2011-2019 Ford Explorer Brake Parts, Pads & Rotors

Brakes for the Fifth-Generation Ford Explorer (2011-2019)

The fifth-generation Explorer moved to a unibody, car-based platform, and that changed how it wears its brakes. This is a heavy crossover that families load up with kids, cargo, and often a trailer, so the front brakes take a beating while the rears quietly wear out from the electronic parking brake and stability-control activity. Whether you are running a base FWD Explorer, a 3.5L V6, the 2.0L or 2.3L EcoBoost, or the Sport/Police Interceptor variants, replacing pads and rotors as a matched set is the way to get quiet, straight, confident stops back.

What Fits Front and Rear

Across the 2011-2019 run, most Explorers use vented front discs in the roughly 13.0 inch (approximately 332mm) range paired with a single-piston sliding caliper, and solid or vented rear discs around 12.9 inch (approximately 328mm) with an integrated electric parking brake caliper. Sport and Police Interceptor models can carry larger front rotors and heavier-duty pad compounds, so trim and drivetrain matter when you order. Because rotor diameter, thickness, and the parking-brake caliper design vary by year and package, matching parts to your exact build is what keeps the pedal firm and the ABS/traction sensors happy. If you are unsure which setup you have, send your VIN to sales@corebrakeparts.com and we will confirm the correct front and rear parts before you buy.

Ceramic vs. semi-metallic: Ceramic pads are the sweet spot for a daily-driven Explorer. They run cleaner (far less black wheel dust), stay quieter, and are gentle on rotors. If you tow regularly or spend time in the mountains, a more aggressive semi-metallic or a drilled-and-slotted rotor setup sheds heat better and resists fade under sustained load. Most Explorer owners are happiest on ceramic; the tow-and-haul crowd should lean toward the vented, slotted options.

Symptoms and Wear Patterns Specific to This Explorer

A few complaints show up again and again on the 2011-2019 Explorer:

  • Steering-wheel shimmy under braking from moderate speed, usually meaning warped or unevenly worn front rotors that have gone past their minimum thickness.
  • A grinding or dragging rear brake that can be tied to the electronic parking brake caliper sticking, which chews through the inboard rear pad early.
  • Squeal at low speed once pads glaze or wear near the backing plate, common when the original pads are pushed too long.
  • Longer pedal travel or a soft feel as pads thin out, especially on higher-mileage tow vehicles.

Plan on inspecting the fronts around 30,000-40,000 miles; many owners get one rear set for every two front sets. Replace pads once they reach about 3mm, and always replace rotors in pairs across an axle so braking stays even side to side.

Parts That Fit Your 2011-2019 Ford Explorer

Why Buy From Core Brake Parts

We list brakes by the exact vehicle so you are not guessing across a wall of part numbers. You get real options, from a budget-friendly front kit to a full ceramic front-and-rear refresh, without upselling you into parts you do not need. Orders over $75 ship free, and everything leaves our Circleville, Ohio warehouse fast so your Explorer is not sitting on jack stands for a week. If the fit is not right or you change your mind, our 30-day return policy has you covered. And if you want a second set of eyes before ordering, email sales@corebrakeparts.com with your VIN and we will verify the right front and rear parts for your trim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to replace all four rotors on my Explorer at once?

Not necessarily. The fronts usually wear roughly twice as fast as the rears, so it is common to do a front-only job while the rears still have life. Always replace both rotors on the same axle together, though, so braking stays balanced left to right. If both axles are worn, the complete front-and-rear kit is the most cost-effective route.

Are ceramic pads worth it on a 2011-2019 Explorer?

For most owners, yes. Ceramic pads produce far less brake dust, run quieter, and are easier on your rotors, which suits a daily-driven crossover. If you regularly tow near the Explorer's rating or drive long grades, a drilled-and-slotted front setup may serve you better because it manages heat under sustained braking.

Why does my Explorer's rear brake wear out or stick?

The fifth-gen Explorer uses an electronic parking brake at the rear. When that caliper's actuator or slides hang up, the inboard rear pad drags and wears prematurely, sometimes with a grinding noise. Replacing the rear pads and rotors and making sure the caliper moves freely resolves it. A full front-and-rear kit restores even, quiet stopping across all four corners.

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