Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 33% | — |
| 2025 | 20 | 18% | 7,000 miles |
| 2024 | 14 | 7% | 13,000 miles |
| 2023 | 52 | 13% | 12,000 miles |
| 2022 | 41 | 7% | 22,000 miles |
| 2021 | 77 | 7% | 45,000 miles |
| 2020 | 23 | 3% | 35,000 miles |
| 2019 | 23 | 2% | 11,000 miles |
| 2018 | 91 | 4% | 43,000 miles |
| 2017 | 115 | 8% | 27,000 miles |
| 2016 | 339 | 16% | 35,000 miles |
| 2015 | 317 | 18% | 51,000 miles |
| 2014 | 346 | 22% | 48,000 miles |
| 2013 | 363 | 12% | 60,000 miles |
| 2012 | 137 | 8% | 64,000 miles |
| 2011 | 184 | 8% | 59,000 miles |
| 2010 | 58 | 7% | 50,000 miles |
| 2009 | 39 | 12% | 60,000 miles |
| 2008 | 39 | 11% | 20,000 miles |
| 2007 | 44 | 9% | 29,000 miles |
| 2006 | 94 | 16% | 38,000 miles |
| 2005 | 120 | 11% | 36,000 miles |
| 2004 | 139 | 7% | 24,000 miles |
| 2003 | 28 | 7% | 42,000 miles |
| 2002 | 42 | 5% | 74,000 miles |
| 2001 | 69 | 6% | 80,000 miles |
| 2000 | 80 | 7% | 68,000 miles |
| 1999 | 107 | 10% | 86,000 miles |
| 1998 | 114 | 8% | 127,000 miles |
| 1997 | 233 | 8% | 85,000 miles |
| 1996 | 34 | 10% | 150,000 miles |
| 1995 | 145 | 23% | 89,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The automatic braking was activated when we were backing out of a driveway onto the road, there was nothing next to us in the driveway, there was a car that came over a hill but not close we definetely had time to get backed out. The brake engaged and stopped the truck, my husband put the truck in drive to pull forward and the truck accelerated quickly forward and would not stop the tires were squealing and locked up, the truck was still going forward, my husband tried putting the truck in park to stop and finally had to really shove it in park but it was not easy to get it to go in park. There was a house and several cars in front of us and the truck was not stopping for anything in front of us, we did not hit anything but only because my husband was able to get it into park at the last second. …
Received vehicle back from dealer saying prior brake problems had been repaired and confirmed with Ford Engineers. Drove approximately 3 miles before brakes failed again and I was not able to stop at the intersection. Avoided an accident, but had vehicle towed again to be repaired. This is the third complete brake failure in less than 300 miles on the vehicle.
The contact owned a 2025 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, and while depressing the brake to stop the vehicle from hitting a stopped vehicle, the rear end locked up and did not slow down as intended, and the front of the vehicle collided with the rear of the stopped vehicle. The contact sustained a broken sternum and had a concussion, and needed medical attention at a later time. A police report was taken. The vehicle was towed to two tow lots, where it was deemed a total loss. The contact stated that one day she received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V488000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), four days later in the mai,l and believes the failure to be associated with the unrepaired recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,200.
While backing at low speed in a residential driveway, the vehicle struck a parked car causing significant damage. No ADAS safety systems activated: reverse automatic braking did not engage, no parking sensor warnings sounded, no audible or visual alerts occurred. The vehicle made no attempt to slow or stop despite approaching a large stationary obstacle. The vehicle has two open unrepaired recalls at the time of incident: Recall 25V488 (Electronic Brake Booster): EBB module may shut off unexpectedly during ADAS use. The EBB is integral to the electronic braking system ADAS relies on to autonomously apply brakes. If faulted, reverse automatic braking cannot engage regardless of sensor detection. Software fix was available but never applied. Ford documented 37 warranty claims and one crash before issuing this recall. Recall 25V863 (Integrated Park Module): May fail to lock into park. …
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while his wife was in the process of parking the vehicle on the side of the street, the driver released the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended, jolted forward, and hit one unoccupied and parked vehicle, and hit another occupied vehicle stopped at the stop light. The air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained nerve pain, causing the fingers to become numb, and the driver sustained headaches, back, hips, and shoulder pain. It was unknown whether the other driver sustained injuries. The contact's wife drove to an emergency room after the collision and received medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an auto collision repair shop, where it was serviced for the collision damage. …
Three incidents happened with this vehicle. When I put the car on reverse and reversed and stopped, the gear was then put on drive and before the accelerator was stepped on the vehicle propelled itself at a very high speed and I had to emergently step on the brakes before it hit anything. The the front collision warning did not come on and the vehicle did not brake on its own. The same thing happened in our driveway and before we could apply the brakes the vehicle crashed into a tree. This time also the front collision warning did not come on and the vehicle did not brake and went and hit a tree. There was a video that captured this incident and was shown to our Ford dealership and they did not do anything about it. We told them that the vehicle accelerates by itself and is a safety hazard. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, as he depressed the brake pedal to slow down for a traffic sign the vehicle was not slowing. The contact stated that he had depressed the brake pedal to the floorboards and the vehicle was not stopping. The contact stated that his vehicle ran the traffic sign and he crashed into a vehicle that was in the intersection on the driver's side rear wheel well. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the road surface was wet due to rain. The contact stated that his air bags were deployed. The contact stated that his front bumper was crushed and the hood was crumpled back. The contact stated that the state police were on the scene and issued a report. The contact stated that a neighbor drove him to a local emergency room. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her son was at a red light, the vehicle jolted forward crashing into the vehicle in front without warning. The automatic braking system failed to engage. No injuries were sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not towed and was able to restart. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
Related recalls (11)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Electric › Control module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the electronic brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 26, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Electric › Control module › Software
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
Remedy: The EBB module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
Parking brake › Electrical
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a single exhaust system. Contact with the rear axle housing may damage the wiring harness, causing the electric parking brake to activate unexpectedly.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective tie strap, tape wrap, and replace the harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 12, 2024.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
Show 6 more recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The electronic brake booster may leak brake fluid into the electronic control unit, which could result in reduced braking performance.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the electronic brake booster assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 28, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2017 F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and inspect the brake booster, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Ford issued owners an interim notification on June 30, 2020.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Fluid
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 F-150 vehicles manufactured August 1, 2013, to August 31, 2014 equipped with 3.5L engines. The master cylinder rear cup seal may roll, resulting in brake fluid leakage from the primary reservoir into the brake booster.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and, if necessary, the brake booster, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2016.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Ford is recalling 605,684 my 2005-2006 f-150 and Lincoln mark lt vehicles equipped with 5.4l 3-valve engines. The brake booster vacuum supply hose attached to the intake manifold fitting May swell over time and lose retention force.
Remedy: Dealers will replace a rubber hose on the brake booster vacuum supply tube assembly. The recall began on June 27, 2008. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The left front brake hose was damaged during final assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new left front brake hose assembly. Owner notification began March 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
The retainer clip that holds the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal arm is missing.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect to verify that the retainer clips are installed and if clips are missing will install clips.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of brake power-assist
By letter dated May 5, 2008, Ford motor company (Ford) notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 08v-208) to address a manufacturing defect in approximately 605,684 model year (my) 2005 and 2006 Ford f-150 and Lincoln mark lt vehicles originally equipped with the 5.4l displacement, 3-valve per cylinder, v-8 engine.the recalled vehicles were built from July 18, 2004 through May 31,…
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
On June 22, 2015, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE15-026 to investigate incidents of increased brake pedal effort at cold start and extended stopping distance while driving in traffic, resulting from failures of the electric brake vacuum assist pump in model year (MY) 2011-2012 Ford F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines.
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
On February 15, 2016, Ford Motor Company initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 15N05 to extend warranty coverage for the electric vacuum pump in certain model year (MY) 2011 through 2012 Ford F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines.The program extends coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, all vehicles are eligible for the program through…
Master Cylinder External Leak
On May 23, 2016, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a master cylinder defect that could result in loss of the front brake circuit in approximately 225,012 model year 2013 through 2014 Ford F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5-liter GTDI engines and built at the Dearborn Truck Plant from August 1, 2013 through August 22, 2014; and the Kansas City Assembly Plant from…
Brake Master Cylinder Failure
On June 8, 2020, Ford Motor Company issued a safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 20V-332) of 292,311 model year (MY) 2014-2017 Ford F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines and built from 9/1/2014 to 8/1/2016. Ford stated that the causes of brake fluid loss in the master cylinder are brake fluid contamination that can interfere with rear cup seal function, and rolling of the rearmost cup seal.Prior to total…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-150 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (363), 2014 (346), 2016 (339), 2015 (317) and 1997 (233) model years. Brake complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Ford F-150 brake problems?
Yes — 11 recalls, including 25V-823 (control module, Dec 1, 2025); 25V-488 (software, Jul 25, 2025); 25V-236 (master cylinder, Apr 11, 2025). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford F-150 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles; 51% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (393 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (104).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.