Ford Explorer brake problems, 2016–2027
101 of the 7,419 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Explorer 2016–2027 name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). The loudest years: 2020 (83), 2025 (18). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ford Explorer brake problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the brakes | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 18 | 18% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 in depth | 83 | 7% | 7k | 17 TSBs | the record → |
| 2019 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2018 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2017 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2016 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the brakes. Nothing here is a rate.
When the brake complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2019: 1 · 2020: 26 · 2021: 12 · 2022: 11 · 2023: 11 · 2024: 10 · 2025: 17 · 2026: 13
Across the model years, half of the 76 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 6,000 and 37,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
While I was driving on the interstate, in the left most lane, there was road on the side of the road sighted ahead that was extending into the left lane I was traveling in. To avoid the upcoming lane infringement, I needed to accelerate to change lanes to the right of me.
Periodically, after starting the vehicle, and selecting a gear (either drive or reverse), I experience a "hard brake" where I cannot press down the break pedal but the vehicle will begin to roll. The vehicle will continue to roll and I cannot use the brake pedal (therefore I cannot stop).
Deputy driving the vehicle reported to Fleet of Little to no power brake assist. Fleet found ABS fault codes C0020:64:68 present and sent to the dealer. Dealer is reporting back of possible ABS HCU fault
Brake system Fault - no power assist. While the Deputy was driving his vehicle every light on the dash lit up and it said all systems were not working. He stated that only brakes he had were the regenerative brakes for the electric motors. He stated that he turned the car off for 10 minutes and everything worked again.
What is on file about the brakes, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 25V371000 HighJun 3, 2025 · 3 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer vehicles. The bolts securing the front brake caliper may not be tightened properly, which can result in a loss of front brake function and possible wheel damage.
Other systems with a record on the Ford Explorer
Source: the same files- transmission and drivetrain problems
- engine problems
- electrical problems
- backup camera and parking sensor problems
- visibility and wiper problems
- body and structure problems
- steering problems
- fuel system problems
Every system, every model year: Ford Explorer problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford Explorer years have the most brake complaints?
2020, 83; 2025, 18. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2025 (18%).
Is there a recall for the brakes on the Ford Explorer?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 25V371000 (2025). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the Ford Explorer?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 17,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 6,000 and 37,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.