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 2011 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Entire braking system on this 2011 with only 140,000 miles apparently all failed simultaneously. Dealer required replacement of rear brake pads, rotors, calipers, brake booster, master cylinder and wanted to replace the entire ABS control assembly - which I declined. Brakes had a "soft pedal" when I took it into the dealership and when I left the dealer apparently sabotaged the brake system as it was undrivable at that point. Dealer even requested I waive my rights prior to taking the vehicle (see attached). It appears Ford manufactured a vehicle that their own technicians can't figure out to properly repair without replacing the entire system that fails with low miles.
Recall expired was also told warranty for recall expired(was told on phone they didn't know if warranty would cover until they run test it then was told it expired) in feb I loss power steering and a cluster of lights came on dash. Happened in feb but called and scheduled an appointment w Ford on 3/1 but they didn't have available opening until the following week we took it in and of course they say it's not covered. This is big safety issues and loss it in curve which was scary. I didn't purchase car until 2017 so never heard of recall and same dealer fixed another recall so why did they not fix this recall at that time or mention this.
The Explorer was put into park and left running in the driveway as I went into the house to get my kids. When I got out of the car it didn't move at all. While I was getting my kids together I happen to look up and see my Explorer crashed into a tree in the backyard. I went out to see what happened and the Explorer had gone up a slightly inclined driveway, down a hill, through and aluminum fence, and crashed into a tree. When I opened the driver door the gear shifter still showed in park.
I first began experiencing braking and battery issues 3 to 4 weeks after the purchase of my vehicle. I took the vehicle in for servicing of the braking and battery issues. I was informed by the service advisor that I should return the vehicle to dealership for repairs due to the multiple issues with vehicle. At that time, I learned that there was leakage from the upper portion of the engine. The dealership addresses some but not all issues related to the vehicle. Next, I received an email from the dealership stating the vehicle was due for factory recommended servicing. I made an appt. The next day, the low battery light came on. Called dealership, no response. One and a half weeks later, the battery was dead. Called triple a. Battery had battery acid and corrosion everywhere. A red solution was sprayed on the battery to prevent leakage. But it didn't work that well. …
I pulled into my driveway at a slow rate of speed, as I was braking the car was not stopping, as I pressed on the brake pedal it collapsed all the way to the floor but the brakes did not engage, just before the car hit the garage door which was directly in front of me the right front brake engaged, fully, stopping the right front tire only, the car pulled to the right and instead of hitting the garage door it struck a concrete column to the immediate right of the garage door. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belts automatic locking retractor did not engage so I was thrown forward into the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to the dealership it was purchased from. …
During traffic in hot weather on highway there is squealing sound coming from front drivers side of vehicle and smoke coming from rear driver tire after exiting highway to check the noise. After exiting highway I felt all 4 metal wheels and driver's side rear was extremely hot and other wheels were warm to the touch. I had the exact same conditions on passenger rear brakes last summer at ~50,000 miles, and the dealership replaced rear passenger caliper immediately. This time they claim are not able to reproduce the seizing of caliper after 3 mile test drive and calipers appeared to be in working condition. I argued that the problem May occur during long distance highway travel and May not happen on short test drive. Dealership argued that it is Ford policy not to perform warranty repairs/replacement work when they are unable to reproduce problems described by customer. …
I pulled into a parking stall and applied the brakes. They failed and I only stopped after hitting the glass doors of a closed business. I did not hit the gas pedal and was stopped due to the business' glass front doors. I have been driving for over 37 years and never encountered a problem like this. No one was hurt thankfully, but the problem is still unresolved. Internet search revealed other explorers from other years (2005, 2007 & 2009) also had similar brake failures and Ford could not find a problem with the brake systems on those cars, but something is definitely not right. See www.edmunds.com & type in "Explorer brake failure". Check out posts #12, 37, 38, 39, 40 and 42. Ford dealership found no problems with the brakes, but they clearly failed. I don't want some innocent person hurt due to brake failure down the road. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Air bag light has been on several times. Each time I have taken the vehicle in for service and they tell me each time they fixed it. I drive it some and the light comes back on. It is back in the shop for the tenth time I have paper trails and pictures to prove it. I ended up making an appointment the last time but before I got there I hit a deer end of March at 60 MPH and the air bag didn't go off once the body work got done I took it into the Ford shop and they said there was a faulty sensor were the deer hit. They replaced it the I drove it eight miles and the light came back on so I turned around and they are telling me that there are no codes this time I have tried to get them to buy it back and they will not. The rear brakes have locked up four time and they have replace them each time and it continues to do the same with them also.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 35 MPH, the brake pedal had to be pumped several times before the vehicle came to a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was informed the extended travel play needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the brakes were replaced twice however, the vehicle still experienced the failure. The vehicle was taken to local dealer (shawnee mission Ford located at 11501 shawnee mission pkwy, shawnee, ks 66203), and the service manager was informed of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available.
2011 Ford Explorer was just returned two weeks ago for national recall on electronic power steering control module failure. On August 21st at 9:30 am my wife was approaching a red light. She applied the brakes and felt an immediate power loss issue with the breaks. She impacted the vehicle in front of her around 15 MPH. Air bags were not deployed at time of accident. She did noticed the terrain management failure light was illuminated at time of impact. My wife did not feel the anti lock brakes engage, nor were there any skid marks visible on the road. Minor front end damage is evident and radiator was leaking fluid. Insurance company has been notified about recent recall.
Brake complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2011 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Ford Explorer, 2% of the model year's 1,197 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Ford Explorer brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2011 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 2011 Ford Explorer brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 1 fire and 3 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.