2011 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems
NHTSA lists 57 brake complaints for the 2011 Ford Explorer, 5% of its 1,197 total complaints, with 8 crashes and 1 fire tied to the brakes. Median mileage at failure was 36,420 miles, and no related recalls are listed for this issue.
- Brakes complaints
- 57
- 5% of 1,197
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 3
- Median mileage
- 36,420 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Owners report the brake pedal sinking to the floor without engaging, sometimes only stopping the vehicle after one front wheel grabs and pulls the car sideways.
- Some describe the ABS system applying individual brakes on its own at various speeds with no driver input, causing the steering wheel to torque and the vehicle to become hard to control.
- Several report sudden loss of braking response combined with a simultaneous loss of steering assist, leading to collisions at low speed.
- One driver reported squealing and smoke from a rear wheel after highway driving in hot weather, with all four wheels feeling unusually hot afterward.
- One owner reported the vehicle rolling on its own while parked and running, crashing into a tree despite being left in park.
When 2011 Ford Explorer brake complaints were filed
First complaint Aug 8, 2011, latest Nov 20, 2025.
Brakes recalls for the 2011 Ford Explorer
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Brakes complaints by Explorer model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many brake complaints does the 2011 Ford Explorer have?
- NHTSA lists 57 brake complaints for the 2011 Ford Explorer, which is 5% of the 1,197 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for 2011 Ford Explorer brake problems?
- No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this brake complaint area on the 2011 Explorer.
- At what mileage do 2011 Ford Explorer brake problems usually happen?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this brake issue is 36,420 miles.
- Have 2011 Explorer brake problems caused crashes?
- NHTSA data ties 8 crashes and 1 fire to the brake complaints filed for the 2011 Ford Explorer, with 3 injuries reported.
- Is the 2011 Ford Explorer worse for brake complaints than other years?
- The 2011 model's brake complaints make up 5% of its total complaints, higher than most later years like 2016 through 2019, which ranged from 1% to 2%, but similar to 2012 and lower in share than 2010's 14%.