Brake failure due to brake fluid leaking through master cylinder and being sucked into the exhaust. The fluid is sucked out of the brake system through a vacuum line in the master cylinder and booster which lowers the fluid level and lets air into the brake lines. The brake fluid is then burned in the exhaust and creates white smoke from the exhaust pipe. The "low brake fluid" light came on while driving on a main city road and the brakes went out immediately after. The vehicle would stop only if the brake pedal was compressed all the way to the floor. On several occasions the emergency brake had to be used to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. After the "low brake fluid" light came on, more brake fluid (32 oz) was added but it was immediately sucked through the master cylinder and into the exhaust and the problem persisted. I scheduled an appointment to have a local Ford dealership flush the brake system as I assumed there was air in the lines due to the low fluid level. After the dealership flushed the brake and replaced all fluid the vehicle still had no brakes. This is when the problem with the master cylinder was discovered.

- Springville, UT, USA

My truck was being repaired for light front end deer hit. The technician was backing my truck into the cleanup bay and the brakes failed completely. Another tech had to manually stop the truck from rolling. I contacted my dealer and was told that their is no recall fir this year and I was stuck paying the bill. 40 year Ford guy seriously looking into Dodge. I can't have the safety of my family jeopardized.

- Fort Dodge, IA, USA

Sitting at a stop sign and "low brake fluid" light came on. Drove less than a mile home ready to use the ebrake after noticing the brake went all the way to the floor before stopping, so didn't know how much was left. The brake fluid was very low. Added brake fluid, drove it around the block and as I was pulling into the driveway, the "low brake fluid" light came on again. Turns out, it's the master cylinder leaking all the fluid into the brake booster, which apparently is a known issue that Ford is ok with? they recalled the 2013 and 2014S, but 2015S and 2016S are having the same problem. Shame.

- Glenn Heights, TX, USA

While driving to work yesterday morning on the freeway my "low brake fluid" warning came on. As I tried to stop after exiting the freeway, the brake pedal went all the way to the floor with what felt like was no pressure. Only after fully seating the pedal to the floor was I able to get the brakes to grab and get stopped. Luckily it was early morning and traffic was minimal. When I checked my brake fluid it was well below the minimum level mark. Using another vehicle at work, I went and bought a small bottle of fluid and put the entire thing into the reservoir, bringing up to about half way between min and max. Over the next 10 minutes we watched the level slowly drop down below the min line and beyond. I drove back to the store and bought a large bottle of fluid, having decided I was going to take the truck to the dealership. I filled the reservoir to the max line and set out at a slow speed using side streets. I hadn't went 2 miles when the "low brake fluid" light came on again. I checked the level, again down below min, and I again refilled the reservoir, using the rest of the bottle, and continued on....once again within 2 miles the light returned. I never really had brake pressure throughout this time. Never once did I find evidence of a leak. Today the dealership called and told me my master cylinder and brake booster both need replaced, and the fluid was building inside the booster, hence no puddle. My truck is only 4 years old, with less than 54,000 miles on it so it seems early in its life to have this system fail suddenly. After doing some research online, including this site, I've seen that this isn't quite as uncommon as I originally thought it would be. There seems to have been many instances of this year/make/model of truck losing its brake system around the same mileage or earlier.

- Meridian, ID, USA

The vehicle was in motion going about 5 mph when the brakes failed when I was turning into a parking spot at the pharmacy on 8/17/19. I had to use the parking brake to completely stop when parking the truck and then once stopped the low brake fluid warning came on. Then I drove to an auto part store that was a 1/4 of a mile down the road and put more brake fluid in and drove home, but once I was home the brake fluid tank was empty. I put more in and found a puddle of brake fluid coming out of the front passenger side of the truck. The truck is currently in the shop and they stated the master brake cylinder and brake booster failed.

- Conroe, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. While driving 50 mph over a bridge, the brake pedal was applied and depressed to the floorboard; however, the vehicle failed to respond. In addition, the low brake fluid warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to supreme Ford (400 E howze beach rd, slidell, la 70461, (888) 928-0250) where it was diagnosed that there was a leak in the master cylinder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 71,200. The VIN was not available.

- Pearl River, LA, USA

While driving in downtown traffic on a city street, the low brake fluid indicator came on as well as the brake warning light. The brake pedal went nearly to the floor and braking ability was severely diminished. I happened to be close to an auto parts store so I filled up the fluid reservoir with approximately 24 oz. Of brake fluid. Within about 3 miles the lights came on and brakes failed again. My wife brought more brake fluid to me and I added approximately 24 oz. More. I barely made it home, another 5 miles, as the brakes were failing and the reservoir was empty again. There is no sign of a leak. After checking online and discussing with a Ford service representative, this appears to be a common defect where a seal in the master cylinder has failed and the brake fluid is being sucked into the brake booster.

- Corinth, TX, USA

Started truck and warning light and sound notified me of low brake fluid. Found reservoir very low, added fluid, applied pressure to brake pedal and looked for leaks, no leaks found. Brake pedal felt spongy and not firm, started to move but brake pedal went almost to the floor. Found reservoir almost empty again with no leaks to be found under the vehicle or at the wheels. Had truck towed to dealership.

- Haydn, ID, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. While driving approximately 25 mph, the low brake fluid indicator illuminated. The contact pulled over at a fuel station and filled up the brake fluid reservoir. The contact continued to drive and the low brake fluid indicator illuminated again. In addition, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to sill-terhar Ford (303-469-1801, located at 190 alter St, broomfield, co 80020) where it was diagnosed that the brake fluid might have leaked into the brake booster system. The vehicle was left at the dealer's for a complete diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

- Arroyo Grande, CA, USA

While I was driving the low brake fluid warning came on, and seconds later the brakes felt spongy and would not return. I was able to make it to a gas station and added a bottle of brake fluid to the reservoir. This gave pressure back to the pedal, but a second later the light came back on and a loss of pressure was noticed through pedal again. The pedal needs to be on the floor to getting any stopping action. I believe that the master cylinder has a leak that is causing this safety hazard.

- Vernon, CT, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. When the brake pedal was engaged, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact was able to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the brake fluid container was empty. The contact took the vehicle to chapman Ford (9371 roosevelt boulevard, philadelphia, pa 19194, (855) 864-7604) where the brake hydraulic system, master cylinder, brake fluid booster assembly, and master bushing were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 43,595.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

The contact owned a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at 55 mph and starting to fall asleep behind the wheel, the vehicle veered to the left to avoid crashing into a tree but when the brake pedal was pressed it failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The contact (driver) sustained chest, head, and a fractured sternum injuries when he hit the steering wheel and his girlfriend (front passenger) sustained a back injuries. Both injuries requested medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed via flatbed to impound lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 20,000. Consumer stated I'm very surprised to hear that travelers insurance company just towed and destroyed the vehicle when I expressly told them that the airbags did not deploy and that the medical benefits were maxed out. I thought for sure that insurance companies dissected vehicles in such major accidents and being notified by the owner that the equipment was faulty that they did not do a post mortem. My girlfriend got a broken back in the injury, had to have surgery and will most likely be in pain for the rest of her life. I could not work or lift anything over 6 months until my sternum healed itself and had to live through pain while I healed. I still feel a small feeling in my chest.

- New Castle, VA, USA

2015 Ford F-150 3.5 ecoboost 47900 miles. Started my truck which was stationary, low reservoir light came on and brake pedal went to floor, total failure. Looked for external leak and found none. Added dot 4 fluid to fill line and watched it disappear. Had my truck towed to my Ford dealer and they verified brake master cylinder leaking into brake booster. 1500 dollar repair. Dealer said upgraded parts were installed but nobody wanted to discuss the failure. Could have been worse I I was headed to the mountains today.

- Taylorsville, UT, USA

Ruptured brake line. Pedal went soft to floor, luckily happened at a stop light.

- Santa Fe Springs, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. While driving 15 mph, the low brake fluid level warning indicator illuminated. While driving around a curve, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond and drove off the road. There was no crash or physical damage to the vehicle. The contact was able to apply the parking brake and drove home safely. The contact self-diagnosed that the brake master cylinder failed. Freestone Ford (located at 1201 us-84, fairfield, tx 75840, (903) 389-4186) was contacted by phone and notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Jewett, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. While driving approximately 65 mph, the brakes failed and the brake pedal extended to the floorboard when depressed. The driver had to downshift and apply the parking brake to slow down and stop the vehicle. Moments before the failure, "low brake fluid" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to taylor Ford (13500 telegraph rd, taylor, mi) where it was diagnosed that the brake booster and master cylinder were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 95,000.

- Temperance, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. While driving, the contact attempted to stop the vehicle, but the brake pedal traveled all the way to the floorboard. The contact had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. In addition, the low brake fluid message appeared on the message center. The contact went to the nearest parts store and purchased the approved brake fluid. He filled the reservoir and the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the vehicle had a cracked brake line and the fluid was leaking, which needed replacement. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 79,500.

- Bend, OR, USA

Vehicle had a sudden and near complete loss of brake capability. The sudden failure was noted about 1 hour after previous, in which the vehicle had no issues and no warning lights were active. Brake pedal went down to the floor and the "low brake fluid" light came on and war ning sounded from the console. Brakes provided minimal response and largely had to slow down by coasting. No external leaks were visible from the vehicle not did any of the brake lines appear to be damaged. When I checked under the hood, the brake fluid reserve was below the "min" line. Topping it off with brake fluid it did not resolve the problem and the level went back to below "min" after about a 4 mile drive. Taking vehicle to dealership this evening to ascertain cause of sudden failure.

- El Paso, TX, USA

While driving the 2015 F150 3.5 liter 6-cylinder with 17,000 miles on a city street at 30mph, the brake fluid light illuminated. Within the next mile the vehicle experienced a total failure of the brake system; the red brake light came on and the pedal went completely to the floor. Using the emergency brake and low gear, I was able to narrowly avoid crashing into stopped vehicles ahead of me. The Ford dealership's mechanic initially diagnosed the issue as a failed brake sensor. Replacing the sensor, however, failed to correct the problem. As I now understand it, the brake booster seals were ruined by a leaking master cylinder although no fluid was ever seen under the vehicle prior to this event.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Sudden brake loss. Warning light saying brake fluid low. Filled up reservoir. It was empty again within the hour. No spills or pools on the ground under my truck.I have no idea where the brake fluid went.

- Midvale, UT, USA