The first issue was with the car accelerating without pressing the gas. Rpms would increase and car would sound as if it was accelerating as well, when slowing driving through a parking garage. The car also down shifts and accelerates roughly. It is not smooth when transitioning to acceleration or de acceleration. When braking the car jerks until stopped enough to where our heads jerk.…
2020 Ford Explorer brakes problems
severe 40 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
4crashes
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 40 brakes complaints filed for the 2020 Ford Explorer, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 17 model years of Ford Explorer we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 40.
Owners have filed 40 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The vehicle has a 'wake up' noise unlike any other that Ford can show me. Once you open the drivers door, it make an extremely loud metal grinding noise under the hood in the ABS area. After you drive the vehicle and park it, it does it by itself 30 mins later then again once you open up the door again. Also, the break pedal and breaks lock in place at times when going from park to drive or…
Had brakes trouble with your 2020 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 2020 Ford Explorer?
It's a meaningful issue. 40 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 3,000 and 20,000 miles, with the median around 10,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 3,000; a quarter make it past 20,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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/2020/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.