YearToAvoid

2018 Ford F-150 Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 97 brake complaints for the 2018 Ford F-150, about 4% of all complaints for the year, with median failure mileage of 41,000 miles. Two related recalls (25V236000 and 22V150000) cover brake master cylinder fluid leaks into the brake booster on this model year.

Brakes complaints
97
4% of 2,308
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
41,000 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Brake pedal goes soft or sinks toward the floor, reducing the truck's ability to stop and leading to low-speed collisions.
  • Vehicle unexpectedly accelerates while backing up or reversing even as the brake pedal is applied, sometimes ending in a crash into a parked car or object.
  • Brakes fail to engage or slow the truck when depressed at low speeds, such as around 15 mph, resulting in rear-end impacts.
  • ABS appears to activate or 'buck' at low speed while the driver presses harder on the brake, without the truck slowing as expected.
  • Parking brake reportedly releases on its own after being set, causing the parked truck to roll downhill and strike other vehicles.
  • Brake pedal requires unusually heavy or extended pressure to bring the truck to a stop, even after professional bleeding of the brake lines.

When 2018 Ford F-150 brake complaints were filed

First complaint May 25, 2018, latest Sep 22, 2026.

2018 Ford F-150 brakes complaints: complaints filed per quarter82018 Q22019 Q22020 Q32022 Q12023 Q12024 Q12025 Q22026 Q2
97 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q2 (8).

Brakes recalls for the 2018 Ford F-150

  1. NHTSA 25V236000Apr 11, 2025Brakes123,611 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder

    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 NHTSA recall number 22V-150.

  2. NHTSA 22V150000Mar 11, 2022Brakes195,864 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder

    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 NHTSA recall number 20V-332. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.

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 NHTSA have for the 2018 Ford F-150?
NHTSA lists 97 brake complaints for the 2018 F-150, which is about 4% of the 2,308 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2018 Ford F-150?
Yes. Recall 25V236000 (reported 2025-04-11) and recall 22V150000 (reported 2022-03-11) both cover the brake master cylinder allowing fluid to leak into the brake booster on 2018 F-150 trucks; Ford's remedy is to replace the master cylinder and booster if needed.
At what mileage do brake problems typically show up on the 2018 F-150?
The median mileage at failure for brake complaints on the 2018 F-150 is 41,000 miles.
Have the brake issues caused crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data tied to this brake complaint set shows 12 crashes, 2 fires, and 4 injuries for the 2018 F-150.

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.