Tampa, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
Unknown
NHTSA complaint #11700688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2011 Ford Explorer brake problems
29 of the 1,499 complaints about the 2011 Ford Explorer are about the braking system — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 33,911 miles.
29
Complaints
8
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Service Brakes
21
72.4%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
5
17.2%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
1
3.4%
Rotor
1
3.4%
Caliper
1
3.4%
Brakes across every Ford Explorer year
1991
151
6.9%
1992
142
6.5%
1993
276
12.6%
1994
310
14.1%
1995
94
4.3%
1996
149
6.8%
1997
106
4.8%
1998
102
4.6%
1999
89
4.1%
2000
72
3.3%
2001
37
1.7%
2002
136
6.2%
2003
49
2.2%
2004
54
2.5%
2005
18
0.8%
2006
41
1.9%
2007
12
0.5%
2010
15
0.7%
2011
29
1.3%
2012
20
0.9%
2013
40
1.8%
2014
27
1.2%
2015
33
1.5%
2016
19
0.9%
2017
22
1.0%
2018
11
0.5%
2020
86
3.9%
2021
24
1.1%
2022
14
0.6%
2025
16
0.7%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
Chester, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
Hidráulic problem
NHTSA complaint #11580448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Buffalo, WY
SERVICE BRAKES
Entire braking system on this 2011 with only 140,000 miles apparently all failed simultaneously. Dealer required replacement of rear brake pads, rotors, calipers, brake booster, master cylinder and wanted to replace the entire ABS control assembly - which I declined. Brakes had a "soft pedal" when I took it into the dealership and when I left the dealer apparently sabotaged the brake system as it was undrivable at that point. Dealer even requested I waive my rights prior to taking the vehicle (see attached). It appears Ford manufactured a vehicle that their own technicians can't figure out to properly repair without replacing the entire system that fails with low miles.
NHTSA complaint #11456986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 miles
Gainesville, GA
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES
RECALL EXPIRED WAS ALSO TOLD WARRANTY FOR RECALL EXPIRED(WAS TOLD ON PHONE THEY DIDN'T KNOW IF WARRANTY WOULD COVER UNTIL THEY RUN TEST IT THEN WAS TOLD IT EXPIRED) IN FEB I LOSS POWER STEERING AND A CLUSTER OF LIGHTS CAME ON DASH. HAPPENED IN FEB BUT CALLED AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT W FORD ON 3/1 BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE AVAILABLE OPENING UNTIL THE FOLLOWING WEEK WE TOOK IT IN AND OF COURSE THEY SAY IT'S NOT COVERED. THIS IS BIG SAFETY ISSUES AND LOSS IT IN CURVE WHICH WAS SCARY. I DIDN'T PURCHASE CAR UNTIL 2017 SO NEVER HEARD OF RECALL AND SAME DEALER FIXED ANOTHER RECALL SO WHY DID THEY NOT FIX THIS RECALL AT THAT TIME OR MENTION THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11403300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 miles
Basehor, KS
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE PUMPED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THE EXTENDED TRAVEL PLAY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED TWICE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STILL EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER (SHAWNEE MISSION FORD LOCATED AT 11501 SHAWNEE MISSION PKWY, SHAWNEE, KS 66203), AND THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11302866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 miles
Buffalo, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER (65,000 MILES) WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER TO MY GAS, BREAK AND STEERING WHEEL. LUCKILY I WAS GOING CLOSE TO 10-15 MILES PER HOUR AND I MANAGED TO VEER ONTO SOMEONE'S LAWN AND HIT THE EMERGENCY BREAK. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE THAT CAUSE A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. NO SENSORS WENT OFF PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND I HAVE ONLY GOTTEN MY CAR REPAIRED AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #11113280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 miles
Gardner, KS
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES
THE EXPLORER WAS PUT INTO PARK AND LEFT RUNNING IN THE DRIVEWAY AS I WENT INTO THE HOUSE TO GET MY KIDS. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR IT DIDN'T MOVE AT ALL. WHILE I WAS GETTING MY KIDS TOGETHER I HAPPEN TO LOOK UP AND SEE MY EXPLORER CRASHED INTO A TREE IN THE BACKYARD. I WENT OUT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND THE EXPLORER HAD GONE UP A SLIGHTLY INCLINED DRIVEWAY, DOWN A HILL, THROUGH AND ALUMINUM FENCE, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. WHEN I OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR THE GEAR SHIFTER STILL SHOWED IN PARK.
NHTSA complaint #11099509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,394 miles
Oceanside, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2016. I FIRST HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. I HEARD SCREECHING AND WHIRRING AS I DROVE THE VEHICLE. NEXT, I HAD ISSUES WITH THE BATTERY, BATTERY ACID LEAKED ALL OVER THE BATTERY, CORROSION BUILT UP ON THE BATTERY. MOST RECENTLY, AFTER SERVICING MY VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. THE COMPUTER READ THAT THERE WAS POWER STEERING FAULT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW I WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE OFF THE DEALERSHIP LOT WITH ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT THE VEHICLE HAD.
NHTSA complaint #10969920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,394 miles
Oceanside, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
I FIRST BEGAN EXPERIENCING BRAKING AND BATTERY ISSUES 3 TO 4 WEEKS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF MY VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICING OF THE BRAKING AND BATTERY ISSUES. I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT I SHOULD RETURN THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS DUE TO THE MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH VEHICLE. AT THAT TIME, I LEARNED THAT THERE WAS LEAKAGE FROM THE UPPER PORTION OF THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP ADDRESSES SOME BUT NOT ALL ISSUES RELATED TO THE VEHICLE. NEXT, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM THE DEALERSHIP STATING THE VEHICLE WAS DUE FOR FACTORY RECOMMENDED SERVICING. I MADE AN APPT. THE NEXT DAY, THE LOW BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED DEALERSHIP, NO RESPONSE. ONE AND A HALF WEEKS LATER, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. CALLED TRIPLE A. BATTERY HAD BATTERY ACID AND CORROSION EVERYWHERE. A RED SOLUTION WAS SPRAYED ON THE BATTERY TO PREVENT LEAKAGE. BUT IT DIDN'T WORK THAT WELL. INFORMED DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF SERVICE, THAT THE POWER STEERING SERVICE LIGHT HAD COME ON. FIVE DAYS LATER, I COULDN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. BOTH SERVICE ADVISORS STATED THAT VEHICLE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN PLACED ON LOT FOR SALE. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. AS I HAVE TWO MINOR CHILDREN. THE DATE OF ONSET WOULD'VE BEEN 04/08/2016. THERE IS ANOTHER PHOTO, HOWEVER, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO INCLUDE.
NHTSA complaint #10969927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 miles
Oregon, OH
SERVICE BRAKES
AFTER HAVING EPAS REPLACED (@HALL FORD ELLIZABETH CITY, NC) UNDER RECALL 15N01 AFTER COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE. WE BEGAN A 700 MI. ROAD TRIP HOME AND BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE SPONTANEOUS TRACTION CONTROL INTERACTION WITH OUR DRIVING INPUT WHICH AFFECTED EITHER POWER DISTRIBUTION TO THE AXELS, BRAKING ABILITY, AND STEERING ABILITY. AFTER MAKING IT NEARLY 300 MILES THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL COMPLETELY WENT OUT ALONG WITH WHAT FELT LIKE ABS CONTROL SEEMED LIKE IT INTERVENED SPORADICALLY. WE ALSO RECIEVED A DASH PROMPT THAT THE FUEL FILLER INLET NEEDED CHECKED AS WELL. UPON ARRIVAL TO A FORD DEALER ALONG OUR ROUTE (SHEEHY FORD, WARRENTON, VA) THEY PULLED THE CODES LISTED AND APPEARED TO BE A LITANY OF CODES NEARLY A PAGE AND A HALF LONG. THEY CLEARED THE CODES AND DROVE THE VEHICLE. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AROUND THE BLOCK THE TRACTION CONTROL BEGAN TO ACT INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT LOSS OF TRACTION. THEY CAME BACK AND CHECKED FOR ERROR CODES AND THE "STEERING POSITION SENSOR WAS AT FAULT" THEY WENT THROUGH RE-CALIBRATED THE EQUIPMENT INSTALLED AND CLEARED OUT THE CODES AND DROVE WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. WE THEN CONTINUED ON OUR REMAINDER OF OUR TRIP WITHOUT ANY FURTHER ISSUES. UPON ARRIVAL TO OUR HOME DESTINATION THE FOLLOWING DAY WE BEGAN TO AGAIN HAVE TRACTION CONTROL INTERVENING WITH DRIVER INPUT WHEN NOT NEEDED WHERE IT APPEARS TO BE SHIFTING POWER FROM AXLE TO AXLE OR APPLYING BRAKING TO AID IN TRACTION CONTROL. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THAT REAR VIEW CAMERA DISPLAYS THE POSTION OF THE DRIVER WHEEL IN RELATION TO THE WHEEL PATH IN REVERSE BUT APPEARS INTERMITTANT AS IF THERE IS A NOT A CONTINUOUS CONNECTION WITH THE SENSOR. TAKING TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER HERE MONDAY 4-4-16 TO HAVE THEM THOROUGHLY GO THROUGH THE VEHICLE BUT APPEARS TO CONTINUE TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST. ALL ISSUES ARE PRESENT WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEED AND TURNING
NHTSA complaint #10853156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,434 miles
South Portland, ME
SERVICE BRAKES
RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER SEIZED, CREATING SMOKE AND EXTREME HEAT TO WHEEL AREA. CALIPER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. SAME ISSUE WITH LEFT REAR CALIPER ON 5-1-15 AT 42K MILES. LEFT CALIPER REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE, AS IT WAS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD. SAME ISSUE WITH RIGHT REAR CALIPER AGAIN ON 5-26-15 AT 44K MILES. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE CALIPER WAS OK AFTER CLEANING THE AREA. THERE APPEARS TO BE CONTINUAL PROBLEM WITH THESE REAR BRAKES ON BOTH SIDES.
NHTSA complaint #10722480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manitowoc, WI
SERVICE BRAKES
BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS ARE SEIZED. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM ONLY WHEN THE BRAKE PADS HAD WORN DOWN TO METAL ON METAL AND WERE CAUSING A GRINDING NOISE. I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10712752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 miles
Gurabo, PR
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT AROUND 20 MPH WHEN THERE WERE CARS THAT SUDDENLY STOPPED. WHEN I WAS BRAKING I FELT AS IF THE STEERING WAS ALLOWING ME TO TURN AND IT HAPPENED SO FAST I FELT AS IF I LOST BRAKING POWER. THEN I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HARD.
NHTSA complaint #10633318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 miles
Morton, IL
SERVICE BRAKES
LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO BECOME UNSTABLE FOR BRIEF SECOND WHEN THE CALIPER GRABBED THE ROTOR WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. YOU COULD FEEL THIS IN THE STEERING AND WOULD HAVE TO CORRECT AT EACH DIP OR BUMP IN THE HIGHWAY. BRAKE PAD WORN TO FAILURE POINT BEFORE IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10627813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 miles
Pottstown, PA
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES
2011 FORD EXPLORER WAS JUST RETURNED TWO WEEKS AGO FOR NATIONAL RECALL ON ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. ON AUGUST 21ST AT 9:30 AM MY WIFE WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND FELT AN IMMEDIATE POWER LOSS ISSUE WITH THE BREAKS. SHE IMPACTED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER AROUND 15 MPH. AIR BAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. SHE DID NOTICED THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAILURE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AT TIME OF IMPACT. MY WIFE DID NOT FEEL THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE, NOR WERE THERE ANY SKID MARKS VISIBLE ON THE ROAD. MINOR FRONT END DAMAGE IS EVIDENT AND RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID. INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT RECENT RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10627059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,000 miles
Tonwanda, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER AND THE TURN SIGNAL CLUSTER. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND ROTORS FAILED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
NHTSA complaint #10621285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,000 miles
Tonwanda, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER AND THE TURN SIGNAL CLUSTER. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND ROTORS FAILED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
NHTSA complaint #10621285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,050 miles
Hoffman Estates, IL
Fire
SERVICE BRAKES
DURING TRAFFIC IN HOT WEATHER ON HIGHWAY THERE IS SQUEALING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE AND SMOKE COMING FROM REAR DRIVER TIRE AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY TO CHECK THE NOISE. AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY I FELT ALL 4 METAL WHEELS AND DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WAS EXTREMELY HOT AND OTHER WHEELS WERE WARM TO THE TOUCH. I HAD THE EXACT SAME CONDITIONS ON PASSENGER REAR BRAKES LAST SUMMER AT ~50,000 MILES, AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED REAR PASSENGER CALIPER IMMEDIATELY. THIS TIME THEY CLAIM ARE NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE SEIZING OF CALIPER AFTER 3 MILE TEST DRIVE AND CALIPERS APPEARED TO BE IN WORKING CONDITION. I ARGUED THAT THE PROBLEM MAY OCCUR DURING LONG DISTANCE HIGHWAY TRAVEL AND MAY NOT HAPPEN ON SHORT TEST DRIVE. DEALERSHIP ARGUED THAT IT IS FORD POLICY NOT TO PERFORM WARRANTY REPAIRS/REPLACEMENT WORK WHEN THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED BY CUSTOMER. I AM VERY UPSET THAT I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MY CAR STARTING ON FIRE EVERY TIME I DRIVE ON HIGHWAY. 2011 FORD EXPLORER XLT 3.5L V6 TIVCT. NORTHWEST CHICAGO IL.
NHTSA complaint #10596447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,350 miles
Loudonville, OH
Crash
1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY TELL ME EACH TIME THEY FIXED IT. I DRIVE IT SOME AND THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON. IT IS BACK IN THE SHOP FOR THE TENTH TIME I HAVE PAPER TRAILS AND PICTURES TO PROVE IT. I ENDED UP MAKING AN APPOINTMENT THE LAST TIME BUT BEFORE I GOT THERE I HIT A DEER END OF MARCH AT 60 MPH AND THE AIR BAG DIDN'T GO OFF ONCE THE BODY WORK GOT DONE I TOOK IT INTO THE FORD SHOP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A FAULTY SENSOR WERE THE DEER HIT. THEY REPLACED IT THE I DROVE IT EIGHT MILES AND THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON SO I TURNED AROUND AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THERE ARE NO CODES THIS TIME I HAVE TRIED TO GET THEM TO BUY IT BACK AND THEY WILL NOT. THE REAR BRAKES HAVE LOCKED UP FOUR TIME AND THEY HAVE REPLACE THEM EACH TIME AND IT CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME WITH THEM ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #10593277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,000 miles
Tonawanda, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACTS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BREAKS WOULD CONSTANTLY SQUEAL EVEN WHEN ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT THE CALIBER, ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
NHTSA complaint #10584025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 miles
Staten Island, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKING SYSTEM SEIZED AND WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEMS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE STEERING UNIT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12017 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
NHTSA complaint #10489354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 miles
Bryn Mawr, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES MAKE A GRUNTING/GRINDING SOUND WHEN BRAKING SHORTLY AFTER BEING STATIONARY. WHEN THIS PHENOMENON HAPPENS ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE, DRIVE GETS THE FEELING THAT BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS IS REDUCED GREATLY. OWNER HAS BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE NOISE ONE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10481207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,472 miles
Fort Worth, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED MESSAGE CAME ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MAKE ANY TURNS OR MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER POWERING OFF AND RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO FILED A REPORT AND DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,472 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,600. UPDATED 09/21/12*LJ THE CONSUMER THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL FAILURES AND RELATED MESSAGES APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL'S MESSAGE CENTER. THE DEALER FOUND A DIAGNOSTIC CODE FOR THE SPEED SENSORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 09/27/2012 *JS
NHTSA complaint #10470387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,800 miles
Kingshill, VI
Crash
1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE AFORE NOTED VEHICLE, ON JUNE 7TH , 2012 ON OR ABOUT 5PM WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON ROUTE 63 AT MT WASHINGTON, ST. CROIX. SHE WAS TRAVELLING SOUTHWARD ON ROUTE 63 CROSSING THE SMALL BRIDGE ENTERING A SHARP RIGHT HAND TURN IN THE ROAD. SHE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN, INSTANTANEOUS, LOSS OF RESPONSE IN THE STEERING AND BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, IN THE FEW SECONDS FOLLOWING, THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A WOODEN UTILITY POLE.
NHTSA complaint #10462707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,059 miles
Marathon, FL
Crash
1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED, AS I WAS BRAKING THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING, AS I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT COLLAPSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE, JUST BEFORE THE CAR HIT THE GARAGE DOOR WHICH WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ENGAGED, FULLY, STOPPING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE ONLY, THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND INSTEAD OF HITTING THE GARAGE DOOR IT STRUCK A CONCRETE COLUMN TO THE IMMEDIATE RIGHT OF THE GARAGE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR DID NOT ENGAGE SO I WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM. WE CONTACTED FORD, FILLED OUT AND RETURNED THE PAPERWORK THEY REQUESTED, AFTER ALMOST FOUR MONTHS OF THE VEHICLE SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING ON FORD THEY DECIDED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I AM NOT SURE HOW THEY COULD COME UP WITH THAT ASSUMPTION AS THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN DRIVABLE CONDITION AND ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP FORD NEVER CHECKED IT. WE HAVE PICTURES SHOWING THE ONE SKID MARK FROM THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND NONE FROM THE OTHER THREE TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #10438632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,500 miles
Sunnyvale, CA
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I PULLED INTO A PARKING STALL AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. THEY FAILED AND I ONLY STOPPED AFTER HITTING THE GLASS DOORS OF A CLOSED BUSINESS. I DID NOT HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND WAS STOPPED DUE TO THE BUSINESS' GLASS FRONT DOORS. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 37 YEARS AND NEVER ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. NO ONE WAS HURT THANKFULLY, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL UNRESOLVED. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED OTHER EXPLORERS FROM OTHER YEARS (2005, 2007 & 2009) ALSO HAD SIMILAR BRAKE FAILURES AND FORD COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEMS ON THOSE CARS, BUT SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY NOT RIGHT. SEE WWW.EDMUNDS.COM & TYPE IN "EXPLORER BRAKE FAILURE". CHECK OUT POSTS #12, 37, 38, 39, 40 AND 42. FORD DEALERSHIP FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, BUT THEY CLEARLY FAILED. I DON'T WANT SOME INNOCENT PERSON HURT DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE DOWN THE ROAD. ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10433268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Bethesda, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LETTER FROM RE FEW DEFECTS IN MY 2011 FORD EXPLORER REMAIN AFTER THE DEALERS REPEATED REPAIR ATTEMPTS. THESE ISSUES DISTRACT ME WHILE DRIVING AND IT IS A CONCERN TO MY SAFETY AS WELL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE MAIN ISSUE WAS THE STEERING; THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT STRAIGHT AND WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE PULLED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE SHIFT INCREASED WHEN INCREASING SPEED. ALSO, THE A/C UNIT CHANGED TEMPERATURES BY ITSELF. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE TOUCH AND SYNC DID NOT WORK. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AS HIS PHONE AND OR MP3 PLAYER KEPT GETTING DISCONNECTED. WHEN USING THE SYNC SERVICE TO REQUEST DIRECTIONS IT KEPT MISINTERPRETING THE COMMANDS, AS WELL AS DISCONNECTING WHEN DOWNLOADING A ROUTE. ON ONE OCCASIONS, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM FAILED AND THE SCREEN WENT BLANK.
NHTSA complaint #10427390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,000 miles
Greenville, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE ABS SYSTEM IS COMMANDING INPUTS TO THE BRAKES WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TORQUE. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF ROAD CONDITIONS. THE COMPUTER HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND THE CAR IS STILL UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10423846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 miles
Greenville, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY NEW FORD EXPLORER IN ENGAGING THE BRAKES WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. IT APPLIES ONE BRAKE AT A TIME AT ALL SPEEDS. IT TORQUES THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE POINT OF LOSING CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10418000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.