Front Brake Kit — Pads and Rotors for the 2020–2025 Ford Explorer

What 2020–2025 Explorer owners report about the brakes

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, the US federal vehicle-safety regulator, that mention brake pads or rotors on the 2020–2025 Ford Explorer, and 136 filed under its brakes. Those 4, by model year, as of September 18, 2026:

• 2020 Explorer: 2 complaints
• 2021 Explorer: 1 complaint
• 2022 Explorer: 1 complaint
• 2023 Explorer: none
• 2024 Explorer: none
• 2025 Explorer: none

NHTSA publishes complaints as owners wrote them and does not verify them, so read them as a pattern rather than a diagnosis.

A 2020 Explorer owner, NHTSA complaint 11564689: "The rear left brake caliper locked up and caused damage to the wheel, tire, rotors and most of the brake assembly. Ford service thought that maybe a bolt fell out. The vehicle has ~36000 miles. I purchased what was called a bumper to bumper warranty from the dealership but was told it did not cover the problem."

A 2022 Explorer owner, NHTSA complaint 11633053: "A bolt sheared off of the wheel assembly and got stuck between the rotor and break pad causing damage to rotor and break pad. This has since been repaired by the dealership, I am not aware if it was inspected by the manufacturer. I have pictures of the damage from the dealership."

Recalls that cover the front brake kit on the 2020–2025 Explorer

As of September 18, 2026, NHTSA lists no recall on the 2020–2025 Ford Explorer whose defect is in the front brake kit. If your car has a warning light or a symptom that a recall could explain, check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls anyway — it takes a minute.

Which front brake kit a 2020–2025 Explorer takes

Rotor diameter and thickness follow the brake package, which is why two cars of the same model and year can take different kits. The 2020–2025 Ford Explorer came with several powertrains, among them 2.3L I4 Automatic 4WD and 3.0L V6 Automatic 4WD. That is why we ask for the VIN, or the year, engine and trim, and confirm the part against it before you pay rather than after it arrives.

What we source it from

5 front brake kits from Akebono, Brembo, Power Stop, Raybestos and Wagner, $169.99 to $209.99, with flat $30 shipping anywhere in the US. If a part we confirmed as a fit does not fit your vehicle, we cover the return and the replacement.