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Ford Explorer Brake Problems

62 messages,  Last post on Apr 27, 2013 at 9:44 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Explorer, Ford Explorer Sport, Ford Explorer Sport Trac, Brakes, SUV

Messages Page 5 of 7

#40 of 62 2005 explorer - Eddie bauer by hpurdy

Aug 15, 2011 (7:26 pm)

We live in Colorado mountains. We're having severe brake problems. On a downward slope, gravel or snow, the brakes grind and vibrate, and do not stop. So, we have 2 options, depress brakes and do not stop or let foot up from brake and do not stop. Not a good scenario when the road is a hair pin turn, drops off 500 - 1000 feet , you want to stop. Took the vehicle into our ford dealer in canon city, colorado, and they took it for a test run and couldn't duplicate it. I think they should take it on Shelf Road and see how serious they'd be during their trouble shooting. It sounds like others have similar problems. What is the deep secret or solution? Buy a Nissan instead?

#41 of 62 Re: 2005 explorer - Eddie bauer [hpurdy] by hpurdy

Aug 15, 2011 (7:28 pm)

Replying to: hpurdy (Aug 15, 2011 7:26 pm)
I agree with garden lady. This is beyond scary. I will need to make a decision before winter, and it will not be another ford if they don't step up to the plate.

#42 of 62 Re: 2005 explorer - Eddie bauer [hpurdy] by wwest

Aug 16, 2011 (9:40 am)

Replying to: hpurdy (Aug 15, 2011 7:26 pm)
What you describe is SOP, Standard Operating Procedure, for modern day ABS, Anti-lock Brakiing Systems. ABS wil often sacrifice braking ability in favor of allowing the driver to maintain directional control. That can be very frustrating in certain circumstances, like the one you describe, but ABS, overall, definitely improves safety.
 
My '92 Jeep acted the very same way, ABS continued to remain active right down to virtually zero, "creep", speed, NEVER letting the Jeep come to a full and final stop.
 
I am a BIG fan of a new design that would disable ABS unless the vehicle direction of travel deviates, according to VSC, from the desired one.

#43 of 62 Re: 2005 explorer - Eddie bauer [hpurdy] by wwest

Aug 16, 2011 (9:45 am)

Replying to: hpurdy (Aug 15, 2011 7:26 pm)
Back in my days in MT, long before ABS, I often made judicious use of the rear implemented e-brake in situations such as you describe.

#49 of 62 Re: 2005 explorer - Eddie bauer [wwest] by mrgeagle1

Oct 23, 2011 (12:44 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Aug 16, 2011 9:40 am)
In the evening on October 17, 2011, I attempted to pull my 2011 Ford Explorer into a parking space in Sunnyvale, California. I was driving between 5-10 mph at the time. As I depressed the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, the car failed to stop. Instead, it rolled into a closed business that was being remodeled. The car came to a stop at the glass front doors to the business and did not penetrate the business. The good news is that no one was hurt in the accident. Additionally, the front airbags never deployed given the low speed I was traveling. The car has about 7,500 miles on it. Much to my surprise, the Ford dealership it was towed to was unable to find any problem with the brakes. In fact, according to the dealership, the brakes appear to work fine now. I have been driving for over 37 years and know the difference between a gas pedal and a brake pedal. I clearly recall pressing the brake peddle in my failed attempt to get the car to stop. I also recall the brake peddle going to the floor and looking down to verify that my foot was indeed on the brake pedal. If I had hit the gas pedal by mistake, the car would have penetrated the business and not been stopped by its glass front doors.
 
I discovered your web post regarding similar brake failure on your Ford Explorer. 2 questions for you:
 
1) Have you had any other brake failures, other than those listed in your post?
 
2) Did you ever find out what caused the brake failure and what if any repairs were made to the SUV'S braking system?
 
Thank-you in advance for any assistance you can offer.

Messages Page 5 of 7

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