2018 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 91owner reports
- 42,854median miles
- 11involved a crash
Newest report Sep 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
91 of the 2,311 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Narrower sheets: Brake pedal feels soft or spongy (29 reports) · Brake pedal goes hard or the booster or vacuum pump fails (28 reports)
Tick what matches of 91 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 (33 reports), the booster (27 reports), the ABS module (6 reports) and the pads and rotors (4 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
The middle half of failures fell between 14,800 and 100,000 miles, from the 47 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 6 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 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 2018 F-150, Expedition, and Navigator vehicles may exhibit a concern of inoperative adaptive cruise control with no associated DTCs.
Some 2017-2019 F-Super Duty vehicles may exhibit concerns related to brake drag. Utilize Workshop Manual (WSM) diagnostics in section 206-00 to verify the correct installation of the stoplamp switch.
2 more on the 2018 Ford F-150 page.
What owners wrote
“Vehicle warning for âlow brake fluidâ came on while on freeway. Lost braking power and had to coast to a stop.”
Filed Aug 22, 2024
“A seal in the rear of the brake master cylinder became compromised, allowing brake fluid to leak into the brake booster. This caused my brakes to fail and is a broken in many models of the truck.”
Filed Jun 21, 2023
“Leaking brake fluid into master cylinder and booster causing vehicle to have no brakes.”
Filed May 17, 2023
“The vehicle brake line hose ruptured. This vehicle currently has 40,000 miles and for this life safety defect/malfunction to occur shows that there is obviously a significant risk to not just my life but other owners as well. Lives are at risk and Ford could care less! Back in 2020 Ford Motors recalled over 1.3 million vehicles for this same exact issue.”
Filed Apr 26, 2023 · 40,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 11 of 91 reports involved a crash and 4 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
- 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 114 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