Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1995 Ford Explorer. While making a turn at 55 MPH, the brakes locked without warning. As a result, the vehicle slid and crashed into a ditch before rolling over three times. The crash destroyed the vehicle. A police report was filed. As of November 6, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The driver sustained bruises to the back and shoulder blades along with cuts and scratches on his left arm. The contact felt that the antilock brakes caused the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 120,000 and current mileage was 145,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while idling in the driveway for five minutes, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. The fire department determined the master cylinder switch on the front driver side started the fire. The dealer was not alerted.
On Saturday, August 21, 2004 I pulled out of my driveway and attempted to apply my brakes. The brakes went to the floor with very little resistance. I continued driving about 100 ft and noticed the brake light had come on. I thought it might be the emergency brake. It wasn't. Within 10 seconds of noticing the brake light I attemted to stop. After about a minute of applying the brakes, I stopped. I applied the emergency brake and decided to open the hood to see if the brake reservoir was empty. It was 3/4 low. I went back to the house and brought back a can of dot 3-4 brake fluid. I filled the reservoir to the proper level. I got back into the car and started the vehicle. I again pressed on the brake pedal and again the pedal went to the floor. I used the steering wheel to turn the tires to the far right and then to the far left. …
I took my 95 Explorer in for a recall (09s09) for a speed control deactivation switch which May pose a risk of fire if it leaked. When I got my veh. Back I looked under the hood to check their work. (I am a mechanic my self by occupation) they had replaced the pigtail to the switch but not the switch itself. When I talked to the service manager about it he stated that the pigtail was the fire hazard and they only relocated the switch if it was leaking at the time of the recall. The letter talked about the switch and not a pigtail leaking brake fluid. The switch is mounted on the master cly.above the exhaust manifold area. Was your recall intent to have Ford replace the pigtail and switch or the pigtail and the switch but only if the switch was leaking. I will be waiting your reply thank you for your time.
Dt: the contact stated there was NHTSA recall 95V053000 concerning tie rod assembly, and recall 95V052000 concerning service brakes; hoses, lines, piping and fittings. This vehicle experienced the same problems as indicated in the recalls, but was not included in the recalls due to VIN. No repairs have been made at this time.
Consumer stated cruise control malfunctioned. Consumer stated that brake fluid leaked onto the cruise control terminal. Consumer was concerned that the vehicle will catch on fire. The consumer attempted to buy a replacement part from the dealer, however, he was told the part was on back order.
Brakes: driving approximately 65mph , attempted to slow down the brake pedal would not depress. Using both feet, put vehicle in neutral and coasted to a stop. Towed to dealer and they found nothing wrong. The next day driving on same highway the same thing occurred, and the vehicle caught fire.
Consumer was traveling 40mph & road sloped, brakes were applied & brake pedal went straight to the floor. Consumer had no control of vehicle. Vehicle slid about 50 yards while going about 30mph. Consumer couldn't prevent hitting another vehicle on the side.
Started to apply the brakes to slow down when ABS brakes locked up. Vehicle spun around to the right & then back to the left. It flipped over & slid down the road. Vehicle hit guardrail. Driver had seat belt on at time of problem. Vehicle towed to dealership.
While driving about 25 MPH and stepping on brakes pedal brakes locked up, and vehicle moved side to side. Then, rolled over three times. Vehicle was towed to dealer, and totaled with no cause of accident found.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
In some of the vehicles, brake tubes were misrouted between the master cylinder and the hydraulic control unit and results in exceeding the allowable stopping distances as required by FMVSS no.
Remedy: Dealers will reroute the brake tubes.
Brake complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1995 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 80 complaints about the brakes of the 1995 Ford Explorer, 9% of the model year's 843 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (43 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Explorer brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 95V-052 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Mar 15, 1995). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Ford Explorer brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 2 fires and 8 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.