Ford F-250 SD Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Ford F-250 SD across 17 model years. The 2002 model year has the most (25). The words owners use most often: “brake line” (17% of reports).
- 134service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 10mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 32%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Brake line: mentioned in 23 of 134 complaints (17%)
- Super duty: mentioned in 17 of 134 complaints (13%)
- Rear brakes: mentioned in 12 of 134 complaints (9%)
- Master cylinder: mentioned in 11 of 134 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 110 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 134 complaints, 10 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 3 an injury.
Ford F-250 SD service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 F-250 SD | 1 | 1% | 42,100 |
| 2020 F-250 SD | 1 | 0% | 38,800 |
| 2011 F-250 SD | 2 | 2% | 31,592 |
| 2010 F-250 SD | 1 | 3% | 25,000 |
| 2008 F-250 SD | 10 | 7% | 25,500 |
| 2007 F-250 SD | 1 | 2% | 16,000 |
| 2006 F-250 SD | 8 | 3% | 40,000 |
| 2005 F-250 SD | 12 | 4% | 38,500 |
| 2004 F-250 SD | 3 | 1% | 30,000 |
| 2003 F-250 SD | 8 | 4% | 16,613 |
| 2002 F-250 SD | 25 | 10% | 35,000 |
| 2001 F-250 SD | 9 | 3% | 41,918 |
| 2000 F-250 SD | 24 | 10% | 67,000 |
| 1999 F-250 SD | 24 | 10% | 98,500 |
| 1997 F-250 SD | 2 | 5% | 70,000 |
| 1996 F-250 SD | 1 | 9% | 100,700 |
| 1995 F-250 SD | 2 | 22% | 121,201 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkagesDo not drive
Model years: 2025
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 F-550 SD, F-450 SD, F-350 SD, and F-250 SD vehicles. The brake booster pushrod retaining spring may not have been installed, which can allow the pushrod to disconnect from the brake pedal and cause a sudden loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems" and 105, "Hydraulic and electric brake systems."
Risk: A sudden loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. Dealers will inspect and repair the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C26.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that a trailer was hitched to the vehicle during the failure. The…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake became inoperable. The contact stated there was brake fluid was gushing out from the driver's side front of the vehicle. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by safely getting to the…
While backing out of my driveway, the brake pedal slowly sank to the floor. I put the truck in park and got out of the vehicle. I noticed an expanding pool of hydraulic fluid forming underneath the truck, just forward of the rear, driver's side tire. Upon investigation, the right rear brake line…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford f-250 sd. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the battery light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was stated that the engine regulator had failed and the wiring harness had melted. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer…
I was on my way to the building supply with the truck. I was towing a small utility trailer. As i approached a fairly sharp curve i applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. The truck brakes were gone without warning. The trailer brakes locked and slowed the vehicle enough to get safely…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford F-250 SDs have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 134 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Ford F-250 SD. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford F-250 SD service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 1 safety recall list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Ford F-250 SD?
The most frequent phrase is “brake line”, in 23 of 134 complaints, followed by “super duty” (17).
Other Ford F-250 SD problems
- Steering problems (2,485)
- Suspension problems (2,211)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (692)
- Electrical System problems (500)
- Power Train problems (457)
- Engine problems (323)
- Wheels problems (284)
- Tires problems (244)
See all Ford F-250 SD problems.