Some 2018 F-Superduty/F-150/Explorer/Taurus/Flex/MKT/Fiesta vehicles built on 8-Mar-2018 and through 18-Jun-2018 may exhibit a soft brake pedal and/or long brake pedal travel. Bleed the brake system per Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 206-00. For claiming, use causal part BRAKE and applicable labor operations in Section 02 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Ford Explorer brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2018 Ford Explorer have filed 6 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Explorer | 14 |
| 2015 Explorer | 16 |
| 2016 Explorer | 7 |
| 2017 Explorer | 11 |
| 2018 Explorer (this page) | 6 |
| 2019 Explorer | 3 |
| 2020 Explorer | 42 |
| 2021 Explorer | 15 |
| 2022 Explorer | 6 |
2crashes
1fire
1injury
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2018 F-Superduty/F-150/Explorer/Taurus/Flex/MKT vehicles built on 8-Mar-2018 and through 18-Jun-2018 may exhibit a soft brake pedal and/or long brake pedal travel. Bleed the brake system per Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 206-00. For claiming, use causal part BRAKE and applicable labor operations in Section 02 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2018 Explorers equipped with Platinum trim level built on 25-Oct-2017 and through 01-May-2018 may intermittently display a "Hill Descent Control Fault" message in the IPC briefly at start up without any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored in the anti-lock brake system (ABS) module. Reprogram the IPC using the appropriate Ford scan tool or equivalent release 110.03 or higher. Make sure you are connected to the internet when entering module programming to obtain the latest updates. For claiming, use causal part 10849 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2018 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 2018 Ford Explorer?
It's a meaningful issue. 6 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 6 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 10,500 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.
Related
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/2018/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.