YearToAvoid

2013 Ford F-150 Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 391 brake complaints for the 2013 Ford F-150, 13% of all complaints for the year, tied to 29 crashes and 14 injuries. Ford issued recall 16V345000 for a master cylinder rear cup seal that can roll and cause brake fluid loss. Median mileage at failure was 60,700.

Brakes complaints
391
13% of 2,981
Crashes reported
29
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
14
Median mileage
60,700 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor with little or no stopping power, sometimes while parked, at low speed, or during highway driving.
  • Several report the master cylinder reservoir found empty or low with no visible external leak.
  • Some describe the truck shuddering violently before the brakes finally grab during hard braking.
  • Multiple owners report total brake loss leading to collisions with other vehicles or fixed objects, including cases where dealers could not immediately diagnose the cause.
  • One owner reports rear brake pads soaked with brake fluid after a fluid loss event.
  • Complaints reference the recall notice directly, disputing Ford's statement that rear brake function is unaffected by the master cylinder issue.

When 2013 Ford F-150 brake complaints were filed

First complaint May 14, 2013, latest Sep 10, 2026.

2013 Ford F-150 brakes complaints: complaints filed per quarter272013 Q22016 Q12017 Q42019 Q32021 Q22023 Q12024 Q42026 Q3
391 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2016 Q1 (27).

Brakes recalls for the 2013 Ford F-150

  1. NHTSA 16V345000May 24, 2016Brakes225,012 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:fluid

    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.

Brakes complaints by F-150 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201064 (8%)
  2. 2011228 (10%)
  3. 2012174 (10%)
  4. 2013391 (13%)
  5. 2014361 (24%)
  6. 2015334 (20%)
  7. 2016354 (17%)
  8. 2017120 (8%)
  9. 201897 (4%)
  10. 201924 (2%)
  11. 202022 (3%)
  12. 202176 (8%)
  13. 202241 (7%)
  14. 202352 (13%)
  15. 202414 (7%)
  16. 202519 (18%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2013 Ford F-150 have?
NHTSA lists 391 brake complaints for the 2013 F-150, which is 13% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2013 Ford F-150?
Yes. Recall 16V345000, reported May 24, 2016, covers a master cylinder rear cup seal that may roll and cause brake fluid loss; Ford replaces the master cylinder and, if needed, the brake booster.
At what mileage do 2013 F-150 brake problems usually show up?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 60,700 at the time of brake failure complaints.
Have brake problems caused crashes or injuries in the 2013 F-150?
NHTSA records 29 crashes, 2 fires, and 14 injuries linked to brake complaints for the 2013 F-150.
How does the 2013 F-150's brake complaint rate compare to other years?
The 2013 model's 13% share is higher than 2010-2012 (8-10%) but lower than 2014's 24% and 2015's 20%, according to NHTSA complaint data.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.