2015 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems
NHTSA lists 51 brake-related complaints for the 2015 Ford Explorer, about 3% of that year's 1,791 total complaints. These complaints are tied to 4 crashes and 13 injuries, with a median failure mileage of 54,640 miles. A related recall (15V464000) covers a parking brake issue, though it targets other Ford/Lincoln models built in May 2015.
- Brakes complaints
- 51
- 3% of 1,791
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 13
- Median mileage
- 54,640 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Warning messages such as "terrain management system fault," "check brakes," and "AWD off" appear together, sometimes recurring after the vehicle is restarted.
- Owners describe sudden brake pedal failure or a pedal that becomes stuck, requiring several attempts before braking response returns.
- Front brake line fractures were reported on both the driver and passenger side, requiring dealer replacement of the lines.
- Brake loss occurs alongside power steering failure and an "advance trac" or "service steering assist" alert while driving at highway speeds.
- Some complaints describe the loss of braking and steering assistance happening simultaneously during a turn or lane change, creating a hard-to-control situation.
When 2015 Ford Explorer brake complaints were filed
First complaint Dec 15, 2014, latest Jul 28, 2026.
Brakes recalls for the 2015 Ford Explorer
- NHTSA 15V464000Jul 24, 2015Brakes7,165 vehicles
Parking brake
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: If the parking brake does not fully engage and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while on a slope, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C07.
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 2015 Ford Explorer owners reported brake problems?
- NHTSA has 51 brake-related complaints for the 2015 Ford Explorer, which is about 3% of the 1,791 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a brake recall for the 2015 Ford Explorer?
- There is a related recall, campaign 15V464000, covering a parking brake system issue, but it applies to 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles built in May 2015, not the Explorer directly.
- At what mileage do 2015 Explorer brake problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for brake-related complaints on the 2015 Ford Explorer is 54,640 miles.
- Have the 2015 Explorer's brake issues caused crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data ties the brake complaints for this year to 4 crashes and 13 injuries, with no fires reported.
- Is the brake complaint rate higher for 2015 than other Explorer years?
- The 2015 Explorer's 3% brake complaint share is lower than 2010 (14%), 2011 (5%), 2012 (5%), and 2013 (4%), but similar to 2014 and higher than 2017-2019.