F150Grrl

Greetings fellow F150 fans. I've had my 2012 XL since January.
Loving the size and power and comfort so far. BUT...
Have experienced a "squishy pedal", "brake fade" issue. I seem to be getting nowhere in finding solid info on how to remedy this.

Lots of posts on lots of forums with the exact same symptoms.
Brake is OK on first application, but if you keep pressing lightly, it just
goes slowly, right to the floor. Seems to affect a great range of years.

I'm getting a bit frustrated and a bit scared now, since I've had new pads, rotors installed (rotors were warped, at 26K ?, but that's another issue).
Had it bled, twice.
Reading too much I suppose, but I saw "bad master cylinder", "bad booster", "needs bleeding".

I called Ford. I'm covered for the MC, and had it checked out at the dealer this morning.
The service technician, the head service technician, and the service manager all took a look at it. They pulled the wheels, inspected EVERYthing. Each one drove it.
They said there's nothing to fix. Really?!?!? This can't be normal for ALL F150s. Yet, when I took a similar truck on their lot for a spin
around the building, it was even worse feeling than mine. (It was a 2012 F150 XLT, with (funny) 26K miles)

I called back Customer Service at Ford. They said they would take the dealerships side. I cannot see, how with so many posts about the same problem, they can say there is none.

What am I to do? I still think there is something wrong, and something needs to be fixed, but what and how?
And how do I find a dealership out there who would take MY side?

RLXXI

The symptoms you describe tell me it is indeed the master cylinder doing what is known as "by passing" it's what happens when the main piston seal inside the master cylinder is failing allowing fluid pressure to bleed off back into the reservoir where the fluid is stored.

There is a possibility that it could also be caused by the ABS HCU.

F150Grrl

Thank you, Rnlcomp. So, since I was told that this is how the brakes on all F150's function and feel like, that means that all the F150's out there need
a new MC's or ABS units. Ugh.

I will be speaking to a Ford Regional Customer Relations person tomorrow.
This just makes no sense.

Thank you again, for the reply. Have a good evening.

RLXXI

I can assure you who ever fed you that line is not only full of crap, but a bald face liar or an idiot.

NO VEHICLE ON THIS ROCK has normally spongy or fading brakes.

Skoty422

There are recalls for brakes on your year. Check with dealer for recall

F150Grrl

Which is what I told the Service Manager. I pretty much got back "get used to it", and "you drove an S10 before, this is a different vehicle".
(Paraphrasing). I'm not giving up on this.

I will ask about the recall, Skoty422, thanks.

F150Grrl

Had a nice animated chat with the Regional CSR from Dearborn.
Bottom line - I was told I'm looking for someone who'll give me the answer I want, and that
I'm free to go to any number of dealerships to get a second opinion (which I will).

I am not looking for the answer I want, I'm looking for someone to tell me the truth.
If the truth is what has been repeated to me several times, that "the brakes are functioning as designed",
and "all F150 brakes function this way", that is one messed up bit of truth.

My quest continues.

P.S. Skoty422, the rep told me there was no recall in 2012 my VIN fell under.

FredK

Told me mine was a failed ABS module. On order to be installed this next week.

Pedal felt spongy yet would stop the vehicle and after stopping then depress another inch or so. Won't know if the "fix" is what they say until next week. Seems there was none in the Phoenix Area on Friday. Ordered in from TN and supposed to be here Tuesday.

One can still drive the truck and that what I need to do until it gets here. Just a wierd feeling.

BTY no light came on to indicate problem.

River1

Have you turned off the ABS to see what effect that has?

From what you have written it sounds like you stop OK, but your pedal slowing sinks to the floor with just your foot on the brake. You are not intentionally applying more pressure to stay stopped.

I can't suggest anymore but if you can find out who made the ABS on your truck and if it's a front or 4 wheel system I might be able to offer more information.

My guess with the information you given is your feeling the on off pulsing of ABS. Not all systems shut down when the wheel speed sensor is at 0. The wheel speed sensor could also be out of adjustment so it never sends a 0 state to the ABS Module. If this is it and the sensor is part of the hub or bearing, you've been given the answer I'd expect. You can't replace just the sensor.

Also, don't be to critical of the people you've talked to. Even your local mechanic wouldn't have a lot of this information.

F150Grrl

Hey, River1.

Yes, It's 2:06 AM. And I'm up. I am now losing sleep because of this fading brake deal.
My truck is 2012 F150, 4x4 (funny I just type $x$, it's turning into that).
I don't know who made the ABS.

I was told Friday, they'd find the problem. Cool!
I got my truck back, yesterday morning.
I was told there was air in the lines.
I Was told "Works fine now". Great! Elated.
What was done? They flushed the lines, and bled the system.
Went in. Anticipating.
Paid the cashier.
Stupid me for not taking the truck out and driving it first.
I'm out 237.00 for the flush and bleed.
And the pedal still does the same thing. Arrrrggh!

I'm trying my best to not get upset about this, but I really don't like feeling
I'm being handed a line, or I'm getting the "throw the spaghetti at the wall" deal
of changing parts until "something sticks", which adds up $ wise.

At least I like the folks at the dealership I'm working with now,
and I think it will be easier to work with the Service Manager here than at the one before.

So, possibly ABS, possibly sensor. I've read elsewhere, changing the MC didn't fix it.
We'll see.
AND...
The quest continues.

Hey, FredK. Let me know how your repairs go, please. This whole thing is turning out to be very educating.