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Consumers are warning that F150 brake problems aren’t limited to the 2013 and 2014 models that have been subject to a recall. Owners and lessees allege other models of 2013-2018 Ford pickups have the same F150 brake problems, but Ford has not included these other models or later vehicles among the recalled trucks.
On May 24, 2016, Ford issued a recall of certain models of its 2013 and 2014 F150 pickup trucks manufactured between Aug. 1, 2013 and Aug. 31, 2014 that are equipped with 3.5-liter engines.
Ford said the master cylinder rear cup seal might roll, causing brake fluid to leak from the main reservoir into the break booster, the mechanism that allows the driver to obtain braking action without placing too much force upon the brake pedal.
This loss of brake fluid from the primary reservoir leads to a complete loss of functionality in the front brakes, which could increase the risk of an accident. If all of the brake fluid has been lost, the brakes can fail without warning, which means drivers could fail to stop at red lights and stop signs if they are unable to get the brakes to respond.
Under the recall, dealerships will replace the brake master cylinder and the brake booster if that component also needs to be replaced, free of charge. However, Ford is facing allegations that dealers are replacing some of the defective parts with new parts that have the same defect.
F150 Brake Problems Plague Newer Pickups
A driver of a 2015 Ford F150 pickup filed a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) last month after his truck lost brake power. The Tennessee driver said he was lucky he noticed the loss of power in his driveway when the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. An inspection of the truck’s master cylinder found the brake fluid was almost completely gone.
Another driver said he was vacationing with his wife in Georgia when the brakes on his 2015 Ford F150 failed. He claims the brakes have failed since then, and the only indication anything was wrong was a brake light warning lit up on the dashboard.
The NHTSA reportedly has received similar complaints regarding 2015 and 2016 Ford F150 brake problems from consumers in 38 states, according to an investigation by WSMV News 4 of Nashville, Tenn.
The NHTSA sent Ford a letter on Sept. 18, 2018 asking for information regarding model year 2015 through 2018 Ford F150 brake problems so that the NHTSA can evaluate the “alleged defect.” The letter addresses the following circumstances surrounding F150 brake problems:
- Brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder into the brake booster;
- Allegations the brake warning lamp turns on and/or low fluid level in one or both chambers of the brake fluid reservoir; and/or
- Increased brake pedal movement, including allegations of the pedal going to the floor, accompanied by reduced brake effectiveness.
If you own or lease a 2013-2018 Ford pickup truck, you could be eligible to participate in this lawsuit investigation regarding F150 brake problems.
Join a Free Ford F-150 Brake Failure Lawsuit Investigation
If you own or lease a 2013-2018 Ford F-150 and have experienced a brake failure or loss of brake fluid, you may be entitled to compensation.
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36 thoughts onFord F150 Brake Problems Might Affect Later Models Not Covered by Recall
Same thing happened to me this morning (8/18/2019) driving my 10 months old baby in the car. Luckily it was early in the morning and traffic was slow. Almost went true red light
Same with my truck, today it happened. 2011 ford f150 with 92k miles. Truck needs to be towed to the dealer.
Same problem on my 2015 ford F150 3.5liter EcoBoost with 85K miles! I was driving to national guard duty this weekend and the low brake fluid light came on. When I arrived at my base, I turned the car off and went to roll call. After roll call, went to start the car to go to my office. No brakes! The pedal went to the floorboard! The car was low on fluid, so I had a friend take me to buy DOT4 fluid and it fixed the problem for about a mile then no brakes again! Checked the fluid again and it was low again! Luckily I was near my mechanics shop and left it there. I had to use the parking brake as my primary braking system, which worked fine since there was little traffic. Thank God my wife was not driving the truck. Don’t know if I trust the vehicle now. The braking system is a critical system that should NOT totally malfunction without warning or backup. Ford should make this right!
2012 F-150 Super Crew, 4×4, Off Road and towing package with only 22,500 miles. 7000lb truck with steel toolbox, ect. This same thing happened to me. I was fortunate enough not to crash. This potentially deadly failure needs to be addresses by a recall that includes ANY year models that have the same brake components. Manufacturers use many of the same parts on the subsystems on many of their vehicles. As is apparent I don’t drive this truck excessively and I take a lot of care in maintenance, ect. I will be contacting Ford as soon as I can. I have an extended warranty for 125,000 miles or 7yrs, so I should be covered for this repair, but now I have to do without my truck and have it towed in for these repairs AND the other recalls on the truck AND a couple other smaller repair issues. Regardless of the inconvenience, this is potentially a DEADLY, FATAL problem that is affecting more model years than those that Ford has issued the current recalls for.
Sudden catastrophic brake failure.
I was about to make a Left turn from a busy urban six lane blvd. onto another busy road that has a 6% down grade , when my brakes suddenly went mush. I pressed all the way to the floor & no braking. I was able to safely & carefully move my 2015 Ford F-150 into a nearby parking lot via using the emergency brake.
Brake line to passenger front wheel suddenly failed; line burst.
I checked the NHTSA website & found there is an open investigation into sudden brake failure with 26 reports before mine.
Repairs made using Ford parts
Suggest: 2016-2016 F-150 owners have their brake lines inspected. Unknown if bad factory assembly or material defect.
I’m saving the parts for the NHTSA investigators.
EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM!
2015 F150 3.5lt
In my case, the fluid also went into the fuel system and the burning brake fluid that went out the exhaust system affected my O2 sensors!
Of course, not to mention how I scared badly when it happened on the ramp into the Sam Houston tollway accelerating. I was able to let it slow down gearing down and through the bushes back into the feeder road.
All in all my bill went up to $1900. They’re working on it as we speak. Hope the cat converter is not damaged due the smoke.
I called FORD and they said the cylinder and booster are not in the 5yr 60000miles warranty.
i’m having mine done today, 2016 F150 with 50k miles. Luckily happened close to home but still $1100 bill and four days for parts and repair! Luckily no incident other than the panic when the brakes don’t work.
More comments and observations to follow!
I too just had the same problem with my 2015 F-150 while pulling a camper!!! Had to use the brake booster on the trailer brakes to stop!! I paid over $900 to have this repaired by my mechanic, and then found out about this ongoing issue on internet!! My concern is whether or not the replacement master cylinder is gonna just do the same thing again!!! Does someone have to get killed before they rectify this problem?!?!
2015 Ford F-150 just had to have master cylinder and brake booster replaced. Almost crashed at a red light. Had to use emergency brake to stop in time. Pulled into brake shop that was luckily around the corner. Too many people with the same complaint. This needs to be taken care of by Ford ASAP.
EXACT SAME PROBLEM! On the morning of July 12th, 2019 I left home with my two kids in the rear- headed to drop them off at day car. After about 8 minutes of travel, I got the dashboard notification and chime for “Brake Fluid Level Low.” I thought it would be odd for me to need Brake Fluid, but nevertheless, maybe I would need to top the fluid off. And about a mile after that notification and chime, I had a complete loss of brakes. I only discovered this as a semi hopped in front of me and I needed to stop sharply and could not!!! I panicked and made a hard turn onto the shoulder where I was then able to come to a rolling stop. This could have`fatal! And with a 12-month-old and 3 years old in the rear seat…
At the time I didn’t think to use the emergency brake, but I did use it as the brake so that I could remove my truck off of the interstate. I pulled into a Burger King parking lot and had the truck towed to the nearest Ford Dealer. I have a 2015 F-150 Platinum. I have babied this truck and ensure all maintenance was done on time and absolutely no delays.
The dealer called to report that the master cylinder defected and the Brake Fluid leaked into the brake booster. $900 in repairs for defective items from the manufacturer. Ford needs to extend this to 2015 and 2016 year models. This is DANGEROUS!