Did you check the switch on the brake pedal assembly?
Bad bulbs or brake light switch.
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check that you have double filament bulbs in tail lights
If the bulbs and fuses are fine, it must be your brake light switch attached to the arm on your brake pedal.
Working brake lights are important for safety reasons while driving. It is important to check all of the wiring, if the brake lights are not working and the fuses and bulbs have been checked.
Assuming you have checked the bulbs, check the brake light switch.
It needs checked out but both the hazard and brake lights go through the turn signal switch.
Check wiring for 12v also the brake switch on the brake pedal.
Check the bulbs - they are double filamented- smaller for stop and larger for tailights
What year is the Ford Explorer ? There could be a separate fuse for the lower brake lights
I hate to ask , but did you check the bulbs ? The tail light portion may work fine , but the brake lights don't if both of the bulbs are bad .
Have you tried brake light switch located on brake pedal or in that area?