1994 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 261about this part
- Share
- 22%of 1,207 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,250miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 261 complaints about the brakes of the 1994 Ford Explorer, 22% of the 1,207 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,250 miles. 31 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I drive a 1994 Ford Explorer 4x4. My complaint is with the front brakes. When the inner brake pads wear to a certain point, they fall out of the channels that they slide in causing brake failure. When this happens, all that is left to stop the vehicle is the piston of the brake caliper. There is no wear indicator to warn the driver that disc pads are worn out. Please let me know if there is a recall on this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10287088, filed 2009-10, 150,000 miles“My truck just shut off by the parking to my home. I can't afford buy $7,000.00 for repair auto at firestone because they want so more money. They did took off by itself then my truck didn't finish and need to work more for engine motor and brake.”
NHTSA complaint #10019112, filed 2003-05, 99 miles“I bought my 1994 Ford Explorer (4wd) in may of 1999 and have had numerous problems since. The vehicle had approximately 50900 miles when I bought it. It now has 89000 miles. I have replaced the brake rotors twice and replaced the brake pads three times. The last time I completed brake work was because the left front caliper overheated and failed. I then replaced both front calipers. There is a bad vibration problem at speeds of 55-67 MPH. I recently purchased four new tires, had them balanced, had the front end aligned, and replaced the shocks to fix this problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10086453, filed 2004-08, 88,500 miles“While applying the parking brake on a incline or flat surface. The emergency brake failed without warning. The consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver the brake mechanism needed replacement. The consumer informed the mechanic about recall(94v169001). The mechanic informed the consumer that the recall was not for this vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10083480, filed 2004-08, 78,000 miles“While driving the vehicle makes a lot of noise around the wheel area, the tires were rotated but the problem still exist, but one day while driving the right front wheel locked up, the vehicle was immediately taken to the dealer where it was determined that the front caliper was stuck, the dealer replaced the pads, both calipers and the master cylinder. The consumer requested a refund of the monies spent on repair.”
NHTSA complaint #568142, filed 2002-10, 500 milesRelated 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
- 94V169001Sep 7, 1994The parking brake control self-adjust pawl does not line up properly with the self-adjust rachet causing the pawl to slip over one or more teeth in the rachet.Covers: Ford Explorer 1993–1994, F-250 1992–1994, F-150 1992–1994 +3 more
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 19 | 18% |
| 2023 | 6 | 5% |
| 2022 | 13 | 5% |
| 2021 | 24 | 5% |
| 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 1994 Ford Explorer
331 complaintsBody and structure
158 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
86 complaintsElectrical system
75 complaintsEngine cooling
74 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
71 complaintsSuspension
65 complaintsVehicle speed control
51 complaintsFuel system
33 complaintsEquipment
32 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
23 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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