Problems with the brake system on Ford: affected models and engines

In 11 models from Ford there are 14 documented faults with the brake system. The most important: corroded or damaged brake pipes and hoses, fatigue cracking and deformation of the front brake hoses and fatigue of the rear axle brake pipe bracket bolt.

Reviewed on 2 November 2026How we work

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Ford models it appears in.

- High severityFrequency: CommonFord Galaxy ICorroded or damaged brake pipes and hosesYes: the Dutch inspection (APK) records corroded brake pipes on the Galaxy I (10% on 2000 cars, 4% to 5% on 2003 to 2005 cars) and damaged hoses (4% to 5%), and Autoplenum cites 'considerable defects' in the brake pipes at the German inspection.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalFord RangerFatigue cracking and deformation of the front brake hosesTwo recall campaigns (19S12 and 19U12) affect the front brake hoses of the Ranger: on vehicles built between June 2016 and August 2018 they can crack through fatigue, and on the 2019 Ranger Raptor they can become deformed and rub against the wheel rim. In both cases braking performance is reduced.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Transit VI-VIIFatigue of the rear axle brake pipe bracket boltIn 2013 it was notified to Safety Gate (alert A12/0224/13, submitted by the United Kingdom) that the bolt securing the brake pipe bracket to the rear axle of the Transit built between May 2010 and August 2012 may fail and break the rear brake pipe through fatigue, which would compromise braking.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Transit VI-VIIBrake pedal pin 'R' clip out of specificationIn March 2013 Safety Gate recorded campaign 2C498: the 'R' clip that retains the brake pedal pin on the Transit (and Transit Custom) built between September 2012 and February 2013 does not meet the material specification and may come off, which would separate the pedal from the brake servo rod.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Transit CustomBrake pedal pin clip out of specification: the pedal can come away from the brake servoIn 2013 a warning was issued that the first Transit Custom vehicles (built between late September 2012 and early February 2013) had an R-clip on the brake pedal pin that did not meet the material specification and could come off, leaving the pedal disconnected from the brake servo and with no braking.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Escort VBrake pipes and hoses poorly clipped or rubbingYes: the UK DVSA recorded Escort recalls in 1992 and 1995 for brake pipes rubbing against the anti-roll bar and for rear hoses routed badly, and in 1995 for a batch with the rear brake cylinder bolts not tightened properly. They could lose fluid or brake less effectively; the fix was to clip, re-route, replace or tighten.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Fiesta IV1996 campaigns for the brake servo, clutch master cylinder and brake fluidYes: in 1996 the British DVSA published three campaigns for the Fiesta IV: the brake servo vacuum pump, the clutch master cylinder with the front hoses, and brake fluid contamination from the clutch hydraulic hoses. Two of them cover cars built from July 1995.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Fiesta IVPossible brake master cylinder fault on 1998 FiestasYes: in December 1998 the DVSA recalled Fiestas (and Kas) built between 30 March and 30 September 1998, because the brake master cylinder could fail and leave one of the two braking circuits without pressure. Ford inspects it and replaces it if needed.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Ka IFront brake hose rubbing against the wheelYes: in July 2002 the DVSA and Ford recalled Kas because the front brake hose could rub against the wheel and lose fluid; it is secured with a clip. Fiches-auto.fr records a similar notice for cars built in 2001, and Autozine sees damaged hoses at the inspection.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Ka IPossible brake master cylinder fault on 1998 KasYes: in December 1998 the DVSA recalled Kas (and Fiestas) built between 30 March and 30 September 1998, because the brake master cylinder could fail and leave one of the two braking circuits without pressure. Ford checks it and replaces it if necessary.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Mondeo IICorroded or deteriorated brake pipes and hosesYes, with age: Autozine notes brake hoses damaged, with the reinforcement showing, on 1997 and 1999 Mondeos (4% each year) and corroded brake pipes on 2000 cars (3%), and the AutoShite guide says brake pipes rot easily, especially those running over the fuel tank.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Puma IDamaged brake hoses and brake pipesYes: in 2003 Ford recalled the Pumas built in 2000 because the rear brake hoses could rub against the axle. Autozine records hoses with the reinforcing layer showing (between 5% and 13% depending on the year, from 1998 to 2002) and corroded brake pipes. Ford fitted hoses with a different routing and clips.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFord S-Max IIFront brake hoses that may leak (recall 22B44)The British DVSA lists a Ford campaign (22B44) for possible leaks from the front brake hoses on S-Max models built between May 2015 and October 2018. The remedy is to replace both hoses and, if necessary, modify their routing. We have not confirmed its scope in Spain.
- High severityFrequency: RareFord Focus IVBrake pedal pivot bolt defective (recall)Focus IV built between 19 October and 8 December 2018 may have left the factory with an insufficient brake pedal pivot bolt that could break and reduce braking.

By Ford model

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Frequently asked questions

What faults with the brake system do Ford cars have?

Which Ford models have the most problems with the brake system?

Ford Fiesta IV (2 faults), Ford Ka I (2 faults), Ford Transit VI-VII (2 faults) and Ford Escort V (1 fault).