Brakes Failure on highway - known issue according to dealership?

[Oly]

So I almost died driving my 4 door Outer Banks on the freeway the other day. My wife and I were driving out to Hilton Head for a 10k. Everything was great until…Some jerk swerved in front of me to avoid being behind a semi truck chugging uphill.

This is where I almost died…

When I went to hit the brakes the pedal was impossible to press, the Bronco’s dashboard lit up saying something like brake error: check brake system. I luckily was able to slow down by using the manual shift selector on the side of the gear shift and basically standing on the brake pedal and immediately pulled over. I got out and checked the brakes after turning the car off and on. The brake pedal was now able to depress, but the brakes were super spongey. I drove to the closest Ford dealership and had them check it out. The tech came back after a few min and said it was a known issue with the Brake Vacuum and it has to come from Michigan.

This just happened so I’m getting more info as they can’t order the part until tomorrow, but I’ll update as I have more info.

I know 1st gen products have issues but this one is a really big problem. Good thing I wasn’t on the trail next to a cliff otherwise I wouldn’t be here.

Driving 70 mph on the freeway and you go to hit the brakes and there are none… scared the crap out of me. Driving a rental and now I have PTSD every time I brake.

Anyone else heard of this for the 4doors? I know the sport had a brake recall, but not 100% sure this is the same issue?

—- UPDATE —-

Got more info from shop. They replaced the vacuum booster line - ‘known issue’. SSM 50314 (diagnostic P050F I believe). Assuming this will be one of the first of many.

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[Thrash Metash]

2.7L or 2.3L? It is my understanding that the brake assist is different between the two.

 

[Oly]

2.7L or 2.3L? It is my understanding that the brake assist is different between the two.

2.3 - that is my understanding as well.

 

[Mr. Nice]

So I almost died driving my 4 door Outer Banks on the freeway the other day. My wife and I were driving out to Hilton Head for a 10k. Everything was great until…Some jerk swerved in front of me to avoid being behind a semi truck chugging uphill.

This is where I almost died…
When I went to hit the brakes the pedal was impossible to press, the Bronco’s dashboard lit up saying something like brake error: check brake system. I luckily was able to slow down by using the manual shift selector on the side of the gear shift and basically standing on the brake pedal and immediately pulled over. I got out and checked the brakes after turning the car off and on. The brake pedal was now able to depress, but the brakes were super spongey. I drove to the closest Ford dealership and had them check it out. The tech came back after a few min and said it was a known issue with the Brake Vacuum and it has to come from Michigan.

This just happened so I’m getting more info as they can’t order the part until tomorrow, but I’ll update as I have more info.

I know 1st gen products have issues but this one is a really big problem. Good thing I wasn’t on the trail next to a cliff otherwise I wouldn’t be here.

Driving 70 mph on the freeway and you go to hit the brakes and there are none… scared the crap out of me. Driving a rental and now I have PTSD every time I brake.

Anyone else heard of this for the 4doors? I know the sport had a brake recall, but not 100% sure this is the same issue?

Problems with the 2.3’s brakes in the Ranger are well documented. This is not a Bronco only issue.

 

[Thrash Metash]

This is super scary and 1st gen is not an excuse for Ford. The brakes should be the highest priority system. This is the 2nd story I am aware of on this forum about brakes failing (the other was on a 2.7L). I haven't heard of that happening in all my years and now 2 on the Bronco.

 

[BroncoBoy22]

Holy cow!! I’m glad you’re alright man that’s terrifying!! Good job thinking quick and shifting!

 

[CobraKaiSG]

yeah this isn't ok- needs to be taken very seriously by ford and hopefully they have protocols for investigating such serious concerns

 

[Balthezor]

Glad you are ok man.

 

[BlueBronco]

I have had a couple brak error warnings appear while driving on my 2.3 BL manual. Each time the brake is initially hard to press like the collision alert system precharged the brakes. However, after the hard press the brakes were fine.

 

[Oly]

I have had a couple brak error warnings appear while driving on my 2.3 BL manual. Each time the brake is initially hard to press like the collision alert system precharged the brakes. However, after the hard press the brakes were fine.

I was hoping that was the case when mine fired up — but it just kept coming on when I went to brake and the brake light remained lit the whole time … It wasn't something I was prepared to keep testing out on the freeway. Glad to hear yours worked out. Regardless, keep in mind this is a known issue come to find out from the tech I took it to at the ford dealership. If I were you Id have em check your rig out to be safe - especially if you are getting that error.

 

[@BadBlueBronco]

My truck had a similar issue and it was because the brake booster uses a pulley driven vacuum pump. If that has an issue then the brake assist doesn’t know how hard you are hitting the pedal. Known issue in the 5.3

 

[1975U15]

Glad you made it out ok. Scary.

Ford just recalled half the Bronco Sports made in 2021 for brake issue. Wonder if this is related to issue Ford having with the Sports?

https://news.yahoo.com/ford-recalls-115-000-bronco-140000550.html

 

[Tdifonzo]

Wtf @Ford Motor Company ?!?

 

[72BroncoSand]

You were with your wife? But you state “ This is where I almost died” Did your wife make it? Story started with 2 then not a mention, Lol!

 

[Obiwan]

So is this software related? Does it only impact vehicles with active cruise control I wonder ?

Anyone know how the brake assist system works in this particular platform in it's entirety?

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