Vehicle Information: 2013 Ford F-150 SuperCrew 3.5L V6 EcoBoost (VIN: [XXX]) While operating the vehicle, experienced a severe and sudden degradation of brake hydraulic pressure. The brake pedal travels abnormally deep and requires the driver to "double-pump" (fully let off the brake pedal and re-press it a second time) to achieve enough line pressure to stop the vehicle. Additionally, while stopped at an intersection, the vehicle began violently jerking and resisting movement because the brake calipers failed to release, holding the vehicle back until a heavy secondary press of the pedal forced the system to recede. Safety Risk & Background: This behavior matches the exact mechanical failure profile of Ford Safety Recall 16S24 and Recall 20S31 (internal failure of the brake master cylinder rear cup seal leaking corrosive fluid directly into the vacuum brake booster). I am the original owner of this vehicle from new. My exact VIN is currently excluded from the official recall database due to an early 2013 manufacture date boundary. However, the vehicle is suffering from the identical catastrophic failure of the identical under-recalled factory braking component, resulting in extreme deceleration failure and unintended brake lockup while moving. This constitutes an immediate crash hazard to my teenage driver that is currently operating this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2013 Ford F-150 brakes problems
363 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 60,000. 30 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 363
- of this car's complaints
- 12%
- typical mileage
- 60,000
- crashes
- 30
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Foundation components: master cylinder8
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring5
- Power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
- Disc: rotor1
- Brake fluid low warning: lamp1
- Antilock: wheel speed sensor1
- Antilock: ABS warning light1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford F-150 brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Ford F-150 brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 F-150 vehicles manufactured August 1, 2013, to August 31, 2014 equipped with 3.5L engines. The master cylinder rear cup seal may roll, resulting in brake fluid leakage from the primary reservoir into the brake booster.
- Risk
- Loss of brake fluid from the primary reservoir results in a complete loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and, if necessary, the brake booster, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S24.
Recall number 16V345000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Master Cylinder External Leak
On May 23, 2016, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to the federal safety agency regarding a master cylinder defect that could result in loss of the front brake circuit in approximately 225,012 model year 2013 through 2014 Ford F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5-liter GTDI engines and built at the Dearborn Truck Plant from August 1, 2013 through August 22, 2014; and the Kansas City Assembly Plant from August 1, 2013 through August 31, 2014 (the federal safety agency Recall #16V‑345, Ford Recall #16S24).Ford indicated that the rearmost cup seal in the brake master cylinder may roll, resulting in leakage from the brake fluid reservoir to the brake booster.According to Ford's DIR, Depending on the amount of brake fluid loss from the brake master cylinder into the brake booster, the driver will experience an audible chime, message center alert, red brake warning light in the instrument cluster and may begin to experience a change in brake pedal travel and feel.In the event that a loss of brake fluid is substantial enough to reduce brake function to the front wheels, the driver may experience longer pedal travel, increased pedal effort, and extended stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.Full braking function would remain in the rear wheel brake circuit.Ford's recall will replace the master cylinder and, if the master cylinder is leaking, also replace the brake booster.Seventy-three (73) of the complaints received by ODI contained vehicle identification number (VIN) information required to determine date of build and recall applicability.ODI's analysis found that 66 complaints to ODI and 278 complaints to Ford involving vehicles built in the range covered by 16V‑345, resulting in an overall complaint rate of 152.9 incidents per 100,000 vehicles.Twelve (12) crash incidents were reported, including 11 with VIN information.All 11 crash incidents with VIN information reported involve vehicles covered by Ford's recall.ODI's analysis identified 7 ODI complaints and 36 Ford complaints in the 194,139 subject vehicles built outside of the build range for 16V‑345, resulting in a complaint rate of 22.1 incidents per 100,000 vehicles.Ford indicated that warranty return analyses identified issues with minor internal leakage between circuits due to internal contamination caused by supplier assembly plant cleanliness concerns in these vehicles.Ford assessed the internal leak condition as an early-life condition with minimal safety risk that does not result in loss of fluid or circuit failure.ODI will continue to monitor complaints in subject vehicles not included in 16V‑345.No complaints have been identified in MY 2013 through 2014 Ford F-150 vehicles equipped with other engine options.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks identified by this investigation.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetylssues under the following identification numbers:10870768, 10870747, 10870511, 10870395, 10870055, 10869981, 10865843, 10865521, 10865342, 10865043, 10864862, 10864714, 10864360, 10863982, 10863527, 10862333, 10862047, 10861735, 10861190, 10860378, 10860118, 10855381, 10855356, 10854785, 10853751, 10853295, 10853012, 10852349, 10852134, 10852037, 10851317, 10851268, 10851109, 10850015, 10849862, 10846488, 10846335, 10846193, 10846006, 10840414, 10840377, 10839994, 10839985, 10839981, 10839833, 10839825, 10839816, 10838782, 10838510, 10818273, 10817706, 10809601, 10788886, 10788369, 10785526, 10779854, 10776834, 10766291, 10762034, 10761412, 10760663, 10758997, 10750065, 10749886, 107
PE16003
What 2013 Ford F-150 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Driver side brake hose failure at upper crimp on the hose caused loss of brake fluid and spongy peddle
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake light warning light illuminated, and while depressing brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The transmission was shifted to a lower gear, and the hazard lights were activated, and the vehicle was slowly driven to the residence. The vehicle was later towed to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the brake booster was contaminated with brake fluid, and that the brake master cylinder piston had a tear in the piston seal, and the brake master cylinder and brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact associated the failure with Manufacturer Recall Number: 16F24. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 32,145.
Brake master cylinder failed at only 98000 miles
Right front brake continuously freezes up making impossible to drive safely. ABS does not show any default or warnings. Truck shakes all over. Had rotors, calibers, and brake pads replied, but right side brake continues to freeze up. Brake lines checked and show no signs of collapse.
Sudden and catastrophic master cylinder failure. Complete loss of brakes at speed
Brakes seem to be staying engaged when driving this has been for about 1 yr. Now all of a sudden, my truck wouldn't stop. Thankfully, I was pulling in to my own driveway, but now I'm not sure what to do about the situation. I jave seen a lot of complaints on 2013 F150 with ecoboost 3.5l and I don't think it's right that only certain vins are recalled when obviously A LOT of others should be included.
The brakes on my Ford f150 failed and I took it to a shop and found out that the master cylinder had failed and all the brake fluid was being pumped into the brake booster.I had the master cylinder and the booster replaced for $ 926.00 dollars. There was a recall for this problem but it ended with trucks that were made thru August 31,2013 my truck was made September 12 ,2013 only 12 days after the recall ended. My truck experienced the same failure as the trucks that were recalled
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. The orange wrench symbol was displayed. The contact pulled over for five minutes, and the computer was reset. After the vehicle was restarted, the vehicle operated normally. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall or warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired; however, the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the failure was associated with the wheel speed sensor. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
The brakes aren’t working properly due to loss of vacuum. This happens anytime I’m stopping at a red light or parking which can result in me hitting someone or another vehicle. This has been confirmed by Firestone Compete Auto Care but they were unable to fix it. Ford says this TSB applies to the same year but not to the plant this car was manufactured. There were no warning messages.
Questions about the 2013 Ford F-150 brakes
Does the 2013 Ford F-150 have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 363 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Ford F-150, 12% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford F-150 brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 60,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Ford F-150 brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 16V345000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford F-150 have bad brakes?
The Ford F-150 model years with the most brakes complaints are 2013 (363 complaints), 2014 (346 complaints) and 2016 (341 complaints).
Other 2013 Ford F-150 problems
Transmission 1,346Engine 567Electrical 324Acceleration 304Steering 216Visibility 190Fuel system 159Body 48Driver assistance 44Airbags 39Wheels 39Suspension 20Lights 17Tires 11Locks 10Seat belts 7Seats 4
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