Rear 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 the rear 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: 3 complaints
• 2021 Explorer: 1 complaint
• 2022 Explorer: none
• 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 2021 Explorer owner, NHTSA complaint 11508900: "loud popping metal sound from rear brakes as vehicle starts to move Ford has been contacted and replaced rear brake pads which made no difference."

Recalls that cover the rear 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 rear 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 rear brake kit a 2020–2025 Explorer takes

Rear kits differ by brake package and by parking brake — an electric parking brake caliper needs its piston retracted with a scan tool. 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 rear brake kits from Akebono, Brembo, Power Stop, Raybestos and Wagner, $154.99 to $189.99, 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.