FORD: IF THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT LACK OF POWER, SURGE, OR HESITATION WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WILL OVERRIDE ACCELERATION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Ford F-350 brakes problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
2fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 17 brakes complaints filed for the 2008 Ford F-350, 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
Of the 8 model years of Ford F-350 we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 17.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2008 F-350 brake system generates consistent complaints across multiple failure modes. Brake calipers lock up and overheat without warning between 18,000 and 50,000 miles, with some wheels becoming too hot to touch and emitting smoke. This lockup pulls the truck hard to one side, causing loss of control. Dealers acknowledge the calipers fail regularly but repairs are temporary—owners report the same problem recurring on different wheels.
Brake pedal failures are equally serious. Some pedals sink to the floor with no response, requiring emergency brake and low gear to stop a moving truck. One owner's brake switch assembly (Ford part SW6349) blew out of the master cylinder at initial startup, causing immediate brake fluid loss. The pedal itself can become unresponsive at very low mileage—one vehicle showed failure at 4,100 miles.
A design defect also emerges: brake and accelerator pedals are spaced too closely together. Multiple owners—including street department workers—report deliberately pressing both pedals simultaneously, causing the truck to accelerate instead of stop. One such incident totaled a vehicle in a trolley collision. A Ford dealership service advisor confirmed awareness of this issue but stated Ford has not addressed it.
Brake booster mounting ears break or loosen, weakening the connection to the master cylinder. Parking brake backing plates rust through completely, even at very low mileage. Overall, owners encounter failures requiring repeated dealer visits and significant out-of-pocket repair costs once warranty expires.
Failure modes owners describe
Brake caliper lockup and overheating
Front or rear brake calipers fail to release, causing the wheel to lock, smoke, and extreme heat. Happens repeatedly on different wheels. Owners report the caliper sticking in the applied position, sometimes with internal component failure.
When: Between 18,000 and 50,000 miles; one case at 29,000 miles with no prior issues
Symptoms owners cite: Brake caliper locks up without warning; Wheel becomes extremely hot and emits smoke; Vehicle pulls hard to the locked side, causing loss of control; Burning smell from brakes; Caliper fails to release even after cooling
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replace caliper, brake disc, and pads. In some cases calipers are disassembled and cleaned but repair is ineffective. One parts department noted this happens frequently.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some repairs done under warranty at 29,000 miles. One dealer blamed owner for running over something before apologizing. Dealer at another location stated they are aware of the issue but Ford has not addressed it.
Brake master cylinder and pedal assembly failure
Brake pedal sinks to the floor or becomes unresponsive, or the master cylinder itself fails. One case involved brake pedal plunger rod that was replaced but failure recurred; another involved the brake switch assembly blowing out of the master cylinder with plastic connector failure while metal casing remained attached.
When: Around 70,000 miles in one case; as early as 4,100 miles in another; one case at initial purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal sinks or extends all the way to the floor; Loss of braking ability requiring emergency brake and low gear to stop; Burning odor throughout vehicle; Loud popping sound from brake pedal area; Brake fluid dripping from master cylinder
Repairs/costs cited: Brake pedal and plunger rod replaced with longer rod; failure recurred. Master cylinder replaced; failure recurred. Brake switch assembly (Ford part SW6349/9F924) plastic connector blew out, leaving metal casing attached.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One vehicle was told it was too old for assistance and call was disconnected. Another owner reported ford was notified but no response documented.
Brake and accelerator pedal positioning conflict
Brake and accelerator pedals are positioned too close together, allowing drivers to depress both pedals simultaneously. When both are pressed, the accelerator takes effect and the vehicle accelerates while the driver believes the brakes are working. One collision with a trolley resulted in a total loss.
When: Multiple incidents within months of purchase; one total-loss collision in 2011
Symptoms owners cite: Driver accidentally presses both pedals at once; Vehicle accelerates instead of decelerating; Driver has close calls with obstacles or other vehicles; Engine revs when brake pedal is depressed
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; identified as a design defect. Street department workers and multiple forum users reported reproducing the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One Ford dealership service advisor acknowledged awareness of the situation but stated Ford has not addressed it.
Brake booster attachment failure
Brake booster mounting ears become loose or break off, weakening the connection between the master cylinder and booster. This results in loss of brake pressure and unresponsive braking.
When: Around 57,000 miles on one vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal unresponsive, travels all the way to the floor; Brake booster ears loose or broken where master cylinder connects; Vehicle will not stop at normal pedal pressure, requires emergency brake and low gear
Repairs/costs cited: Mobile mechanic tightened bolt; temporary fix. Dealer quoted $1,289 for brake booster replacement plus air filter and diesel filter. Truck was out of warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Motor Company took down the report but provided no warranty assistance; owner was told truck is out of warranty.
Brake fluid loss from master cylinder switch assembly
Brake fluid switch assembly mounted on the master cylinder corrodes and fails catastrophically, ejecting the plastic connector and causing immediate brake fluid loss and total loss of braking.
When: Multiple instances documented
Symptoms owners cite: Loud pop from brake pedal area; Brake pedal sinks to the floor; Brake fluid dripping from master cylinder bottom; Immediate loss of all brake pressure
Repairs/costs cited: Ford part SW6349 (9F924) switch assembly has defective plastic connector. Connector blows out while metal casing remains attached. One parts department noted corrosion on switch body.
ABS system failure
The anti-lock braking system fails, causing uncontrolled wheel lockup. One owner with recurring lockup incidents and smoke was told by a transmission shop that the ABS had failed and needed replacement.
When: After multiple brake system repairs and recurring failures
Symptoms owners cite: Rear wheels lock without warning and release unpredictably; Front wheel locks unexpectedly; Smoke visible under vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission shop diagnosed ABS failure and need for replacement. Vehicle was not repaired due to manufacturer refusal of assistance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated the vehicle was too old and provided no further assistance.
Parking brake backing plate rust-through
Parking brake backing plate rusts completely through on both sides of the vehicle, causing the parking brake pedal to sink to the floor without holding.
When: At 4,100 miles on a 2008 model
Symptoms owners cite: Parking brake pedal extends all the way to the floor; Backing plate rusted out on both sides; No holding power from parking brake
Repairs/costs cited: Backing plate replacement required; parts removed and inspected.
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Monday, january 3, 2011, we were driving on a rural road in route to sharps chapel, tennessee when the right side front passenger caliper/rotor assembly failed causing smoking and burning smell of the brake shoes forcing me to pull to the side of the road. After allowing the brakes to cool, I contacted and drove to morristown Ford in tennessee and they to attempted to repair the brakes by…
Had brakes trouble with your 2008 Ford F-350?
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 2008 Ford F-350?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 17,813 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 31,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 17,813; a quarter make it past 70,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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/2008/Ford/F-350.
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.