NHTSA complaint: 2003 FORD F-250 SD — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
2003 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHILE APPROACHING STOPPED CARS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS ORDERED WITH ABS AND A DUAL MASTER CYLINDER, SO IF THE FRONT OR REAR BRAKES FAILED, HE WOULD AT LEAST HAVE TWO WHEEL BRAKES TO STOP AND LOCK UP COMPLETELY. AFTER THE TRUCK WAS PICKED UP AND TAKEN TO A GARAGE, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER FOUND PARTS LYING ON HIS TRUCK BED. THEY WERE FROM A SWITCH ON THE END OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE HOUSING FOR THE SWITCH ROTTED AWAY ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO FALL APART. WITHOUT THE SWITCH BLOCKING THE HOLE IN THE END OF THE MASTER CYLINDER, THERE WERE NO BRAKES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE SYSTEM, BECAUSE IT SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST ALLOWED HIM TO HAVE TWO WHEEL BRAKES. THE CONSUMER STATED WITH ALL THE SAFETY BUILT INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM, HOW DID ONE SWITCH WIPE OUT THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM WHEN IT FAILED. *JB
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation