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2015 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems

19 owner-reported brakes complaints from NHTSA data

19
Complaints
1
Recalls
1
Crashes
Jan 2020Dec 2014
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Brakes Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #15V464000

PARKING BRAKE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C07.

Owner Complaints (19)

criticalSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Nov 2018

Husband was driving the kids into town for early practice. After almost a 45 minute drive when he got back the drivers rear brake was glowing red and smelled like it was burning. This could of caused a fire if he drove it longer.

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NHTSA #: 11145245
highSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Dec 2025

After dealer-performed repair to the ABS braking system, the vehicle was returned with a malfunctioning ABS control module and a loose brake line near the ABS unit. An independent licensed repair facility confirmed that the ABS control module was never programmed with required vehicle configuration data and would not accept programming attempts.

NHTSA #: 11702359
highSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Feb 2023

I was driving my explorer in the snow and had put it in 4 wheel snow mode..as I was driving down a hill and began braking to make a turn the car slid a little bit and I thought nothing of it. I parked and drove again in snow mode a few miles and noticed that after I put the car back into regular drive the brake pedal seemed harder than usual.

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NHTSA #: 11506545
highSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Sep 2021

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and turning into a parking lot, the steering wheel inadvertently seized. The warning message "Steering Malfunction, Serviced Needed" appeared on the instrument panel.

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NHTSA #: 11433594
highSERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Jan 2017

Brakes failed on ice no ABS.

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NHTSA #: 10947494
highSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Oct 2016

Brakes failed while driving. After several attempts and running off road it finally allowed me to depress break pedal. Break pedal had become stuck and when it finally worked there was an awkward sound.

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NHTSA #: 10913822
highSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Apr 2015

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford explorer. The contact stated that the brake line on the front passenger and front driver side fractured. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed that the front brake line needed to be replaced.

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NHTSA #: 10705832
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE
Filed: Jul 2025

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost automotive power, with the ABS, traction control, and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the ABS control module was faulty and needed to be replaced.

NHTSA #: 11676216
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Nov 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while out of town.

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NHTSA #: 11623540
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Aug 2024

The contact’s brother owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle was being driven by the owner, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The parking brake was used to stop the vehicle.

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NHTSA #: 11606478
mediumPARKING BRAKE
Filed: Feb 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while attempting to engage the parking brake, the parking brake failed to respond. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the parking brake assembly was replaced.

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NHTSA #: 11505357
mediumPARKING BRAKE,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Nov 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while shifting to park(P), the message that the transmission was not in park(P) was displayed. The contact stated she shifted back to drive and then to park until the shift selector recognized that the vehicle was in park.

NHTSA #: 11492587
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jan 2020

I have read that there were recalls regarding parking brakes however my specific model 2015 basic model explorer was not on the list but my parking brakes gave out as I tried to back out of my driveway. The brake handle popped up and I was unable to use it ever since and I cannot drive the vehicle without the alarms going off which interferes with my hearing aids.

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NHTSA #: 11296628
mediumPARKING BRAKE,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2018

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford explorer. When the vehicle's gear shifter was placed in the park position, it failed to display 'park' on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to leif johnson ford (501 e koenig lane, austin, tx 78751), but was not diagnosed or repaired.

NHTSA #: 11092554
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Dec 2014

I was driving yesterday and a message popped up "terrain management system fault" and then all of a sudden, a check brakes message showed, leaving the brake indicator, ABS message saying it is off and an "AWD off" message. This happened repeatedly even after turning the car off for hours and restarting.

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NHTSA #: 10664314
lowSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jul 2025

1-emergency brake will no longer engage, alert continues to sound while driving even though it’s not working. Took it to a mechanic and he was unable to diagnose exactly where in the emergency brake system the issue is.

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NHTSA #: 11670801
lowSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jun 2021

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

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NHTSA #: 11420603
lowSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Oct 2020

Emergency brake is no longer engaging. You can push the emergency brake down, there is tension, but it wont lock in place.

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NHTSA #: 11364555
lowSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Sep 2019

My parking brake wont engage. Appeared at 57k miles. Apparently there was a recall but not on my vehicle specifically.

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NHTSA #: 11257464

Other 2015 Ford Explorer Issues