2018 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems

Right front caliber went out at 47,186 miles in 11/14/2025. No abs sensor went on alerting me to the problem. Had it fixed. Two months later, 1/05/2026, at 47,620 miles later, the control HCU and module ABS went out. Again, no sensor alerting me to a problem. I could hardly drive it. Had Ford look at it, assess the problem, and had to drive home due to another cost. Could have been on the highway when this occurred. Was in town, but was an awful experience! Brakes locked up on me!

My vehicle has defect in the electronic power brake assist system that lead to extended stopping distances and cause me to hit someone from behind.

I have had three incidents of total brake failure on this vehicle. First, about 3 months ago I could not stop while parking in my garage and hit a work bench. I chalked it up to just a weird low speed incident as the brakes worked fine the next time I drove it. Second, I was traveling on wet roads and 27 degree weather and could not stop for a yellow light. At the time I attributed it to an icey skid because, again, the brakes worked fine the next time I needed them. But in retrospect, I do not recall any feeling that the brakes were working. Lastly, today I rear ended a car in front of me when the brakes and the supposed forward collision system both failed dramatically. I was probably going 25 MPH coming to a red light and started to apply my brakes several hundred feet before the intersection. Nothing happened and I, panicked, began pumping the pedal relentlessly. Finally the dashboard crash warning light started flashing and still no drop in speed. I tried to get into low gear, but by that time it was too late and I crashed into a van in front of me. It totaled my car and pretty well wiped out the rear doors and windows of the van. Fortunately, no one was injured. I was not cited because an EMT nurse was in the lane beside me and witnessed my brake pumping, steering wheel grabbing actions and could tell what was going on. The police are going to investigate the brake problem as well as my insurance company, USAA. There have been no brake recalls issued for my vehicle and any other recalls are up to date. There are approximately 50000 miles on it and it has had meticulous care and regular maintenance and brake shoes are still listed as good condition on my last visit for an oil change.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO GEAR IMPROPERLY. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AIRPORT MARINA FORD LOCATED AT 5880 W CENTINELA AVE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90045 (310-574-2641) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED AND HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. AIRPORT MARINA FORD ALSO INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND WITH THE BRAKES OR BRAKING SYSTEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28.

DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT 40MPH COMING OFF A BRIDGE, I HEAR A RATTLE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AS I BRAKE. THE BRAKE FULLY DEPRESSED APPLIES VIRTUALLY NO BRAKING POWER. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP BY PUMPING THE BRAKES AS WELL AS USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I WALKED AROUND THE VEHICLE TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON, I NOTICED FLUID NEAR REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE RIM AND STREET HAD BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER IT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION PART OF THE BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY WAS HANGING BEHIND THE ROTOR. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP THAT DAY. WAS NOT INSPECTED SAME DAY AS SERVICE WAS CLOSED FOR THE DAY ON SATURDAY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALERSHIP ON FOLLOWING MONDAY. I WAS TOLD THE BOTS THAT KEEP THE BRAKES IN PLACE WERE MISSING. THE BRAKE IN QUESTION WAS INSPECTED BY A FORD DEALERSHIP PREVIOUSLY AS THERE WERE ODD MARKS ON BRAKE ROTOR, THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WERE NO ISSUES AND NO SERVICE ON BRAKE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, SHE WAS INFORMED BY A PASSING MOTORIST THAT HER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE SAFELY BEFORE IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. STATE FARM AUTO INSURANCE COMPLETED A FIRE ASSESSMENT AND STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FAILURE WITH THE BRAKE LINES. HINES PARK FORD INC (LOCATED AT 56558 PONTIAC TRAIL, NEW HUDSON, MI 48165, (888) 482-7660) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 982.