Brake pedal feels soft or spongy

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the master cylinder (77 reports), the booster (40 reports) and the brake lines (25 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.

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

What owners paid

11 of the 160 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $800 to $1,235.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 10,000 and 66,000 miles, from the 139 reports that gave a mileage.

What owners wrote

“Brake pedal goes all the way to the floorboard causing me to cast through a red light. Problem is persistent.”

Filed Jan 13, 2025

“Rupture of soft brake line approximately 1/2 inch below crimp near the connection to hard brake line. Pedal immediately went to floor and lost nearly all braking.”

Filed May 12, 2024

“When braking, the brake pedal goes to the floor and makes stopping the vehicle difficult. There is no sign of leaks from the lines, and is acting like the open recall on other VIN numbers on this model however Ford does not have an open recall on this VIN. The recall is the brake booster leaking into the master cylinder.”

Filed Jan 22, 2024

“The right front brake hose split, leading to a complete loss in braking capability while the truck was moving. The brake went to the floor with no braking. I have looked online and found multiple cases of this brake hose splitting in exactly this place. Fortunately, I was able to safely come to a stop.”

Filed Sep 24, 2023

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 128 reports
• Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 107 reports
• Check engine light or misfire 105 reports
• "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 95 reports
• Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 92 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