BUY WITH CARE

The brake master cylinder on the 3.5L EcoBoost F-150 can leak brake fluid past its seals into the brake booster, reducing front braking and lengthening stopping distance -- and Ford had to recall the same trucks more than once. Recall 20V332000 first covered 2014-2017 3.5L EcoBoost F-150s; 22V150000 then extended to 2016-2018 3.5L EcoBoost F-150 (plus Expedition and Navigator), and 25V236000 followed for 2017-2018 trucks, so an early repair did not always end the problem. Complaint texts describe a low-brake-fluid warning followed within a short distance by the pedal going soft or sinking and reduced braking. This is a safety recall, not a driveability annoyance.

Check — Run the VIN through Ford / NHTSA recall lookup and confirm every applicable master-cylinder recall (20V332000, 22V150000, 25V236000) shows completed -- and be aware a truck fixed under an early campaign may still fall under a later one. On the test drive check for a firm, high brake pedal, the correct fluid level, and no brake warning lamp.