F-150s are heavy. Add a trailer, a bed full of mulch or a lot of stop-and-go driving and the brakes earn their keep. Pads are a normal wear item, so this is a "when" question, not an "if." Here's what you should expect to pay and how to avoid paying for more than you need.
What it costs by model year
| F-150 model years | RepairPal estimate (pads) |
|---|---|
| 2022-2026 | $244-$301 |
| 2021 | $244-$301 |
| 2010-2017 | $263-$320 |
| 2007-2009 | $189-$246 |
RepairPal's estimates factor in your local labor rate, so a big-city shop may land at the top of the range (or above it). Pads are replaced in pairs, either both fronts, both rears, or all four, so make sure any quote you compare says which.
Related brake costs on the F-150
| Repair | RepairPal estimate |
|---|---|
| Parking brake shoe replacement | $279-$377 |
| Brake hose replacement | $264-$327 |
| Brake master cylinder replacement | $433-$537 |
DIY vs shop vs dealer
| Option | What you pay | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| DIY | Parts only | You need a jack, jack stands, tools and an afternoon. Rotors may still need a machine shop |
| Independent shop | Around the RepairPal range | Ask what brand of pads and whether rotors are included |
| Ford dealer | Often the top of the range or higher | Ford parts, and they'll catch open recalls while it's there |
How to tell it's time
- Squealing when you brake. Many pads have a small metal wear tab that squeals when the pad is getting thin.
- Grinding. That usually means metal on metal, and now your rotors are getting chewed up too.
- Pulsing or shaking pedal. Often a rotor issue, not just pads.
- Pulling to one side. Could be a sticking caliper. Worth a look before you buy pads.
RepairPal makes a fair point: replacing pads on time can keep the rotors from being damaged beyond repair. Waiting until it grinds is how a pad job turns into a pads-and-rotors job.
How long pads last really depends on how you drive. Lots of city driving, mountain roads and hard stops wear them faster. Towing does too. Check your owner's manual and have the shop measure pad thickness at every tire rotation.
The recall you should check first (2016-2018 EcoBoost)
Two NHTSA recalls cover a brake master cylinder that can leak fluid into the brake booster on certain 3.5L EcoBoost F-150s:
| Recall | F-150 trucks covered | Free fix |
|---|---|---|
| 22V-150 (Ford 22S11) | 90,010 2016-2018 F-150s built Aug 2, 2016 to Jan 31, 2017 | New master cylinder, plus a new booster if it was leaking |
| 25V-236 (Ford 25S37) | 87,738 2017-2018 F-150s built Feb 1 to Jun 30, 2017 | New master cylinder, plus a new booster if it was leaking |
The warning signs are the same for both. When the fluid level drops, you get a chime, a message center alert and a red brake warning light. Keep driving and the pedal travel and feel can change, the pedal takes more effort, and front braking can be reduced, which means longer stops.
What to ask the shop before paying
- "Is this price for front, rear or all four?"
- "Which pads are you using, and are rotors included?"
- "Do my rotors need resurfacing or replacement, and can you show me the measurement?"
- "Will you clean and lube the caliper slides?"
- "Is my brake fluid due?"
After the job
RepairPal recommends going easy on the brakes for the first 40 to 50 miles so the new pads bed in to the rotors. No panic stops on the way home if you can help it.
Is it worth fixing?
Yes. Brakes are never a repair-or-sell decision. A pad job in the $244-$320 range is one of the cheapest things an F-150 will ask of you. Just don't let it get to the grinding stage, and check for recalls if you have a 2016-2018 EcoBoost.
More F-150 repair costs are on the Ford F-150 page. Shifting weird too? Read our F-150 10-speed transmission guide. Prices checked October 14, 2026.
