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 2014 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with electronic ABS module failure. The contact was informed that the electronic ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the parts needed to complete the repair were on backorder and the contact was #90 on the waiting list. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,200.
The vehicle was placed in park with the engine running. No one was in the vehicle when, on it's own, it came out of park and rolled down our driveway, coming to a stop after hitting a tree. A person or cat could have easily been on the driveway and run and killed. It subsequently cost $10751.42 to repair the damage to the rear tailgate. No previous issues had been noted prior to this incident. This occurred in July 2001 and was submitted to our insurance company where we paid a$1000 deductible and caused our rates to go up. We have contacted Ford without any success.
At one point the Explorer was always causing a rear wheel area to squeal really loud while driving. That finally got remedied but after 3 years of taking the vehicle in to 2 different shops. While yhe vehicle was still under warranty I was told there was nothing wrong and they can't reproduce the squeal. Once the warranty expired they said it was due to a seized brake which I ended up paying for the replacement even though they said this was a known issue on the Explorers. Another issue with the 2014 Explorer is water leaking into the rear compartments and the spare tire area in the vehicle. From online sear he's, this is also a known issue with no recalls. More recently, I was trying to get all four of my tires changed, but was told by the tire shop that they can't change my tires due to swollen lug nuts,this is a known issue on Ford's and I have to take it to a mechanic. …
The traction control sensor will come on out of nowhere making a loud noise and causing the vehicle to jerk to a stop. Yes it is available for inspection and has already been taken to a dealership. My safety is out at risk because the vehicle almost jerks to a stop when the traction control kicks in when not needed. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by a Ford dealer. The component has been inspected and reset according to the work report from the dealership. There were no other warning lamps, messages or symptoms before this issue began. According to the dealership my vehicle was taken to they said they have seen this issue on several other vehicles and usually is fixed with the process they performed on my vehicle for $545.09. And if that didn't fix it that I would have to spend approx $2,500 to get the ABS module replaced. …
I have several issues that I have had with the ford explore. This is my second ford explore. The passenger air was not assemble correctly and now is coming apart. The seat belt on the driver sit gets stuck. The car door panels have come undone which is not typical with any other vehicle expect explore. The brakes on the car are difficult to use to the suspension issue. When I have taken my car to the dealer they have not been helpful. They won't provide a temporary vehicle while my car is getting fix and that not acceptable. I need someone to help me with these issues at no cost. This is my second explore and I love my car but I hate that it has issues that were not fix from the moment the car was sold.
Vehicle Electronic Power Steering stopped working. Power Steering Fault & Service Advanced Trac message. Also saw a day later another message that would come up with the Service Advanced Trac. It would be to Check Brake System. While researching I found that Ford had a recall for the Power Steering & Service Advance Trac for the 2011 - 2013 model years. On the NHTSA there have been quite a few people complaining about the 2014 model for Power Steering & Service Advance Trac. I didn't get a picture of the Power Steering fault, but I did get a picture of the Service AdvanceTrac with the Check Brake message. Putting it in with this as well.
ABS MODULE failure. Dealer states this I s a known problem. 581 on backorder with Ford with no ETA of new stock. No sense of urgency to resolve known problem. Online sources state heavy wire harness breaks solar joint at positive and negative contacts in module.
ABS module is bad with trouble code U3000-49 ABS MODULE internal problem. ABS system is disabled and also Traction Control Function is disabled. ABS module is on Nationwide back order. This is a safety concern as the ABS system is not functioning
When starting my vehicle the parking brake alarm is going off stating that my parking brake is engaged which it is not once I drive about a mile or 2 the alarm goes off but everytime I restart my vehicle he resets the process.
When driving the 2014 Explorer, coking over a hill and began braking. Car lost braking capability and began to speed down the hill, and crashed into a tree. One middle occupant on 2nd row came unbuckled and didn't survive. This has been an ongoing trial for 3 years and recently informed that no investigation has been performed on the vehicle other than the edr/cdr. No post vehicle inspection has been performed, no medical reports have been pulled. I have previously for 3 years inquired for help on this matter and have forwarded questions regarding information obtained. I know without a shadow of a doubt I am not liable for this accident and have worked for 3 years trying to obtain information on this vehicle. When I was coming down the hill the car seem to be increased in speed - the report does show that foot was on the brake the entire report and no gas was applied. …
NHTSA investigations
Front Brake Hose Failure
On April 29, 2015, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE15-017 to investigate a report alleging incidents of front brake hose failure in model year (MY) 2015 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor vehicles used by the Sacramento Police Department in its pursuit driving training program (VOQ 10705832).On September 28, 2015, ODI upgraded the investigation to an Engineering Analysis (EA15-005) to assess maximum…
Brake complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2014 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the brakes of the 2014 Ford Explorer, 2% of the model year's 1,682 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › caliper (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Ford Explorer brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2014 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 2014 Ford Explorer brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries and 1 death 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.