Parking Brake Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon engaging the parking brake, the parking brake failed to remain engaged. Additionally, the contact stated that upon activating the a/c, the a/c was blowing hot air. The vehicle was taken to a Mazda dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a blockage in the engine block heater. The dealer informed the contact that no authorization was provided to repair the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

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The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle was experiencing an unintended activation of the electric parking brake while the vehicle was in park(p). The contact stated upon starting the vehicle and shifting into gear, the message "park brake fault - service now" was displayed, and the vehicle made an abnormally loud beeping sound and then failed to respond. The contact stated that upon pressing the push to start button for several minutes, the vehicle became drivable; however, the failure recurred upon parking the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the failure could be related to the electric parking brake sensor or to the brake booster. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 45,700.

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The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 27 mph, a vehicle abruptly exited a parking lot without adhering to oncoming traffic. While attempting to avoid striking the vehicle, the contact activated the parking brake. The contact stated that after releasing the parking brake, the contact became aware that the parking brake handle became loosened and appeared to have disconnected from the socket. The contact later became aware that the parking brake had become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and it was confirmed that the parking brake was inoperable and needed to be repaired. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided a case number. The contact was later referred to the NHTSA hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

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The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was attempting to drive in reverse, the vehicle failed to move, after which the contact became aware that the parking brake had failed to properly disengage. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 40,000.

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. The contact was informed that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 15v464000 (parking brake) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 82,900.

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The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 21v154000 (suspension) however, while attempting to leave the dealer after the repair, the vehicle was shifted in drive(d), but the vehicle failed to respond. The contacted stated that the electronic parking brake appeared to be engaged. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal persistently, the vehicle responded by surging forward. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the vehicle failed to respond upon releasing the brake pedal. The contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal several times and the vehicle responded by surging forward. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure occurred as a result of recall repair of NHTSA campaign number: 21v154000 (suspension). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that she was concerned as the recall repair had generated a potential risk to her safety. The contact stated that the electronic parking brake would engage while the vehicle was at a complete stop. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 28,500.

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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. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the shifter assembly replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 15v464000 (parking brake) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,382.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife exited the vehicle by the front driver side door to open the rear driver side door, the vehicle began to roll backwards and knocked her down. The contact's wife was taken to hospital to seek medical attention but did not have any injuries. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,281.

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Tl the contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the parking brake failed to engage. A local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,000.

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The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the parking brake malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the parking brake assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 66,000.

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. While attempting to release the emergency brake, it fractured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the emergency brake assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,000.

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I have a 2003 Ford Explorer. I have had several incidents of it not easily changing from park to reverse, and reverse to park. Last night, I was unloading some items from the Explorer. The car was in park, and the emergency brake was engaged. I was standing in the right side passenger doorway. I reached over to turn off the ignition. Upon turning it off, the Explorer immediately began to roll into reverse. My mother was sitting in the backseat at this time as well as my two babies, who were strapped in their car seats. My driveway is an incline, so the Explorer rolled backwards. I tried to run with it as I was trapped in the doorway. The Explorer gained speed going down the driveway, causing me to be knocked down, unsure of whether or not I was about to be run over, or whether my mom and children were going to be injured. I was thrown down, landed on my buttocks which has caused severe bruising, hit my head on the concrete, and was left with painful, open cuts on my left arm. My mother was tossed about causing pain to her back. My kids were thankfully restrained in their car seats. They rolled backward into a neighbor's yard, then proceeded to roll forward back across the street into my yard. When the car finally stopped, the emergency brake was still engaged, and the gear shift was stuck between park and reverse. It would not come out of this position. It took quite a lot of work to get the car to go into reverse or drive so that the Explorer could be properly moved. I am very upset at the incident which could have left myself, my kids, or my mom critically or fatally injured. I am very afraid to drive this vehicle now, and I am very afraid to park it. If I had another vehicle to drive right now, I certainly would be driving it instead of the Ford Explorer.

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2002 Ford Explorer with defective emergency brakes, they premature corrosion causing the pads to fall up leaving someone with out a secondary braking system. From mechanics I have spoke to happens a lot and Ford doesn't cover them. I have an Explorer and one wheel has only one pad left the other doesn't have any remaining. Have not fixed due to the expense repair bill on something that doesn't get used that often.

See all problems of the 2002 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Parking lever does not properly line up. Hope that this does not lead to the "roll away" issues.

See all problems of the 2004 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I parked my 2005 Ford Explorer 'eddie bauer' at the flat top of a driveway at 115 hopkins lane in becket, MA 01223. I put the vehicle into 'p' and easily removed the key which I stashed in the cup holder as always. The drive of the car parked behind me was standing about 20 feet to might right and as I was walking behind my vehicle she yelled 'move! your car is rolling!'. I was lucky enough to get out of the way as the Ford rolled very slowly back about 6 feet and the trailer hitch crushed the rear bumper of her 1999 Porsche 'boxster'. Luckily nobody was hurt. There was no damage to my vehicle. The damage to the Porsche will be $1,400 + . Had the Ford mechanism been working correctly I would not have been able to extricate my key.

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The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. While the contact was servicing the vehicle, he observed that the emergency brake was defective. There was a brake lining defect on the rear driver's side and passenger side. The failures occurred without warning. All four brake rotors were replaced, but the brake line have not yet been replaced at this time. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure and current mileages were 60,000. Updated 04/15/09. While changing the rotors on the vehicle, the consumer discovered the lining for the parking brake had separated from the shoes . Updated 04/16/09.

Broken rear coil springs on 2002 Ford Explorer XLT, 85000 miles. Also need front and rear wheel bearings, seat belt tensioner, emergency brake repair.

Dear NHTSA, below is my original contact to Ford motor corp (fmc). I recently replaced the brakes on my 2004 Explorer, but when I pulled the rear rotors, the friction material from the e-brake shoes fell on the ground. This is a serious safety issue! summary: friction material was not bonded to e-brake shoe. Based on the extensive corrosion of the e-brake shoes at time of replacement, this condition has existed for a long period of time. Fmc requested more information, and I complied. I have pictures, but do not know how to attach them. I also have researched this issue in my area (s. E. Michigan, and it is common based on input from a Ford dealer and another service facility) please let me know how I can attach pics.

2002 Ford Explorer with broken coil spring, crack under rear window, and transmission slip, broken parking brake shoes in assembly. Same complaints that seem to be common. And same with everyone else, no help from Ford.

2002 Ford Explorer used for non business driving. No heavy loads or trailers. No off road use. No incidents with objects in road, pot holes, obstacles etc. Both rear suspension springs broken. One spring broken in 3 places. Noticed @ 56,500 miles. Springs had been broken for a while(rust on breaks). Didn't notice it until recently broken spring on other side asymptomatic. The only immediate consequences to me were a large repair bill. It could have been a lot worse if I was presented with a need for an emergency maneuver and the faulty suspension caused an accident. I replaced both rear springs and struts. Parts in repair shop trash. Won't last there too long. Repair shop reports seeing similar problems with Explorer and related Ford models. Internet search revealed many people had same problem with no history of abuse reported. Had rear brakes serviced at the same time. Had to replace shoe pads on parking brake because the pads both fell off. Use parking brake infrequently. Repair shop reported seeing this problem previously also.

Was driving my 2002 Ford exploder, when I excited the vehicle I saw smoke and flames coming from the driver side rear wheel. I grabbed my son and got him from the vehicle. A passerby came over to help get my son from the vehicle. He informed me that my emergency brake had seized on. I would like to know how this happened when I have not used my emergency brake. Fire dept called and vehicle is now sitting in a parking lot. Until I can get the money to repair it.

Both rear spring crumbled.

Problems with this Explorer over my ownership include: -rear glass replaced -front brakes replaced -rear wheel bearings have required replacement, -parking brake issues, -new tires, etc.

Brake pads completely disintegrated when inspecting pads, front edge of rotors have completely rusted. Pads were in good shape thickness wise in some areas and rotted in other areas. Pads and rotors were replaced now 5 months later it's starting again. Parking brake pads delaminated again. Abs light came on during trip for no reason?.

Continuous problems with transmission, and e-brake. E brake replaced and bad again. Had transmission repair at dealership a 400 miles before 75,000 mile warranty ended. Taken back 100 miles later transmission problem again. Past warranty now and still having problems. I will not buy Ford again, it has been a nightmare. Also air bag light keeps coming on. -please ignore equipment part of this complaint, I misunderstood.

At 51,894 we were surprised to find that our rear wheel bearings and hub assembly had to be replaced this started as a whine and clicking noise total charge to fix approx 750. 00 -- according to others on this site this could have caused an accident. At this time we also had a very loose parking brake, but was told by the dealer that it couldn't be tightened until the grooves wore out?.

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. While driving 40 mph, the contact lifted the emergency brake and the handle failed. No warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that release it would cost $280 to repair the handle. The current mileage was 83,000 and failure mileage was 69,304. Updated 02-01-08. Updated 02/01/08.

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SUV was in park with emergency brake engaged. Driver released hood in error got out to close hood and owner got out of middle row to release brake. When emergency brake was released car rolled and door hit parked vehicle damaging front passenger door. Child was in car strapped in child's car seat. Very scary feeling for car to be rolling backwards with child inside car alone.

Rubbing noise heard on rear wheel. Found parking brake pads had dis-bonded from brake shoe. Safety system that Ford motor dealer, chantilly, va indicated it would not replace even though it was a defect.

Emergency brake would not engage in November, 2003. Dealer "oiled" the pedal. On July 28, 2005, loud squealing sound coming from rear, and emergency brake would not engage at all. Dealer had to replace rear drums, rear shoes, and pads at a cost of $390. Emergency brake is considered a "maintenance item" and was not covered under warranty. If brakes were to fail, emergency brake would not have worked either.

I own a 2002 Ford Explorer. It has approximately 70,000 miles. I brought it in to have the rear brakes replaced at superior Ford in Plymouth, minneasota in may of 2005. While the brakes were being replaced, I was informed that the brake pads on the parking brakes had "fallen apart". The adhesive had failed and the asphault pads had fallen off the metal backing and were loose in the drum. I told the service manager that I had rarely used the parking brake. I was told that this frequently happened on Explorers and expeditions, particularly when the brakes haven't been used much. It concerns me that a safety feature like an emergency brake could fail after three years without significant use. I would have had no idea that the pads had fallen off the emergency brake if I hadn't brought the vehicle in for regular brake service. The mechanics and Ford's customer service people didn't seem to bothered by this. The supervisor told me that parts are only made to last 36,000 miles (the warranty period). The Ford people said that they don't take any responsibility for brakes after 12,000 miles.

The consumer is experiencing a problem with the emergency brakes. When the vehicle is parked for an extended period of time, the emergency brake creates condensation on the brake and the driver must increase the throttle before the emergency brake will release. The owner contacted the manufacturer and was told "that was the way it was desig ned to function and there is nothing they will do.

While parked vehicle rolled backwards without warning.

Emergency brake release lever bracket fell from connection to plastic dash. Ford will split the $2000 cost 50/50 to repair since no recall at this time. Feel poor design attaching mechanism to plastic dash instead of metal bracket. When used currently, must be careful to not let release get stuck under dash making it very difficult to retrieve and release the lever.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Consumer stated while driving, the emergency brake engaged without warning which caused the back tires to lock up and skid. Consumer had a collision as a result.