NHTSA Complaint #10822320 — 2000 FORD F-250

WHILE I WAS ON A HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 65 MPH MY STEERING AND BRAKES WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. I HAPPENED TO BE 200 YARDS BEHIND THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE IMPACT. A HYDRAULIC HOSE FAILED AND RENDERED THE STEERING AND BRAKES ALMOST COMPLETELY USELESS. THE STEERING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL BUT I MANAGED. THE BRAKES WERE ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE BUT I MANAGED TO SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN TO A SAFE STOP OFF THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO MY DIESEL MECHANIC I WAS TOLD BY THE OWNER THAT FORD ENGINEERED THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM TO CONTROL THE STEERING AND BRAKES. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD WITH THAT KIND OF RIDICULOUS ENGINEERING. I HAD THREE HOSES REPLACED AT A TOTAL COST OF $451.54. ONE FACTORY HOSE WAS $172.53, ANOTHER $100.68 AND THE THIRD WAS $24.04. THE SAFETY ISSUE HERE IS UNREAL. HOW COULD FORD ENGINEERING HAVE DONE SUCH A STUPID THING.