Diagsheet

2014 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet

Brake pedal goes hard or the booster or vacuum pump fails

  • 146owner reports
  • 52,000median miles
  • $900median quote
  • 3involved a crash

Newest report Sep 9, 2026 · checked Sep 29, 2026

146 of the 341 reports of brake wear on the 2014 F-150 describe brake booster failure.

Part of Brakes grind, pulse or wear early (341 reports) · also: soft brake pedal, brake failure, brake light on, brake fluid leak

2 recalls on this systemcovering the 2014 model year
3 crashesin 146 reports
1 person hurtin these reports
NHTSA investigation1 covering the 2014

Tick what matches of 146 reports

16
34
16
40
24
78

Brake booster failure on other F-150 years

Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.

What this problem usually is

This is the narrower sheet inside brakes for reports about a hard pedal or a failed power assist. The pedal stops feeling normal: it turns stiff, takes far more force, and the car needs a longer distance to stop.

Read the full explainer · Which cars report it most

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the brake booster (137 reports), the master cylinder (116 reports) and the vacuum pump (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

2 recalls on the brakes cover the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

20V-332Jun 8, 2020
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder

The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster.

Risk, remedy and owner complaints on recall 20V-332

16V-345May 24, 2016
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Fluid

The master cylinder rear cup seal may roll, resulting in brake fluid leakage from the primary reservoir into the brake booster.

Risk, remedy and owner complaints on recall 16V-345

All 8 recalls on the 2014 Ford F-150, with the owner complaints on each recalled system

NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the F-150

RQ16-001opened Sep 28, 2016
Brakes · model years 2015 to 2016

Brake master cylinder failure. Closed jul 5, 2020, led to recall 20V-332.

PE16-003opened Feb 29, 2016
Brakes · model years 2013 to 2014

Master cylinder external leak. Closed jul 26, 2016, led to recall 16V-345.

EA15-006opened Oct 16, 2015
Service Brakes, Electric · model years 2011 to 2012

Brake vacuum pump failure. Closed apr 28, 2016.

PE15-026opened Jun 22, 2015
Service Brakes, Electric · model years 2011 to 2012

Brake vacuum pump failure. Closed oct 19, 2015.

PE08-001opened Jan 8, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · model years 2005 to 2006

Loss of brake power-assist. Closed may 9, 2008, led to recall 08V-208.

EA93-020opened Jul 28, 1993
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · model years 1992

Parking brake failure. Closed sep 23, 1994, led to recall 94V-169.

PE93-015opened Mar 9, 1993
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · model years 1992

Parking brake failure. Closed jul 27, 1993.

EA91-044opened Oct 30, 1991
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · model years 1991

Loss of brake effectivenes. Closed oct 30, 1992, led to recall 92V-026.

PE91-077opened May 23, 1991
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · model years 1991

Loss of brake effectivenes. Closed oct 31, 1991.

What owners paid

15 of the 146 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $719 to $1,300.

$719$900$1,300
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 32,109 and 95,000 miles, from the 106 reports that gave a mileage.

Complaints by the year NHTSA received them: 2015: 12, 2016: 25, 2017: 9, 2018: 13, 2019: 25, 2020: 6, 2021: 9, 2022: 8, 2023: 10, 2024: 11, 2025: 10, 2026: 812'1525'169'1713'1825'196'209'218'2210'2311'2410'258'26

What owners wrote

“I was driving and my brakes gave out a bit and my brake pedal was hard to press down and when I pressed down there was a grinding sound. Also a red warning message said check braking system. Has been confirmed for 3.5L EcoBoost engines, which is what I have.”

Filed Apr 28, 2026

“While driving the brakes failed and pedal was to the floor. No warning light before this happened. Warning light eventually came on after the failure. This was a very scary situation. Vehicle was taken to auto repair shop who confirmed it is a failure of the master cylinder and brake booster.”

Filed Jun 30, 2025

“The master cylinder failed and caused brake fluid to be sucked into the vacuum brake booster. The result is total hydraulic failure of the brakes and a safety hazard. This is a known failure for the 2014 F150's with the 3.5L Ecoboost for which there was a recall. My truck with the 5.0L motor uses the same part.”

Filed Feb 23, 2024

“Vehicle failed annual State (VA) safety inspection on 7/13/2023 due to Power Brake Booster issue. I see there is a recall out (NSTA#20V332) on Ford F150 for this issue but not on my VIN. Brakes are mushy and stopping time is increased.”

Filed Jul 17, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 3 of 146 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.

Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works

Other problems on this car