Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
When the brakes are engaged, that accelerator also engages causing the vehicle to not stop. Which caused a serious wreck. This has been checked out by the Ford dealer on multiple occasions. Several others have also reported this issue. Truck is totaled and airbags did not deploy with direct front end impact.
I just recently purchase this used vehicle and while coming to a stop or applying the brake the vehicle accelerated instantly at the same time brake pedal was pushed. I was wearing boots at the time and the toe of the boot does stick out further then my slip on shoes. This happen twice both times while wearing boots. I tried to observe what May be the cause although I was approaching stopped vehicles at the time. I recreated the movement while parked in neutral, engine running and wearing boots. The same thing happen. What happens is the toe of my boots push the accelerator as I pushed the brake pedal and it moved down toward the accelerator pedal. It appears to be a design issue as the accelerator and brake pedal are very close to the same level. The accelerator pedal should be further down and away from the break pedal. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Explorer. While driving various speeds and attempting to stop, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The brakes eventually stopped the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake pedal failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Brake or transmission is malfunctioning, truck was parked on a flat surface in the driveway and not running, in park, locked and after a bout an hour the truck began rolling, an was stopped my a piece of wrought iron fence, damaging the front bumper. It could have been worse had the fence not been there.
I was at the yield sign at the feeder lane approaching the nasa bypass in webster, texas when I applied my brakes as another car was ahead of me and had stopped. Instead of braking, my vehicle accelerated and I run into the rear of the car ahead. The cause of the problem is the design in the vehicle. The brake pedal when depressed is lower than the accelerator pedal and they are too close together. If the brake is not applied exactly right a person can unintentionally hit the accelerator pedal. The vehicle is a 2007 Ford Explorer sports Trac truck.
No accident yet but....brakes on my vehicle are very soft. Brake pedal when applied goes below the accelerator pedal. Accelerator and brake pedal are very close to each other. Unless operator is very careful to move right foot completely over to brake pedal the proximity of the two pedals and the softness or amount of brake pedal travel below the accelerator, the operator presses the accelerator and the brake at the same time. No amount of pressure to the brakes will stop the vehicle because the harder the brake is pressed the more the accelerator is activated. I have personally come close to hitting vehicles ahead of me due to this condition. Corrective action to release pedals and re locate foot on break is nearly impossible in stop many situations. I have returned this vehicle to a number of factory dealerships who advise brakes are within specifications. …
Tl contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. While decelerating from 45 MPH, the engine stalled when the brake pedal was depressed. The dealer was able to duplicate the failure, but could not find the cause. They believe it could be the torque converter, solenoid, or the transmission needs to be replaced. The current mileage is 48,600 and failure mileage was 48,580. Updated 01-29-08. The consumer stated the vehicle has not stalled within the last 2 weeks. Updated
I have a 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. At 57500 miles my emergency brake locked up on the rear driver side of the vehicle. I ended up replacing the rear brake rotors and brake pedals. As it is I still need repair done to the emergency brakes. The emergency brakes were inoperable and were unsafe which could have resulted in a serious accident.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Explorer Sport Trac years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (19), 2007 (13), 2001 (8) and 2003 (8) model years. Brake complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Ford Explorer Sport Trac brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for any Ford Explorer Sport Trac model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Explorer Sport Trac brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles; 70% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the foundation components › disc › rotor (7 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (7).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.