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Ford Freestyle Rear Brakes

476 messages,  Last post on Nov 26, 2011 at 7:24 AM

You are in the Ford Freestyle Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Freestyle, Brakes, SUV

Messages Page 42 of 48

#408 of 476 Freestyle Rear Brake Problems by sbogart

Feb 08, 2008 (3:11 pm)

I have a 2006 Ford Freestyle purchased new in April of 2006. This is my wives vehicle and I rarely drive it. On Jan 19 2007 the vehicle registered just over 11,000 miles. I drove the car and observed a loud grinding sound. I then stopped the car and inspected the rear rotors. There were deep scratches and grooves in both rear rotors. The car was immediately taken to the dealership. They replaced both rear rotors and pads. Again at 27,000 miles I drove the car and heard the same noise. AGAIN the same problem. The dealer told me that under the Ford extended warranty program they only authorized the replacement once and that I would need to pay for the repair. I told the service manager that I would be happy to do so, but that the car would be parked in front of the dealership and painted yellow like a big lemon that it is. At that point they decided to not charge me for the repair. Now only 4,000 miles later at 31000 I told my wife to have the brakes inspected when she was having the cars oil changed. I got a call back that the front rotors are shot. I immediately called the dealership and they told me to bring the car in so we could discuss. Prior to taking to the dealership, I paid a certified repair facility to do a complete pads off inspection of the vehicle. I was blown away to discover that the front pads still have approximately 50% life left, however the pads are CRACKED in half and the rotors are shot. The rear rotors are starting to show wear again and it seems to me that we are going down the same road with future replacement. In my opinion the dealership was negligent in putting the car back on the road at the last rear brake change without inspecting the front brakes. The dealership and Ford in my opinion is putting the lives of our families and others at risk by not addressing this serious safety issue. The car has been left with the dealer and the Ford rep will be called in to inspect. In my opinion Ford is attempting to hide a major design flaw with some of the Freestyles. The same problem also exists on the Ford 500. In my opinion this is just another example of huge corporations taking advantage of the little guy. I can tell you this however, this little guy is going to go to bat if need be. Is it going to take the death of one or hundreds of people do to brake failure in order for Ford to respond? Sounds like the Explorer roll over issue all over again. In my opinion again, Ford is only fixing the symptom not the cause. In doing research on the NHTSA website there are a number of complaints regarding this issue. Ford themselves may never do a voluntary recall to fix the problem. If the NHTSA receives enough complaints, they can force a mandatory recall with Ford. I encourage anyone who has had problems with the rear brakes on the Ford Freestyle to file a complaint with the NHTSA. In my opinion Ford needs to recognize the problem and fix it the right way, not just fix the symptoms. The website for the NHTSA is www.nhtsa.gov

#409 of 476 Re: Freestyle Rear Brake Problems [sbogart] by freealfas

Feb 08, 2008 (9:14 pm)

Replying to: sbogart (Feb 08, 2008 3:11 pm)
sorry, while I am not happy to hear of your issues, tehy are just that, YOUR issues. do what you must to take care of your issues with the dealer and ford. I'd argue the dealer is at fault as it seams there may be other things wrong with your braking system as it comprises more parts than pads and rotors. could be a proportioning valve defect, could be improper install, could be unfortunately defective parts again.
 
Your extreme brake issues are the exception rather than the rule. yes myself and others have had them and ford made good by the extended warranty. apparantly they replaced your faulty parts with more faulty parts that caused some/most of these problems in the first place.
 
This is no explorer by any stretch of the imagination. Again take them to taks to make right on your car but again, this seems the exception rather than the rule.

#410 of 476 Re: Freestyle Rear Brake Problems [freealfas] by bobw3

Feb 09, 2008 (7:08 pm)

Replying to: freealfas (Feb 08, 2008 9:14 pm)
I agree.

#411 of 476 Better pad solution for rear brakes? by kpevav

Mar 21, 2008 (4:40 am)

I bought my 2006 FS used with 17,900 miles on it, and the dealer selling it replaced the rear pads and rotors as part of the deal. Now, at 30,900 miles (a scant 13,000 miles later), when having it lubed, I was told that it was down to metal to metal (although I heard or felt nothing). Fortunately, Ford replaced the pads and rotors under the warranty extension.
 
My question is whether there is a technical fix -- in the form of better pads for the rear brakes -- or am I destined to replace them every year or so? I do almost all stop-and-go, stop sign, frequent stop light driving (have never had any problems with brake pads before) and cannot change the driving conditions. So, let's say the guy behind the wheel and the design of the braking system are constants. Is there a better pad?

#412 of 476 Brake Issue 2006 Freestyle by kam4

Apr 01, 2008 (11:41 am)

I have read through manay of the posts here and while some do not see this as an issue, most agree otherwise. What my question relates to is what exactly did Ford do by just replacing the defective parts? My car was purchased new with 8,000+ miles on it- dealer demo. Before the first year was even close to being up- my car made the worst grinding noises and I took it down to the dealer 3 times. They just told me that I was crazy- as they could not duplicate the problem.
 
The day after I brought the car home from the 4th visit- the technician noted significant wear on the rear brakes- so I called them and asked them to go over this especially since I had already brought it down there for three previous appointments and they noticed NOTHING. Of couse they could not and gave me a rate for what the repairs would cost me- they claimed that it was due to my driving.
 
I called the general manager- who is a good friend, and went through my plight. He was not at all amused with his service department.
 
Less than a day later, I get the letter from Ford regarding the rear brakes. Realizing that I was not completely crazy, I called the dealer again. This time they pretended that they knew nothing about the letters or the fact that the car had just been there for the same problem.
 
The car was fixed, but within the last three months, I have been noticing the drag again. So I took it back down to the dealer- they could not duplicate the problem- which is no surprise.
 
So what happens if this becomes an issue again? My car will be out of warranty in less than 5,000 miles.
 
This fix was no fix.

#413 of 476 Re: Freestyle Rear Brake Problems [bobw3] by gi_mech

Apr 06, 2008 (3:42 pm)

Replying to: bobw3 (Feb 09, 2008 7:08 pm)
How can anyone say this is "your problem" when so many drivers are replacing rear brake pads every year??? I got my 2006 FS pads/rotors/calipers replaced last year at 27K and was just told this week that they are "dangerously" worn again! I find this inexcusable on the part of Ford. The problem, not the symptom, should be corrected. I did not buy this car "at my own risk."

#414 of 476 Re: another set of rear brakes [barnstormer64] by jshalasz

Apr 15, 2008 (8:15 pm)

Replying to: barnstormer64 (Nov 18, 2007 7:37 pm)
I have a 2006 Freestyle and I received a letter from Ford telling me to touch base with my dealer to have my rear breaks looked at; they looked at it and scheduled me for replacement breaks. They replaced all the break hardware in the rear. No issues. Side note, at 45,000 miles, one of the most trouble free vehicle I've owned.

#415 of 476 Re: Better pad solution for rear brakes? [kpevav] by fordwrench

Apr 20, 2008 (5:58 am)

Replying to: kpevav (Mar 21, 2008 4:40 am)
As a Ford technician, yes there is a technical fix. The original rear brake pads were affected by moisture, they would swell when damp and drag and ultimately wear out. The new pads are of differant compounds so as not to swell when damp. That is also why the front brakes on an AWD Freestyle must be changed, in order to maintain original braking performance. Any repairs made before the extended coverage program came out was probably repaired with the "old" pads. My own AWD Freestyle an '06 went 20k miles before the rear brakes were worn out, at the same time the tires(18in) were bald. I myself would be very dissapointed except the rest of the car is so good, perfect in fact, that I except these flaws, put on different tires and moved on.

#416 of 476 Re: Better pad solution for rear brakes? [fordwrench] by gi_mech

May 14, 2008 (7:24 pm)

Replying to: fordwrench (Apr 20, 2008 5:58 am)
My rear brakes are dragging (Freestyle 2006) for the second time in two years. Can anyone tell me where I can get a copy of the Ford letter regarding the rear brakes?

#417 of 476 Re: Better pad solution for rear brakes? [fordwrench] by kpevav

May 15, 2008 (2:41 am)

Replying to: fordwrench (Apr 20, 2008 5:58 am)
Okay, thanks, then these brake pads should provide more normal wear. That is reassuring. I also need new tires: which ones did you put on the vehicle?

Messages Page 42 of 48

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