2011 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,197 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,350miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Ford Explorer, 2% of the 1,197 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,350 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving my 2011 Ford Explorer (65,000 miles) when I suddenly lost all power to my gas, break and steering wheel. Luckily I was going close to 10-15 miles per hour and I managed to veer onto someone's lawn and hit the emergency break. I was told that there was oil leaking into the engine that cause a complete engine failure. No sensors went off prior to the incident and I have only gotten my car repaired at the Ford dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #11113280, filed 2018-07, 65,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11099509, filed 2018-06, 87,000 miles“I was driving down the street at around 20 MPH when there were cars that suddenly stopped. When I was braking I felt as if the steering was allowing me to turn and it happened so fast I felt as if I lost braking power. Then I hit the car in front of me hard.”
NHTSA complaint #10633318, filed 2014-09, 72,000 miles“I purchased my vehicle in march of 2016. I first had issues with the braking system. I heard screeching and whirring as I drove the vehicle. Next, I had issues with the battery, battery acid leaked all over the battery, corrosion built up on the battery. Most recently, after servicing my vehicle, the power steering locked up. The computer read that there was power steering fault. I don't understand how I was able to purchase a vehicle off the dealership lot with all of the issues that the vehicle had.”
NHTSA complaint #10969920, filed 2017-04, 108,394 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10596447, filed 2014-06, 72,050 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10091151Oct 17, 2016Some 2008-2017 ford/mercury/lincoln vehicles equipped with sync may generate a vhr that identifies a concern with the brakes and suspension category indicating service is…
- 10090681Oct 17, 2016Some 2008-2017 ford/mercury/lincoln vehicles equipped with sync may generate a vhr that identifies a concern with the brakes and suspension category indicating service is…
- 10056149May 30, 2014Ford: in the instrument panel cluster (ipc) there is a terrain management pop up warning, without diagnostic trouble code (dtc) accompanying it, in the anti-lock brake system…
- 10056207May 1, 2014Ford/lincoln: due to corrosion buildup between brake pad and anchor bracket, vehicle experience a rear brake drag condition and need to be checked for debris and/or corrosion…
- 10039053Mar 1, 2011Ford: if there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will override acceleration.
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 2011 Ford Explorer
742 complaintsOther or unknown
118 complaintsBody and structure
110 complaintsElectrical system
95 complaintsEngine
83 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
64 complaintsAir bags
44 complaintsFuel system
40 complaintsElectronic stability control
28 complaintsSuspension
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
23 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 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