1991 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 123about this part
- Share
- 20%of 609 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 145,150miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 123 complaints about the brakes of the 1991 Ford Explorer, 20% of the 609 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 145,150 miles. 18 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought a 1991 Ford Explorer 1 1/2 years ago from a neighbor who said he was tired of putting brakes on it. Since he had just done it again, I didn't expect any trouble for a while. 17,000 miles later, all brake pads, calipers etc., needed to be replaced again. It is averaging 20,000 miles on this vehicle. The mechanic said this model was bad for pushing the pads off the shoes. While paying my bill, I noticed another similar vehicle on the rack getting the same thing done. Is this an epidemic or am I just unlucky? …”
NHTSA complaint #10049517, filed 2003-12, 160,300 miles“Vehicle is a 1991 Ford Explorer xlt eddie bauer edition, 4x4 5-speed manual transaxle, 4.0l v6. Vehicle is equipped with rear-wheel anti-lock brakes. Both rear wheels perform uncommanded full lockup after medium application of brake pedal. Condition persists even when pressure to the brake pedal is removed. Vehicle skids to a stop. Full application of the brakes for several seconds is required to release the rear wheel brake drums and restore normal control to the driver. This could easily result in loss of vehicle control. …”
NHTSA complaint #10082713, filed 2004-07, 130,000 miles“The component that malfunctioned was the abs sensor. It is not available for inspection. I was driving going around 45 in traffic and the drivers side rear brake locked up and spun me out of control and caused me to collide with another vehicle. I only lightly pressed the brakes and it happened suddenly and unexpectedly. It was not inspected before it was towed after the accident. There were no warning lamps.”
NHTSA complaint #11444373, filed 2021-12“I have taken my car to be services for the brakes three times and each time the dealer (vista Ford) tells me that it's something else. During the last three years since I owned the car, my total repair bills (not including routine maintenance) is approximately $4,581.52. I have replaced A/C, breakclnr, starter, brake drums etc. Is this possible?”
NHTSA complaint #700791, filed 1998-11“I already entered a complaint (#722389) then I read the consumer complaints and realized that 2 things that I thought were normal might not be. The frist one being that a I heard the squishy noise coming from my master cylinder/ vacuum booster the pedal was always soft but I never encountered any difficuly stopping that I can remember. The other problem is that after my Explorer rolled and came to rest, the driver's seat was completely laid back.”
NHTSA complaint #722390, filed 2000-05Related recalls
- 96V024001Feb 5, 1996The studs which attach the brake master cylinder to the power brake vacuum booster assembly can develop stress corrosion cracking after being operated for an…Covers: Ford Explorer 1991–1994, Ranger 1991–1994
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 19 | 18% |
| 2023 | 6 | 5% |
| 2022 | 13 | 5% |
| 2021 | 25 | 6% |
| 2020 | 88 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 1% |
| 2018 | 11 | 2% |
| 2017 | 22 | 1% |
| 2016 | 19 | 1% |
| 2015 | 34 | 2% |
| 2014 | 27 | 2% |
| 2013 | 40 | 2% |
| 2012 | 21 | 3% |
| 2011 | 28 | 2% |
| 2010 | 15 | 13% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 8 | 5% |
| 2007 | 12 | 6% |
| 2006 | 41 | 7% |
| 2005 | 18 | 4% |
| 2004 | 53 | 4% |
| 2003 | 45 | 4% |
| 2002 | 132 | 4% |
| 2001 | 33 | 9% |
| 2000 | 64 | 7% |
| 1999 | 69 | 5% |
| 1998 | 94 | 5% |
| 1997 | 96 | 6% |
| 1996 | 132 | 9% |
| 1995 | 80 | 9% |
| 1994 | 261 | 22% |
| 1993 | 244 | 26% |
| 1992 | 99 | 16% |
| 1991 | 123 | 20% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1991 Ford Explorer
102 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
69 complaintsElectrical system
52 complaintsEngine cooling
52 complaintsSuspension
33 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
32 complaintsBody and structure
31 complaintsVehicle speed control
30 complaintsEquipment
29 complaintsFuel system
26 complaintsSeat belts
26 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1991 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology