Brakes failure

[heavyD]

As a "long time lurker" you should know you can't be too sensitive around here.

When you own a vehicle from a brand that's long had reliability issues and has been recently leading the industry in recalls, you would think blue oval fans would grow thicker skin. On the other hand shit happens with all makes and brands and if you purchases a Ford, expecting to have an issue free ownership experience you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. You gotta take the good with the bad or domestic ownership may not be for you. Losing brake functionality is probably right at the top of issues that can have catastrophic results, so I can understand the OP's disappointment and the bit about not becoming a Ford fan is kind of understandable given the circumstances but brake issues aren't just a Ford thing as it can happen to any vehicle if an integral part fails.

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[Beach_Bum]

... Losing brake functionality is probably right at the top of issues that can have catastrophic results, so I can understand the OP's disappointment and the bit about not becoming a Ford fan is kind of understandable given the circumstances but brake issues aren't just a Ford thing as it can happen to any vehicle if an integral part fails.

There very well might be an issue with the early MY'21-'22 Broncos with the vacuum line. But all too often, complaints with the 2.3L brakes is due to operator error and expectations. Vacuum assisted brakes benefit from "pumping the brakes". Press the brake pedal once and it will feel soft/mushy with a longer braking distance. Pump the brakes and you will stop on a dime.

I would wager there is no issue with the OP's brakes. The OP's son likely has no experience with vacuum assisted brakes. Their expectation of pressing the brake would yield the same result as electronic assisted brakes. That didn't happen so the default conclusion is that it is Ford's fault when it is likely operator error.

 

[heavyD]

There very well might be an issue with the early MY'21-'22 Broncos with the vacuum line. But all too often, complaints with the 2.3L brakes is due to operator error and expectations. Vacuum assisted brakes benefit from "pumping the brakes". Press the brake pedal once and it will feel soft/mushy with a longer braking distance. Pump the brakes and you will stop on a dime.

I would wager there is no issue with the OP's brakes. The OP's son likely has no experience with vacuum assisted brakes. Their expectation of pressing the brake would yield the same result as electronic assisted brakes. That didn't happen so the default conclusion is that it is Ford's fault when it is likely operator error.

I'm not sure that's acceptable in this day and age. I realize that vacuum assisted brakes are largely considered obsolete today save for trucks but I'm old enough to have owned vehicle pre-ABS vehicles and I don't recall having issues of the brake pedal sinking to the floor on a properly functioning brake system.

 

[Taltyman]

On a side note. May want to take it out to some back roads and practice how to stop it without using the brake pedal. Down shifting, e-brake, etc. For me I prefer a manual emergency brake that I can engage by pulling a lever or pushing a brake pedal. because finding the little e-brake toggle means you almost have to take your eyes off the road in an emergency situation.

 

[Beach_Bum]

I'm not sure that's acceptable in this day and age. I realize that vacuum assisted brakes are largely considered obsolete today save for trucks but I'm old enough to have owned vehicle pre-ABS vehicles and I don't recall having issues of the brake pedal sinking to the floor on a properly functioning brake system.

Good news is that for MY'25 the 2.3L gets electronic assisted brakes.

It is what it is. Many drivers who aren't familiar with driving heavy vehicles with vacuum assisted brakes have much different expectations than what they experience when relying on their past driving experience being applied to that system.

Best advice is to leave plenty of braking distance and anticipate by pumping their brakes.

 

[vrtical]

Best advice is to leave plenty of braking distance and anticipate by pumping their brakes.

I have to remind myself of that every time I drive my 40 yr old car with rear drum brakes

 

[userdude]

Man, my old man gave me a "1982" Ford F-250 when I was 17 (1995) so he didn't have to drive me to work anymore. A list of a few things that were wrong with that truck:

1. Master cylinder leaked. Brakes went out twice. Had to bleed the brakes six times, the last two times he refused to help. Of course, had to top it up myself every couple days.
2. Head gasket leaked. Eventually blew it out, replaced it myself. No help.
3. Starter was going out. Replaced it myself, almost dropped the 60lbs thing on my head. Left a quarter inch groove in the concrete.
4. Gas gauge didn't work.
5. Didn't go over 60mph confidently. Downhill was terrifying.
6. It had been rolled and once had 50" tires on it on a ranch. The engine was a Mustang straight-six.
7. Granny geared, so started in second and third always spun the gears hard.
8. Windshield wipers went out, in the dark, during a gullywasher, on an overpass. My friend steered while I reached out and manually moved them in the driving rain.

I would suggest helping him work out what's wrong and facilitate him getting it fixed. Things go wrong, I wouldn't immediately assume Ford derelicted their responsibility and almost killed your son.

 

[Imaginary Friend]

I have to remind myself of that every time I drive my 40 yr old car with rear drum brakes

I remind myself of that every time I drive my 58 year old car with 4-wheel drum brakes. You have to think ahead.

 

[adam1991]

so the default conclusion is that it is Ford's fault when it is likely operator error.

mmmmmm.....how about "operator expectation".

Great learning opportunity.

As for Dark Horse...my guess is he doesn't want this place to turn into just another Reddit.

 

[CitrusBronco]

So…being a dick to someone who had a pretty critical failure common on this forum? Cause damn dude, chill out.

As a long time lurker, and first time poster, thanks for being such a jerk to make me chime in.

I am not being a dick.
Thanks for joining us and welcome to the club.

If I offended the op @Kygolfer I apologize, no offense ment just a short to the point of my thoughts on this.
Hope you continue to enjoy the community here.

 

[4x4fun]

This happened to mine several months ago. I immediately took into the dealership and they said it was a software issue. They tried chargng me for the update, I called Ford customer care and they took care of it for me. I have not had an issue since, Hope that helps

 

[Tonka Bronka]

Pretty well known and documented issue. Lots of threads with the same failure.

Question: I just completed a brake flush and bleed and was going to do the clutch as well. I found the bleed nipple but it looked totally unfamiliar to me. I searched the web for the procedure but nothing. I'm guessing this is not a routine procedure so I left it alone. I've bled many hydraulic clutches. Any insight on this?

 

[Ducati1098]

Question: I just completed a brake flush and bleed and was going to do the clutch as well. I found the bleed nipple but it looked totally unfamiliar to me. I searched the web for the procedure but nothing. I'm guessing this is not a routine procedure so I left it alone. I've bled many hydraulic clutches. Any insight on this?

No need to touch it if you flushed/bled the brakes. It uses the same reservoir.
Also the clutch is very tricky to bleed correctly without the right equipment, you’d likely just introduce air into the line. It’s not worth messing with.

 

[dpAtlanta]

I find it interesting that people want to start controversy on forums… what do you personally get out of it???

 

[buck_6G]

Take it in and see whats wrong or look it over yourself. Mechanical things fail, it’s not a Ford thing.
If he pumped the breaks and they worked the breaks did not fail. It’s time for service.

Or sell it & curse Ford forever. I have heard Toyota does not even make spare parts or offer service because they never have any issues and everything lasts forever.

I have never heard of any vehicle encountering brake failure due to lack of routine service. Plus one to the Toyota comment, though. My 17 Tacoma has never needed anything other than oil, tires, and one rotor being resurfaced.

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