2013 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the ABS, the brakes, and the traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer initially informed the contact that the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was later informed that the part had been discontinued. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,719.

NHTSA ID

11709342

Incident

Jan 6, 2026

Mileage

147,719 mi

FAILURE BREAK SYSTEMS, FAILURE BREAK SYSTEMS

NHTSA ID

11635482

Incident

Jan 12, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS, traction control, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed. The contact stated that the brake lines were flushed, and brake fluid was added to the vehicle; however, the failure returned several days after the repair. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic where an ABS pump fault code was retrieved. The contact was then informed that the part needed to repair the vehicle was on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ID

11616172

Incident

Sep 10, 2024

Mileage

65,000 mi

Unknown. Vehicle disengaged from park to neutral while in garage after vehicle was shutoff (approximately 3-5 minutes ). Vehicle rolled out of garage crossed the street and stopped in neighbors yard. No damage occurred. Incident happened within the last hour, so nothing has been inspected as of yet. I have been hearing an electronic hum with the sound of moving parts in the driver side rear end after I place the transmisson shift to park and then turn the key to the off position. I'd estimate that has been happening sporadically for the last year. If the electronic parking module or it's component is located in the driver rear end of a 2013 Ford Explorer I would think that may the issue.

NHTSA ID

11599521

Incident

Jul 6, 2024

Vehicle began exhibiting intermittent, momentary ABS activation (right front) which would cause vehicle to randomly and severely pull to the right and momentarily flash the traction control warning lamp. This problem began early in 2022 and was first taken to Ford dealership in May 2022. Multiple visits to dealer resulted in inability to diagnose due to lack of recorded codes although they were able to reproduce. Dealer hypothesized a bad electronic steering rack. Subsequent visits to non-Ford repair shops yielded no solution despite replacing ABS Control Module, Electronic Steering rack, yaw sensor, and front struts. Repair shop was able to reproduce. Recently took vehicle to Ford dealer who reproduced and performed pinpoint tests identifying the yaw sensor in the Restraint Control Module (RCM) as most likely cause, but replacement failed to solve. Dealer then removed the front bumper assembly and cleaned and calibrated the cruise control module. Dealer finally identified the problem as a failed Steering Wheel Rotation Sensor and replaced/repaired on May 25, 2023 (over a year after first exhibiting). This part (Ford BB5Z-3F818-A) covers 25 fitments ranging from 2011-2016 and is on national back-order. Speaking with dealers across the US while searching for the part, we found many dealers have been awaiting this part to fix similar problems for a year or more and there were only 7 dealers nationwide with this part in inventory. Based on these facts, it would appear this is likely a "known" issue for Ford, however there has never been a TSB or recall issued to resolve or prevent this from occurring. On multiple occasions, the intermittent ABS activation nearly pulled the vehicle into another lane of traffic and/or into other vehicles' path. I believe this part failure poses a significant safety risk and should, at a minimum, be disclosed to Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealers via a TSB or through a recall.

NHTSA ID

11524515

Incident

Apr 16, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, there was an abnormal scraping noise coming from the rear driver's side tire. The contact stated that he depressed the brake pedal, and the pedal went to the floorboard. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stopped and inspected the vehicle and became aware that the rear passenger’s side brake pad had separated from the caliper. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact went to an auto parts store and purchased new pads, rotors, and calipers and replaced rear brakes. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

NHTSA ID

11508898

Incident

Feb 14, 2023

Mileage

136,000 mi

HYDRAULIC FAILURE MY STEERING WHEEL GETS STUCK AND VERY HARD I CANT MOVE THE VEHICLE I NEED TO TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON THEN IS DRIVABLE BUT IT HAS DONE THIS TO ME ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS I'M SCARE WHEN THIS HAPPENS I NEED TO STOP AND IN THE HIGHWAY EVERYONE IS DRIVING HIGH SPEED I DONT HAVE TIME BECAUSE I CANT EVEN TURN THE WHEEL BECAUSE IT GETS VERY HARD AND IT HAS HAPPEND TO ME COUPLE OF TIMES

NHTSA ID

11389722

Incident

Jan 7, 2021

MY WIFE EXPERIENCE "SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION" OF OUR FORD EXPLORER. MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A WALGREENS PARKING LOT, SLOWED DOWN TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. MY WIFE HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE AS SHE WAS ENTERING THE SPACE, BUT THE BRAKE COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR. THERE WAS AN EXTREME AND SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION. ONCE THE CAR HIT THE POLE, IT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE EVEN WITH MY WIFE APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AFTER HITTING A PARKED TRUCK. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS ENOUGH FORCE ON THE FRONT END TO MAKE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329641

Incident

Jun 17, 2020

Mileage

101,000 mi

FULLY MARKED POLICE PATROL VEHICLE LOST HYDRAULIC BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. INSPECTED AND FOUND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE RUPTURED INSIDE OF PROTECTIVE SLEEVE CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT AND HYDRAULIC BRAKES TO STOP WORKING. THIS IS THE 4TH ONE WE HAVE HAD IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. 1ST ON 5/15/2018, SECOND ON 1/15/2020, THIRD ON 2/10/2020, AND NOW 4TH ON 3/17/2020..

NHTSA ID

11318551

Incident

Mar 17, 2020

Mileage

76,143 mi

FULLY MARKED POLICE PATROL VEHICLE LOST HYDRAULIC BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. INSPECTED AND FOUND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE RUPTURED INSIDE OF PROTECTIVE SLEEVE CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT AND HYDRAULIC BRAKES TO STOP WORKING. THIS IS THE 3RD ONE WE HAVE HAD IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. 1ST ON 5/15/2018, SECOND ON 1/15/2020, AND THIRD ON 2/10/2020. SO FAR THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 2013 POLICE INTERCEPTOR UTILITIES. ALL HAVE BUILD DATES BETWEEN 4/19/2012 AND 6/19/2012.

NHTSA ID

11308463

Incident

Feb 10, 2020

Mileage

77,742 mi

VEHICLE LOST HYDRAULIC BRAKES. FOUND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE RUPTURED INSIDE OF PROTECTIVE SLEEVE CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT AND HYDRAULIC BRAKES TO STOP WORKING.

NHTSA ID

11299196

Incident

Jan 13, 2020

Mileage

71,787 mi

I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, PREPARING TO STOP. I WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 65/70 MPH. WHEN PRESSING ON THE BREAKS THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. I PUMPED THE BREAKS. THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME WHERE AT A STOP AND GETTING CLOSER VERY QUICKLY. I PUSHED AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BREAK AND THEN TRIED TO PUSH ON THE EMERGENCY BREAK LOCATED ON THE FLOOR. IT ONLY KICKED BACK. SECONDS LATER I HAD A DIRECT IMPACT WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. AIRBAG DEPLOYED! THERE ARE NO SKID MARKS ON THE ROAD! THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP!!!

NHTSA ID

11184815

Incident

Feb 22, 2019

Mileage

111,500 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHETHER ON HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS MY REAR BRAKES KEEP DRAGGING CAUSING SMOKING HOT BURNING METAL SMELL . THIS STARTED BACK ON 09/09/2014 AND HAS HAPPENED 7 TIMES SINCE. ACTUALLY IT HAPPENED MORE THAN 7 BUT I ONLY HAVE DOCUMENTATION FOR 7. IT WAS HAPPENING SO MUCH BUT INTERMITTENTLY SO I BOUGHT A INFRARED GUN TO MEASURE THE HOT BRAKES. THE HIGHEST TEMPS RECORDED WAS 505 DEGREES. TWICE THE SQUEALING AND SCREECHING AND CRACKING SOUNDS OF METAL TO METAL WAS SO LOUD THAT I WAS SCARED TO DRIVE AND HAD TO TAKE IT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER. TWICE THE BRAKES WENT DOWN TO BARE METAL WHERE EVERYTHING HAD TO BE REPLACE. THE OTHER TIMES I WAS ABLE TO CATCH IT BEFORE THAT BUT STILL HOW MUCH BRAKE WAS WORN OFF I COULDN'T KNOW. TWICE THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED CALIPERS , TWICE THEY REPAIRED RESTRICTIONS IN BRAKE HOSES TWICE THEY CLAIMED THE SLIDES WERE RUSTING UP AND HAD TO BE CLEANED ( NOT UNDER WARRANTY ) AND THE BRAKES WERE ONLY ABOUT A YEAR OLD WHEN THEY SAID THE SLIDES WERE RUSTED.THREE SETS OF BRAKES WERE INSTALLED. I AM NOT HARD ON BRAKES AS I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL BRAKES ON THE FRONT. SOMETHING HAS CHANGED WITH FORDS DESIGN OF THESE BRAKES THAT'S CAUSING THIS . I HAVE OWNED A FORD EXPLORER FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS AND NEVER ENCOUNTER THIS PROBLEM NOR HAVE I HAD TO CLEAN THE SLIDES BETWEEN BRAKE JOBS. HOPE YOU CAN HELP AS I FEEL THE NEXT TIME THE BRAKES MAY FAIL COMPLETELY ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING ALL THE TRAUMA MY BRAKE SYSTEM AS GONE THROUGH SO FAR.

NHTSA ID

11140144

Incident

Sep 9, 2014

Mileage

19,192 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND INTO SOME BUSHES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER (AL PIEMONTE FORD, 2500 W NORTH AVE, MELROSE PARK, IL 60160) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PAD, ROTORS, AND ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ID

11101500

Incident

Apr 29, 2018

Mileage

108,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ID

11074928

Incident

Jun 1, 2017

Mileage

43,000 mi

2013 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REAR BRAKE REPLACEMENT. *LD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES, CALIPERS, ROTORS, AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JS

NHTSA ID

11035048

Incident

Sep 25, 2017

BOTH OF MY REMOTE CONTROLS ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL AND HAVE TO BE PUTTING THE CONTROL IN THE LITTLE BOX TO GET MY VEHICLE STARTED AND CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES ARE PRESENT SO I STOP DRIVING MY VEHICLE FOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS OF THE SMELL.

NHTSA ID

11064565

Incident

Oct 8, 2017

THE "DOOR AJAR" SENSOR ON MANY FORD PRODUCTS IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSES THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT TO COME ON EVEN WHEN THE DOORS ARE CLOSED. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON AT NIGHT AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE DOORS TO BE LOCKED WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. IT IS DANGEROUS NOT BEING ABLE TO LOCK THE DOORS AS CHILDREN COULD OPEN THE DOORS ACCIDENTALLY AND FALL OUT. IT IS ALSO DANGEROUS HAVING THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED A SERVICE BULLETIN IS AVAILABLE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVED, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE DOOR AJAR. BATTERY DRAINS QUICKLY AFTER GETTING NEW ON WITHIN A YEAR. BRAKES ALSO CONTINUES SQUEAKS AFTER GETTING THEM FIXED.

NHTSA ID

11056819

Incident

Jun 1, 2017

REAR BRAKE CALIPERS, ROTORS AND PADS WERE FROZEN AND RUINED. CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE INTERNET MAKES CLEAR THAT MANY OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. A RECALL IS REQUIRED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY BECAUSE IT COULD NOT MOVE WITH FROZEN REAR BRAKES.

NHTSA ID

11040481

Incident

Sep 25, 2017

Mileage

15,000 mi

BRAKE HOSE ON FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL FAILED CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE

NHTSA ID

11033992

Incident

Oct 17, 2017

Mileage

62,000 mi

THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR HAS A KNOWN FACTORY DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO BLOW EXHAUST DIRECTLY INTO THE CABIN. I HAD TO FORCE THE DEALER TO FIX THIS, AS THEY ARGUED EXHAUST IS NOT DANGEROUS. I HAVE ATTACHED THE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO FIX THIS, FROM THE FACTORY, PROVING IT WAS A KNOWN SERIOUS ISSUE, NOT DISCLOSED TO ME. THE DEALERSHIP DID A HORRIBLE JOB IN THE "REPAIR" - HAVING BROKEN OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR IN THE PROCESS. AFTER THEY "REPAIRED" THE CAR, IT BEGAN RANDOMLY SHUDDERING, WHILE IDLING. I HAVE ATTACHED A VIDEO OF IT. YOU WILL NEED TO TURN UP THE VOLUME TO THE MAX, AS YOUTUBE COMPRESSED THE SOUND TERRIBLY. I HAVE ONE WITNESS TO THIS HAPPENING TWICE. THE ENGINE STARTS VIBRATING WITH SUCH FEROCITY THAT IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE. THE WITNESS IS WILLING TO TESTIFY IN COURT. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=JOHECICECTK . THIS VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY FALLEN APART AROUND ME. THERE ARE 10 OTHER MAJOR MECHANICAL ISSUES, WHICH FORD REFUSES TO FIX.

NHTSA ID

11030422

Incident

May 31, 2017

Mileage

50,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES FROM MY HOME TO RUN AN ERRAND. I WAS USING THE HANDS-FREE DEVICE ON MY PHONE AS PER TEXAS LAW. THERE IS ONE WAY EACH WAY WITH A YELLOW DOUBLE LINE DIVIDER AND MANY PEOPLE PARK ON THE SIDE TO CHECK MAIL WALK DOGS ETC. SO I TEND TO DRIVE SO THAT I WON'T HIT THOSE INDIVIDUALS. THE ROAD IS CURVY AND I NOTICED THAT I WAS STARTING TO VEER OFF INTO THE GRASS AND I TRIED TO STEER BACK LEFT AND PRESS MY BRAKES AT WHICH TIME I REALIZED THAT MY BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING AND I COULD NOT GET BACK ON THE ROAD. I THEN RAN OVER A FIRE HYDRANT WHICH DID NOT DECELERATE MY CAR NOR DID IT DEPLOY MY AIRBAG; CONTINUING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES I AM THEN HIT A LARGE LIGHT POST WHICH CONTINUED TO NOT DECELERATE THE CAR AND NOT CAUSE ANY AIRBAG TO DEPLOY, AND I STILL COULD NOT TURN MY WHEEL TO THE LEFT (OR TO THE TO THE ROADWAY); THERE WAS A LARGE DELIVERY TRUCK WAITING TO GET INTO THE GATED COMMUNITY ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE AND I RAN INTO THAT VEHICLE STOPPING MY CAR AND TOTALING IT WHERE ARE THE COMPLETE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED (PUSHED IN) YET MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS GOING TO POSTED SPEED OF 35 MPH AS I ALWAYS DO. MY CAR HAD RECENTLY BEEN INSPECTED AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE BECAUSE IT IS OUT FOR RENEWAL IN AUGUST 2017. I BOUGHT THE CAR LESS THAN THREE YEARS AGO AS A FORD CERTIFIED USED CAR WITH A 10 YEAR 100,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY ON IT. IT HAD LESS THAN 67,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. IF THE TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN THERE TO STOP MY CAR, THERE IS NO OTHER OBSTRUCTION OTHER THEN A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND I PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED.

NHTSA ID

11020996

Incident

Aug 31, 2017

Mileage

1 mi

I HAVE HAD MY EXPLORER AT THE DEALERSHIP TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED IT REGARDS THE FRONT DRIVE SIDE BRAKES. THEY PUT ON A NEW ROTOR AND BRAKE. ISSUE IS STILL ON GOING. STILL MAKING A BAD SOUND ON THAT SIDE. ISSUE 2: WHEN EVER I ACCELERATE TO PASS OTHER CAR OR TO MERGE ONTO THE INTERSTATE THE EXHAUST SMELL WITHIN THE VEHICLE IS HORRIBLE. MY CHILDREN AND I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM HORRIBLE HEADACHES. I HAVE A FEELING WE ARE BREATHING IN CARBON MONOXIDE. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER TOMORROW.

NHTSA ID

10956352

Incident

Feb 21, 2017

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 01/04/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT HOLD WHEN IT WAS PUSHED DOWN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE BRAKE ASSEMBLY TO FIX THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A PLASTIC PART THAT FAILED. UPDATED 01/05/17.*JB

NHTSA ID

10924852

Incident

Nov 7, 2016

Mileage

66,000 mi

I HAD A COMPLETE SERVICE PERFORMED ON MY REAR BRAKES DUE TO THEM DRAGGING AND BEING COMPLETELY WORN IN JUNE/2016, LESS THAN THREE MONTHS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR BREAK IS DRAGGING AGAIN AND OVERHEATING. SINCE IT'S BEEN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS, I WOULD IMAGINE THAT CORROSION IS NOT THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10903800

Incident

Sep 5, 2016

Mileage

45,000 mi