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 2001 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Main problem at the moment is a clicking, knocking noise that sounds like is coming from underneath truck in the middle. You can feel truck shake/vibrate when you hear the noise. Previous problems lug bolts came loose and almost cause tire to fall off. Other problem truck started off sounding like the brake pads were going then the truck started making a horrible grinding noise . Felt like the engine was going to fall out. Ended up being front passenger side tire. Rim had stattered.
Brake problem, in 2002 I had my Explorer in to phil long Ford 3 times for pulling, vibration in steering wheel when stopping. They machined the rotors each time. I then took it back to Ford because the brakes were still doing the same thing, once again they machined the rotors down to the lowest thickness. The brakes continued to make noise and the pedal is now sloppy. I was told that there is no TSB report on this problem, but yet I find on the internet. The bulltin # is 15910 and #15249. I have reported this to Ford and was told that what ever the dealer had to say was the way it was, because they were a blue oval dealer.
Brake problem, in 2002 I had my Explorer in to phil long Ford 3 times for pulling, vibration in steering wheel when stopping. They machined the rotors each time. I then took it back to Ford because the brakes were still doing the same thing, once again they machined the rotors down to the lowest thickness, the brakes continued to make noise and the pedal is now sloppy. I was told that there is no TSB report on this problem, but yet I find on the internet. The bulltin # is 15910 and #15249. I have reported this to Ford and was told that what ever the dealer had to say was the way it was, because they were a blue oval dealer.
While driving at 10-15 MPH and when attemtping to make a right hand turn, gradually depressed brake pedal and pedal traveled to floorboard, causing extended stopping distance, and resulting in an accident. Also, emergency parking brake/ fuel pump and other parts were replaced before accident. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please bad check valve caused delay in starting the vehcile. The emergency brake was hard to release due to leak of greasing. Brakes made high pitch squeal because front brakes and pads were glazed over. Head light failed due to bad connection at lmultifunction switch.
I have several more invoices 7-29-03 replaced dust seals and forgot to put brakes back together lost whole front end and braking. Had truck for 3-4 days they have replaced the water pump pulley and s belt 2-3 times. Cruise control 10-16, 12/31/02 again squeling noise 02/28/03 defrost kills truck and chirping still. 2/10/03 steering wheel snaped part falls around inside,cruise control was fixed, bearing failure in belt tensioner again. Today still having the same problem. Come get the piece of !@!@#@#. I am sick of taking this truck in every month to fix something. It is a lemon
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the throttle and speed control stuck causing the vehicle to surge over 90 MPH. The cruise control was not in use at the time. The brakes would not work and the contact stated the constant pressure to the brakes caused them to smoke and almost catch on fire. There were no lights illuminated on the dashboard prior to the incident. The dealership was alerted. There were no problems with the vehicle's cruise control prior to the incident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the anti lock braking system suddenly malfunctioned and the vehicle failed to stop. The conatct had to engage the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact indicated that the defect occurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the defect. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.
With the cruise control on I drifted to the right and the passenger side wheels went onto the gravel shoulder. When I got the 2 wheels back on pavement the wheels that had been on the gravel seemed to go faster than the driver side wheels. The brakes didn't engage and the car shot across the highway while accelerating and the car flipped 3 or 4 times.
At times my left turn signal when engaged doesnt work and at this time I notice smoke coming out of steering collumn,this has something to do with pressing the brakes, sometimes when I depress it works then goes off when pressing a second time, also display on stereo works part time only maybe one out of every ten drives.
Vehicle was at a stop sign and suddenly accelerated into another vehicle. Brakes and both airbags deployed, and consumer hurt his head. The accelerator and brake pedal were very close together that it was easy to depress both simultaneously causing the vehicle to accelerate instead of slowing down.
Brake complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Ford Explorer, 9% of the model year's 375 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Explorer brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2001 Ford Explorer, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Explorer brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 4 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.