NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
23 reportsClear category filter86,000 miles · Apr 1, 2013
EnginePower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
WITH ONLY 86,000 MILES OUR FORD EXPLORERS TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED ONCE AGAIN. WHEN WE HAD 23,000 MILES ON OUR VEHICLE WE NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING RATHER HARD AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. AT 58,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT WAS SO ROUGH THAT WE HAD TO GET IT REPAIRED. SINCE THE W…
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WITH ONLY 86,000 MILES OUR FORD EXPLORERS TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED ONCE AGAIN. WHEN WE HAD 23,000 MILES ON OUR VEHICLE WE NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING RATHER HARD AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. AT 58,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT WAS SO ROUGH THAT WE HAD TO GET IT REPAIRED. SINCE THE WARRANTY IS ONLY UP TO 36,000 WE DECIDED OUR BEST BET IS TO NOT TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. WE HAD THE VALVE BODY REPAIRED AND IT RAN FINE UP UNTIL NOW. 86,000 MILES AND THIS VEHICLE IS ONCE AGAIN AT A REPAIR SHOP HAVING THE TRANSMISSION FULLY REBUILT. IN THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE I HAVE PAID OVER $7,000 TO KEEP IT RUNNING WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE, TIRES, RADIATOR REPAIR, BRAKES AND NOW THE THIRD TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505294
91,000 miles · May 9, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN I WAS DRIVING, 3 DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON: THE WRENCH, THE ABS LIGHT, AND THE LOW TRACTION. WHEN I TURNED LEFT, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL GRABBED AND MADE A GRINDING SOUND. THERE WAS ALSO A HIGHER PITCHED NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE METAL STRIKING METAL. THE MECHANIC HAS STATED THAT THE TONE RING BROKE ON THE RIGHT REAR DRIVE AXLE, …
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WHEN I WAS DRIVING, 3 DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON: THE WRENCH, THE ABS LIGHT, AND THE LOW TRACTION. WHEN I TURNED LEFT, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL GRABBED AND MADE A GRINDING SOUND. THERE WAS ALSO A HIGHER PITCHED NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE METAL STRIKING METAL. THE MECHANIC HAS STATED THAT THE TONE RING BROKE ON THE RIGHT REAR DRIVE AXLE, AND THIS IS A COMMON FORD PROBLEM. WHEN IT BROKE, IT DAMAGED THE BRAKE UNIT ON MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL AS WELL. THE REPAIR ISN'T CHEAP - I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS A POSSIBILITY WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10457893
126,888 miles · Apr 5, 2012
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
THE WRENCH, THE ABS, AND THE ANTI-SWAY ICONS STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2006 EXPLORER. THEY WOULD RESET IMMEDIATELY USING THE RESET BUTTON. THE DEALER REPLACED A WHEEL-SPEED SENSOR AND STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE "TONE" WHEEL CRACKED. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT UNLESS THE TONE WHEEL WAS REPLACED, THE ABS…
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THE WRENCH, THE ABS, AND THE ANTI-SWAY ICONS STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2006 EXPLORER. THEY WOULD RESET IMMEDIATELY USING THE RESET BUTTON. THE DEALER REPLACED A WHEEL-SPEED SENSOR AND STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE "TONE" WHEEL CRACKED. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT UNLESS THE TONE WHEEL WAS REPLACED, THE ABS WAS NOT OPERATIONAL. THEY CHARGE ABOUT 200.00 FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10454210
65,450 miles · Mar 13, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, HydraulicTraction Control System
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND APPLYING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. ABS, TRACTION CONTROL AND A WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. GRINDING NOISE CAME FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE AND NEWBORN HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL. AFTER TAKING IT TO A SHOP, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE TONE RING O…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND APPLYING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. ABS, TRACTION CONTROL AND A WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. GRINDING NOISE CAME FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE AND NEWBORN HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL. AFTER TAKING IT TO A SHOP, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE TONE RING OR ABS RING WAS CRACKED. THIS MUST BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO HAVE FUNCTIONAL BRAKES. THE SHOP TOLD ME THAT THE ABS RING HAD A DIFFERENT PART NUMBER AND THE MATERIAL WAS MUCH THICKER THAN THE OLD RING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10451517
97,500 miles · Nov 2, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
ENGINE STALLS. WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT, HOT OR COLD, SLOWING DOWN TO STOP, TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, ON THE STREET ROADS AND FREEWAYS. STARTS AND GO AGAIN AFTER 5/10 MINUTES BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I PAID SO MUCH MONEY AND TIME FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND PARTS ALREADY AND YESTERDAY WAS THE WORST. MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER STALLED IN THE MID…
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ENGINE STALLS. WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT, HOT OR COLD, SLOWING DOWN TO STOP, TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, ON THE STREET ROADS AND FREEWAYS. STARTS AND GO AGAIN AFTER 5/10 MINUTES BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I PAID SO MUCH MONEY AND TIME FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND PARTS ALREADY AND YESTERDAY WAS THE WORST. MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. DATE: NOV 1, 2011, TIME:1550, AND MY WIFE WAS DRIVING, WHEN SHE'S NOT HAPPY, NOBODY'S HAPPY....SHE ALMOST GOT RAN OVER AS SHE OPEN HER DOOR, SHE COULD NOT GO ANYWHERE BUT WAIT FOR TIME TO EITHER COOL OFF OR RESET ON THE ENGINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10433968
39,750 miles · Oct 8, 2011
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
AT RANDOM TIMES AND NOT OFTEN, WHEN I PUT THE SUV IN PARK, AND TURN OFF THE TRUCK AND REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE, THE TRUCK WILL CONTINUE TO ROLL. IT IS AS THOUGH THE SUV IS IN NEUTRAL, PUT IT IS IN PARK. THE SUV WILL ROLL UNTIL SOMETHING STOPS IT LIKE A CURB OR APPLYING THE BRAKE. TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I HAVE TO PLACE THE S…
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AT RANDOM TIMES AND NOT OFTEN, WHEN I PUT THE SUV IN PARK, AND TURN OFF THE TRUCK AND REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE, THE TRUCK WILL CONTINUE TO ROLL. IT IS AS THOUGH THE SUV IS IN NEUTRAL, PUT IT IS IN PARK. THE SUV WILL ROLL UNTIL SOMETHING STOPS IT LIKE A CURB OR APPLYING THE BRAKE. TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I HAVE TO PLACE THE SHIFT GEAR TO FROM PARK TO ANOTHER GEAR AND BACK TO PARK. AT THAT TIME, THE TRUCK WILL CATCH. OVER THE PAST YEAR OR SO, IT HAS OCCURRED 6 OR 7 TIMES. I TOOK THE TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION AND GEAR BOX AND FOUND NO ISSUE. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN LAST WEEK. SINCE THE DEALER CANNOT SEE THE PROBLEM, THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IT IS A MATTER OF TIME OF WHEN IT OCCURS AND I AM NOT AWARE OF IT NOT LOCKING AND IT ROLLS WHEN THERE IS NOBODY TO STOP IT OR A CURB. THERE IS NO PATTERN SINCE IT HAS OCCURRED AT WORK, GROCERY STORE, HOME, ETC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10429189
66,720 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
THE WRENCH, THE ABS, AND THE ANTI-SWAY ICONS STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2006 EXPLORER. THEY WOULD RESET IMMEDIATELY USING THE RESET BUTTON. THE DEALER REPLACED A WHEEL-SPEED SENSOR AND STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE "TONE" WHEEL CRACKED. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT UNLESS THE TONE WHEEL WAS REPLACED, THE ABS…
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THE WRENCH, THE ABS, AND THE ANTI-SWAY ICONS STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2006 EXPLORER. THEY WOULD RESET IMMEDIATELY USING THE RESET BUTTON. THE DEALER REPLACED A WHEEL-SPEED SENSOR AND STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE "TONE" WHEEL CRACKED. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT UNLESS THE TONE WHEEL WAS REPLACED, THE ABS WAS NOT OPERATIONAL. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN; IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE ABS, BUT DON'T THE DRIVER IS SET UP FOR THE BIG FALL! FORD IS AWARE OF THIS CRACKING PROBLEM: WHY NO RECALL? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415114
86,000 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS BRAKE LIGHT AND INTERMITTENT LOCKING UP BRAKES WITH STABILITY CONTROL ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT AS YOU LOSE CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10405412
64,500 miles · Feb 23, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I OWN A 2006 FORD EXPLORER WITH ONLY 64,000 MILES AND THE TONE RINGS ON THE ABS BRAKES HAVE BOTH CRACKED, NOT COSTING ME OVER $1000 IN REPAIR BILLS. THIS IS AN ITEM THAT SHOULD NOT CRACK WITH ONLY 64K MILES OF USE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10384096
55,000 miles · Mar 3, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY, AND SOMETIMES AT OTHER TIMES, MY FOOT STRIKES THE GAS PEDAL TOO CAUSING THE MOTOR TO REV UP AND NOT STOP TIMELY WHICH HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON AT 3 OCCASIONS. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND FORD MOTOR CO SAYS THEY HAVE HEARD OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE BUT THERE IS NOTHING…
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WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY, AND SOMETIMES AT OTHER TIMES, MY FOOT STRIKES THE GAS PEDAL TOO CAUSING THE MOTOR TO REV UP AND NOT STOP TIMELY WHICH HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON AT 3 OCCASIONS. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND FORD MOTOR CO SAYS THEY HAVE HEARD OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE BUT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AND IT CAUSES ME GREAT SAFETY CONCERNS. ONCE A SEMI TRUCK PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME ON A HIGHWAY AND I BARELY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT AS THE FORCE OF THE MOTOR WOULD NOT LET THE BRAKES HAVE FULL EFFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10316296