2016 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 339owner reports
- 37,700median miles
- $1,031median quote
- 24involved a crash
Newest report Sep 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
339 of the 2,057 complaints on this car describe brake wear, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 F-150.
Narrower sheets: Brake pedal feels soft or spongy (160 reports) · Brakes failed to stop the car (95 reports) · Brake pedal goes hard or the booster or vacuum pump fails (85 reports) · Brake warning light stays on (55 reports) · Brake fluid leaks or a brake line bursts (36 reports)
Tick what matches of 339 reports
Brake wear 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: 2019, 2020, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the master cylinder (136 reports), the booster (79 reports), the pads and rotors (11 reports) and the ABS module (9 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
26 of the 339 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 63,575 miles, from the 262 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Ford F-150 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00.
Some 2013-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00.
SOME 2015-2016 F-150 VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT LOSS OF THROTTLE PEDAL RESPONSE, ILLUMINATED WRENCH, HILL DESCENT, AIRBAG, ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM(ABS) AND/OR ADVANCED TRAC WARNING INDICATORS AND/OR P2122, P2123, P2124, P2125, P2127, P2128 AND/OR ...
What owners wrote
“Front left brake hose burst at 116000 miles. Appears to be a manufacturer defect. There is no evidence of any physical damage. This is happening way too ofter on these vehicle for it not to be a defect. I will be replacing the part this week and will save the old one in case you want to see it. My wife was actively driving the vehicle when it failed but was able to stop the vehicle without damaging anything.”
Filed Oct 30, 2023 · 116,000 miles
“The brake fluid reservoir cap cracked for reasons unknown allowing debris and contaminants to enter my braking system. I noticed this while checking the engine air filter. I went to the dealership to purchase a new cap and the parts salesman inform me that this is a very common issue... I'm concerned that issues my arise in the future relating to this problem.”
Filed Oct 4, 2022
“Brake fluid leak.brakes quit working immediately while on freeway causing us to zig zag to avoid crashing with other vehicles!”
Filed May 2, 2022
“The break pedal became unresponsive and would have to be pressed alot more that usual to stop the car and the stopping distance was much much longer. Then I noticed that every time I press the brakes oil shoots out from the front driver side. When I searched online I noticed that there is a similar recall for the exact same issue and same model year ford F-150, however my VIN number is not included in the recall.”
Filed Dec 6, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 24 of 339 reports involved a crash and 18 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
- 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