2016 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Brake pedal goes hard or the booster or vacuum pump fails
- 85owner reports
- 51,000median miles
- $1,100median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Aug 1, 2026 · checked Sep 29, 2026
85 of the 339 reports of brake wear on the 2016 F-150 describe brake booster failure.
Part of Brakes grind, pulse or wear early (339 reports) · also: soft brake pedal, brake failure, brake light on, brake fluid leak
Tick what matches of 85 reports
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.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the brake booster (79 reports) and the master cylinder (62 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the brakes cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster.
All 14 recalls on the 2016 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.
Parking brake failure. Closed sep 23, 1994, led to recall 94V-169.
Parking brake failure. Closed jul 27, 1993.
Loss of brake effectivenes. Closed oct 30, 1992, led to recall 92V-026.
Loss of brake effectivenes. Closed oct 31, 1991.
What owners paid
18 of the 85 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $890 to $2,100.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 38,111 and 72,000 miles, from the 71 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Brake Master Cylinder failed. Sudden, complete loss of brake pressure with all the brake fluid leaking into brake booster. I had to replace the unit as the car was not drivable even after adding fluid. The unit has not been inspected. Brake fluid indicator came on when there was a sudden loss of fluid due to the master cylinder failure,”
Filed Jul 4, 2021
“Leaking brake booster line at 50,000 + miles I have to pay for out of pocket. Also throttle body replacement. Vehicle would lose power then throw a code P2112. Both bad safety issues.”
Filed Jun 8, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 85 reports involved a crash. 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
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 183 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 159 reports
- Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own 125 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 106 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 105 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 94 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 91 reports
- Rear window shatters or explodes 90 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 82 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 57 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 41 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 35 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 33 reports
- Windshield wipers stop working 33 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 32 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 30 reports
- Loses power when accelerating 29 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 27 reports
- Turbo failure or loss of boost 25 reports