Problems · by component

2020 Ford Explorer service brakes problems

81 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Explorer cite service brakes, 6% of all 1,247 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
81
6% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the service brakes

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Have token it to several different dealerships and they say it’s up to specs but they won’t touch it without me paying for the work you can see that it’s not installed correctly idk what to do to get this fixed before it does break and something happens”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2026Suspension, Power train, Service brakesODI 11773447
“I experienced catastrophic brake failure on July 14 2026. Total loss of brakes that led me to narrowly miss several vehicles. The Ford Dealership in Manor TX stated it needed the brake booster replaced and program reset. After researching this is a problem with my VIN that was offered free replacement until 2022 this should be a total unexpired recall. I could have lost my life or someone eles! It’s part of the Customer Satisfaction Program 20B51:”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2026Service brakesODI 11753747
“Had recall for parking brake fixed, soon after I’d be on interstate or intersection and it would lose power wrench and check power train system light came on. Took to dealership and they said it was parking pawl sylenuod. Had repaired left the shop didn’t even get home and it did the same: Mechanic said it was gas pedal sensor repaired that and same thing happened it may go real fast or not go . I worked for uber and lyft and have been out of work for a few months. Car setting at dealership and the say I need to pay for a new power train module because my cars lost it brains. So I got recall fixed and my cars went to hell in a hand basket. Now another recall is issued but no resolution. It is a huge safety issue when your gas pedal gets a not responsive to your foot touching the pedal then it accelerating without touching the gas pedal. I’m lucky I didn’t die in it. This year model just needs to be lemoned out. Oh also when it starts messing up airbag not working driver assist not working all the safety features go haywire. I feel sure this is all related to the recall and ford will be hearing from me or a lawyer one.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2026Power train, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11748657
“ABS and parking brake. Was confirmed by the dealer & tow truck driver. No warning when I parked it, only after putting it into reverse. There were flashing ABS & Parking Brake lights plus a beeping sound.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11744539
“I previously reported a safety issue re. Brakes not working in park. Vehicle rolled back and car almost hit mom and young daughter walking behind vehicle in parking lot. When I brought it to BellFord in [XXX] they told me it was not covered under the recall since it wasn’t being caused by rear axle. Instead they wanted to charge me $3,000 to diagnose their manufacturing defect. In addition when I notified Ford rep who never said anything other then I must get car diagnosed and pay for it and then “we will see .” Ford complaint XXX and I believe this is the NHTSA Complaint # XXX. Here is my initial Ford complaint Cxh-XXX was closed without explanation no one could tell me why no one had contacted me. I am very concerned that Ford is not taking responsibility for defective cars. My car now has only 47k. Brake issue. I had to replace front boots due to leaking and front axle was leaking. I had that fixed and now rear back up camera isn’t working.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2026Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11725306
“Vehicle was engaged in park with parking brake on, I put my foot on brake applying pressure & shifted out of park to drive. As I disengaged parking brake vehicle pushed forward 10 feet forcing me to take my foot off brake & reapply pressure to stop vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2025Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11676020

Showing 6 of 81 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.