Is door ajar light on also?
somthing is wrong with your car.
Maybe a short somewhere...did you replace the flasher unit? No - it was blinking spuradically(?) - now I have to blink it manually and it won't blink at all with lights on.
airbag
The flashing lights are probably the factory alarm.
What year is the Ford Explorer ? There could be a separate fuse for the lower brake lights
Bad bulbs, bad switch located either on steering column or on transmission
The problem could be in you flasher located on the fuse block . or the multifunction switch located on the steering column.
check your interior or instrument panel lights fuse, they usually are all connected and when the fuse blows they all go.
I would check the fuses located under the center of the steering column near the pedals. Fuse number 14 should be the one for the tail lights and it is a 20 amp fuse.
I believe it is Jason Miller but I could be wrong
Either the driver is indication the wrong way or the wiring to the indicators is crossed.
Sounds like the arm and switch in the steering column.