BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM MAY EXHIBIT A BRAKE PEDAL KICKBACK AND/OR GRABBING CONDITION WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Ford E-150 brakes problems
severe 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 4 brakes complaints filed for the 2005 Ford E-150, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 16 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford e-150. During brake application at 65 MPH, the brake pedal went completely to the floor without warning. He had to repeatedly apply pressure to release the pedal. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 40,000.
I was driving down a hill and my brakes failed totally. I ran head on into a tree which caused me to blackout. Once rescued from truck I was told the air bag never deployed. So I feel there are two failures here the brakes and the air bag. *tr
I purchased a new 2005 Ford passenger van in may 2006 I have since put 45,000 miles on this vehicle. I have poor gas milage approximately 6 miles to the gallon pulling a trailer. I was told that this vehicle would get at least 11. I have black smoke blowing out the tailpipe. And I have had brake failure 5 times now during cold weather driving conditions. I have taken the vehicle in…
Had brakes trouble with your 2005 Ford E-150?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2005 Ford E-150?
It's a meaningful issue. 4 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 34,167 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Ford/E-150.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.