2016 Ford F-150 Service Brakes Problems
Owners have filed 302 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the 2016 Ford F-150, 15% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 31,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “brake fluid” (36% of reports).
- 302service brakes complaints
- 31,000median miles at failure
- 21mention a crash
- 11mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $1,350typical repair cost reported by owners
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Brake fluid: mentioned in 109 of 302 complaints (36%)
- Master cylinder: mentioned in 97 of 302 complaints (32%)
- Pedal went: mentioned in 69 of 302 complaints (23%)
- Way floor: mentioned in 43 of 302 complaints (14%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes repair on the 2016 Ford F-150 at $1,350, and half of them between $1,100 and $1,550.
Based on 14 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2018–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do service brakes problems happen?
Based on 233 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 302 complaints, 21 mention a crash, 11 an injury.
Ford F-150 service brakes complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 F-150 | 4 | 33% | — |
| 2025 F-150 | 18 | 17% | 4,000 |
| 2024 F-150 | 13 | 7% | — |
| 2023 F-150 | 39 | 9% | 10,307 |
| 2022 F-150 | 24 | 4% | 10,100 |
| 2021 F-150 | 53 | 5% | 8,000 |
| 2020 F-150 | 18 | 2% | 3,700 |
| 2019 F-150 | 20 | 1% | 4,700 |
| 2018 F-150 | 71 | 3% | 18,335 |
| 2017 F-150 | 85 | 6% | 10,000 |
| 2016 F-150 | 302 | 15% | 31,000 |
| 2015 F-150 | 299 | 17% | 50,000 |
| 2014 F-150 | 290 | 19% | 43,000 |
| 2013 F-150 | 321 | 11% | 52,000 |
| 2012 F-150 | 124 | 7% | 57,000 |
| 2011 F-150 | 162 | 7% | 57,390 |
| 2010 F-150 | 44 | 5% | 69,700 |
| 2009 F-150 | 25 | 8% | 88,000 |
| 2008 F-150 | 21 | 6% | 60,411 |
| 2007 F-150 | 16 | 3% | 78,542 |
| 2006 F-150 | 23 | 4% | 101,000 |
| 2005 F-150 | 21 | 2% | 85,087 |
| 2004 F-150 | 24 | 1% | 79,500 |
| 2003 F-150 | 10 | 2% | 77,250 |
| 2002 F-150 | 12 | 1% | 180,500 |
| 2001 F-150 | 15 | 1% | 164,000 |
| 2000 F-150 | 7 | 1% | 145,258 |
| 1999 F-150 | 7 | 1% | 50,000 |
| 1998 F-150 | 1 | 0% | 200,000 |
| 1997 F-150 | 8 | 0% | 144,000 |
| 1996 F-150 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 1995 F-150 | 2 | 0% | 100,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder; service brakes, hydraulic:power assist
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter notifying customers of the safety defect were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2022. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-332. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist; service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2017 F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster.
Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel and feel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, possibly requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and inspect the brake booster, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Ford issued owners an interim notification on June 30, 2020. The recall began on October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S31.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I am filing an emergency complaint against Ford Motor Company for failure to provide a safety recall remedy within a reasonable timeframe under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301. My vehicle has an active safety recall (Recall 20S31) for a compromised brake master cylinder, making it entirely unsafe to operate…
There was no incident. Ford announced the recall in May with no remedy until August. I had to rent a truck to pull a trailer to [XXX] from [XXX]. They said there was no compensation as there was no "stop driving" notice on the recall but it stated the the vehicle could abruptly slow down /downshift…
I went to start my truck and the brake went all the way to the floor. I had no braking power and it had to be towed back home over an hour away. There is a recall on 2016 Ford F150 with the 3.5 Eco Boost engine which I have. This recall involves a seal in the master cylinder failing and losing…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2016 Ford F-150s have service brakes problems?
No. NHTSA has 302 owner complaints about service brakes for the 2016 Ford F-150 (15% of the 2,078 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Ford F-150 service brakes?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list service brakes. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do service brakes problems start?
The median reported mileage is 31,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix service brakes problems on the 2016 Ford F-150?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,350 (half paid between $1,100 and $1,550), from 14 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes problems on the 2016 Ford F-150?
The most frequent phrase is “brake fluid”, in 109 of 302 complaints, followed by “master cylinder” (97).
Other 2016 Ford F-150 problems
- Power Train problems (603)
- Engine problems (317)
- Structure problems (199)
- Electrical System problems (187)
- Visibility/wiper problems (107)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (100)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (83)
- Steering problems (64)
See all 2016 Ford F-150 problems or service brakes problems across all F-150 years.