Some 2013-2014 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine may require service to the brake vacuum pump. The brake vacuum pump removal and installation procedure in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 206-07, has been updated to include RTV sealing surface cleaning and preparation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Ford F-150 brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Ford F-150 have filed 310 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 59,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
310
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 F-150 | 25 |
| 2010 F-150 | 44 |
| 2011 F-150 | 143 |
| 2012 F-150 | 108 |
| 2013 F-150 (this page) | 310 |
| 2014 F-150 | 287 |
| 2015 F-150 | 270 |
| 2016 F-150 | 296 |
| 2017 F-150 | 59 |
21crashes
1fire
7injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 310 brakes complaints filed for the 2013 Ford F-150, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 17 model years of Ford F-150 we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 310.
Owners have filed 310 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2013-2018 F-150/Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive (4WD) may exhibit an intermittent grinding noise while driving in 2-wheel drive (2WD) mode most commonly on acceleration. This may be due to a loss of vacuum to the integrated wheel end (IWE) actuators and/or wear of the IWE components. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to reprogram the transfer case control module (TCCM) and replace any worn vacuum and/or IWE components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: ON SOME VEHICLES, DURING A PROGRAMMABLE MODULE INSTALLATION (PMI) OF ANTI LOCK BRAKE (ABS) MODULE AN IDS ERROR MESSAGE APPEARS, IF IDS SESSION STARTED WITH NEW ABS MODULE CONNECT. MODELS 2010-2013 F-150.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford f-150. While driving 60 MPH on the highway, the brakes failed when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact was able to pull off the highway and downshift to an eventual rolling stop. The contact restarted the vehicle and pumped the brakes pedal. The brake pedal eventually started to loosen up and the brakes worked normally. Benna Ford superior (3022 tower ave,…
Had brakes trouble with your 2013 Ford F-150?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2013 Ford F-150?
It's a meaningful issue. 310 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 250 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 36,443 and 94,000 miles, with the median around 59,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,443; a quarter make it past 94,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Ford/F-150.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.