How to FIX Soft Brake Pedal on 2019+ Ford Ranger

This video explains and shows how to fix the soft brake pedal issue on the 2019 and newer Ford Ranger that many people are experiencing. I did this procedure on 2 different Ford Ranger's, a 2019 and a 2021 and it was successful on both with zero adverse affects.

[@jonmiller5401]

Just had mine fixed at dealer. They said nothing from Ford about it. Lead service manager drove it and said that it was not right. Service tech searched KZbin and found your video. Man you are a lifesaver. Thank you!!!

[@xerowerx]

I’m glad to hear they were able to resolve the issue. Even more glad to hear I had a hand in the solution😂

[@rockymntdan1]

You have a good dealer.

[@maxpanetta6762]

just .never buy a ford ever sgain especially if you ate an

[@treimche]

Thank you for sharing this. After 2 years owning and driving my Ranger, now I have to relearn how to use the brakes on my 2019 Ranger after performing this procedure. The brake pedal feel is SO MUCH BETTER! Ford must have just forgot to finish bleeding the brakes on all these Rangers.

[@treimche]

Just to update this, after some time driving after doing the ABS module bleed procedure with Forscan, the pedal had gone soft again. I'm going to do this procedure again, but also physically bleed all the brakes the old school way, which according to the Ranger 5G forums, is the ultimate fix for the mushy pedal.

[@nephewbob7264]

2020 Ranger. So, I watched this, then called my Ford dealer to see if they would do this. They declined, saying that a "false bleed" was not a recommended procedure. (I get it- you have to follow Ford's rules if you're a dealer). I found an Independent shop with Forscan- they wanted $75 for the standard diagnosis fee, and $25 for the procedure. I bought the adapter cable for $25 and paid another $20 to Forscan for a 1 year sub. Followed your directions, and now have brakes that act like brakes, not a wet sponge. Thank you so much for this.

[@xerowerx]

I’m glad to hear it, if it goes back to a spongy pedal then you will want to actually do a full bleed procedure with actually opening the lines and allowing it to bleed some fluid out.

[@PT13Pilot]

Another satisfied customer, thank you! Just did this to my new to me 2021 Ranger. Got the adapter and forscan. It's the first thing I did. Worked great and brakes are firm!

[@DonaldKHoaty]

Thanks a lot! My brand new 2023 Ranger had soft brakes (that mostly sucked) and this procedure restored them to the performance and feel that the engineers meant it to have. I had taken it to the dealer who said that since there were no codes, the truck was performing as intended!

[@xerowerx]

I’m glad it helped.

[@fiainkoka3348]

I just saved this video. I plan on buying a ranger next year. This will be the first thing I look at. Thank you.

[@pizzapartymike6427]

Gonna give a shot today. Thanks man! Edit. Just did it. Feels a lot more firm, I freaked out a bit at all the sounds ;). Anyone doing this, make sure you watch the video all the way through. Make sure you reset the ABS module.. thanks again

[@xerowerx]

You’re welcome, glad to help. It definitely makes the pedal like it should have been.

[@commbubba1990]

Worked like a charm man. Thanks. I've shared this on the Ranger forums so others can fix their mushy brakes.

[@xerowerx]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[@chrisfrank8413]

Interesting that Ford missed that. I had a '20 and hated the pedal. Great catch!

[@williamdubois8541]

Did this fix after bringing my 2020 Ranger to Ford to fix the soft brake pedal. Ford told me that they were within spec and did not do anything. This fix immediately corrected the issue and took away the soft brake pedal feel. Thank you so much for the video.

[@xerowerx]

You’re welcome, I’m glad i could help.

[@musicluvr58]

Thank You!!! I've had my 2019 Ford Ranger FX4 for 3 years now that's only got about 7300 miles on it. I ran across your post one day and saved it. I purchased an OBDLinkEX tool, downloaded the latest forscan software, and purchased a one-year license. It took me about 15 minutes to perform the procedure. I was blown away!! That's how those brakes should've been off the showroom floor! You were right about re-learning to use the brakes. I can't thank you enough!!!! Solid and very firm now!! Thanks a million!!!

[@xerowerx]

You’re welcome, glad to hear!

[@davidblackmore7750]

Wow man. For the last six months I’ve been questioning my brakes. I’ve even had friends drive the truck to test them and they all thought I was crazy. Thx so much bro. If our paths ever cross it’s definitely all the 🍺 you can drink. On me!!!!!

[@xerowerx]

Haha, glad I could help man. It was something that absolutely bugged me to the point of figuring it out since no one else could.

[@davidhostetler9393]

Incredible. The difference is night and day. Truly not all heroes wear capes. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@user-jl4sv3nf1t]

I just have to thank you for creating this post. I have put up with this problem for almost 3 years. I performed the scan with no problems. This fix brought back my confidence that this truck would stop. Thanks so much! Total cost? $12

[@xerowerx]

I’m glad I could help.

[@AtlantisSurfTV]

Thanks Trevor! I just bought a 2022 and literally within the first 100 miles I noticed the mush. We have other vehicles so the mush was very noticeable in the Ranger. I did the procedure and WOW, the truck has brakes! It's a bit noisy and makes you want it to be over soon for sure. So happy I found your post.

[@xerowerx]

I’m glad it helped, if the mushy returns you’ll want to do or have the brakes bled while doing this procedure.

[@tedhart4468]

Totally worked and it taught my ford mechanic something they don’t know I had same issue with my 2019 ranger took it in after watching this asked to have this done they said it can’t be I showed the guy your video so he said I’ll give it a try and after he was done he couldn’t believe that does wasn’t telling the techs this trick thank you sir my brakes feel like brakes now

[@xerowerx]

I’m glad to hear it helped. You would think by now Ford would know about this issues and would have issued a TSB for it.

[@Muffin192213]

I just did the Forscan ABS bleed procedure (2019 Ranger)it worked perfectly although I couldn’t find the ABS reset module in the list like you showed,i had the warning lights lit upI went for a test ride braking is such an improvement I shut truck off and when I restarted all the lights were off, strange I didn’t have that reset module showing thought I messed up, but at the end of procedure it had confirmed it was successful. Thank you for the great video.😊

[@johncummins7997]

I just did this to my 2022 Ranger and Man thank you so much I was like you the only thing I didn’t like about the truck. Great job!

[@asdfbeau]

You're a hero. Every single one of us feels the same way about this truck. If you hadn't made this video I might have never figured out what to do or (more likely) gone off and started doing random forscan sh** out of frustration.

[@xerowerx]

Glad I could help!

[@jean-sebastienrousseau4052]

Thank you for sharing this procedure, my brake pedal responds better now on my 2021 Ranger, I am happy to have found your video but disappointed that Ford does not apply or share this procedure with their customers.

[@xerowerx]

I’m glad it helped. I have heard some dealerships are bleeding brakes to remedy this issue. Hopefully all Ford dealerships or ford itself starts fixing them.

[@adamharris2674]

I did this myself months ago and was shocked at how much better they felt immediately after performing this in forscan. However, some of the mushiness has now returned and I learned one must do a system bleed after doing the ABS bleed to fix the problem once and for all.

[@xerowerx]

A full system bleed definitely wouldn’t hurt, I now have 15k miles on my truck and the brakes may have softened very slightly but they’re still 80-90% better than they were from the factory.

[@BAY24504]

Had my 2020 to dealer twice they say nothing wrong !! Thank You 🇨🇦

[@brycelogan1092]

I just wanted to say you sir are a legend definitely works

[@amaksimchuk]

Just did this one too (window module mod first), thanks! The difference was not as pronounced as I expected, yet it is there and I like it. What we doin next 😜

[@Darylrb1983]

Just did it to my 2020. Noticable difference. Not DRASTIC nor touchy but much better

[@Salyputy]

Thanks for your time and knowledge to make this video to help other techs like me

[@douglaslambert579]

My problem is the lack of foot room on my ‘19 Ranger. Not enough room from the floor to the bottom of the dash. I never see anyone complain about it.

[@BradHawk-ev1yg]

I cut the heating cooling vent back a little to keep that from grabbing my foot while releasing the brake.

[@juliancastanedaphotography]

I'm super glad I came across this video. Gonna do this as soon as I get the equipment. Update later 👍

[@y2krtaf]

Trevor,you rock man,great find! Absolutely hated the brakes on my 20,and like you said,they worked,but in a hard/panic stop situation,it was sketchy at best if you were gonna stop. Doing this simple procedure gave this truck the brake pedal,and FEEL,it should have had from day one! Shame on whoever dropped the ball at the factory,or during PDR,that did not finish the brake setup for these things,Holy Fuck! Thanks again for the find,and thank goodness for forscan

[@anythinghere9788]

Dude it actually works that’s nuts, thanks man.

[@jwell3336]

Wow going to have to get that and the app for my truck. Thanks for this.

[@xerowerx]

You’re welcome, glad to help!

[@ligitmaster3899]

Thank you so much for sharing this video. I just did it on my 21 ranger and it fixed the problem.

[@seanellington7184]

SuhWeet! Can't wait to implement this fix!

[@user-jl4sv3nf1t]

Paying it Forward: Sharing the knowledge. Just thought I'd share a problem that has been bothering me for some time with my 2020 Ranger 4x4 XLT. For more than a year every time I would turn, I would hear a rolling sound coming from glove box area, like a marble?,golf ball?,something round. I'd turn again and it would roll again. Even if I took off fast or stopped fast I'd hear this noise. After looking in the obvious places, I took apart the dash on the right side to get in deep. When I pulled out the cabin air filter, I heard 4 objects drop into the blower motor cage. With no clearance around the filter you have to pull it straight out leaving anything on top of it falling straight down into the blower cage. DAMN CHIPMUNKS! Some how chippy got up inside there (haven't figured out how yet) and decided to store his nuts on top of the cabin filter. Now I have to pop out the blower motor from the bottom to empty the nuts and blow it out. It looks kinda simple, 1Plug, 4 screws, and a strange looking clip(w/yellow tips) that extends off the bottom from another module attached. Any help as to how to pop this clip would be great. We are expecting a snow storm so I haven't gotten back to pulling anything further. I'll let you know how it turned out if you are interested. Heck, maybe you already knew of this problem and I just wasted my time. lol Thanks

[@peterschaffhauser1282]

I was going to get this done, but I turned the “brake assist” off and they work great, 21 SXT 4x4, they always felt great in S mode, so I thought it has to be ecu

[@captainbill1721]

2022 Ford Ranger same problem felt like air is the system. I am the former internet manager at the Ford Store so I was able to get them to do the ABS Blead and Fixed Boom! Going to drive it for a week and then get them to do the full bleed so they get paid. Tech said he would do it for me because I used to work there. He also said he had 7 or 8 of them that have come in and Ford said it was good so now he has a way to fix them but not to get paid. Hopefully Ford will recognize this problem and pay the tech for there time.

[@xerowerx]

I hope ford will realize this and get the techs paid for it. Glad to hear you’re happy 👍🏻

[@captainbill1721]

@@xerowerx Did the Full Bleed today had to pay the ford store for it but it is even better. On the phone now on the Ford Customer Service line making a complaint. Thanks again for figuring this out.

[@xerowerx]

@@captainbill1721 glad to hear it helped even more. Hope enough Ford techs see this and enough people bring it up so Ford can address the issue.

[@becomingabetterhuman.2994]

I am a Ferrari tech I have a 2021 ranger I had a 2020 ranger too, my 2021 brake pedal is better than the 2020 but I will try this on my next oil change and report back I also have forscan .

[@frogchaser]

thanks dude, this worked great on my 22 ranger

[@goodtimeson2wheels]

Good job man!

[@ohialehuacrozier8638]

Wow I am going to do this. Mahalo nui loa.

[@wesharris07]

This is awesome! Still an issue on my 22 lariat tremor.

[@peterviolini2392]

Thanks, Worked great. Night and day defiance

[@jiff1970]

Great find!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@hooch1690]

Just did this on my 2020 and worked great. I swapped to the 6 piston Brembos on my 2018 S550 but the brake pedal doesn't feel like cars that have the Brembos from factory, is it the exact same procedure as this video to fix that?

[@xerowerx]

Yes the procedure for the S550 should be the same, I did my 2018 Mustang with my snap on scanner but it was still an abs bleed procedure so it should be the same as the Ranger.

[@erminhadzic8641]

Hi I have a 2014 Mazda BT50 3.2 and have soft pedal feel as well would this procedure work on my car by any chance ?

[@garypiccolo936]

I wonder if this procedure will work on my 2012 Ford Edge. It practically has a whole new brake system (rotors, pads, master cylinder, booster, and two new calipers) and has a spongy brake pedal.

[@xerowerx]

It wouldn’t hurt to try.

[@GarySchmitt-ee7kw]

Hello, I own a 2020 ford ranger with the mushy brake pedal so I took it to local ford dealer and they checked the pedal travel which it was within the accepted specs but still mushy pedal. Where are you located if I would have you perform the abs procedure? Thanks GS

[@taylorunis5418]

Hey man. I’m a licensed tech myself. My shop has a Snap-On triton scanner and I personally own a Launch P90 scanner. Both scanners don’t allow me to communication with the module allowing me to do the automated bleed. Do you know if it specifically only works on the ForScan software? Pretty weird that I wouldn’t let me do it on a Snap-On scanner.

[@xerowerx]

I was able to use the snap-on solus to do the brake bleed procedure to my 2018 mustang but it wouldn’t allow me to do it on my ranger. I tried to do a 2019 Ranger thinking maybe the 2021 was to new at the time but it still didn’t work. Only thing I can think of is snap-on hasn’t put that procedure in the software of the scanners for certain vehicles. All I can say is Forscan definitely will do it so if you’re wanting to do it you may have to get Forscan if you don’t already have it.

[@georgescott5422]

I have a 2021 ranger and all four of my brakes lock up . The only way to free them up is to pull the vacuum hose from the brake booster. I have taken it to the dealer they could not figure it out. Have you run across anything like this before.

[@xerowerx]

I have not run across that issue. I’d say contact a different dealer if you can and see if they can resolve the issue.

[@rshinn8776]

Just dis this on my 22. There might be a very slight difference, if any. Should i redo it and actually crack open the bleeders?

[@PrelandRanger]

Do the rear calipers have bleeder valves I did not see them when I went to change my brake fluid? And what fluid do you recommend I use for the procedure?

[@xerowerx]

Yes the rear calipers have bleeder screws. I’m not 100% in what fluid it takes, you can use dot4 if it’s dot 3 or 4. Look in your owners manual and see what it says.

[@abcde190019]

Hi, will it work on the 2018 model? Thanks

[@xerowerx]

I’m assuming you have a non-US Ranger. I’m not sure about that but it’s worth trying, I doubt there’s much difference between a 18 and a 19 US Ranger

[@IndianmotorcyclesSA]

Trying to bleed brakes on a 2021 after replacing rear axle but can't get any ABR options available, any ideas. Cheers.

[@dharmesh10266]

Hi. What version of Forscan did you make use of in this video?

[@marcusbarnes5929]

Wouldn't you need to open bleeders to let the air bubbles out to firm up the pedal. Air in the brake lines is what causes the soft pedal issue.

[@xerowerx]

I don’t think it actually air in the lines, I believe it’s not enough pressure in the abs module. But you are correct, to do this procedure 100% properly it would involve opening the bleeder screws but some people aren’t confident enough or able to do that. If you are knowledgeable in how to do that and can perform it that way then by all means please do so.

[@thumperfromthe951]

just tried it on my 2020 and abs bleed isn't an option only module reset. any ideas? I've used forscan before without problems.

[@TheMigPicture]

Does this affect how aggressively the brakes apply during adaptive cruise control scenarios?

[@xerowerx]

I don’t have adaptive cruise control so I can’t accurately answer that question. I would say that the adaptive cruise control will still work the same.

[@banzaiib]

Why not open the bleed screws? I'm excited to get my brakes back, but kind of curious what's happening in this procedure

[@xerowerx]

You can open the bleeder screws and do a full bleed if you want but it’s not necessary in order to get a firm pedal. The system wasn’t opened so there’s no need to open the bleeders now. All this procedure is doing is priming and building better pressure in the ABS module to make a firmer pedal.

[@banzaiib]

@@xerowerx awesome, thank you for the reply!

[@matthew197735]

i have to take my 2020 ranger in cause every time i have had to slam on my brakes it pops up either abs failure or something about my anti collision system failure ant the last time it was terrain management system fault? but as far as my brakes, if setting at a stop light for a minute and not paying attention it will slowly start to let of and roll so have to keep them firmly pressed

[@xerowerx]

Yeah mine would creep at a stop light also. Mine has popped up the anti collision warning a few times in the last week too and one time it popped up all kinds of warnings. I’m hoping it will either stop or get more consistent so I can have the dealer fix it.

[@SA-hk8xj]

@@xerowerx So did you ever get this resolved at dealer? Sounds like the initial Forscan bleed test/reset you did, did not really help long term?? Was there anything else that needed to be done? Just curious.

[@xerowerx]

@@SA-hk8xj no, I’m having a difficult time getting the dealer to look at it and give me a loaner. But my brake pedal still feels good, my issues are the pre-collision and front camera faults.

[@major3679]

Is it enough to do it only on one or do you have to repeat the procedure of bleeding all 4?

[@xerowerx]

You can do just one of you want but all four would be the best option

[@josh_kibishima]

Does changing the brake pads and resetting the pistons count as hydraulic work? Lol should I leave the bleeders closed? Or open them? I just got my tool today 🥳

[@xerowerx]

Technically no that’s not considered hydraulic work. If you’re equipped and have the knowledge to open the bleeders and do it then it would be fine to do.

[@josh_kibishima]

@@xerowerx thanks my g I just finished the procedure just now. The buzzing of the hydraulic system startled me a lil and the cheap USB wires were a little bit of a hassle to fiddle with but I got it running. I'm about to do the tire size change right meow.

[@hughwynn6193]

XEROWERX - does the engine need to be running?

[@xerowerx]

No it doesn’t. Just key in the on position with the engine off.

[@Kirkorr123]

I can't use this fix with out having the PCM code. How do I find the PCM code?

[@xerowerx]

I’m not sure, I haven’t had that issue.

[@dzlam]

Great video. If the truck is tuned do you have to return it to stock tune before doing the forscan brake procedure? Thx

[@xerowerx]

I don’t believe it’s necessary to return to stock to do this procedure. I’m not 100% sure on that though. I’ve heard it’s not necessary but my ranger isn’t tuned. My mustang did have me input the ecm number into Forscan because it was tuned.

[@dzlam]

Thanks for the info!

[@robmijn]

Sorry if this has already been asked but is it safe to do this more than once? I did it a few months back and i think i noticed a slight improvement but wanted to give it another go.

[@xerowerx]

Yeah you’d be fine to do it again, but if it’s mushy again I’d recommend actually bleeding the system like instructed to in the prompts so that it holds.

[@robmijn]

@@xerowerx Thanks for quick reply- I’m gonna do it again to see if firms up the pedal some more. Maybe I’ll just do it every 5-6 months or so if it’s safe.

[@robmijn]

@@xerowerx just did it and made a big difference. I didn’t know this was a temporary fix . Am I good to do this every 3-4 months ?

[@xerowerx]

@@robmijn it’s not supposed to be a temporary fix, if it keeps getting mushy then doing a full bleed will be necessary. It shouldn’t hurt to do it multiple times though if you want to keep doing it periodically.

[@robmijn]

@@xerowerx Are you sure it’s safe to do this multiple times? I want to do it again for the 3rd time. The sound is god awful lol

[@BradHawk-ev1yg]

Is forscan a free software?

[@xerowerx]

They do offer a free version

[@BradHawk-ev1yg]

Thanks!

[@1KemosabeLarry]

How do you get Bambi feature to which you refer? I know nothing about Fordscan.

[@trevorfarid6311]

Under the BCM there’s a line that says fog lights with high beam, select that and select enable then select write at the bottom left.

[@cathyschmitt5183]

Where are you located?

[@xerowerx]

I’m in Gwinnett/Walton county Georgia

[@jamesjacks9169]

just got a 2022 XLT. she's got a soft pedal.

[@xerowerx]

This procedure will fix it then. I have heard ford has realized this is a solution to the problem so I guess some dealers are doing this procedure to fix the issue.

[@maxpanetta6762]

Me too, first ford I have bought ( new ) and probably the last. Why in hell don't ford fix the problem, OR ARE THEY CAPABLE OF FIXING IT?? Should have bought A dodge instead, their brakes unlike Fords work as they should. I will never buy a Ford again. Live and learn. F... Ford!!

[@jamesjacks9169]

@Max Panetta I keep saying the same thing. I should have bought a RAM.

[@maxpanetta6762]

If it's so easy, why in hell doesn't Ford fix the problem. ALL FORD IS DOING IS MAKING A LOT OF FORD HATER'S, I FOR ONE WILL NEVER BUY ONE AGAIN, I'M THINKING ABOUT TRADING IT IN ON A RAM AND LET SOME OTHER SUCKER DEAL WITH IT.

[@xerowerx]

I traded mine 4 months ago. I sold my F250 and I have a Ram 2500 now. I know a lot of people love their Ranger but I definitely got a bad one and it also kinda tarnished the Ford name for me. I’m also not really a brand loyalist, I buy whatever I like or need at that time.

[@dannylewandowski2822]

I took mine to dealer and asked them to do this procedure, they denied it and blamed it on my new (much nicer riding) shocks install, saying the brake lines were installed incorrectly 🥲😂😂😂

[@xerowerx]

Yeah the dealerships are in denial that this is a problem.

[@dannylewandowski2822]

I sold it for a 2022 Tacoma access cab manual 6speed transmission. Amen brother.