Parking Brake sets automatically

[Denis85]

So ever since I purchased my '25 OBX in July of 2025, I would need to set the parking brake with the button whenever I put it in park. Wouldn't do it every time, just on hills and things like that. A few months ago, I needed a repair on something on the rear end. I forget for the life of me what the actual issue was, but I was told "a wire was corroded and was replaced". While there, they also did a recall on the infotainment (25SC3/25V788). Ever since then, my parking brake sets automatically every time i put it in park. I searched for a setting but can't find one. Normal? it never did this until recently.

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[stvnyates]

So ever since I purchased my '25 OBX in July of 2025, I would need to set the parking brake with the button whenever I put it in park. Wouldn't do it every time, just on hills and things like that. A few months ago, I needed a repair on something on the rear end. I forget for the life of me what the actual issue was, but I was told "a wire was corroded and was replaced". While there, they also did a recall on the infotainment (25SC3/25V788). Ever since then, my parking brake sets automatically every time i put it in park. I searched for a setting but can't find one. Normal? it never did this until recently.

 

[stvnyates]

Same thing on my 2025 Base Sasquatch. After an OTA UPDATE it sets the brake every time I put it in park. At first I found it very annoying but now not so much as soon as you hit the accelerator it automatically disengages

 

[Ducati1098]

It's possible Ford started implementing this into the programming. Some other Ford vehicles do this automatically also.

 

[stvnyates]

I think so the new explorers are the same

 

[dgorsett]

Same thing on my 2025 Base Sasquatch. After an OTA UPDATE it sets the brake every time I put it in park. At first I found it very annoying but now not so much as soon as you hit the accelerator it automatically disengages

Say it ain't so! My Explorer does it and I don't care for it but live with it. With the dial shifter it's easy to go past Reverse and hit Park when your in a hurry, like in a parking lot when someone is backing into you., The brake sets, you select Reverse and it goes nowhere until you gas it or manually release, sometimes I like to just creep back. I really wouldn't like it in the Bronco., off roading requires a lot of quick shifting sometimes and this becomes a distraction.

Then I had this issue a few years ago, which hasn't recurred, but was disconcerting. Never got an explanation from the Forum other than getting lectured on proper parking brake application.

While traveling moderate to rough trails (steep, washed out , rocky) trails in Arizona this past week I experienced the parking brake sticking on after auto applying on a steep grade when shifted to park. The owners manual states the brake will apply when shifted to park on a steep grade, then will release manually or automatically when back in gear. The problem is it would not disengage on two occasions. Miles back in, rough country at night, not good.

Both times I was in low range in steep terrain, placed the Bronco in Park to scout the route, was unaware, but the Bronco also set the parking brake. The first time I really didn't know what was happening, by the second time I figured it out. I had to power through the brake, the obstacle and the steepness, it was about all the Bronco could do. The Bronco did not auto disengage as it should and , once I figured out what was going on, would not manually disengage. I powered through to a leveler spot, the first time it disengaged right away, the second it took about 10 minutes with on off cycles, every brake related warning light in the book, hood popping and owners manual reading then just magically released itself.

My question is, has anyone else experienced this and is there a work around? Do any of our Ford service friends @flip @Ducati1098 or @RagnarKon have an answer? Both times I was unaware the brake had set, I did not try to manually disengage until after I noticed the problem, I wonder if that would have worked?

 

[Sparkie]

Obviously, I use the parking brake 100%, but I think this is a great feature for automatics to reduce the stress on the transmission. I just wish Ford placed the parking brake release in the Bronco's center console.

 

[Denis85]

Obviously, I use the parking brake 100%, but I think this is a great feature for automatics to reduce the stress on the transmission. I just wish Ford placed the parking brake release in the Bronco's center console.

My only worry is, you don’t necessarily need it 100% of the time. Like in my garage. However it’s still engaging. I worry about excess wear and tear on it when it’s not needed. Like that electric motor that engages it when it’s not necessary. I don’t know. Maybe I’m worried about a non-issue.

 

[White Zombie]

Look for this button, especially on explorers because my wife just bought a 25 and I found this. I dont know if its in the newer Broncos but wouldn't hurt to look.

 

[Sparkie]

My only worry is, you don’t necessarily need it 100% of the time. Like in my garage. However it’s still engaging. I worry about excess wear and tear on it when it’s not needed. Like that electric motor that engages it when it’s not necessary. I don’t know. Maybe I’m worried about a non-issue.

I set the brake on my wife's automatic every time I use her car. I do understand your concerns about wear and tear on moving parts, but I kind of expect the parking brake should be able to handle it and it should be cheaper to fix than a transmission.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

Say it ain't so! My Explorer does it and I don't care for it but live with it. With the dial shifter it's easy to go past Reverse and hit Park when your in a hurry, like in a parking lot when someone is backing into you., The brake sets, you select Reverse and it goes nowhere until you gas it or manually release, sometimes I like to just creep back. I really wouldn't like it in the Bronco., off roading requires a lot of quick shifting sometimes and this becomes a distraction.

Then I had this issue a few years ago, which hasn't recurred, but was disconcerting. Never got an explanation from the Forum other than getting lectured on proper parking brake application.

While traveling moderate to rough trails (steep, washed out , rocky) trails in Arizona this past week I experienced the parking brake sticking on after auto applying on a steep grade when shifted to park. The owners manual states the brake will apply when shifted to park on a steep grade, then will release manually or automatically when back in gear. The problem is it would not disengage on two occasions. Miles back in, rough country at night, not good.

Both times I was in low range in steep terrain, placed the Bronco in Park to scout the route, was unaware, but the Bronco also set the parking brake. The first time I really didn't know what was happening, by the second time I figured it out. I had to power through the brake, the obstacle and the steepness, it was about all the Bronco could do. The Bronco did not auto disengage as it should and , once I figured out what was going on, would not manually disengage. I powered through to a leveler spot, the first time it disengaged right away, the second it took about 10 minutes with on off cycles, every brake related warning light in the book, hood popping and owners manual reading then just magically released itself.

My question is, has anyone else experienced this and is there a work around? Do any of our Ford service friends @flip @Ducati1098 or @RagnarKon have an answer? Both times I was unaware the brake had set, I did not try to manually disengage until after I noticed the problem, I wonder if that would have worked?

I had that happen when the battery cable was loose.

 

[ScottyC]

I think so the new explorers are the same

My 2023 Explorer Timberline had that feature as well.

Look for this button, especially on explorers because my wife just bought a 25 and I found this. I dont know if its in the newer Broncos but wouldn't hurt to look.

That is the "auto-hold" feature that will keep the brakes engaged when you come to a stop at say, a stop sign....you can take your foot off the brake pedal and the brakes will stay engaged (and rear brake lights remain on) until you press the accelerator pedal where it releases. It keeps you from creeping forward while at a light with your foot off the brake pedal. I have this engaged on my 2025 Maverick Hybrid AWD and it works great. You can turn it on or off....and if you don't press the brake pedal hard, you can modulate your braking without auto-hold engaging. With the feature turned on, the "auto-hold" light will pop on in the cluster when you come to a full stop and have pressed the pedal hard enough to engage the system.

 

[White Zombie]

Thanks for a much better explanation than what I read about that feature. It really sounds more like taking the responsibility of being a driver out of the driver though. Of course, I dont live in a CITY and dont have to deal with "traffic jams" per say but its part of being a driver and keeping your foot on the brake when needed or park brake applied or in PARK.

Thanks again for the much clearer explanation though.

My 2023 Explorer Timberline had that feature as well.



That is the "auto-hold" feature that will keep the brakes engaged when you come to a stop at say, a stop sign....you can take your foot off the brake pedal and the brakes will stay engaged (and rear brake lights remain on) until you press the accelerator pedal where it releases. It keeps you from creeping forward while at a light with your foot off the brake pedal. I have this engaged on my 2025 Maverick Hybrid AWD and it works great. You can turn it on or off....and if you don't press the brake pedal hard, you can modulate your braking without auto-hold engaging. With the feature turned on, the "auto-hold" light will pop on in the cluster when you come to a full stop and have pressed the pedal hard enough to engage the system.

 

[Nc211]

Wife's Mercedes has always done this from day 1. Put it in park, and the brake kicks on the moment you open the door or turn off the car. There are times when it won't disengage automatically as well, and you have to hit that button. Never have figured out what the trigger is between automatically and not. Nonetheless, hasn't been an issue in the 6 years and 100k miles for us. Wish my son's VW did it actually, as it takes the pressure off the claw in the transmission to hold the car. But, he's 18 with the mental focus of a flea when it comes to stuff like this.... One day, when it's on his dime, he will hear my voice in his head....

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