Ford Tells Truck Owners To Stop Driving Over Rookie Mistake
Ford has asked owners of 2025 F-Series Super Duty trucks to stop driving due to a critical issue with their truck's braking system.
Key Points
- Ford has issued a "do not drive" warning for 2,345 units of its 2025 Super Duty pickups—including F-250 to F-550 models—due to a missing brake pedal retaining spring that can result in total brake failure.
- The issue was traced to trucks built by a trainee assembler, with production line camera monitoring offline during the assembly window, prompting Ford to expand the recall to vehicles lacking visual build confirmation.
- Owners are being instructed not to operate their vehicles and to coordinate with dealerships for inspection and repair, as the missing spring can allow the brake pedal to disconnect from the booster, eliminating braking force.
The recall, which affects 2,345 vehicles across the entire F-250 to F-550 Super Duty range, stems from a missing component in the brake pedal assembly that could lead to a complete loss of braking power.
The defect was first flagged in late May at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant, when a team member noticed that a 2025 F-350 lacked the retaining spring that secures the brake booster pushrod to the brake pedal. This prompted an internal investigation by Ford, which found the defect was linked to at least two other incidents: one during a pre-delivery inspection and another discovered during a service visit.
In both cases, the brake pedal was found to “swing freely,” meaning no brakes.
According to the documents provided by NHTSA, Further investigation revealed that the affected trucks were assembled by a newly hired employee who was still undergoing training. Compounding the issue, Ford’s camera system—used to visually verify each production step—was offline during parts of the relevant assembly period.
Ford has started notifying owners of the affected trucks, instructing them not to drive their vehicles until they have been inspected and, if necessary, repaired by a dealership. The company emphasized that it is working with dealers to facilitate the inspection process quickly and safely.
Ford says no injuries or accidents related to the issue have been reported so far.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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