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.
15
Latest Sep 26, 2025
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.
13%
of 115 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.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2
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 2010 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 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
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
BrakesFuel system
Filed Sep 26, 2025
Crash reported
3 times this has happened. I brake and it seems like I'm pressing the gas pedal and the brakes feel like they aren't stopping the vehicle. The third time put me in incoming traffic and the vehicle was totaled as it already had a rebuilt salvage title when we bought it.
NHTSA ID
11689973
Incident
Aug 29, 2025
Brakes
Filed Jun 28, 2022
Crash reported
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph and attempting to stop, the brake pedal extended to the floorboard causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a guard rail. During the crash, no injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,600
NHTSA ID
11471376
Incident
Jun 23, 2022
Mileage
92,600 mi
BrakesElectricalSuspension
Filed Mar 26, 2022
Rsc alarm keeps going sounding alarm and the abs alarm keeps sounding as well. Seen a ton of owners having this same error
NHTSA ID
11458431
Incident
Sep 20, 2021
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 25, 2019
Crash reported
AUGUST 16, 2018 I HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF MY 2010 FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATING WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPED AND OUT OF NO WHERE MY VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD SO FAST. THE SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE WAS EXTREMELY LOUD. MY DAUGHTER HAD UNBUCKLED HER SEAT BELT SINCE WE WERE ALL BUT STOPPED AND HIT HER HEAD ON IMPACT. MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED VERY FAST AND HIT THE REAR END OF A LARGE YUKON TRUCK WHICH WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF ME. THE YUKON THEN WAS PUSHED FORWARD AND BROAD SIDED AN OLDER TRUCK WHICH WAS PARKED AT A GAS PUMP. THIS WAS ALL A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK ON THE SIDE PARKING LOT OF A STORE. MY VEHICLE WAS ALMOST STOPPED, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I HAD TO ALMOST STAND ON THE BRAKES WITH BRAKES NOT RESPONDING. *TR
NHTSA ID
11172172
Incident
Aug 16, 2018
Mileage
120,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Jul 4, 2018
WHILE DRIVE THE RSC LIGHT CAME ON. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT THE ANTI SKID CAME ON LOCKING THE WHEELS. 4 WHEEL DRIVE CAME ON LOCKING THE WHEELS FURTHER AND THE BREAKS ENGAGED. CAR WOULD NOT TURN OR MOVE AND PUSHING THE GAS PETAL ONLY CAUSED BREAK SYSTEM TO LOCK UP FURTHER.
NHTSA ID
11109537
Incident
Jul 4, 2018
Mileage
125,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Aug 13, 2015
I HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT WHEN I AM ON THE HIGJWAY DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS A INCREASE OF ACCELERATION WHEN I AM GOING SPEEDS OF 55 MPH - 60MPH. EVEN WHEN I HAVE TAPPED THE BRAKE, THERE IS STILL A LITTLE INCREASE OF SPEED. ON AUGUST 12, 2015 AT APPROXIAMTELY 5:30PM, WAS DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 10MPH WHILE TURNING A CORNER. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN I TURNED BUT MY TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP AND IT ACTUALLY TRIED TO OVERRIDE MY BRAKING AND ACCELERATED TO THE POINT WHERE I FELT LIKE I WAS NO LONGER IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER 2 JOLTS OF ACCELERATION (WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE), IT FINALLY STOPPED. I AM ON MY WAY TO THE DEALER RIGHT NOW TO GET THIS RESOLVED.
NHTSA ID
10748316
Incident
Aug 12, 2015
Mileage
36,500 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 19, 2015
Crash reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE CONTINUED JUMPED IN THE VEHICLE, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE WALL OF THE HOUSE AND AN IRON GATE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES WERE NOTIFIED, BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ID
10695306
Incident
Feb 28, 2015
Mileage
80,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 16, 2014
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY TO GET TO WORK WHEN THE ABS LIGHT, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE WRENCH LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD. HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF THE TRUCK. WHEN HE TURNED IT BACK ON, HE WAS UNABLE TO GET THE TRUCK TO MOVE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10633739
Incident
Sep 16, 2014
Mileage
98,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 17, 2012
Crash reported2 injuries reported
I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND AS I WAS AT A FULL STOP, I SAW THAT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD MOVED. SO I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. WHEN I SAW THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD STOPPED, I WENT TO HIT THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I HIT THEM AGAIN AND STILL NOTHING, MY CAR KEPT ON GOING. BY THE THIRD SLAM ON THE BRAKES IT FINALLY TOOK HOWEVER I ENDED UP HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND HER THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. THIS IS NOT OKAY!!! MY VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS. WHY HASN'T A RECALL OCCURRED? DOES SOMEONE NEED TO PASS AWAY FOR ONE TO HAPPEN? MY ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. AT THE HOUR I WAS TRAVELING THERE IS NORMALLY NO TRAFFIC BUT OPEN HIGHWAY. MY SAVING GRACE WAS THAT THERE WAS TRAFFIC BECAUSE I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND/OR KILLED THE PERSON I ACCIDENTALLY HIT. *TR
NHTSA ID
10489040
Incident
Dec 7, 2012
Mileage
30,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Dec 1, 2011
I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND PRESSED THE BRAKE. THERE WAS A TRUCK INFRONT OF ME, THE HARDER I PUSHES THE BREAK THE MORE THE ENGINE TRIED TO ACCELERATE. THE TIRES WERE SCREECHING BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL TRYING TO GO. ME AND MY KIDS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR END. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. HOPING THEY CAN FIND A FIX BEFORE IT SERIOUSLY INJURES MY FAMILY OR SOMEONE ELSE'S LOVED ONES. *TR
NHTSA ID
10438028
Incident
Dec 1, 2011
Mileage
40,707 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Nov 15, 2011
INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. CAR IS IN DRIVE AND MOVING FORWARD. WHEN MOVING FOOT TO APPLY BRAKE AND PUSHING DOWN ON BRAKE PEDAL THE GAS PEDAL IS ALSO ENGAGED CAUSING THE CAR TO HAVE THE BRAKE AND GAS APPLIED AT THE SAME TIME. THE HARDER I PUSH ON THE BRAKE THE MORE GAS IS GIVEN TO THE ENGINE. SINCE THE CAR IS ALREADY MOVING FORWARD, REMOVING MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE WILL LET THE CAR MOVE FORWARD. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. ONLY BY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WAS I ABLE TO CONTROL THE SITUATION. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AS I THOUGHT THERE WAS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. IT WAS ONLY AFTER THE 2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED I REALIZED I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE AND GAS AT THE SAME TIME. EVEN THOUGH I AM AWARE THIS CAN HAPPEN, IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN MY DRIVEWAY AND AT THE LOCAL POST OFFICE. THE REAL PROBLEM IS GETTING YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING FORWARD AND THEN BACK ON THE BRAKE BEFORE YOU RAM INTO SOMETHING. SO FAR SO GOOD. OTHERS MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY. *TR
NHTSA ID
10435723
Incident
Nov 14, 2011
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 31, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WHILE BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED DURING ONE OF THE FAILURES, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD MOMENTARILY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE SURGED MOMENTARILY BEFORE EXPERIENCING AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE. AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AFTER THE FIRST VISIT TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,200.
NHTSA ID
10393871
Incident
Mar 20, 2011
Mileage
800 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 28, 2011
WE HAVE A 2010 FORD EXPLORER THAT IS HAVING BRAKE ISSUES. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN NORMALLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES SOFT AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT STOP. ONLY AFTER DEPRESSING THE PEDAL AT FULL FORCE WILL THE TRUCK FULLY STOP. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW. THERE IS NO TELLING ON WHEN IT COULD HAPPEN. IT IS TOTALLY RANDOM. I WAS ALMOST IN A VIOLENT ACCIDENT TODAY. WE ARE BRINGING IT BACK FOR SERVICE IN THE MORNING. IF YOU OWN A 2010 EXPLORER, PLEASE HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. *TR
NHTSA ID
10384829
Incident
Feb 28, 2011
Mileage
3,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 1, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP SIGN. THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT APPLIED HIS FULL BODY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL REPEATEDLY AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURES WOULD OCCUR AFTER TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR A PERIOD OF TWO HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADREST WERE NOT ADJUSTABLE AND VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 1/19/2010 UPDATED 01/27/11*JB
NHTSA ID
10353394
Incident
Aug 26, 2010
Mileage
8,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance
Filed Aug 10, 2010
2010 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED WITH ADJUSTABLE PEDALS. THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE MY FOOT CONTACTED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE ENGINE ACCELERATED. WHEN THE BRAKE IS FULLY DEPRESSED IT IS BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IF THE FOOT IS NOT FULLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT CONTACTS THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD. *TR
NHTSA ID
10348563
Incident
Aug 10, 2010
Mileage
6,900 mi
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