You’ve probably heard about Ford’s recent recalls in the news. If you own a Ford or Lincoln vehicle, especially one manufactured between 2013 and 2024, you might be wondering if your vehicle is affected by a brake fluid leak recall. These aren’t minor issues—they directly impact your vehicle’s braking system and your safety on the road.
Let’s dive into what these recalls involve, which models are affected, how to check if your vehicle needs repairs, and what to do if it does.
What Are the Ford Brake Fluid Leak Recalls?
Ford has issued multiple major recalls for brake fluid leaks affecting different components of the braking system:
- Front brake line contact issues in 2022-2024 Expeditions and Navigators
- Brake master cylinder leaks in 2017-2018 F-150s, Expeditions, and Navigators
- Brake master cylinder seal failures in 2013-2014 F-150s
- Front brake hose ruptures in 2013-2018 Fusions and MKZs
While each recall involves different parts, they all lead to the same dangerous outcome: brake fluid leaks that compromise your vehicle’s stopping ability.
Which Vehicles Are Affected?
Here’s a quick reference table of all the Ford brake fluid leak recalls:
| Recall Number | Models Affected | Model Years | Issue | Affected Units | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25V-314 | Expedition, Navigator | 2022-2024 | Brake line contact | 273,789 | Ongoing |
| 22V-150 | F-150, Expedition, Navigator | 2017-2018 | Master cylinder leak | 195,864 | Ongoing |
| 16V-345 | F-150 | 2013-2014 | Master cylinder seal failure | 225,012 | Completed |
| 23V-162 | Fusion, MKZ | 2013-2018 | Brake hose rupture | 1,280,726 | Ongoing |
As you can see, these recalls span multiple model years and affect a wide range of Ford’s popular models.
What Causes These Brake Fluid Leaks?
Each recall stems from a different technical issue:
2022-2024 Expedition and Navigator Recall (25V-314)
The front brake lines may contact the engine air cleaner outlet pipe, causing abrasion and eventually leading to a brake fluid leak. While nearly 274,000 vehicles were recalled, Ford estimates only about 1% actually have the defect.
2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Navigator Recall (22V-150)
These vehicles, specifically those with 3.5L EcoBoost engines, have a defective brake master cylinder that might leak fluid from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
2013-2014 F-150 Recall (16V-345)
Similar to the 2017-2018 recall, these F-150s with 3.5L EcoBoost engines experienced master cylinder issues. The specific problem was identified as a “rolling of the rearmost cup seal” within the brake master cylinder.
2013-2018 Fusion and MKZ Recall (23V-162)
This massive recall of over 1.2 million vehicles involves front brake jounce hoses that can rupture prematurely due to cyclic fatigue from suspension and steering movements.
What Are the Warning Signs?
If your vehicle has a brake fluid leak, you might notice:
- Increased brake pedal travel (pedal feels “soft” or goes closer to the floor)
- A red brake warning light on your dashboard
- Reduced braking performance
- A message center alert saying “Brake System Service Required”
- An audible warning chime
- Longer stopping distances
Don’t ignore these warning signs—they’re designed to alert you before a complete brake failure occurs.
What Should You Do If Your Vehicle Is Affected?
1. Check If Your Vehicle Is Part of a Recall
The easiest way to check is to visit the NHTSA recall website and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). You can also check directly on Ford’s recall page.
The VIN is typically located on the driver’s side dashboard (visible through the windshield) or on the driver’s side door jamb.
2. Schedule a Service Appointment
If your vehicle is affected, contact your local Ford or Lincoln dealer immediately to schedule a service appointment. All recall-related repairs will be performed free of charge, regardless of your vehicle’s warranty status.
3. What to Expect During the Repair
Depending on which recall affects your vehicle, the dealer will:
- For brake line contact issues: Inspect the front brake line and either replace the damaged line or the engine air cleaner outlet pipe to prevent future contact.
- For master cylinder leaks: Replace the defective brake master cylinder. If the brake booster has been affected, they’ll replace that too.
- For brake hose ruptures: Replace the front brake jounce hoses with new ones featuring a more robust braid material.
Most repairs can be completed in a single day, though you might need to leave your vehicle at the dealership if parts need to be ordered.
The Importance of Acting Quickly
Don’t delay getting your vehicle repaired if it’s subject to a recall. Here’s why:
- Safety Risk: Brake fluid leaks directly impact your ability to stop your vehicle, increasing your risk of an accident.
- Legal Liability: Continuing to drive a vehicle with a known safety recall that later causes an accident could potentially affect your legal and insurance situation.
- No Cost to You: Recall repairs are completely free at authorized dealers.
- Reimbursement Available: If you’ve already paid for repairs related to these issues, you might be eligible for reimbursement from Ford.
What If You Experience Symptoms But Your Vehicle Isn’t Listed?
If you’re experiencing brake issues but your vehicle doesn’t appear in the recall database, you should:
- Contact your local Ford dealer to have your vehicle inspected
- File a complaint with NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/recalls or call 1-888-327-4236
- Keep detailed records of any symptoms, warning lights, or brake performance issues
What These Recalls Tell Us About Ford Vehicles
The fact that Ford has issued multiple brake fluid leak recalls across different models and model years raises some concerns about their brake system design and quality control. The issues span from 2013 to 2024 models and affect various components of the braking system.
While all manufacturers occasionally face recalls, the recurring nature of these brake-related issues is notable. Ford appears to be actively addressing these problems, but the pattern suggests potential systemic challenges in their brake system engineering.
Why Do Manufacturers Issue Recalls?
Car manufacturers issue recalls when they discover defects that could affect vehicle safety. This typically happens in one of two ways:
- Through the manufacturer’s own quality control and monitoring processes
- After NHTSA investigates reports from vehicle owners and identifies a pattern of defects
Recalls are mandatory actions regulated by federal law. Manufacturers must notify all registered owners of affected vehicles and offer a free remedy.
Preventing Brake Issues Between Service Visits
While you can’t prevent a recall-related defect, you can take steps to monitor your vehicle’s brake health:
- Regularly check for puddles or wet spots under your vehicle that might indicate fluid leaks
- Pay attention to any changes in brake pedal feel or responsiveness
- Don’t ignore warning lights on your dashboard
- Have your brakes inspected during regular maintenance visits
- Maintain proper brake fluid levels (but consult your owner’s manual—adding fluid to a leaking system is only a temporary fix)
The Ford Brake Fluid Leak Pattern: What’s Going On?
The recurring nature of brake fluid leak issues across Ford’s lineup is concerning. The problems affect:
- Different vehicle types (trucks, SUVs, sedans)
- Various model years spanning over a decade (2013-2024)
- Multiple brake system components (master cylinders, brake lines, hoses)
This pattern suggests potential systemic challenges in Ford’s engineering, testing, or quality control processes for brake systems. For the 2013-2018 Fusion and MKZ recall, Ford acknowledged that “only 88% of suspension articulation was utilized on the brake hose test rig during life testing,” suggesting their testing standards might not have adequately simulated real-world conditions.
The reappearance of master cylinder issues in the 2017-2018 F-150s, after similar problems in 2013-2014 models, raises questions about whether the underlying causes were fully addressed in newer designs.
Owner Rights and Manufacturer Responsibilities
As a vehicle owner, you have specific rights when it comes to safety recalls:
- Right to free repairs: Manufacturers must fix recall-related safety defects at no cost to you
- Right to notification: You must be notified by first-class mail if your vehicle is subject to a recall
- Right to reimbursement: If you paid for repairs to fix a defect before the recall was announced, you may be eligible for reimbursement
Manufacturers must:
- Report safety defects to NHTSA promptly
- Launch a recall campaign and remedy the issue
- Reach out to all affected vehicle owners
- Provide a free remedy
- Submit quarterly reports to NHTSA on repair completion rates
Take action today to check if your Ford vehicle is affected by a brake fluid leak recall. Your safety on the road depends on it!
