2018 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Brake pedal goes hard or the booster or vacuum pump fails
- 28owner reports
- 119,650median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 22, 2026 · checked Sep 29, 2026
28 of the 91 reports of brake wear on the 2018 F-150 describe brake booster failure.
Part of Brakes grind, pulse or wear early (91 reports) · also: soft brake pedal
Tick what matches of 28 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 (27 reports) and the master cylinder (24 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the brakes cover the 2018 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 allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
All 19 recalls on the 2018 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.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“- Master Cylinder leaking into booster Pump. ~Lost brakes going 65MPH, had to drive into a grass area to slow down. No warning lights until I lost all brakes. - Transmission hard shifting and unreliable gear selection ~ This truck has missed gears when passing intersections and has almost caused a wreck multiple time. Transmission is unsafe for users to drive with.”
Filed Jun 23, 2026
“Master brake cylinder leaked into brake booster making my brakes not work and almost causing an accident. There is a similar recall on 2018 Ford F150 with eco boost. This appears to be a known issue with these Ford F150 models. Due to the issue I almost got in a serious accident.”
Filed Dec 22, 2025
“Master Brake Cylinder leaked brake fluid into brake booster resulting in complete loss of brakes. Warning light displayed low break fluid moments before complete loss of braking power, +/- 60 seconds before all breaking power was lost. Certain 2018 Ford F-150's currently qualify for this recall but my specific model does not. Reports online show many other's experience same issue with this 2018 model.”
Filed Sep 9, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 28 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
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 519 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 251 reports
- Timing chain or cam phaser rattles 227 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 195 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 180 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 164 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 119 reports
- Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own 113 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 91 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 89 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 65 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 54 reports
- Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close 48 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 47 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 42 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 40 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 38 reports
- Rear window shatters or explodes 38 reports
- Vehicle fire 32 reports
- Loses power when accelerating 30 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 29 reports
- Auto start-stop will not restart the engine 29 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 26 reports