2015 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 30owner reports
- 63,000median miles
- 4involved a crash
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
30 of the 1,791 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 30 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 (11 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the brakes covers the 2015 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 23,000 and 84,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2015 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.
What owners wrote
“ABS module failed. Contacted ford and was told the only thing I could do was purchase the same failed ABS module, even though there is a stop sale on it. The failure is anytime I put the vehicle out of park.”
Filed Sep 29, 2026
“ABS module has failed. Causing a number of other safety systems to be deactivated. Power steering, traction control, drive mode selection, and braking. All these lights are illuminated on dash. Independent auto repair shop verified this ABS module has failed and there is no replacement parts from Ford.”
Filed Jul 28, 2026
“1-emergency brake will no longer engage, alert continues to sound while driving even though itâs not working. Took it to a mechanic and he was unable to diagnose exactly where in the emergency brake system the issue is.”
Filed Jul 2, 2025
“Driving at interstate speeds I lost total ABS, Traction Control, and Stability Control systems. Putting the lives of my entire family at risk. Also catylatic converts have gone bad”
Filed Jun 11, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 4 of 30 reports involved a crash and 13 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
- Trim or a body panel comes off while driving 210 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 204 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 196 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 146 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 109 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 84 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 83 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 59 reports
- Steering wheel clicks, clunks or grinds when I turn 54 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 53 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 49 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 35 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 26 reports