2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Dec 17, 2012 · Brakes · 76,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer sport trac. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact noticed that the brake pedal was pulsating, accompanied by an abnormal grinding noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised the contact that the front and rear brakes would have to be repaired. After the repair, the contact noticed that the brake pedal would feel spongy when depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician advised that two of the ABS sensors were faulty and were overriding the brakes. The mechanic disconnected the ABS sensors. The contact did not experience any failures after the sensors were disconnected. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.

Filed Sep 17, 2008 · Brakes · 38,000 miles · PA

Brake failure 2002 ford explorer sport trac only 38000 mi when this occurred in aug 07. I almost hit the back of a school bus when dropping my children off at school. The brakes would grind and not stop the vehicle and sometimes pulsation would occur at any speed. It was like the antilock braking system was coming on when it shouldn't(summer dry roads) and then getting stuck in the brake release state. So when trying to stop the vehicle with the foot pedal, the antilock braking system was working against your braking action. This causes a very scary feeling when you have your foot to the floor and the vehicle still remains in motion. The brake pads and rotors were replaced, but not the problem. The next incidence occurred in a busy intersection when we were almost hit by oncoming traffic because the vehicle wouldn't stop at a red light. When taking the vehicle to the mechanic I almost hit 2 pedestrians in a crosswalk at a stop sign. The vehicle just kept on going and I quickly beeped the horn for a near miss of a man and his little boy. The mechanic told me there is something wrong with the antilock braking system which causes the brakes to malfunction. He sent us to another mechanic and he said this is a defect in certain ford explorer models. The antilock braking sensors, along with the location of them is the problem. He said to fix this it would cost anywhere between 300-600 depending on what else was damaged, but he stressed driving the vehicle like this is an extreme safety hazard. I was upset because of the low miles on this vehicle. It was only over warranty miles by 2000 but 5 yrs old. I could not afford to fix this so I was instructed to pull the fuse on the ABS because it was unsafe to drive with the ABS. I have three children and this is my only transportation. With the ABS fuse pulled I do not have the problem, but lacking ABS. Ford needs to stand by there product and offer a recall on this completely unsafe malfunction of the antilock braking system.

Filed Jun 16, 2007 · Brakes · 43,175 miles · IN

I purchased this vehicle used at 22,000 miles from local ford dealer. At 27,380 ford dealer furnished multi-point inspection, showed no brake issues. At 43,000 miles the brakes started grinding metal to metal. Up to this time there was no audible warning as I usual. To my suprise the rotors could not be turned and needed to be replaced . The brakes could have been replaced and rotors turned befor my purchase but sounded like stretch of the imagination, inferior products ??

Filed Jan 6, 2005 · Brakes, Seats · FL

Driver 's side seat recliner bolt broke. Brakes squealed constantly. Replaced left rear axle and seal. *bf the consumer stated that while driving he smelled something burning and saw the vehicle was filled with smoke in the bed area from the brakes on passenger side. It was discovered that the brakes were too tight. *tc

Filed Feb 15, 2003 · Brakes · PA

I was driving my truck and all of a sudden brakes started grinding and truck would barely stop. Ph