2014 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 27owner reports
- 53,880median miles
- 4involved a crash
Newest report Feb 27, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
27 of the 1,607 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 27 reports
Brake wear on other Explorer years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (7 reports), the caliper (4 reports) and the pads and rotors (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the brakes covers the 2014 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Explorer
Front brake hose failure. Closed nov 2, 2018.
Front brake hose failure. Closed sep 28, 2015.
Front brake hose failure. Closed feb 3, 2015.
Brake system malfunction. Closed oct 29, 1999.
Wheel lockup with antilock brake system. Closed jul 24, 1996.
Separation of master cylinder. Closed apr 2, 1996, led to recall 96V-024.
Brake master cylinder/booster separation. Closed jun 19, 1995.
Vacuum boostr valve fails. Closed aug 17, 1992.
Vacuum boostr valve fails. Closed oct 3, 1991.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 30,000 and 81,590 miles, from the 15 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2014 Ford Explorer that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
SOME 2008-2017 FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC MAY GENERATE A VHR THAT IDENTIFIES A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION CATEGORY INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED DUE TO A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED.
FORD/LINCOLN: DUE TO CORROSION BUILDUP BETWEEN BRAKE PAD AND ANCHOR BRACKET, VEHICLE EXPERIENCE A REAR BRAKE DRAG CONDITION AND NEED TO BE CHECKED FOR DEBRIS AND/OR CORROSION. MODEL 2011-2014 EXPLORER, FLEX, TAURUS, EDGE, MKX, MKT, MKS. *PE
What owners wrote
“ABS MODULE failure. Dealer states this I s a known problem. 581 on backorder with Ford with no ETA of new stock. No sense of urgency to resolve known problem. Online sources state heavy wire harness breaks solar joint at positive and negative contacts in module.”
Filed Feb 27, 2026
“When starting my vehicle the parking brake alarm is going off stating that my parking brake is engaged which it is not once I drive about a mile or 2 the alarm goes off but everytime I restart my vehicle he resets the process.”
Filed Sep 13, 2025
“ABS module. Indicater lights on ,tracktion control not on, warning lights to check brakes ABS systems. Ford cannot get parts to repair. Ford dealer cannot repair Leaving no brake assistance”
Filed Apr 25, 2025
“ABS module is bad with trouble code U3000-49 ABS MODULE internal problem. ABS system is disabled and also Traction Control Function is disabled. ABS module is on Nationwide back order. This is a safety concern as the ABS system is not functioning”
Filed Dec 30, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 4 of 27 reports involved a crash and 3 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 301 reports
- Trim or a body panel comes off while driving 162 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 116 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 102 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 80 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 79 reports
- Steering wheel clicks, clunks or grinds when I turn 64 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 45 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 45 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 39 reports
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 35 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 32 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 31 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 31 reports