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2018 Ford F-150 brakes problems

92 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 43,250. 12 crashes reported.

owner complaints
92
of this car's complaints
4%
typical mileage
43,250
crashes
12
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Foundation components: master cylinder
    2
  • Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
    2
  • Antilock: ABS warning light
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford F-150 brakes problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Ford F-150 brakes

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Grinding brakes 38Brake failure 27ABS 7

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinderReported April 11, 2025 · 123,611 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
Risk
A brake fluid leak can cause reduced brake function and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S37. This recall is an expansion of the federal safety agency recall number 22V‑150.

Recall number 25V236000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinderReported March 11, 2022 · 195,864 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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 the federal safety agency recall number 20V‑332. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.

Recall number 22V150000 · Recall details

What 2018 Ford F-150 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Brakes · AL

The brake hydraulic system on my 2018 Ford F-150 failed. The vehicle rapidly lost brake fluid, the brake pedal began sinking, and there was no obvious external brake-fluid leak. An independent repair facility later replaced both the brake master cylinder and the power brake booster. I have the repair invoice and service records available. I do not know whether the removed components were retained by the repair facility. This failure created a serious safety risk because the vehicle was losing brake fluid and braking ability could have been reduced or lost. I had to repeatedly add brake fluid because the reservoir level would drop again after only a short distance. The sinking brake pedal made the vehicle unsafe to continue driving normally. The problem was confirmed and repaired by an independent service center. The master cylinder and power brake booster were replaced, along with a brake-system flush. The symptoms are similar to those described in Ford Recall 25S37 / the federal safety agency Recall 25V‑236, which involves certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 vehicles where the master-cylinder rear seal can allow brake fluid to leak into the brake booster. My VIN is not currently included in that recall. The vehicle has not, to my knowledge, been inspected by Ford specifically for this failure. The independent repair facility performed the repair. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review whether this vehicle may represent the same or a similar defect occurring outside the current recall population. Before the original brake failure, I did not receive a brake-system warning lamp or message that alerted me to the rapid brake-fluid loss. The main symptoms were the brake-fluid reservoir repeatedly becoming very low and the brake pedal sinking. After the master cylinder and brake booster were replaced, a new warning began appearing stating “Park Brake Limited Function.” This warning was not present before the repair. The vehicle has been returned to the repair facility four times for this warning. T

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Brakes · MT

While driving my brakes went from normal, to squishy, to total loss of brakes. Brake indicator light came on while in the squishy phase. After avoid collision by nothing other than sure luck I was able to slow the vehicle and use the emergency brake to stop. Once stopped I popped the hood and found the master cylinder to be all but empty. I obtained brake fluid, filled the cylinder and the brakes appeared to be normal. After a very short drive I lost brake function again and the MC was empty. No leaks could be found from lines or around the wheels Truck was towed to an independent shop where the diagnostic determined the master cylinder seal had failed and leaked brake fluid into the brake booster. I believe the Hitachi master cylinder failure is a known Ford defect. It has been recalled on the 3.5L model F150's but not the 2.7L and 5.0L models. My loss of brakes could have led to serious or fatal traffic incidence. The master cylinder is defective on all models of the years involving the recall of the 3.5L models. The recall should be extended before someone loses their life. Please look to extend the recall to include the other models of F150s.

Filed Aug 26, 2026 · Brakes · NV

My 2018 Ford F-150 is experiencing a dangerous loss of braking power, a soft/spongy brake pedal, and brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder into the brake booster. These are the exact symptoms and component failures described in Ford Recall Campaign 25S37 (the federal safety agency Campaign 25V236). However, when checking my VIN, I am told my truck is excluded from the recall population. Because my vehicle is exhibiting the identical safety defect, the current recall window is too narrow and needs to be expanded to cover my vehicle before a serious collision occurs.

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · 62,513 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle lost motive power, and the brakes became inoperable. The drivetrain and wrench symbol were displayed. The ABS warning light was illuminated and DTC: U100 (Failure of Communication for Engine and Transmission) was displayed. The codes were cleared after restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a communication error with the engine and transmission computer. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The transmission upshifted from first gear to seventh. After a while, the vehicle resumed normal operations, but then the vehicle drove abnormally. The RPM increased to high, and the temperature gauge was at HOT. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed with complete transmission failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,513.

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Brakes · 114,089 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the message "Brake Fluid Level Low" was displayed. The brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the brakes failed to work properly. The contact drove to Walmart and purchased brake fluid to add to the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The contact added more brake fluid, but the failure recurred, and the engine made a knocking sound with smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V150000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 114,089.

Filed Aug 7, 2026 · Brakes · SC

While engaging my brakes at a traffic light, suddenly the brake pedal went to the floor. Once I was able to safely park the vehicle (because there was no brake function), I inspected around the tires, brake fluid, and brake calipers. I noticed a puddling of brake fluid around the front passenger tire. Upon removing the tire, and inspecting this brake hose, I noticed the brake hose was visibly ruptured. I went to a local Ford dealership to purchase the replacement part, and fix this issue.

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Brakes · GA

The master cylinder has failed causing the brakes to fail similar to a previous Recall 25S37.

Filed Jun 23, 2026 · Brakes, Transmission · TX

- 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 9, 2026 · Brakes · MA

Master cylinder leaked and got a low brake fluid level warning and within one mile lost brakes with pedal depression all the way to the floor. Ford has a current recall for other makes and models which appears to be a manufacturer defect. My truck is currently in the dealership getting repaired

Filed Jun 5, 2026 · Brakes · 52,000 miles · WV · crash

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH and hauling a trailer, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop immediately. The contact drove the vehicle into a ditch to stop it. The message "Low Brake Fluid" was displayed, and the brake warning light was illuminated. The front driver's side tire was damaged from the ditch. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained, and no police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V150000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

Questions about the 2018 Ford F-150 brakes

Does the 2018 Ford F-150 have brakes problems?

Owners have filed 92 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Ford F-150, 4% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2018 Ford F-150 brakes problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 43,250 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Ford F-150 brakes?

Yes, 2 recalls: 25V236000, 22V150000. 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 2018 Ford F-150 problems

Transmission 1,022Engine 591Body 193Electrical 173Visibility 85Steering 83Acceleration 73Fuel system 64Locks 57Driver assistance 43Wheels 43Airbags 38Lights 23Suspension 23Seat belts 16Seats 14Tires 2

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