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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
26 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 1
Average Mileage:
58,978 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Ford F-150 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2013 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #280

Feb 022018

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Slowing down to make a left turn. Brakes failed very difficult to press brake pad and Power transmission system was not responding properly causing my truck brakes to fail, transmission was slipping and the rear tires to slide. End result was a Crash into a pole at a corner. My truck was totaled by the insurance company costing me over $9,000 to replace the truck after the insurance payment. Recall for Master Cylinder and Power train issued after my crash on 2/2/2018.

- Southwest Ranches, FL, USA

problem #279

Aug 082022

F-150

  • miles
On August 8, 2022 I noticed a "low brake fluid" warning light on the dash of my Ford F150 truck and experienced greatly reduced brake function. There was no sign of brake fluid on the garage floor. I had AAA tow the truck to a repair shop where they diagnosed a leak from the master cylinder to the brake boost. The master cylinder reservoir was completely and at this point the brakes were completely non functional. I had the repair shop replace the master cylinder, brake boost and do a fuel system maintenance since some of the fluid was found in that system. Total cost to repair was $1583.83.

- Grapevine, TX, USA

problem #278

Aug 202022

F-150

  • miles
I was pulling a heavy load within the weight limit for my truck. I started down a steep grade 10mph below speed limit. I went to brake and I had none. The pedal was super hard. The check brake system light came on. I was freaking out because i was picking up speed fast. I had no choice but to shift to manual and down shift to try to slow down. It down shifted from 3rd to second but that was not enough to stop me. I was standing on the brakes. Luckily a "run away truck ramp" was coming up which i entered at about 30 mph. I am a very experienced driver and I was able to avoid a horrible accident but other people might not be so lucky. My brakes were fairly new and there was zero warning that they were about to fail completely. I looked online and saw hundreds of other drivers that had experienced this. Why is it not a recall? I could have died.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

problem #277

Aug 032022

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving down the road the low brake fluid light came on. I drove to a safe stopping area and found the brake fluid reservoir was completely empty. I checked for leaks at all areas under the hood and at brake calipers. No signs of any leaks nor any fluid on the ground. Filled reservoir and drove less than 1 mile and the low brake fluid light came on again. Stopped and checked the brake fluid reservoir and once again it was empty, still no signs of any leaks: based on research I have determined that it is a known problem with this make/model and year of the master cylinder seal going bad which causes the fluid to be sucked into the brake booster.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #276

Jul 232022

F-150

  • miles
Heading home on fwy and brakes totally went out and low brake fluid light came on. Was able to pull onto side of fwy. All the brake fluid was gone and no sign of leakage. Was towed home. Filled brake reservoir up and as soon as I hit brakes again all the fluid disappeared. Upon inspection there was no sign of leak anywhere. I'm assuming the fluid is leaking into the brake booster since I cannot see any leaks anywhere.

- Yucaipa , CA, USA

problem #275

May 222022

F-150

  • miles
I have a serious issue with my 2013 Ford F150 Limited. I almost had a horrible accident on I295 because of brake failure. Seems the brake fluid is leaking out and I didnt know this until I tried to brake and the pedal went all the way to the floor. Then the "brake fluid low" light came on. Upon Inspection after all the drama, got truck in a safe place, I checked and saw there was no fluid in reservoir. I filled it and pumped brakes a few times and pedal keeps going to floor then eventually it gained pressure..when I checked reservoir again, half of the new fluid was gone and truck was hard to stop again, So I had to tow it home. After taking to a shop I was told the fluid was leaking from master cylinder to the brake booster!! I then searched the internet, and discovered this is a common problem and Ford has a recall for this same exact issue my truck is having..Recall # 16V345000. Ford # 16S24. I then went to dealership to see if I can get fixed and was informed my VIN is not on the recall list and they wont fix. I called ford customer service and was told the same and also to contact NHTSA. So that is what i'm doing now.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #274

Feb 102022

F-150 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Fluid leak, brake light on dash and chime. Possible hydraulic fluid leak feom master cylinder.

- Crowley, TX, USA

problem #273

Dec 082021

F-150 6-cyl

  • miles
lost all of the electrical power to my truck as I was going to drop it off at the dealership for a recall. On my way there my truck downshifted into first gear over revved the motor and caused it to shut the motor down and loss of the computer as well. I had it towed to my local shop. I called Ford to see what they want me to do next and said to have it towed there and I did.Ford cant get power to the truck because there motor is no good. ford also tells me that the oil is way over full. but I know it wasn't over full it holds 6 quarts of oil and I know that.so they state that the oil is over filled and blew the truck up. but the problem is the computer and in that event caused the motor to blow up and push gas and break fluid into the motor truck only has 80,000 miles on it. this I feel as a manufacturers default and frontier ford of Anacortes WA. And ford itself only honors there own techs so they are going by what they say. I have been dealing with this for almost 7 months with out a truck witch has cost me a job and among other issues and loses. feel as they didn't honor or care about the customer or even looking into the dealership that has my truck. when I asked to seek with a supervisor I was told they are no supervisor available and that they would call me back i have still never heard from them. How long must I be without a truck or a jib because they aren't doing there job correctly and making my life here impossible to get a head in such hard time as it is. Thank you [XXX]. L look forward to hearing from you. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Mount Vernon , WA, USA

problem #272

May 242016

F-150

  • miles
3rd request unsatisfied with your lack of interest in Ford incomplete resolution to expanding this hazard to include 2013 year model with same bad part ( Ford ) know this. In # 11229625, 11403034same fatory, same truck, same part.... a few months before recall 19S19... this cost to me was $1200 (Ford dealership) now you have a new recall on same master cyclinder on 2016 to xxxx model years.... someone is not accurate with the amount of bad master cyclinder out there that are a hazard to the public. I was backing up in a store parking lot and the brakes failed.I towed the truck to local Ford dealership for replacement and given the run around

- Fort Mohave, AZ, USA

problem #271

Dec 162020

F-150

  • miles
I know how to drive it is not cool to be in trouble for not being able to control a truck that malfunction

- El Prado, NM, USA

problem #270

Feb 012022

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I lose all brake pressure driving at certian times. my brakes 100% of the time make this horrible grinding noise and I lose braking power after going from drive to reverse. I always end up getting a check brake system warning message. There is a recall for the vacuum pump and for a seal that is bad but I'm not included since my vehicles manufacturer date is 2/13 and not 8/13. I feel like this is wrong and not fair

- Mount Laurel Township, NJ, USA

problem #269

Feb 112022

F-150

  • miles
I was turning into gas station when I applied brakes to turn, power steering quit working and brakes, luckily there was no one exiting or i would have crashed into them. I was able to muscle steering wheel to make the turn. I then muscled steering wheel to a parking spot where brakes began to work. Dash board read check advance track there were no check engine lights or warning prior to turning. I then shut off vehicle then turned back on and it ran fine but drove with caution. This has happened 2 other times where power steering has feld but came back suddenly but this time on 2/11/22 I had no power steering at all for at least 60 to 70 feet. I have not had a mechanic or dealership look at because I don't know when it will happen its more of a hit and miss. The fact that there's no check engine light or warning lights on I believe any diagnostics would not show anything wrong.

- Cheyenne, WY, USA

problem #268

Feb 012022

F-150

  • miles
Was stopped at a red light, when my brake pedal suddenly went to the floor and the truck started moving forward toward the car stopped in front of me. Drove around the car and pulled off to the side. Tested it and found the brakes slowly stopped the truck if I pumped them. Got the truck home and found no leaks in any of the brake lines, wheel cylinders or master cylinder. Checked on line and found many others with the same problem; many of whom were not covered in Certain 2013-2014 Model Year Ford F-150 trucks equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost Engines, Brake Master Cylinder Replacement recall #16S24, as mine was also not covered.

- Alpine, CA, USA

problem #267

Dec 172021

F-150

  • miles
Complete loss of braking power resulting in very dangerous driving condition to n way home. Inspection seems to be a leering master break cylinder into booster. Was driving home on highway and came to a stop light, when pressing the brakes my pedal when all the way to the ground with no stopping power to speak of followed by warnings of low break fluid. Had there been another vehicle there present this would have resulted in a very bad incident. Luckily it was late and not may were out there and I was able to use down shifting for engine braking to slow down and get to a stop. This problem came out of no where as I upkeep my vehicle well with servicing and never had a problem

- Harrison, MS, USA

problem #266

Dec 162020

F-150

  • miles
Vehicle accelerated without driver pressing gas pedal and RPM gauge jumped up to 5 (which is red zone). Brake pedal went to the floor when brakes were applied instead of causing the vehicle to stop. Emergency brake was used, and driver lost control of the vehicle resulting in a terrible accident. The crash caused injuries to driver and the death of a bicyclist.

- Taos, NM, USA

problem #265

Oct 192021

F-150

  • miles
Took vehicle in for recall issue and job not completed according to recall specifications. Break booster will need to be replaced if break cylinder leaks into part.

- Bentonville, AR, USA

problem #264

Sep 212021

F-150

  • miles
Vacuum pump and brake booster failure. Same problem and recalls have been issued to other eco boost models in newer and older years.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #263

Sep 062021

F-150

  • miles
Loss of Brake fluid, no visible leaks anywhere.

- Delano , CA, USA

problem #262

Jul 162021

F-150

  • miles
While operating the vehicle, driver experienced complete loss of brake pressure. Brake pedal extended to the floor and offered no stopping power. E-brake was utilized to bring the vehicle to a full stop. Vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and repair. Tow to a Ford dealer was not possible based on location and distance. Independent mechanic diagnosed a catastrophic failure of the main cylinder causing fluid to leak into the brake booster. This problem has already been addressed in Ford recall notice # 16V345000. This is a known problem with this model year. However, the specific VIN is not included in the recall despite the same parts and components identified in the recall. The incident occurred in a location far from owner's area of residence during off-hours. Additionally, owner was stranded far from area of residence with members of a youth group. Owner has incurred significant costs associated with towing, repairs, and alternative transportation for multiple persons. Circumstances at the time allowed for a safe stop of the vehicle. Had the failure occurred a few minutes earlier or later, the potential for catastrophic injury or death was high.

- Eldersburg, MD, USA

problem #261

Jun 272021

F-150

  • miles
My problem sounds like this issue: https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1104150_2013-2014-ford-f-150-recalled-to-fix-brake-fluid-leak-271000-trucks-affected My wife was driving the truck when a low brake fluid warning light came on and the brake pedal went to the floor. She was able to pump the pedal a bit to get the truck to slow down. Luckily she was on a street and not the highway and was able able pull off into a parking lot and coast to a stop. She left the truck there. I went to the truck and added a bottle of brake fluid the next morning. The reservoir looked empty prior to me adding the fluid. I drove the truck 1.9 miles to a garage and had almost no braking power. I kept the truck in a low gear to control speed and had to pump the brakes at stop signs and traffic lights along the way to get it to stop. At one point the brakes weren't working at all and I almost rolled out into a cross street into a passing truck that was going approx 40mph. I kept pumping and came to a stop in the lane and the passing truck was able to swerve around me to avoid a collision. When I got to the garage I checked the reservoir and the brake fluid level had dropped back below minimum on that short drive. The mechanic investigated the issue and told me the master cylinder had a leak and would need to be replaced. It was basically failing. The total for the repairs will be around $750. Thankfully my wife was on a city street and not on the highway when the master cylinder failed. Otherwise this could have ended in disaster. I called Ford and they said my truck was not covered by the recall, even though it was a 2013 Ecoboost with the 3.5L engine and came out of the the Kansas City plant as mentioned in the recall article linked above. I wanted to report it to put it on your radar in case others experience this issue. It seems like a major safety hazard.

- Grass Valley, CA, USA

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