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BrakesPart report

2023 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
5%of 113 total for the year
Median mileage
20,000miles
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the brakes of the 2023 Ford Explorer, 5% of the 113 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.

“On 11-21-24, I was traveling down the interstate going at 60mph when a car began to urgently brake, I proceeded to hit the brakes as well and my car would not stop, at the time of the impact no air bag deployed, driver seat belt did not lock, my driver seat moved, no pre-collision assist came up for this accident. No prior issues or lights on dash.”

NHTSA complaint #11630282, filed 2024-12

“My 2023 Ford Explorer ST has rolled while parked, turned off, and in Park, with the electronic parking brake engaged. This has occurred multiple times on my residential driveway, which has an approximate 20-degree slope, during light snow conditions. On one occasion, the vehicle rolled backward down the driveway and into the street after being parked and shut off. On another occasion, it rolled forward while parked in the same location. In both cases, the vehicle stopped on its own without driver input. …”

NHTSA complaint #11712490, filed 2026-01

“-parking brake is auto engaged 100% of the time at start or while shifting out of park or shifting between gears. Drive or reverse -to disengage the park brake you have to depress the accelerator pedal. -pressure on the accelerator to disengage is inconnsistent every time. -vehicle lurches uncontrollably when releasing the vehicle off the emergency parking brake setting. …”

NHTSA complaint #11532863, filed 2023-07

“A hissing noise coming from inside the vehicle when braking. The dealership isolated the problem and concluded it comes from the Brake Booster. The car just came out of manufacture warranty at 39,067 miles. However, there is no check engine or dashboard light on yet.”

NHTSA complaint #11719684, filed 2026-02

“The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 27 MPH, a vehicle abruptly exited a parking lot without adhering to oncoming traffic. While attempting to avoid striking the vehicle, the contact activated the parking brake. The contact stated that after releasing the parking brake, the contact became aware that the parking brake handle became loosened and appeared to have disconnected from the socket. The contact later became aware that the parking brake had become inoperable. …”

NHTSA complaint #11635943, filed 2025-01, 20,000 miles

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 2023 Ford Explorer

Other or unknown
28 complaints
Electrical system
14 complaints
Suspension
14 complaints
Steering
12 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
12 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaints
Engine
10 complaints
Body and structure
10 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
7 complaints
Lane departure
7 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
6 complaints
Seat belts
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2023 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