There are 11 owner-reported brakes complaints for the 2017 Ford Explorerin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The inside rear brake pads sustained a 66% loss of material in 9260 miles of normal driving. The vehicle was serviced on 10-03-23, 53,446 miles, the fronts pads had 7mm and the rears had 6mm. The vehicle was again service on 09-11-24, 62,706 miles, the front pads had 6mm and the rear had 2mm. I had the dealer take the rear brakes apart and check everything for why the pads wore down so fast. The findings were that all components were in good working order and the outside rear pads actually had 5mm and the inside rear pads had 2mm.The dealer told me they couldn't find a problem as to the extreme wear. I contacted Ford and they couldn't or wouldn't help due to no problem found and brakes being a wear related part. All work was performed at Lithia Ford of Boise.
While going up a steep hill or mountain the car starts to over heat when you stop pressing the gas the car will start to go back down in to cooler numbers and you can start driving again with no issues until you hit another hill.. car breaks wear out excessively also the car jerks when going into gear to shift
Car wouldn't stop or slow down until I put all my pressure on the pedal. No previous warning about brake issues. No lights or sounds regarding brake problems.
On freeway, pushed brakes but vehicle did not stop or slow down resulting in multi car rear end collision. Auto braking and ABS features did not engage. Vehicle was towed and our insurance agent claim adjuster recommended we reach out to you. No warning lamps, messages, etc. went off at the time or had gone off previously.
While backing out of our driveway the car started speeding up and the brakes failed. Even with repeated pumping of brakes the car wouldn’t stop. We finally jammed the shift lever into park and even then it continue moving for a short distance. We wiped out our neighbors mailbox. It did the same thing yesterday but we thought my husband accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake. Today we know it was the car.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the brakes would squeak upon depression of the brake pedal without warning. The contact took her vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that the rear brake calipers needed replacement. The contact called the dealer where she was given the number to the company that handle vehicle warranty. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and stated that they would not cover the cost of the repair. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 33,038.
This vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock brakes. On Sunday, while driving slowly through a slippery parking lot, due to ice, my brakes locked in the downward position. I was not able to get the brakes to function. This resulted in a low impact auto accident.
When vehicle is cold the brake pedal is normal 2inches movement. After 10 miles or so the pedal moves 4or 5 inches. After the vehicle cools down again the pedal returns to 2 inches again. The ford dealer does not know what the problem is.
WHEN BRAKING THE REAR SOUNDS LIKE IT IS DRAGGING AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED BY A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT SERVICE.CENTER. THE COMPONENT HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THERE ARE NO WARNING LAMPS, MESSAGES OR OTHER SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. IT FIRST APPEARED IN JUNE 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE BATTERY SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED AND WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANGELA KRAUSE FORD (1575 MANSELL RD, ALPHARETTA, GA 30009, (770) 649-5100) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY ACID WAS NOT CLEANED UP PROPERLY AND CORRODED EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD, INCLUDING THE BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
BRAKES ARE VERY SENSITIVE. WHEN APPLYING THEM YOU HAVE TO THINK A LOT ABOUT FOOT PRESSURE. UNLESS YOU WANT TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT 60 MPH. LOCAL FORD SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME HE KNOWS ABOUT THE SENSITIVITY AND NO FIX FOR IT AT THIS TIME. SO WE WILL WAIT TILL WE HAVE A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT OR SELL THE CARE AS IS.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026