Should I buy a 2014 Ford Explorer with documented brakes problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented brakes issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2014 Ford Explorer brakes problems

severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →

Complaints

Recalls

Avg fix

$450

2crashes

The failure pattern owners describe

Buyer takeaway: A used 2014 Explorer buyer needs to know the brake system has documented issues: ABS modules fail and are scarce on backorder, rear brake pads can separate at low mileage due to corrosion, brake hoses can rupture, and parking brakes fail to hold vehicles on slopes. Have any used 2014 Explorer's brakes and ABS system thoroughly inspected by a mechanic before purchase.

The 2014 Explorer has a pattern of brake system failures across multiple subsystems. The most common complaint is ABS module failure—owners report warning lights and disabled ABS/traction control function, with the module part on nationwide backorder at dealers with no known ETA. Dealers themselves acknowledge this is a known problem.

Rear brake pad separation from the caliper has been documented at as low as 13,000 miles due to corrosion buildup between the pad and anchor bracket. Ford issued TSB ASI-44564 in May 2014 to address this for 2011–2014 Explorers, yet complaints continue, with owners reporting uncontrolled braking at highway speeds.

Brake hose fractures are another critical failure, particularly at the front passenger caliper connection. Owners and police fleet units report brake fluid loss and complete brake failure requiring emergency stops. One officer's vehicle had its hose rupture at 70,429 miles; another police fleet identified poor hose crimp design as the culprit.

Parking brake problems span failure to fully engage (noncompliant with federal safety standard FMVSS 135) and excessive sticking even after replacement. One vehicle rolled from a parked position causing $10,751 in damage. Owners also report brake pedal unresponsiveness at idle speeds and persistent squealing that recurs even after caliper replacement.

Same Ford Explorer brakes reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2017

Failure modes owners describe

ABS module electronic failure

Electronic ABS module fails internally, disabling both ABS and traction control function. Dealers report this as a known issue. Multiple owners report nationwide parts backorder with no ETA, preventing repairs.

When: 152,200 miles on one vehicle; timing varied on others

Symptoms owners cite: Warning lights illuminated (check brakes, ABS system); ABS function disabled; Traction control disabled; Loud noise from traction control sensor engaging unexpectedly, causing vehicle to jerk to a stop

Codes mentioned: U3000-49

Repairs/costs cited: ABS module replacement required; parts on nationwide backorder with unknown ETA. One dealer quoted $2,500 for replacement; initial reset procedure at $545.09 did not resolve issues in some cases.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford opened case CA3-15196031R3N7Z5 on one complaint. Dealers acknowledge this as a known problem across multiple 2014 Explorers.

Rear brake pad separation from caliper

Brake pads release from caliper due to corrosion buildup between pad and anchor bracket. Occurs at very low mileage. Ford TSB ASI-44564 addresses this issue for 2011–2014 Explorers and related models.

When: 13,000 miles reported on one vehicle

Symptoms owners cite: Uncontrollable braking while driving at highway speeds; Brake pads no longer in place; Emergency brake also useless when pads are absent; Rear brake drag condition

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership states brake clips themselves corroded; inspection for debris and corrosion required per TSB.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford TSB #ASI-44564, NHTSA ID #10056207, announced May 1, 2014, addresses corrosion buildup and rear brake drag. Applies to 2011–2014 Explorer, Flex, Taurus, Edge, MKX, MKT, MKS.

Brake hose fracture or rupture

Front passenger side brake hose fractures at caliper connection, resulting in brake fluid loss and complete brake failure. Second complaint describes passenger side hose rip and driver side brake hose swelling near crimp, indicating design defect. Occurs on police interceptor units as well.

When: 70,429 miles on one vehicle; timing unspecified on others

Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal fails to stop vehicle when depressed; Brake warning light illuminated; Brake fluid loss; Loss of all braking function—vehicle coasts to side of road; Brake pedal goes to floor

Repairs/costs cited: Front passenger side brake hose replacement needed. One independent mechanic diagnosed the fracture but vehicle was not repaired.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and opened case CA3-15196031R3N7Z5. Ford police fleet reported same issue during training; design of hose crimp identified as poor and prone to rupture.

Brake squealing and shaking

High-pitched squealing noise from wheels when brake pedal depressed; shaking when braking. Persists after brake pad, rotor, and caliper replacement. Root cause not determined.

When: 30,000 miles on reported vehicle; squealing ongoing since January 2015 on another

Symptoms owners cite: High-pitched squealing from wheels during braking; Vehicle shakes when brake pedal depressed; Squeak recurs approximately one year after caliper replacement; Consistent squeaking

Repairs/costs cited: Brake pads, rotors, and calipers replaced; squealing recurred after one year. Root cause unresolved.

Parking brake failure to engage or excessive drag

Parking brake does not fully engage when applied or sticks excessively after engagement. Vehicles fail FMVSS 135 compliance. Results in vehicle rolling away when parked on slope with transmission not in park.

When: Not specified; one vehicle parked with engine running in July 2001 rolled without warning

Symptoms owners cite: Parking brake does not fully engage; Parking brake sticks and fails to release properly after engagement; Parking brake alarm illuminates on startup even when brake not engaged; Vehicle rolls away when parked on driveway or slope

Repairs/costs cited: Parking brake replaced in 2016 on one vehicle; sticking recurred. Damage from rollaway incident: $10,751.42 to repair rear tailgate and body damage.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA notification received regarding parking brake failure. Dealers report this as a recurring issue on 2014 Explorers.

Brake pedal unresponsiveness at idle speeds

Brake pedal stops responding completely at low speeds, resulting in uncontrolled vehicle rollout. Occurs in two separate incidents at car wash and parking lot. Station attendant indicates this is not an unusual event.

When: Mileage not specified; at idle/low speeds during parking lot and car wash activities

Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal stops responding entirely; Vehicle continues rolling despite repeated brake pedal depression; No braking function available at idle speeds; Vehicle rolls down hill and into adjacent lot before brakes engage

Repairs/costs cited: One incident caused damage to right corner of vehicle and vacuum equipment. No formal repair documented.

Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.

What owners are reporting 1 most recent

brakes · filed 12/30/2024

ABS module is bad with trouble code U3000-49 ABS MODULE internal problem. ABS system is disabled and also Traction Control Function is disabled. ABS module is on Nationwide back order. This is a safety concern as the ABS system is not functioning

Had brakes trouble with your 2014 Ford Explorer? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the brakes problem on the 2014 Ford Explorer?

It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.

At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?

Based on the 14 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 55,316 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to brakes?

No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Ford/Explorer. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.