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Crowe's avatar
Crowe
Explorer
Jun 21, 2014

Anyone having F150 brake issues (particularly 2012)-UPDATED

Hi kids. Haven't been in this area of the forum for a while. We have a 2012 F150 w/Ecoboost. The brakes never really felt quite right and we had them checked right after we bought it and were told everything was fine. Had routine service done about two weeks ago (truck otherwise has not need any maintenance or repairs) and shortly thereafter the brakes seemed worse. If the truck hasn't been driven for 24 hours or more when first starting out the brake pedal would only go halfway down and brakes would not engage completely. If you idled for a minute or two and pumped the brakes once or twice was no issue. After that there would be noticeable issue. Dropped it off at the dealer, got a call said that there was nothing wrong. Hubby hit the roof and told them to look again, saying we found evidence of similar issues when doing a net search (which we did). He also told them that if anyone got hurt because of brake failure he'd own the dealership. They "looked again" and said that the brake vacuum pump was bad and truck was unsafe to drive (ya think?). Has anyone else heard of or experienced this issue? Just posting out of curiosity and to give a head's up to anyone who might have the same issue.
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  • coolbreeze01's avatar
    coolbreeze01
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2014
    Do the wipers quit when you accelerate? The brakes are another reason I quit buying Fords. Good luck.
  • brulaz's avatar
    brulaz
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2014
    Never heard of the issue before, nor had the problem in 66,000km with my EcoBoo.
  • jus2shy's avatar
    jus2shy
    Explorer
    Jun 21, 2014
    Actually, this is a problem with turbocharged gas motors. When I owned a Saturn Sky Redline, there was a TSB for the 2008 car which removed the electric vacuum pump from the system (GM figured that it was unnecessary). There were situations where shortly after first start-up, there may not be enough vacuum. So when you're backing out and hitting the brakes, you find yourself having to REALLY push down since you have no power assist. They ended up adding the part back in 2009 and adding it back to 2008 cars that customers experienced the issue in. Typically the brake system is boosted by engine vacuum. With a turbocharged motor, you have times where the manifold goes positive pressure or doesn't produce enough vacuum because of mild boosting from the turbo. So many turbo cars get an assist from an electric or mechanical vacuum pump. Seems like the assisting vacuum pump failed on your ride and you were relying purely on the engine's vacuum which isn't consistent, so it's in those short inconsistencies where the assisting vacuum pump helps shore-up vacuum assist (along with a vacuum reservoir I believe). I'm surprised I haven't heard of this so much.
  • Crowe's avatar
    Crowe
    Explorer
    Jun 21, 2014
    Do you have a adjustable brake pedal...if so try moving it higher.

    Pedal location doesn't change anything. Hubby and I drive it with the pedal in different spots.
  • artguys's avatar
    artguys
    Explorer
    Jun 21, 2014
    Do you have a adjustable brake pedal...if so try moving it higher.
  • TNRIVERSIDE's avatar
    TNRIVERSIDE
    Explorer
    Jun 21, 2014
    Its all new to me. I guess you have been to the F150 sites. Thanks for the information. Lots of F150s out there.

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