Three problems related to brake pedal and linkage have been reported for the 2003 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2003 Explorer.
Brake & accelerator pedals too close together. Many times applying brakes will hit accelerator at the same time and the accelerator wins. Primarily going from reverse to drive or drive to reverse, but has also happened in traffic. (v8 2003 Ford Explorer) .
2003 Ford Explorer recall regarding the travel on the brake pedal. On a number of occasions when it was necessary to brake hard to avoid an accident, the consumer had simultaneously engage the accelerator and brake pedals. This resulted in the consumer hitting a vehicle that had suddenly stopped in traffic in front of him. The brake pedal never passed the accelerator pedal, including panic stops. The problem could not be fixed. The consumer requested that the dealer adjust the brake pedal to stop higher than the accelerator pedal. The dealer stated it was impossible as in older models due to abs.
The brake pedal bracket interfered and restricted the proper application of the brakes.