Skip to content
BrakesPart report

2018 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
2%of 734 total for the year
Median mileage
866miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Ford Explorer, 2% of the 734 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 866 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Driving the vehicle at about 40mph coming off a bridge, I hear a rattle coming from the rear of the vehicle as I brake. The brake fully depressed applies virtually no braking power. I was able to bring the vehicle to a stop by pumping the brakes as well as using the emergency brake. I walked around the vehicle to see what was going on, I noticed fluid near rear passenger side tire. The rim and street had brake fluid all over it. Upon further inspection part of the brake caliper assembly was hanging behind the rotor. The car was towed to a Ford dealership that day. …”

NHTSA complaint #11222301, filed 2019-06, 10,500 miles

“During startup on cold mornings (not always) I have received multiple failure warnings. When this happens the vehicle has no power steering, turn signals, or windshield wipers. The warnings are: 4wd off, check parking aid, see manual, service advancetrac, steering assist fault, ABS light, airbag light, parking brake light is on even though parking brake is not on. Also the climate control still sees the temperature as the last temperature from the previous drive. So if it was 80 out and now 40, the A/C blows cold air even though it is cold out. …”

NHTSA complaint #11084258, filed 2018-04, 749 miles

“Right front caliber went out at 47,186 miles in 11/14/2025. No abs sensor went on alerting me to the problem. Had it fixed. Two months later, 1/05/2026, at 47,620 miles later, the control HCU and module ABS went out. Again, no sensor alerting me to a problem. I could hardly drive it. Had Ford look at it, assess the problem, and had to drive home due to another cost. Could have been on the highway when this occurred. Was in town, but was an awful experience! Brakes locked up on me!”

NHTSA complaint #11711859, filed 2026-01

“July 12, 2026 I returned home and parked about 10 ft from my garage. I put my car in park, turned off the motor, and went to get out, when my husband started yelling at me that the car was moving. I pumped the brake, and heard a clicking sound. The car wouldn't stop, it ran into my house. Cracking my left headlight and denting my bumper. The car was in park, and I was unable to move the steering wheel. I had no control of the car. Thank goodness no one was standing in front of me. …”

NHTSA complaint #11751929, filed 2026-07

“Starting whit a noise problem on engine we bring the vehicle to service department them said was not a problem 2 months later we are here on service department for steering wheel problem, brake noise, to much problems. We buy a new car to avoid this problems and issues wasting our time. And money.”

NHTSA complaint #11270692, filed 2019-10

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202625%
20251918%
202365%
2022135%
2021245%
2020887%
201941%
2018112%
2017221%
2016191%
2015342%
2014272%
2013402%
2012213%
2011282%
20101513%
200926%
200885%
2007126%
2006417%
2005184%
2004534%
2003454%
20021324%
2001339%
2000647%
1999695%
1998945%
1997966%
19961329%
1995809%
199426122%
199324426%
19929916%
199112320%
1990217%

Other parts of the 2018 Ford Explorer

Body and structure
288 complaints
Other or unknown
168 complaints
Engine
96 complaints
Electrical system
58 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
50 complaints
Engine cooling
29 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
26 complaints
Fuel system
23 complaints
Suspension
23 complaints
Steering
21 complaints
Air bags
11 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 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