 Ford Mustang

Ford Motor Company recalled approximately 188,000 units of Mustang sports cars manufactured between model years 2020 and 2023.

The reason for the recall? A software problem in the body control module (BCM) causes the low brake fluid level warning indicator not to illuminate even if the master cylinder reservoir’s brake fluid level falls below the recommended threshold.

If a car is driven with low brake fluid, its braking performance is compromised, and the likelihood of a crash increases.

As a recourse, authorized Ford dealers updated the body control module software of the affected vehicles. These repairs were done at no additional cost to the owners.

Notification letters were dispatched to affected vehicle owners on December 21, 2023. Ford’s reference number for this specific safety recall is 23C35.

Ford Is Also Recalling Trucks Over a Separate Issue

Aside from the already massive front brake issue, Ford Motor Company recalled certain F-150 pickup trucks for faulty windshield wipers.

According to the NHTSA, the windshield wiper motors may prematurely malfunction because of a faulty spline, which is particularly risky during a storm.

An apparent indicator of this problem will be one or both wipers moving slowly or erratically during operation.

Moreover, Ford Motor Company stated that it has received warranty claims and is aware of the detached or inoperative wiper arms reports. The automaker also said no injuries or crashes were related to the issue.

Ford dealers inspected and replaced the windshield wipers for free. Owners of these trucks will be reimbursed if they had previously paid to get their windshield wipers repaired.

References

  1. Ford Recalls
    https://www.ford.com/support/recalls/
  2. NHTSA safety recall results
    https://www.cars.com/research/ford/recalls/
  3. Check to Protect
    https://www.checktoprotect.org/#/
  4. VIN check info Ford
    https://vincheck.info/vin-recall-check/ford-recalls#:~:text=Check%20for%20Ford%20compliance%20to%20federal%20safety%20standards
  5. How to make sure you get recall notices for your used car
    https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/how-to-get-recall-notices-for-a-used-car/#:~:text=Subscribe%20to%20Email,and%20model%20year
  6. Brake issue
    https://www.npr.org/2023/03/17/1164287038/ford-recalls-fusion-mkz-f150

Images sourced from Ford Media Center.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top