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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,873 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.

2018 Ford F-150 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2018 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #44

Jun 282024

F-150

  • miles

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

Approximately 2 months ago I stopped to get a bagel breakfast and parked my 2018 Ford XFT on a slight 2 to 5 % slope parking lot. I put the truck emergency brake on and pressing on the brake petal put the truck into Park. I exited the store after picking up my order an got into my truck, depressed the brake petal and at the same time pulled the emergency brake button to release the vehicle still in Park mode.The shifter would not release the transmission to Drive mode or move at all and stayed I lock mode. After approximately 20 minutes to no avail to get it into Drive Mode I called the local FORD Dealership where I bought the truck and told them my problem at which time I was informed I needed to get the truck towed to the Ford Dealership. I then called a Tow Truck and waited for about half an hour until it arrived. Both myself and the Tow truck driver made several attempts to engage the truck to Drive Mode. The Two truck driver was sucessful on the last attempt not knowing how he got it into Drive Mode. I had to pay the tow truck driver the full amount and drove to the FORD Dealership which was approximately six miles away. Next day I got a call from the Dealership telling me my truck was done. I was informed there that they were not able to duplicate the problem and found nothing else wrong with the emergency brake. I paid that bill which was approximately $200 dollars. I had no problem with the brake since, until today 6/28/24 several months later. Problem repeated itself on miles 2 to 5% slope. Called the same FORD Dealership Service Dept. No Response. Called Sales Dept. women paged Service Rep. Informed him of past problem and repeated problem today. He informed me that NO One there or Any Ford Dealership Representative Anywhere in Region or National knows what to do in his situation. Further, stating I should have the truck towed th there Dealership ASAP. I repeated my problem and asked if he had any Phone Number for FORD HQ he said none.

- Sugarloaf, PA, USA

problem #43

Jun 172024

F-150

  • miles
I have been having nothing but problems with this truck since I purchased it and I'm looking to see if anyone can help me out with this truck. I have had it now almost two years and the truck was in the shop for 3 months of it getting worked. I have had nothing but problems with the braking system as well. The dealer wouldn't sell me the original pads for it, they sent someone to car quest to get a set of pads. Whenever i gave them the vin i would always end up with the wrong parts somehow. So i dont know if there is vin fraud or what but something wasn't adding up. The dealer i purchased it from is not much of help. The water pump has gone out, the cam phasers were replaced(and are rattling again.) The starter was replaced due to clunking when started.( still clunks) Oil pan gasket was replaced. The transmission had to be replaced. I am just trying to see what my options are with this truck. It's clearly a lemon and just wondering if there's anything anyone can do to help because the reliability of this 35,000 dollar truck is out the window.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #42

Jun 142024

F-150

  • 132,401 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle lost braking capability. The vehicle was placed in Manual Mode. The low power steering fluid message was displayed. The contact was able to pull into a gas station to purchase power steering fluid. The contact added power steering fluid; however, while the vehicle was parked, the power steering fluid leaked out of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the failure was due to a failed seal and that the master pump had leaked from the rear seal. The contact called the local dealer, who referred him to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 132,401.

- Pelham, NH, USA

problem #41

Apr 232024

F-150

  • 132,410 miles

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

I was riding down the road the truck started to run hot then it slammed on brakes the power steering went out the panel the instrument panel was black I couldn't roll my windows down the truck was in drive but it wouldn't go and the motor was still running though and then it came all came back up and then it did this all the way home it would slam on break it didn't matter if I was going 30 or 60 and then it shut off before it got home and then the only way to get it going again was to jump it off

- Okeechobee, FL, USA

problem #40

Mar 172024

F-150

  • miles
My 2018 F150 XLT had the low brake fluid light and message come across my onboard computer as I was driving. When I went to stop my truck to check my brake fluid level, my brake pedal went to the floor and slowly my truck came to a stop. Luckily, I did not collide with anything and was close to a store. I then bought more brake fluid because as it said, it was low, and was. I then proceeded to drive again, and the same thing happened within minutes, and then I checked under the truck for leaking brake fluid. There was none at this point I had no choice but to have my truck trailered to my home by my mechanic where he inspected my brake system, and then he proceeded to tell me that the rear seal on the brake master cylinder most likely blew out and all my brake fluid was leaking into my brake booster. My mechanic did some research and come to find out that this was a problem with Ford f150-??s matching my year. There is a recall for this exact problem on 2018 F150-??s but I did call the dealership and they proceeded to tell me that there was no recall on my truck. As more research was done come to find out that the recall was only on the F150-??s that had a bigger motor than mine. I don-??t understand why my truck does not have a recall because the brake master cylinders are the same and I could-??ve been in a serious car accident and hurt myself or my family if there was a vehicle in front of me when my brakes failed. This being said, I don-??t understand How my truck does not have a recall and that-??s why I am writing this complaint today. Please advise thank you.

- Bluffton, SC, USA

problem #39

Sep 062023

F-150

  • 26,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting to reverse, the vehicle immediately drove backwards however, while depressing the brake pedal, the pedal extended to the floor and the vehicle failed to stop. The contact quickly shifted into park to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on two separate occasions. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 26,000.

- Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #38

Aug 162023

F-150

  • miles

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

Was headed out for ice cream with the wife and kids. On the way there we experienced total brake failure. I pulled over immediately upon hearing the alarm signaling low brake fluid. Reservoir was totally empty and zero fluid to be found on any lines. I added more fluid and 5 minutes later same thing. Had it towed to Malloy ford. Just like the re all on the 3.5L f-150 2016-2018 same failure. The Brake master cylinder failure caused leaking into brake booster causing complete loss of system pressure and total stopping failure.

- Louisa , VA, USA

problem #37

Jun 202023

F-150

  • miles
A seal in the rear of the brake master cylinder became compromised, allowing brake fluid to leak into the brake booster. This caused my brakes to fail and is a broken in many models of the truck.

- Glen Mills, PA, USA

problem #36

Jun 042023

F-150 6-cyl

  • miles
Complete loss of front brakes I would-??ve crashed my car if there was any traffic coming through the intersection. I-??ve ran through two red lights and almost rear-ended somebody. Ford has already done a recall on my vehicle for this issue, but somehow my Vin number was not included. My issue is identical to the issue described below in the recall that was issued https://www.torquenews.com/3769/ford-recalls-300k-f-150s-navigators-expeditions-fix-brake-cylinder-problem

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #35

May 302023

F-150

  • miles
While driving, received alert that the brake fluid level was low. After further review and adding brake fluid, it appears to have the same symptoms of Safety Recall 20S31 where brake fluid is leaking from the master cylinder into the brake booster but no physical evidence of a leak within the system The brake system would have basically failed with potential risks of an accident which would cause injury due to failure from being able to stop. Fortunately I parked the vehicle immediately. Ford does not recognize my truck as part of this recall but it has the same similar issues as the recall states.

- Ponder, TX, USA

problem #34

Apr 302023

F-150

  • miles

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

Leaking brake fluid into master cylinder and booster causing vehicle to have no brakes.

- St John, VI, USA

problem #33

Apr 242023

F-150

  • miles
The vehicle brake line hose ruptured. This vehicle currently has 40,000 miles and for this life safety defect/malfunction to occur shows that there is obviously a significant risk to not just my life but other owners as well. Lives are at risk and Ford could care less! Back in 2020 Ford Motors recalled over 1.3 million vehicles for this same exact issue.

- West Palm Beach , FL, USA

problem #32

Dec 282022

F-150

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while coming to a stop, the vehicle made abnormal sounds as if the engine was revving, or the transmission was attempting to shift into another gear while the brake pedal was being depressed to slow down the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The contact stated that after the initial start-up, the transmission was slightly hesitating before shifting into gear. The vehicle had been taken to a certified mechanic but was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

- Florence, SC, USA

problem #31

Feb 042023

F-150

  • miles
The breaks have to be pushed too far down in order for truck to stop. I have had the breaks professionally bled and still-?? in order to come to a complete stop I have to put quite a bit of pressure for my truck to remain stopped at a red light. I hit a bicyclist crossing the road because my truck moved forward. There have been a few times I almost rolled into an intersection to oncoming traffic because I let my foot off the break just a hair but still applying a lot of pressure. This is VERY dangerous and can cause death. This needs to be looked at because I see a lot of people are having this problem or there have been recalls on other ford f150-??s but my f150 didn-??t have a recall for it. Please look into this for the sake of my life and my children-??s and others.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #30

Aug 162022

F-150

  • 41,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact was able to jumpstart the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake controller was defective and was draining the battery. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the brake controller needed to be replaced. The part was replaced. The vehicle was then taken the local dealer where the brake controller was reprogrammed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

- Hidalgo, IL, USA

problem #29

Aug 312022

F-150

  • miles
Brakes failed, without prior notice. Brake fluid leaking out immediately upon refilling. Had to have truck towed to Ford Autonation Scottsdale 8555 E Frank Lloyd Write Blvd, Scottsdale 85260. Technician stated that Brake Master Cylinder leaking from the rear seal and into the brake booster. Needed to replace the master cyinder AND brake booster. This is the identical situation that initiated the recall notice NTHSA#22V150 and Ford recall #22S11. This truck was manufactured at the Ford Kansas City Assembly plant, the exact same plant that is involved in this recall. However because my truck is not the engine type covered un the recall, my repairs were not covered, even though it is the identical problem performed at the exact same plant.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #28

Oct 012021

F-150

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle would not immediately stop or slow down. The contact indicated that the failure was intermittent and had occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to two different dealers who were unable to duplicate the failure or determine a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

- Middleburg, PA, USA

problem #27

Jan 012022

F-150

  • miles
Front Hubs, Bearings have gone bad, and they are on backorder. 6500 on waiting list. I have been on this list since Janurary. Was told today that the company making the part, are not even make them. This could cause an accident if the bearings lockup. The ABS and the traction control does not work. Making for unsafe driving. Especially with fall and winter coming.

- Frederick, CO, USA

problem #26

Aug 122022

F-150

  • miles
Brake fluid was leaking internally into the booster. This caused a low level brake fluid alarm with an immediate soft pedal resulting a significant delay in braking response. Ford has issued a recall for this specific master cylinder leak. However, my vehicle shows no recalls.

- Windsor, CO, USA

problem #25

May 272022

F-150

  • miles
While driving down the highway at the speed limit (75 mph), my truck suddenly lost power and partially lost braking. The engine was still running but was running at an idle speed RPM. Both an audible voice and a message on the driver information panel said "drive mode not available, service is needed" Braking power was partially lost at the same time. Steering power seemed normal but braking power was also partially lost at the same time. My truck started slowing down, obviously, and as soon as a shoulder was available, I pulled over onto the shoulder and let my vehicle speed decrease. I only had partial braking power (I estimate less than 30%) so was unable to quickly come to a full stop. As my truck slowed to a speed of about 5 mph, it suddenly started working again, although an icon shaped like a wrench appeared at the bottom center of the driver information panel. At the same time of the issue described above, the air conditioning and air blower fully stopped at the same time, and the multifunction display used for audio and navigation went blank for a moment and reset itself. When it came back on the navigation portion of the screen gave a "GPS faulted" error. I was able to finish driving to work, where I parked the vehicle. Later, after work, and after the vehicle had been parked for several hours, the truck behaved normally, the wrench icon was gone and there was no indication at all that there had been any issue. I was in congested traffic at the time of the event and it could have resulted in a serious highway traffic accident involving multiple vehicles.

- Beaumont, TX, USA

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