2013 FORD EXPLORER

2735 complaints filed with NHTSA.

2735
Complaints
61
Crashes
14
Fires
76
Injuries
1
Deaths

NHTSA Safety Rating

5/5
Overall
5/5
Front Crash
5/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING795
UNKNOWN OR OTHER334
ENGINE223
STRUCTURE:BODY221
STRUCTURE186
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM152
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM120
POWER TRAIN118
SUSPENSION77
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)45
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING38
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL37
SERVICE BRAKES31
VISIBILITY/WIPER31
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE29

Recalls (12)

13V22700031/05/2013

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.

14V28600029/05/2014

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor s

17E04800028/08/2017

WHEELS:HUB

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly result

13V10900027/03/2013

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and model year 2013 Explorer vehicles manufactured July 19, 2011, through March 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the fuel tanks may have a marginally sealed seam in the side of the tank. As a result, the fuel tanks may not provide t

13V27000026/06/2013

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety locks may change from an activated positio

15V17100024/03/2015

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.

21V74600022/09/2021

SUSPENSION:REAR

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Yor

24V03100019/01/2024

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.

21V53700015/07/2021

SUSPENSION:REAR

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode I

20V67500012/03/2021

SUSPENSION:REAR

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Yor

19V43500010/06/2019

SUSPENSION:REAR

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

15V81200002/12/2015

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Recent Complaints

20250722CrashSUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver and the front passenger’s side of the vehicle crashed into the shoulder lane wall. No warning lights were illuminated. The air bags had not deployed. No injuries were sustained; however, medical attention was sought. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the axle on the front passenger’s side wheel was cr

Mileage: 133,000

20250603FireENGINE

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended and turned off for a few hours, it caught fire. There were no warning lights illuminated prior to the failure. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries airbag deployment or crash. The vehicle was towed to a police tow lot. A police report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, w

Mileage: 250,000

20241107CrashSTEERING

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the steering wheel was turned left, however, the steering failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the steering proceeded to go forward. In addition, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle slid onto the grass and crashed into a barrier. The air bags deployed. The engine seized. The vehicle started, and the vehicle was drive

Mileage: 89,953

20240904ENGINE

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving, the contact noticed a strong unusual odor in the interior of the vehicle. The contact stated that the air conditioner was on, and the odor came through the vents. In addition, the contact stated that he and his minor child developed a headache and became nauseous. Medical attention was not sought as of yet. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made awar

Mileage: 157,625

20240618CrashSTEERING

I own a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving in the rain exiting the freeway at approximate speed of 25 MPH the steering wheel seemed to lock up and then was extremely difficult to steer, making it impossible to maneuver the vehicle causing me to hydroplane across several lanes until I crashed into a mature bush. Causing damage to my radiator. I have not taken it to the dealer and have only shopped around for independent mechanics. I am not sure of the extent of other damage. I just became awar

Mileage: 109,925

20240618CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

I own a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving in the rain exiting the freeway at approximate speed of 25 MPH the steering wheel seemed to lock up and then was extremely difficult to steer, making it impossible to maneuver the vehicle causing me to hydroplane across several lanes until I crashed into a mature bush. Causing damage to my radiator. I have not taken it to the dealer and have only shopped around for independent mechanics. I am not sure of the extent of other damage. I just became awar

Mileage: 109,925

20240424CrashSTRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced a failure. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH the driver's side A-Pillar trim was blown off of the vehicle by the slipstr

Mileage: 120,000

20240310FireENGINE

UNKNOWN. My sister had went to town in her car. She had came back home and parked the car in the driveway. After doing so her and her husband we inside, heard a rumbling sound went outside and car was on fire. The neighbors say they saw the car just catch on fire in her driveway. She had purchased the car less than 60 days ago in Manhattan, ks from CSM AUTO.

20240310FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNKNOWN. My sister had went to town in her car. She had came back home and parked the car in the driveway. After doing so her and her husband we inside, heard a rumbling sound went outside and car was on fire. The neighbors say they saw the car just catch on fire in her driveway. She had purchased the car less than 60 days ago in Manhattan, ks from CSM AUTO.

20240117CrashAIR BAGS

My vehicle was struck by a tractor trailer at 55-60 mph while sitting still. The impact caused my vehicle to spin and be embedded into the guardrail. None of the airbags deployed.

20231008FireENGINE

Unknown what caused the issue but our vehicle erupted into flames in our driveway not 10 minutes after we pulled in. No warnings, no indication anything was wrong. We smelled smoke and went outside to find the hood completely engulfed. It took fire department to extinguish it. They’re not certain of cause yet but said likely an electrical short

20231008FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Unknown what caused the issue but our vehicle erupted into flames in our driveway not 10 minutes after we pulled in. No warnings, no indication anything was wrong. We smelled smoke and went outside to find the hood completely engulfed. It took fire department to extinguish it. They’re not certain of cause yet but said likely an electrical short

20230925CrashSTEERING

the car keep saying power steering assist this is the second time the steering gear went out

20230321CrashSTEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH with her three-year-old in the vehicle, the power steering assist fault warning light illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn, causing the vehicle to strike a street pole sign. The contact stated that she was unable to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained neck injuries but did not receive medical attention. A Police report was not filed.

Mileage: 200,060

20220817CrashSTEERING

My 2013 Ford Explorer Sport lost control while driving. My wife ran off the road while driving going around a curve because the power steering went out without warning. Luckily, she was not in a place where she did not hit anyone but had a near miss with a pedestrian walking on the side of the road. I noticed in the past that the power steering fault indicator came on a few times when starting the vehicle. After turning the SUV off and back on, everything worked fine. I notified them at the dea

20220726CrashPOWER TRAIN

I pulled into a parking spot. I shifted to park, turned off my engine. My vehicle rolled backward and hit a parked car while I was still sitting in it.

20211216FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated they had taken their vehicle to a local dealer for a crack in the water pump which the dealer repaired, After the repair, the contact noticed a burning abnormal odor when turning on their heat from their a/c unit, which caused the contact and his passenger to become light-headed and dizzy. The contact drove to a local hospital where it was confirmed that the reason for the symptoms was due to high level of carbon monoxide levels. The cont

Mileage: 129,000

20211101STEERING

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle was jerking. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering assist before the driver lost control of the vehicle. The traction control warning light was illuminated along with the service power steering message displayed. The driver sustained injuries to her arm however, no medical attention was provided. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not

Mileage: 188,000

20210706CrashSTEERING

The electric power steering assist failed on my explorer while driving causing me to lose control and hit the ditch. There was a recall with this problem on the 2011-2013 models but both Ford and my local Ford dealer advised me that my vehicle is not part of the recall. It’s the same problem as the existing recall but mine is not included.

20201204CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, MAKING A SLIGHT TURN IN THE ROADWAY SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A SLIGHT DITCH STOPPING IN A DRIVEWAY ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER VICTORY LANE FORD, INC. (903 OLD RTE 66 N, LITCHFIELD,

Mileage: 100,000