VehicleVerdict

1994 Ford Explorer brakes problems

The 1994 Ford Explorer has 310 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 20% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

310

Brakes complaints

20%

Share of year

32

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Explorer brakes complaints by model year310 complaints1986: 1 complaints1987: 1 complaints1988: 1 complaints1990: 2 complaints1991: 151 complaints1992: 142 complaints1993: 276 complaints1994: 310 complaints1995: 94 complaints1996: 149 complaints1997: 106 complaints1998: 102 complaints1999: 89 complaints2000: 72 complaints2001: 37 complaints2002: 136 complaints2003: 49 complaints2004: 54 complaints2005: 18 complaints2006: 41 complaints2007: 12 complaints2008: 8 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 15 complaints2011: 29 complaints2012: 20 complaints2013: 40 complaints2014: 27 complaints2015: 32 complaints2016: 19 complaints2017: 22 complaints2018: 10 complaints2019: 5 complaints2020: 83 complaints2021: 22 complaints2022: 14 complaints2023: 6 complaints2025: 13 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Explorer brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

96V024001BrakesFebruary 5, 1996 · 108,000 units

Defect

THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.

Consequence

IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.

94V169001BrakesSeptember 7, 1994 · 835,791 units

Defect

THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.

Consequence

WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR.

Remedy

A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, NOTICED A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM WITH BRAKE LIGHTS ON. CONSUMER PUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 11, 1998 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1994 Ford Explorer have?

NHTSA has 310 complaints about the 1994 Ford Explorer brakes — 20% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1994 Ford Explorer brakes?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the brakes: 94V169001, 96V024001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.