Automatic Emergency Braking Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

Ever since I bought that vehicle, it's had system malfunctions. I received three letters directly from Ford explaining the problems this vehicle had or could have. But he and the dealerships, where I took my vehicle for repairs, never did them. They always denied that it had any problems and said that my vehicle was new and had nothing wrong with it.

See all problems of the 2025 Ford Explorer 🔎.

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. The module is internally corrupted and requires replacement. The loose brake line was tightened by the independent shop. Multiple abs and communication fault codes were present, and warning lights remained illuminated. The braking system was compromised and the vehicle was not safe to operate due to risk of brake failure and loss of abs function. The condition was confirmed by an independent service center.

See all problems of the 2015 Ford Explorer 🔎.

While traveling down the road - not turning or braking - several alerts and alarms started flashing on the driver dashboard on my 2025 Explorer. At this time, I completely lost the ability to slow the car down. The digital emergency brake made no changes to the braking ability. I was able to eventually able to get the vehicle to slow down by engine torquing and turning. I reached out to my local dealership where I purchased the vehicle, and they told me to call Ford roadside assistance immediately. They contracted a local towing agency, and they promptly towed the vehicle to that dealership. I was able to take a movie of the incident.

Ford st 2020 just 37000 miles, the window from driver side can’t complete close when you try to roll up. When it all most close- it will automatically roll down. Tpms fails cause 4wd fault, abs turn off and a lot of warning symbol turn on like pre-collision…etc. Dealer can’t fix and claim for client need to paid for 4wd program.

See all problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer 🔎.

When starting my vehicle the parking brake alarm is going off stating that my parking brake is engaged which it is not once I drive about a mile or 2 the alarm goes off but everytime I restart my vehicle he resets the process.

See all problems of the 2014 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The abs failed and my car break system went out while on the highway with two small kids. Very dangerous.

Every morning when I go to leave in my 2022 Ford Explorer when it's cold or not. I go to start the vehicle and it automatically says that their is a malfunction in the brake system that it requires service right away. That advance track and a whole bunch of safety systems had failed. The instrument cluster is lit up like a christmas tree. Then when you do put the Explorer into reverse, your foot almost hits the floor board and automatically starts rolling backward until you slam on the brake hoping it will stop. Then when it flashes stating that the electronic parking brake is still engaged when it clearly isn't. Then you basically have no brakes until the vehicle "warms up", once you reach normal operating temperature on the Ford Explorer you can park and shut off the car release the automatic parking brake then reengage the parking brake and it feels like it's missing the catch mechanism when your foot it on the brake l. Like it tries to engage but then doesn't. Then you open the door then close it, lock the car and wait 2-6 minutes for all the gauges to turn off then you unlock the car open the door press the start button without the brake to confirm no error codes pop back on and if they door you have to reengage the auto brake system off and on. Then rinse and repeat, then when it "fixes" itself no lights turn on and your brake returns to normal. About 50% of the time. Half the time when you first try to drive away the brakes give out and the same errors reoccur. Its extremely unsafe I've had this car for a year and half I brought this issue to multiple Ford dealerships and they say it would be 3 weeks before they could even look at it. I don't have that kind of time. I work and I have a 9 year daughter and fiance to worry about. This needs to be remedied ASAP. I am planning on taking it to another dealer and the police department to find out what I can do.

See all problems of the 2022 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact's husband stated while driving 60 mph, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond. The forward collision avoidance automatic emergency braking warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a possible sensor failure or transmission failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

Abs module. Indicater lights on ,tracktion control not on, warning lights to check brakes abs systems. Ford cannot get parts to repair. Ford dealer cannot repair leaving no brake assistance.

We had an issue where the abs light came on going down the road. If you applied the brakes the dash would say release parking brakes and then the vehicle did not want to stop when I actually needed too.

At approximately 30k miles (but after the 5 year warrantee had expired) the car started giving warnings about the brake system failing even though the brakes worked properly. Shortly after that, and without any warning indicators on the dash, the car began jerking when applying the brakes and down shifting at 35 mph. In the 4 months since the problem started, the jerking has become violent and other issues have begun. It also jerks when downshifting at 25 mph occasionally. It has a problem upshifting in gears 1-4, especially (but not only) when accelerating quickly. It seems that the gears are slipping. The engine revs higher because the gears are not properly shifting. My 18 month old child, my wife, and I have been put at risk driving in a vehicle that fails to shift properly accelerating through intersections and stopping at intersections. Both a Ford dealership and an independent auto repair shop have duplicated the problem and said the car needs either a new transmission ($8k) or to replace parts in the existing tranny that would cost $6k. Evidently there is a TSB from Ford on this issue, but not a recall. Ford has refused to offer financial assistance.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the parking assist was inoperable, and the reverse automatic emergency braking was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact used a scanning tool and determined that the failure was still present. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

Driving down the highway 65mph, cruise on, car makes an abrupt violent jerk forward, tires squeal, and car starts fishtailing across all lanes of traffic. Seems as if car spontaneously slammed on the brakes. Nothing crossed in front of the vehicle, nothing in the road, both hands were on the wheel, feet resting on the floorboard. Nothing displayed on the console. Once control was regained car drove per usual, no issues.

While driving on an interstate with my children, my automatic braking system decided their was something in front of my car when there wasn't and slammed on the brakes. There was a semi truck behind us and it almost hit us. Took it to the dealer and all they did was shut the feature off for automatic braking. The interior screens have been reprogrammed twice to fix glitches. The rear hatch has been reprogrammed. The windows continue to randomly roll up and down on their own. My engine decided to not start for an hr before randomly turning on for no reason. And to top it all off the windshield washer fluid no longer wants to work.

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.

See all problems of the 2018 Ford Explorer 🔎.

360 cameras are foggy and cannot see out of them causing false readings on parking alerts. This is the same issue the f150s have a recall about but there is not one for the Explorer. The foggy display is getting worse over time. Hard to tell by the picture but in not very bright areas out of direct sun you cannot see anything on the 360 camera.

Lost of power steering while driving and abs not engaging only flashing lights when getting close to object in front of you at higher speeds. Car inspection at oil change shows seized u joint for steering shaft.

This vehicle has a 360 camera system that was not included, despite is being included in the component package that is standard for this vehicle. I contacted the dealer directly, informed them that there are cameras installed on the vehicle, but only the rear camera is operational. Further investigation into the matter revealed that Ford apparently "recalled" the camera systems on the Explorer for the 2023 models, but has not distributed any information to its dealers. Now I have a forward facing camera that is not operational, but the vehicle's warning system continually advises me there is a problem with the front camera's vision, "check forward camera lens for cleanliness". Also, the front camera lens is clear, but it still will display the warning. The Ford dealers all claim that the manufacturer has not shared information about the 2024 Ford Explorer's 360 camera system. Lastly, the reverse braking system is non-operational as well. Another system that should be included with the upgraded package.

See all problems of the 2024 Ford Explorer 🔎.

All of the adas along with the brakes of my vehicle fail. The dealership failed to inform me of the recalls prior to purchase. The dealership in town shows all of the parts in stock in their parts department but claim not to have any parts available. When I called, I was given the runaround then sent to a voicemail. When I showed up to the dealership they stated they can only order certain amount of parts and I wasn’t on the list yet was told over the phone I was placed on the list on may 22 2024.

See all problems of the 2021 Ford Explorer 🔎.

On 3/22 I was driving my 2020 Explorer east bound on mississippi Ave just past the havana intersection in aurora, CO when all kind of warning lights lit up on the dashboard. (parking brake engaged, pre collision prevention system failure, abs light, check break system and other warning lights as well) the vehicle had a hard time stopping when I applied brakes almost caused a collision.

While driving around 45 miles per hour the vehicle braked on its own without any vehicle in front and dropped to 5 miles per hour, the dash displayed brake assistance. While that happened a car behind me came close to rear-ended my car. At this time the vehicle is at the dealer, it was towed. This is the first time this happened, the vehicle showed no warning before the incident. The fact the vehicle behind came so close to rear-ending my car makes this a safety concern, if this happened at a higher rate of speed the consequences could have been more serious.

Control arm on Ford 2014 Explorer are prone to failure, causing vehicle to lose steering. Control arms rub excessively against brake components, also causing failure to both brakes, abs, and sensors related to wheel speed. Failure is due to the manufacture. Strong action is need to prevent further road accidents if not addressed.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle suddenly shifted into park, after which the vehicle went into limp mode. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle was unable to shift out of park and displayed the "automatic emergency braking unavailable" message. The traction control, start-to-stop, and hill start assist warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 30,500.

I haven’t been problem with the parking !when I set the packing bottoms it’s turns automatically into rear I already have an issues with that !! almost kill my son an nephew I’m scared this happened again in the parking lot at store almost crash other vehicle! I need my car fixed as soon is possible I hope I hear from your side! thank you!!!.

I already having problem with the parking !when I set the packing bottoms it's turns automatically into rear I already have an issues with that!! almost kill my son an nephew I'm scared this happened again in the parking lot at store almost crash other vehicle! I need my car fixed as soon is possible I hope I hear from your side! thank you!!!.

In relation to NHTSA recall number: 23v342, Ford has failed to remedy issues around reverse automatic emergency breaking. Whenever the 360° camera screen is blue, the system in place to prevent collisions also fails. There is no pattern of failure. Nearly 60% of the time the vehicle is driven an error related to 23v342 occurs.

Vehicle would suddenly slam on breaks when breaking and stalled changing gears. We have had it looked at and it is in engine failure - the vehicle is only 3 years old.

Intermittent non-functional backup camera and brake assist after Ford dealer applied a fix for backup camera failure. Backup camera blue/black screen error was not present before dealer applied “fix”.

Vehicle loses power while on freeway when 4wd, pre-collision assist, hill start assist, and other warning messages display. Vehicle lost power approximately 5 times while registering message, but messages have displayed approximately 40-50 times in the past week before being services. Vehicle dealership repair facility inspected and diagnosed a bad 4wd module.

Car has recall for rear end bolt that breaks, took car in to have repair made. Came home with a software update that sets the park brake when you put car in park, and then when start the car and put into gear you press the accelerator or press the button, the car will lunge forward or reverse when you press accelerator, not safe at all! from what I have read the nhsta approved this (fix) instead of fixing the sub frame and more bolts like it should be, instead of a auto parking brake that sets every time. I do feel this is a extreme safety issue and should be addressed immediately! shame on you and Ford, an auto park brake is not a solution, only a poor band-aid !.

Ford Explorer didn’t recognize the vehicle coming from right side and it didn’t applied emergency brakes as well as it didn’t show any forward collision alert also.

-parking brake is auto engaged 100% of the time at start or while shifting out of park or shifting between gears. Drive or reverse -to disengage the park brake you have to depress the accelerator pedal. -pressure on the accelerator to disengage is inconnsistent every time. -vehicle lurches uncontrollably when releasing the vehicle off the emergency parking brake setting. -the jolt of the vehicle from the depress pressure is so significant and dangerous causing the risk to hitting any parked vehicle while parallel parking or hitting structure/garage when parking, jolting into traffic from a stopped/parked position or to people walking near the vehicle while trying to manipulate the vehicle. -when the auto hold feature is turned on, it can be assumed to be engaged by pressing the brake pedal but if the pedal isn't engaged with enough full pressure the auto hold will not fully activate. In notification when on is in small green text that can be easily missed/confused with the green symbol similar in size to the green auto headlight setting in the same zone. This can cause someone to believe auto hold in engaged when using peripherial vision for the indicator que without directly taking eyes off the forward condition. This gives the driver a false confidence to remove their foot from the brake and have the vehicle creep forward and can lead to accident or injury.

See all problems of the 2023 Ford Explorer 🔎.

On April 28, 2023, while driving our forf explore, we smelled gasoline from our vehicle. We immediately stopped at the next exit, and my husband looked under the vehicle and saw gas dripping from under the engine. We immediately went to the nearest Ford dealership where the vehicle had stayed for a week. We were advised that the leak was one of the metal fuel lines that rubbed onto the frame and caused the leak, also the engine light code was due to the small hole in the fuel line. Which we had taken to a Ford dealership previously due to the engine light on, but they cannot detect the problem. We have contacted Ford headquarters via phone and mail for further assistance. And up to today, which is April 15, 2024 we have never received a response from Ford headquarters. This was a very scary situation, which could’ve caused a vehicle fire.

Drivers assist failed and caused me to cross lanes into the cable barrier on interstate 40 causing 18,000 dollars worth of damage now the parking assist no longer works.

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.