2001 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 9%of 375 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Ford Explorer, 9% of the 375 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10074863, filed 2004-06, 41,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10008279, filed 2003-02, 5,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10008280, filed 2003-02, 5,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10790422, filed 2015-11, 167,218 miles“When the brake pedal is depressed at any speed vehicle pulls to the right and then jerks forward. Dealership replaced the calipers, and turned the rotors in an attempt to fix the problem, but problem still exists.”
NHTSA complaint #10044935, filed 2003-10, 35,000 milesBrakes: 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 2001 Ford Explorer
62 complaintsSuspension
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
42 complaintsEngine cooling
39 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsSeats
24 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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