What is the 2025 Ford Explorer Hard / Dropping Brake Pedal and Loss of Braking Reported on 2025 Explorer?

Owners of the 2025 Explorer have filed NHTSA complaints describing brake and braking-assist anomalies. Reports include a hard brake pedal where the vehicle keeps moving and strikes another vehicle, a complete loss of the ability to slow the vehicle accompanied by multiple dashboa… Severity: high.

What is the 2025-2026 Ford Explorer Engine Failure Requiring Long Block Replacement (Recall 26V343 / Ford 26S35)?

Ford recalled 1,536 vehicles — 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger and Bronco — under NHTSA 26V343000 (Ford 26S35) because the engine may fail outright, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power. NHTSA classifies the defect under engine hard parts, internal/mechanical, and the remedy is a… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 2025-2026 Ford Explorer Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) Headlight Turns the Wrong Way in Curves, Glaring Oncoming Traffic (Recall 26V121 / 26C12)?

Certain 2025-2026 Explorers were built with incorrect Headlight Control Module (HCM) software. The Dynamic Bending Light system can swivel the passenger-side headlight in the wrong direction when the vehicle drives through a curve, aiming the beam toward oncoming traffic. The mis… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.

What is the 2025 Ford Explorer Image Processing Module (IPMA) Overload Reset Causing Loss of Rearview Camera and ADAS Features (Recall 26V165)?

On 2025 Explorers (and related Lincoln models), the Image Processing Module A (IPMA) can become overloaded when tracking a high volume of moving objects — such as in dense urban traffic — and unexpectedly reset. The reset causes loss of the rearview camera image and disables adva… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.

Ford · Known Issues

2025 Ford Explorer Problems: 10 Known Issues

2025 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026

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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2025 Ford Explorer has 10 documented known issues, with 8 rated critical. The most serious are Second-Row Outer Seat Belt Lower Anchor Bolts Improperly Secured ($0-$0 repair), Loose Trailer Hitch Assembly Bolts — Loss of Handling or Trailer Detachment While Towing ($0-$0 repair), Trailer Tail Lights Fail to Illuminate — Improperly Manufactured Body Control Module C ($0-$0 repair), Easy-Entry Second-Row Seat Switch Binds — Seats Unlatch, Tip or Slide Unexpectedly ($0-$0 repair), Hard / Dropping Brake Pedal and Loss of Braking Reported on 2025 Explorer, EGR Valve Poppet Head Detachment Causing Unexpected Loss of Drive Power (Recall 26V122) ($0-$0 repair), Engine Failure Requiring Long Block Replacement (Recall 26V343 / Ford 26S35) ($0-$0 repair) and .

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Ford Explorer problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2025 Ford Explorer has 10 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Second-Row Outer Seat Belt Lower Anchor Bolts Improperly Secured, Loose Trailer Hitch Assembly Bolts — Loss of Handling or Trailer Detachment While Towing, Trailer Tail Lights Fail to Illuminate — Improperly Manufactured Body Control Module C. Of these, 8 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Ford Explorer reliable?

The 2025 Ford Explorer has 10 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 8 issues are rated critical: Second-Row Outer Seat Belt Lower Anchor Bolts Improperly Secured and Loose Trailer Hitch Assembly Bolts — Loss of Handling or Trailer Detachment While Towing and Trailer Tail Lights Fail to Illuminate — Improperly Manufactured Body Control Module C and Easy-Entry Second-Row Seat Switch Binds — Seats Unlatch, Tip or Slide Unexpectedly and Hard / Dropping Brake Pedal and Loss of Braking Reported on 2025 Explorer and EGR Valve Poppet Head Detachment Causing Unexpected Loss of Drive Power (Recall 26V122) and Engine Failure Requiring Long Block Replacement (Recall 26V343 / Ford 26S35) and Powertrain Control Module Reset Damaging Park System, Causing Rollaway or Engine Stall (Recall 25V239 / 25S35). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Ford Explorer problems?

Repair costs for known Ford Explorer issues range from $0 to $0, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Second-Row Outer Seat Belt Lower Anchor Bolts Improperly Secured, typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2024-2026 Ford Explorer Second-Row Outer Seat Belt Lower Anchor Bolts Improperly Secured?

The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may not have been properly torqued during assembly, leaving the buckle or lower anchor loose. Ford recalled 2020-2026 Explorer and Aviator vehicles under NHTSA 26V159000 (Ford 26C18) in March 2026 — a repeat of… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

All 10 Known Issues

Other Ford Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Ford Explorer problems?

Is the Ford Explorer reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Ford Explorer problems?

What is the 2024-2026 Ford Explorer Second-Row Outer Seat Belt Lower Anchor Bolts Improperly Secured?

2024-2026 Ford Explorer: Second-Row Outer Seat Belt Lower Anchor Bolts Improperly Secured#

2024-2026 Ford Explorer: Easy-Entry Second-Row Seat Switch Binds — Seats Unlatch, Tip or Slide Unexpectedly#

2025 Ford Explorer: Trailer Tail Lights Fail to Illuminate — Improperly Manufactured Body Control Module C#

2025-2026 Ford Explorer: Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) Headlight Turns the Wrong Way in Curves, Glaring Oncoming Traffic (Recall 26V121 / 26C12)#

2025 Ford Explorer: Image Processing Module (IPMA) Overload Reset Causing Loss of Rearview Camera and ADAS Features (Recall 26V165)#

2024-2026 Ford Explorer: Loose Trailer Hitch Assembly Bolts — Loss of Handling or Trailer Detachment While Towing#

2025 Ford Explorer: Hard / Dropping Brake Pedal and Loss of Braking Reported on 2025 Explorer#

2025 Ford Explorer: EGR Valve Poppet Head Detachment Causing Unexpected Loss of Drive Power (Recall 26V122)#

2025-2026 Ford Explorer: Engine Failure Requiring Long Block Replacement (Recall 26V343 / Ford 26S35)#

2025 Ford Explorer: Powertrain Control Module Reset Damaging Park System, Causing Rollaway or Engine Stall (Recall 25V239 / 25S35)#

What is the 2024-2026 Ford Explorer Loose Trailer Hitch Assembly Bolts — Loss of Handling or Trailer Detachment While Towing?

What is the 2025 Ford Explorer Trailer Tail Lights Fail to Illuminate — Improperly Manufactured Body Control Module C?

What is the 2024-2026 Ford Explorer Easy-Entry Second-Row Seat Switch Binds — Seats Unlatch, Tip or Slide Unexpectedly?

What is the 2025 Ford Explorer Hard / Dropping Brake Pedal and Loss of Braking Reported on 2025 Explorer?

What is the 2025 Ford Explorer EGR Valve Poppet Head Detachment Causing Unexpected Loss of Drive Power (Recall 26V122)?

What is the 2025-2026 Ford Explorer Engine Failure Requiring Long Block Replacement (Recall 26V343 / Ford 26S35)?

What is the 2025 Ford Explorer Powertrain Control Module Reset Damaging Park System, Causing Rollaway or Engine Stall (Recall 25V239 / 25S35)?

What is the 2025-2026 Ford Explorer Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) Headlight Turns the Wrong Way in Curves, Glaring Oncoming Traffic (Recall 26V121 / 26C12)?

What is the 2025 Ford Explorer Image Processing Module (IPMA) Overload Reset Causing Loss of Rearview Camera and ADAS Features (Recall 26V165)?