2014 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking)
- 35owner reports
- 39,000median miles
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Jan 2, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
437 of the 1,511 complaints on this car are about the brakes. 35 of those describe phantom braking.
Tick what matches of 35 reports
Phantom braking 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, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Phantom braking is a car that brakes hard on its own, often at highway speed, with nothing in the road ahead. About one owner in five mentions a near miss with the car behind.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
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.
The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster.
The master cylinder rear cup seal may roll, resulting in brake fluid leakage from the primary reservoir into the brake booster.
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
Brake master cylinder failure. Closed jul 5, 2020, led to recall 20V-332.
Master cylinder external leak. Closed jul 26, 2016, led to recall 16V-345.
Brake vacuum pump failure. Closed apr 28, 2016.
Brake vacuum pump failure. Closed oct 19, 2015.
Loss of brake power-assist. Closed may 9, 2008, led to recall 08V-208.
Speed control deactivation switch fire. Closed mar 22, 2005, led to recall 05V-017.
Dual fuel tank crossflow/leakage. Closed dec 6, 2001, led to recall 00V-424.
Blow back during refueling. Closed sep 23, 1999.
Alleged loss of throttle control. Closed sep 30, 1999.
Loss of throttle control. Closed aug 31, 1998.
Ice formation in the throttle body. Closed may 22, 2000, led to recall 96V-251.
Parking brake failure. Closed sep 23, 1994, led to recall 94V-169.
Parking brake failure. Closed jul 27, 1993.
Fuel expulsion. Closed aug 20, 1993, led to recall 93V-125.
Fuel expulsion. Closed jan 7, 1993.
Loss of brake effectivenes. Closed oct 30, 1992, led to recall 92V-026.
Fuel expulsion. Closed nov 1, 1991, led to recall 91V-146.
Loss of brake effectivenes. Closed oct 31, 1991.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 23,910 and 75,000 miles, from the 29 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“While any driving conditions or speeds for no reason at all abs, traction, emergency brake system warning lamps come on. My brakes are good. Took truck to a shop and had brakes inspected and nothing is wrong with the brake system. When turn off vehicle and restart warning lamps turn off. Sometimes the check electronic differential warning lamps comes on with the 3 brake warning lamps.”
Filed Oct 8, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 35 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
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 341 reports
- Rear window shatters or explodes 135 reports
- Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own 117 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 109 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 104 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 71 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 61 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 58 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 54 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 53 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 31 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 30 reports