Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
82
Latest Feb 21, 2012
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 843 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
14
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
8
What this page shows
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1995 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 82 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming brake
The 25 most recent of 82, in the owner's own words
I AM WIRTING BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE HOWERVER I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC. MEANING THAT EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIANCEING THE SAME PROBLEMS OF CARS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED OF THE SAME MAKE MODEL AND MODEL YEAR THE MANUFACTURE IS NOT REQUIRED TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITTH THAT BECAUSE IT PLACES THE PUBLIC AT RISK. IN MY CASE I HAVE A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE TIE RODS, SWAY BAR LINKS, AND BRAKES. ALL ISSUES THAT ARE SAFTEY RELATED. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME CAR THAT HAVE THE EXCAT ISSUES. OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM IS SYSTEMIC AND PLACES THE PUBLIC AT RISK AS THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST SELLING MODELS OF THAT YEAR. I AM ASKING THAT YOU ISSUE A RECALL ALL VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL FOR THAT YEAR. THIS WOULD ALLEVIATE THE SAFTEY RISK CASUED BY THE DEFECT. I BELIEVE THAT YOUR OFFICE AND THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO ADRESS THE ISSUE AND ACT IN THE PUBLICS INTEREST. PLEASE CONTACT ME. *TR
NHTSA ID
10448641
Incident
Feb 21, 2012
Body & structureBrakesSuspension
Filed Jan 21, 2012
I HAVE A 1995 FORD EXPLORER AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO HONOR SOME OF THE RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN ORDERED FOR MY VEHICLE THE RECALLS ARE LISTED BELOW RECALL DATE: MAR 15, 1995 MODEL AFFECTED: 1995 FORD EXPLORER SUMMARY: THE INNER TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN FRACTURE CAUSING SHAKING OR SHIMMY AT LOW SPEEDS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INNER TIE RODS AND REPLACE THE SUSPECT TIE RODS. POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 49300 RECALL DATE: MAR 15, 1995 MODEL AFFECTED: 1995 FORD EXPLORER SUMMARY: IN SOME OF THE VEHICLES, BRAKE TUBES WERE MISROUTED BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AND RESULTS IN EXCEEDING THE ALLOWABLE STOPPING DISTANCES AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." IN ADDITION, SEALS WITHIN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD BE ABRADED BY THIS CONDITION OVER TIME RESULTING IN AN INTERNAL LEAK AND A FURTHER REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE BRAKE TUBES. POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 8100 RECALL DATE: JAN 31, 1996 MODEL AFFECTED: 1995 FORD EXPLORER SUMMARY: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS OF THE REAR LIFTGATE GAS ASSIST CYLINDERS WHICH COULD PULL AWAY FROM THE INSIDE OF THE LIFTGATE. REMEDY: FORD DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS. POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 1029380 RECALL DATE: NOV 28, 2000 MODEL AFFECTED: 1995 FORD EXPLORER SUMMARY: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE. DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS. POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 810,000. *TR
NHTSA ID
10444749
Incident
Jan 21, 2012
Mileage
65,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 15, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC DETAILS: I TOOK MY 95 EXPLORER IN FOR A RECALL (09S09) FOR A SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WHICH MAY POSE A RISK OF FIRE IF IT LEAKED. WHEN I GOT MY VEH. BACK I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO CHECK THEIR WORK. (I AM A MECHANIC MY SELF BY OCCUPATION) THEY HAD REPLACED THE PIGTAIL TO THE SWITCH BUT NOT THE SWITCH ITSELF. THE LETTER TALKED ABOUT THE SWITCH AND NOT A PIGTAIL LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE SWITCH IS MOUNTED ON THE MASTER CLY.ABOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AREA. THE RECALL INTENT WAS TO HAVE FORD REPLACE THE PIGTAIL AND SWITCH OR THE SWITCH BUT ONLY IF THE SWITCH WAS LEAKING. THE SERVICE MANAGER WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANY EXPLANATION. IS FORD CHANGING THE WRONG PART. I AM NOT SURE HOW THE PIG TAIL WILL STOP THE BRAKE FLUID FROM LEAKING. *TR
NHTSA ID
10295910
Incident
Nov 11, 2009
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 1, 2009
I TOOK MY 95 EXPLORER IN FOR A RECALL (09S09) FOR A SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WHICH MAY POSE A RISK OF FIRE IF IT LEAKED. WHEN I GOT MY VEH. BACK I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO CHECK THEIR WORK. (I AM A MECHANIC MY SELF BY OCCUPATION) THEY HAD REPLACED THE PIGTAIL TO THE SWITCH BUT NOT THE SWITCH ITSELF. WHEN I TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT IT HE STATED THAT THE PIGTAIL WAS THE FIRE HAZARD AND THEY ONLY RELOCATED THE SWITCH IF IT WAS LEAKING AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL. THE LETTER TALKED ABOUT THE SWITCH AND NOT A PIGTAIL LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE SWITCH IS MOUNTED ON THE MASTER CLY.ABOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AREA. WAS YOUR RECALL INTENT TO HAVE FORD REPLACE THE PIGTAIL AND SWITCH OR THE PIGTAIL AND THE SWITCH BUT ONLY IF THE SWITCH WAS LEAKING. I WILL BE WAITING YOUR REPLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
NHTSA ID
10294170
Incident
Dec 1, 2009
Mileage
145,286 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 6, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 55 MPH, THE BRAKES LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SLID AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH BEFORE ROLLING OVER THREE TIMES. THE CRASH DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AS OF NOVEMBER 6, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE BACK AND SHOULDER BLADES ALONG WITH CUTS AND SCRATCHES ON HIS LEFT ARM. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKES CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
NHTSA ID
10208048
Incident
Aug 1, 2007
Mileage
120,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Nov 6, 2006
Fire reported
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR FIVE MINUTES, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE MASTER CYLINDER SWITCH ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STARTED THE FIRE. THE DEALER WAS NOT ALERTED.
NHTSA ID
10172746
Incident
Nov 6, 2006
Mileage
200,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Nov 18, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 95V053000 CONCERNING TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, AND RECALL 95V052000 CONCERNING SERVICE BRAKES; HOSES, LINES, PIPING AND FITTINGS. THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALLS, BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS DUE TO VIN. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK
NHTSA ID
10143125
Incident
Jul 15, 2003
Mileage
160,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 8, 2005
WE OWN A 1995 FORD EXPLORER XLT THAT HAS A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. FORD WILL NOT FIX THE SWITCH, BUT HAS RECALLED OTHER AUTO MODELS TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ID
10135777
Incident
Sep 1, 2004
Brakes
Filed Apr 25, 2005
CONSUMER STATED CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER STATED THAT BRAKE FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE CRUISE CONTROL TERMINAL. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL CATCH ON FIRE. *AK THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO BUY A REPLACEMENT PART FROM THE DEALER, HOWEVER, HE WAS TOLD THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. *JB
NHTSA ID
10115867
Incident
Mar 10, 2005
Mileage
79,840 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 3, 2005
THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED. CONSUMER REPAIRED THE PROBLEM BY HIMSELF. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE/RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ID
10106642
Incident
Dec 9, 2004
Mileage
96,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 12, 2004
THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE UNDISCLOSED TRANSMISSION PROBLEM CAUSED THE CLUTCH CYLINDER, SLAVE CYLINDER, MASTER CYLINDER AND PRESSURE PLATE TO FAIL MULTIPLY TIMES. *NM THE CLUTCH AND SLAVE CYLINDER WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES, THE MASTERCYLINDER WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, AND THE PRESSURE PLATE HAD GONE FLAT TWICE DUE TO LEAKING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS HARD TO SHIFT INTO LOW GEARS WHILE IN MOTION INTERMITTENTLY MOSTLY IN FIRST AND SECOND. *SC
NHTSA ID
10101360
Incident
Feb 1, 2001
Brakes
Filed Sep 15, 2004
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT HOME. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. THE DRIVER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
NHTSA ID
10092314
Incident
Apr 9, 2004
Brakes
Filed Aug 24, 2004
ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2004 I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY MY BRAKES. THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE RESISTANCE. I CONTINUED DRIVING ABOUT 100 FT AND NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD COME ON. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. IT WASN'T. WITHIN 10 SECONDS OF NOTICING THE BRAKE LIGHT I ATTEMTED TO STOP. AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE OF APPLYING THE BRAKES, I STOPPED. I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND DECIDED TO OPEN THE HOOD TO SEE IF THE BRAKE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. IT WAS 3/4 LOW. I WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE AND BROUGHT BACK A CAN OF DOT 3-4 BRAKE FLUID. I FILLED THE RESERVOIR TO THE PROPER LEVEL. I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. I AGAIN PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AGAIN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I USED THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN THE TIRES TO THE FAR RIGHT AND THEN TO THE FAR LEFT. I LOOKED BEHIND BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY VISIBLE SIGNS OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKING. THERE WAS NONE. I DECIDED TO CHOCK THE BACK TIRES BUY PLACING A LARGE TREE LOG BEHIND EACH REAR TIRE. I THEN CRAWLED UNDER THE REAR AREA OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED DRIPPING BRAKE FLUID COMING FROM ABOVE THE TRANSAXLE (REAREND). I PLACED MY HAND ABOVE AND FELT THE HYDRAULIC LINE AND FELT A LARGE AMOUNT OF CORROSION ON THE BRAKE LINE. I AM SENDING THE VEHICLE TO PARKWAY AUTO REPAIR ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2004. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE PICTURES OR THE ACTUAL BRAKE LINE AFTER IT IS REMOVED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. NO CRASH OR INJURIES OCCURRED FROM THIS EQUIPMENT FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ID
10088505
Incident
Aug 21, 2004
Mileage
120,440 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 28, 2003
CONSUMER STATES WHEN ROAD IS WET BRAKES ARE INOPERATIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ID
10031264
Incident
Apr 1, 2003
Mileage
100,028 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 17, 2003
THE ABS SYSTEM WAS PROBLEMATIC. TS SCC
NHTSA ID
10004153
Incident
Jan 17, 2003
Mileage
99,700 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 2, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY CAN HEAR A LOUD NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLMTHE ABS SENSOR WENT BAD CAUSING THE FRONT DISC BRAKE TO WEAR QUICKLY. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED REGARDING THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS. CONSUEMR WAS CHARGED FOR LABOR AND PARTS. ALSO THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE OUTER TIE RODS. *JG
NHTSA ID
8020054
Incident
Sep 13, 2002
BrakesSuspension
Filed Feb 26, 2002
FRONT STABLIZER AND SWAY BAR HAVE BROKEN IN THE PAST 4 YEARS, FRONT TIRES CAN NOT BE ALIGNED AND WEAR OUT FASTER BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE. *AK CONSUMER STATES FRONT STABALIZER LINKS WERE REPLACED DUE TO ON GOING COMPLICATIONS, BOTH FRONT WHEELS BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED, AND THE FRONT BALL JOINTS HAVE SOME PLAY. *YH
NHTSA ID
8004613
Incident
Feb 23, 2002
Brakes
Filed Feb 19, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, COULD FEEL ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATING AND BRAKE PEDAL PULSATING AT BRAKING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *JG
NHTSA ID
8004223
Incident
Feb 15, 2002
Brakes
Filed Jan 24, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 35MPH APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO STOPPING POWER. PUMPED BRAKES A COUPLE OF TIMES, AND BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY STARTED WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED.*SLC
NHTSA ID
8002824
Incident
Jan 24, 2002
Brakes
Filed Jan 20, 2002
WHENEVER MY WIFE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATING/VIBRATING, I TOLD HER THATS NORMAL BECAUSE IT'S THE ABS. SHE SAID IT DIDN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME AND THE FEW TIMES I DROVE HER EXPLORER TO FIND OUT WHAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT IT DID NOT ACT UP. I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT ME A VEHICLE SHE FELT COMFORTABLE DRIVING AND I TOOK HER EXPLORER FOR A WEEK. THE ABS ACTED UP DURING A NORMAL STOP AND I COMPLETELY WENT THROUGH A STOP SIGN. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT WE HAVE ONLY BEEN NOTIFIED OF ONE RECALL ON THE EXPLORER AND THAT WAS MANY YEARS AGO.*AK
NHTSA ID
757112
Incident
Jun 14, 1999
Brakes
Filed Jan 16, 2002
CONSUMER CONTACTED MECHANIC FOR GRINDING NOISES IN ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. BUT WAS INFORMED THAT FRONT ABS BRAKE PISTONS AND CALIPERS WERE MADE OF PLASTIC. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ID
8002318
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
Brakes
Filed Jul 11, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ID
748312
Incident
Jul 1, 2001
Body & structureBrakesInterior & seats+2 more
Filed Jul 11, 2001
THE DRIVE GEAR IN THE TRANSFER CASE FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, 27K MILES LATER THE PROBLEM REOCCURED, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT AN INCORRECT COMPONENT WAS INSTALLED, THEREFORE CAUSING IT TO FAIL AGAIN, WHILE THIS WAS BEING REPAIRED THE DEALER TORE THE DOOR MOLDING AND THE DASH LIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. *NLM
NHTSA ID
561982
Incident
Jun 7, 2000
Brakes
Filed May 29, 2001
HIGH-MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT FOUND INOPERABLE DURING NC SAFETY INSPECTION. ESTIMATE OF REPLACEMENT IS OVER $350.00. THIS SEEMS LIKE A PART THAT SHOULD HAVE A LONGER LIFETIME GIVEN THE COST OF REPLACEMENT. ARE THERE ANY MANUFACTURER REIMBURSEMENTS AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT?*AK
NHTSA ID
746057
Incident
May 29, 2001
Brakes
Filed Feb 16, 2001
WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW TO MODERATE SPEEDS, AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE NORMALLY, THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES PARTWAY INTO THE BRAKING SEQUENCE. BRAKING EFFICIENCY IS DRASTICALLY REDUCED, WITH BRAKING DISTANCE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED. THIS RESULTS IN UNCONTROLLABLE NEAR COLLATERAL DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY. THE SITUATION IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN NAVIGATING IN PARKING LOTS WHERE WALKING PEOPLE AND BACKING VEHICLES NEED TO BE AVOIDED OR WHEN APPROACHING VEHICLES STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR BREAKING FOR CROSSING PEDESTRIANS. *AK
NHTSA ID
740997
Incident
Nov 15, 1999
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own