2016 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems
NHTSA lists 38 brake-related complaints for the 2016 Ford Explorer, 2% of that year's 2,451 total complaints, with 3 crashes and 2 injuries reported. Median mileage at failure was 38,175 miles. The related recall (15V464000) applies to other Ford models, not the 2016 Explorer.
- Brakes complaints
- 38
- 2% of 2,451
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 38,175 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Brakes reportedly fail to respond or provide almost no stopping power even with the pedal pressed fully, sometimes at highway speeds.
- Several owners describe simultaneous loss of steering and braking function, often paired with dashboard warnings like traction/stability control errors.
- Some complaints describe an abnormal noise from the front of the vehicle just before steering and brake response disappeared, leading to collisions.
- Owners report the vehicle losing power and going into a reduced-speed or limp mode, with a wrench-shaped warning light, unrelated to braking input.
- One complaint describes the parking brake being applied manually after the vehicle would not decelerate normally on a hill.
When 2016 Ford Explorer brake complaints were filed
First complaint Sep 18, 2015, latest Jun 12, 2025.
Brakes recalls for the 2016 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 brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2016 Ford Explorer?
- NHTSA lists 38 brake-related complaints for the 2016 Explorer, which is 2% of the 2,451 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a brake recall for the 2016 Ford Explorer?
- There is a brake-related recall, campaign 15V464000, but it covers 2015 Ford Taurus, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and MKT vehicles, not the 2016 Explorer.
- Were there any crashes linked to brake complaints on the 2016 Explorer?
- NHTSA data shows 3 crashes and 2 injuries associated with the 38 brake complaints filed for the 2016 Explorer.
- At what mileage do brake problems typically show up on the 2016 Explorer?
- The median mileage at failure across reported brake complaints for the 2016 Explorer is 38,175 miles.