2011-2019 Ford Explorer Front vs Rear Brakes: What Wears First and What to Replace

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

On a 2011-2019 Ford Explorer the front brakes normally wear out first, because weight shifts forward every time you stop and the front axle does most of the work. Rear pads on this generation can still surprise owners by wearing faster than expected, because the stability and trailer sway systems apply individual brakes on their own. The right move is to measure all four corners, replace pads and rotors in axle pairs, and never assume the rear is fine just because the front was just done.

How the Brakes Work on the 2011-2019 Explorer

The fifth-generation Explorer uses disc brakes at all four wheels, with a front rotor and caliper that carry most of the load and a separate, smaller-padded setup at the rear. One published fitment listing for a 2018 Explorer shows a 325 mm (12.80 in) front rotor with a 330 mm (12.99 in) rear rotor, but this generation was built with more than one brake package depending on trim, engine and options. That is why you should confirm your rotor size by VIN or by measuring the old rotor before ordering, especially on higher-trim, turbocharged or tow-equipped trucks.

The hydraulic side is fed by a master cylinder and brake booster, with ABS and the electronic stability system sitting between the pedal and the wheels. Ford specifies DOT 4 LV (low viscosity) brake fluid for this Explorer, meeting Ford specification WSS-M6C65-A2 and ISO 4925 Class 6. That low-viscosity fluid matters on a vehicle whose stability system pulses the brakes rapidly, so it is not a place to substitute whatever bottle is on the shelf.

Front vs Rear: What Wears First and Why

When you brake, the vehicle's weight transfers toward the nose. The front tires gain grip, so more of the stopping effort goes to the front calipers. On a heavy three-row SUV like the Explorer that effect is strong, which is why the front pads and rotors are the usual first replacement.

The rear brakes are not just along for the ride, though. Electronic stability control can build brake pressure at a single wheel without the driver touching the pedal. Bosch, which developed the ESP technology these systems are built around, describes functions such as trailer sway mitigation, which brakes individual wheels of the towing vehicle, and hill hold, which keeps the brakes applied for about two seconds after the pedal is released. Every one of those interventions uses pad material, and the rear pads have less of it to give. Owners who tow, drive in snow, or live in hilly country often find the rear pads closer to worn out than they expected.

Symptoms and How to Tell Which End Needs Work

• Steering wheel shake when braking points to the front rotors. Pulsation felt mostly in the pedal or seat, with a steady wheel, often points to the rear.
• High-pitched squeal is usually the wear indicator tab on a pad. Listen for which wheel it comes from, because it can be either axle.
• Grinding means pad material is gone and metal is contacting the rotor. Stop driving on it, because the rotor is now being damaged.
• Pulling to one side suggests a sticking caliper or slide pin on one wheel, not normal wear.
• Brake fluid near the MIN line can simply mean the pads have worn and the caliper pistons have moved out. Ford notes that a dropping fluid level or dark fluid is a reason to have the system inspected. Do not top off to MAX over worn pads, because the level rises again when new pads push the pistons back.

The only reliable check is to pull the wheels and measure. Check pad thickness on both the inner and outer pads at every corner, since the inner pad often wears faster and hides behind the caliper, and measure rotor thickness against the minimum stamped on the rotor itself.

The Fix: Which Parts to Replace

Brakes are always replaced in axle pairs: both fronts together, or both rears together, so the vehicle stops straight. If the rotors are below minimum thickness, deeply scored, or causing pulsation, replace them with the pads. On a truck this age, rotors are often due by the second pad change.

For the front axle on this generation, see our 2011-2019 Ford Explorer front ceramic brake pads, a quiet, low-dust choice for daily driving. You can also browse all ceramic brake pads and matching replacement brake rotors. If you tow regularly, choose a severe-duty ceramic compound for better heat tolerance on long descents, and replace the rear axle with the same care as the front.

What to Replace at the Same Time

• Hardware and slide pins: New abutment clips and freshly lubricated slide pins keep the pads from dragging and wearing unevenly. A brake hardware kit is cheap insurance.
• Calipers: If one pad is worn far more than its partner, or a piston will not retract, replace the caliper. See brake calipers.
• Brake fluid: Fluid absorbs moisture over time. If it is dark or has not been changed in years, flush it with DOT 4 LV fluid meeting WSS-M6C65-A2.
• Hoses: Inspect the flexible brake hoses for cracks or bulges while the wheels are off.

How Hard Is the Job?

Front pads and rotors on the Explorer are a moderate driveway job with common hand tools, a torque wrench and a piston compressor. The rear is similar, but check how your rear caliper piston retracts before forcing it, since some rear caliper designs require the piston to be rotated back rather than pushed straight in. Tighten caliper bracket bolts and lug nuts to the values in the factory service manual, bed in the new pads with a series of moderate stops, and road test before normal driving. If the stability or ABS warning light is on, diagnose that alongside the brake job rather than after it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for my Explorer's rear pads to wear out before the fronts?

It is not the most common pattern, but it happens, especially on trucks that tow or see frequent stability control activity. Measure all four corners every time you rotate tires rather than guessing.

Should I replace front and rear brakes at the same time?

Only if both axles are worn. Replace pads and rotors in axle pairs, and do the other axle when its own measurements say it is due.

Do I need to replace rotors with every pad change?

Not always. If the rotor is above its stamped minimum thickness, flat, and free of deep grooves or pulsation, it can be reused. Many owners replace rotors anyway, because thin, heat-cycled rotors are more prone to vibration.

What brake fluid does a 2011-2019 Ford Explorer use?

Ford specifies Motorcraft DOT 4 LV High Performance Brake Fluid or an equivalent meeting WSS-M6C65-A2 and ISO 4925 Class 6.

Why does my Explorer vibrate when braking?

Usually uneven rotor thickness from heat or pad material deposits. A shaking steering wheel points to the front, while a pulse felt in the seat or pedal alone often points to the rear.

Sources

1. 2013 Ford Explorer service information - Brake Fluid Specification - DOT 4 LV, WSS-M6C65-A2 and ISO 4925 Class 6
2. Bosch Mobility - ESP value-added functions - trailer sway mitigation brakes individual wheels; hill hold holds the brakes about two seconds
3. Bosch Mobility - Electronic Stability Program - ESP brakes individual wheels without driver input
4. Max Advanced Brakes - 2018 Ford Explorer rotor fitment - 325 mm front and 330 mm rear rotor configuration
5. Ford Support - How to add brake fluid - MIN/MAX marks; a dropping level or dark fluid warrants inspection