Page 28 of 45 · complaints 1,351–1,400 of 2,237

2013 Ford Explorer complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2013 record →

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 29, 201850,000 milesPA

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SEVERELY INADEQUATE ,IF IT IS RAINING IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Dec 26, 2018118,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LAFONTAINE FORD (5103 S CEDAR STREET, LANSING, MI 48911) FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE SUN ROOF WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS-16709021. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 21, 201898,000 milesFL

WHEN DRIVING DOWN I-75 HEADED TO WORK, DOING 65 MPH BOTH MY WINDSHIELD TRIMS FLEW OFF MY CAR AN STARTED MAKING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. IT SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME! HOW HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED?

Steering
Filed Dec 21, 2018103,000 milesFL

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE MY VEHICLE SWAYED INTO ANOTHER LANE INVOLUNTARLY. I WENT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS INITIALLY TOLD MY ALIGNMENT WAS DUE. I EXPLAINED THE ISSUE AND ASKED IF IT WAS THOROUGHLY CHECKED. I WAS TOLD YES. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO HAVE MY VEHICLE ALMOST FLIP OVER WHILE TURNING. I WENT BACK IN AND AFTER CHECKING I AM TOLD THE STEERING GEAR FAILED.

Power TrainCrash1 killed
Filed Dec 21, 201830,000 milesNE

HAS THERE BEEN ANY REPORTED CASES OF A 2013 FORD EXPLORER SLIPPING FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITH THE SHIFTER? I HAVE NO SPECIFICS OTHER THAN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE CAR WAS PHYSICALLY SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO PARK OR REVERSE (ACCIDENTALLY) AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT IN HOUMA, LA.. PERSON DROVE CAR INTO PARKING LOT AND POSSIBLY WANTED TO GET OUT AND SEE HOW FAR THEY WERE FROM CURB. CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AND PERSON EXITED VEHICLE AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY RUN OVER. BYSTANDER WHO HEARD/SAW ACCIDENT SHIFTED CAR TO PARK (WAS PHYSICALLY IN REVERSE WHEN THEY GOT IT). I HAD HEARD THAT OLDER EXPLORERS MAY HAVE HAD AN ISSUE.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 19, 2018GA

SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED OR IN MOTION. WATER INTRUDES THU THE FRONT DOME LIGHT, THE SIDE, THE REAR SEAT BELT, AND OTHER AREAS. WATER WAS STANDING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FEET AREA AND IT FILLED THE REAR SPARE TIRE WHEEL WELL. HAD PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM THE FORD DEALER WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER WHO CLEARED THE TWO REAR DRAINS ON THE SUN ROOF, BUT THAT DOES NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE. DEALER RAN DIAGNOSTICS IN A WATER CLOSET THEY HAVE IN THEIR SHOP. DIAGNOSTIC REPORT NOTES "WATER IS FOUND COMING IN FROM THE TAIL GATE BODY SEAMS" DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THE SEAM SEALER IS APPLIED AT THE FACTORY DURING MANUFACTURING PRIOR TO THE PAINTING. APPARENTLY THIS FACTORY SEALER HAS FAILED. UNCLEAR IF SEALER COMPOUND WAS DEFECTIVE, OR WAS IMPROPERLY APPLIED. BOTTOM LINE IS THE FACTORY SEAL HAS FAILED, THE SEAMS ARE NOW COMPROMISED RESULTING IN THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THE 3RD PARTY EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT FORD SOLD ME IS SUPPOSED TO COVER SEALS AND GASKETS, BUT APPARENTLY THERE IS FINE PRINT DEEP IN THE BOWELS OF THE CONTRACT THAT EXCLUDES BODY ISSUES EVEN IF THE ROOT CAUSE IS POOR MATERIALS, POOR QUALITY, OR WORKMANSHIP BY THE MANUFACTURER. DEALER INDICATED THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN OBSERVED PREVIOUSLY ON THIS MODEL. SIMPLE WEB SEARCHES SHOW A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS AND ADJACENT MODEL YEARS BUT YET RECALL YET FOR THE ISSUE. I CONTACTED FORD'S SUPPORT LINE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. NO RESOLUTION AS O

Steering
Filed Dec 18, 201885,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMALLY LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AREA. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN LEFT AND RIGHT. SUNSET FORD (11700 GRAVOIS RD, ST. LOUIS, MO 63127, (314) 843-4431) WAS NOTIFIED AND A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12017 (STEERING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE WAS THE SAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Engine
Filed Dec 18, 201860,000 milesNY

TIMING CHAIN STRETCH. $3,000 TO FIX IT

Steering
Filed Dec 16, 201890,000 milesMO

LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT LOWER SPEEDS, REQUIRES ME TO WORK HARDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE.

Steering
Filed Dec 15, 201886,000 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AND MADE NOISE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AT 30 MPH.

Power Train
Filed Dec 12, 201865,000 milesPA

OVER THE SUMMER, I BEGAN SMELLING FUMES IN MY VEHICLE CABIN. THE LOCAL DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS DUE TO THE RECALL, AND I HAD NO REASON TO BE WORRIED. UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO HOUSING ISSUES, THE RECALL GOT PUSHED TO THE BACK BURNER. SO, I HAD AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR YESTERDAY, 12/11 TO HAVE THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FIXED. THEN LAST WEDNESDAY, 12/5 MY CAR KEPT SEIZING WHEN I WAS BRAKING OR ACCELERATING, AND I ALMOST WRECKED MY VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES. AFTER RULING OUT THE U JOINT OR DRIVE SHAFT, WE THEN FOUND THE GLISTENING LEAK ON THE PTU, AND WERE ABLE TO DEDUCE THE SMELL AS BEING DIFF FLUID DRIPPING DOWN ONTO THE EXHAUST AND COMING THROUGH THE CABIN. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEABLE, THE NEXT MORNING, I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER, WHO PUT ME INTO A RENTAL, AND WE GINGERLY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THAT AFTERNOON. YESTERDAY, I GET A PHONE CALL CONFIRMING WHAT WE SUSPECTED THE PROBLEM TO BE. WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER, HE CONFIRMED THAT THIS IS DEFINITELY A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MULTIPLE FORD MODELS, AND HE IS COMPLETELY FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. 24 HOURS INTO THIS, FORD IS SAYING IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM, AND THAT THERE'S NO "PROMOTIONS" THAT I'M ELIGIBLE FOR. I'M ABOUT AT MY WITS END. I HAVE ONE CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, AND I'M A SINGLE MOM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO GET THIS RESOLVED AND GET FORD TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM THAT IS NOW COSTING ME CLOSE TO $2,000. TO FURTHER DESCRIBE THE ISSUE, WHEN IT FINALLY GOT TO ITS WORST, WHEN COMPRESSING THE BRAKE, YOU W

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Dec 11, 2018HI

MY VEHICLE KEEPS GIVING ME A "SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE AFTER IT'S ALREADY IN PARK. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN THE SUMMER OF 2012 AND IT'S A 2013. WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF HAVING IT THIS ISSUE BEGAN. I'VE MENTIONED IT SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I'VE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. I EVEN TOOK IT IN JUST FOR THAT ERROR MESSAGE AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE THE ISSUE COULDN'T BE DUPLICATED I WOULD HAVE TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND I STILL HAD TO PAY THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE OF $150 PLUS TAX.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Dec 10, 2018107,000 milesMD

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED SPONTANEOUSLY WITH NO SIGNS OF IMPACT. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE APPROXIMATELY 32 DEGREES, INSIDE APPROXIMATELY 70 DEGREES. THE TEMPERED GLASS LITERALLY EXPLODED. NO OTHER PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR APPARENT. AFTER DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH, I FOUND THIS IS NOT UNIQUE TO ME, AND THAT SUNROOFS AND WINDOWS OFTEN SHATTER SPONTANEOUSLY DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECTS THAT CAN BE LATENT FOR YEARS. SPECIFICALLY NOTED WAS FORD; IN PARTICULAR, THE F150. THIS CAR IS A FORD EXPLORER. THE ENTIRE WINDOW REQUIRES REPLACEMENT.

Power Train
Filed Dec 9, 2018137,200 milesNC

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE SUV SHUDDERED AND I HEARD SOMETHING BOUNCING DOWN THE UNDERSIDE OF THE SUV, WHICH ISSHUDDERONG EVERY BADATTHISPOINT SO I STOP SEEIF I COULD TELL WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS... INDEED I DID THERE WAS A LARGE PIECE OF MY TRANSFER CASE/ PTU MISSING I TRIED FINDING IT WITH NO LUCK .. I TRIED MOVING THE SUV OFF THE HIGHWAY BABYING IT JERKED AT 5 MPH MIND THEN AWD LIGHT FLASHED AND WENT RIGHT BACK OFF GOT OUT TO LOOK AGAIN YEAH WHOLE DRIVESHAFT HANGING DOWN.... NOW OUTSIDE MY SAFETY THANK GOD THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED BUT THINK ABOUT THE VERY LARGE CHUNK OF METAL THAT SHOT OUT FROM UNDER MY SUV THANK GOD NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY VERY BAD PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS IF YOU WOULD EMAIL ME I WILL TAKE PICS NEXT TIME I'M AROUND THE EXPLORER AND EMAIL THEM BACK ...APPROXIMATELY 45MPH WHEN PIECE CAME OFF AND 5MPH WHEN DRIVESHAFT FELL DOWN

Steering
Filed Dec 5, 2018125,000 milesFL

MY EXPLORER LIMITED 2013 HAS THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM DAMAGED, LOCKED AND I ALMOST HAD A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT WHEN IT LOCKED WHILE DRIVING. I LEARNED ABOUT A RECALL FOR THIS KNOWN ISSUE, HAD A CHAT SESSION A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT FALL INTO THE RECALL DATES RANGE FOR BARELY 6 MONTHS. I CONTACTED FORD AGAIN FOR RECONSIDERATION? IT IS EVIDENT THAT MY PROBLEM IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ONE COVERED BY THE RECALL. I HAD READ A LOT OF INFORMATION ON LINE AND THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IS IDENTICAL TO MINE. NO DOUBT THAT MY CAR WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL DATES.

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 5, 201874,000 milesMN

BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR FORD CARBON MONOXIDE CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM #17N03. WAS CALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP TO TELL ME THAT THE TRANSFER CASE IS LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE SWAY BARS AND LINKS. I SEE THAT MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN LODGED REGARDING THIS TYPE OF REPAIR. FOR THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND HOW LITTLE IT IS DRIVEN THESE SEEM LIKE PRICEY REPAIRS. I DRIVE A 2013 FORD EXPLORER WITH 74,000 MILES ON IT. PLEASE ADVISE.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 5, 2018VA

THE FRONT HOOD PAINT HAS BUBBLED AND PEELED OFF THE FRONT EDGE. APPEARS TO HAVE BUBBLED IN MORE PLACES, NOW AWAITING EVEN MORE PEELING. OBVIOUSLY A PAINT DEFECT. ALTHOUGH I WILL ENTER A DATE - IT'S BEEN A CONSTANT DEFECT. (SPEAKING WITH OTHER FORD EXPLORER OWNERS - A COMMON COMPLAINT.) #2 ALSO, FOR SEVERAL YEARS THE CAR DRIVER DOOR SENSOR (?) LIGHT (HENCE THE CEILING LIGHTS) STAY ON (ALTHOUGH THE CEILING EVENTUALLY TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING). THIS INDICATION THAT THE DOOR IS AJAR / NOT CLOSED IS FREQUENT AND OFTEN AND HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN VIRGINIA SEVERAL TIMES - WITH NO REPAIR / FIX. IT IS NOT CONSTANT BUT FREQUENT.

Steering
Filed Dec 4, 2018110,000 milesMA

THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. LOCAL REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

Steering
Filed Dec 3, 2018112,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH IN A PARKING GARAGE, THE STEERING LOST POWER AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE POWER STEERING RESUMED ONCE IT WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RAY PEARMAN LINCOLN (256- 536-7451 (LOCATED AT 2501 BOB WALLACE AVE SW, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35805) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 1, 2018100,000 milesMD

I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE 3 YEARS AGO FROM LIBERTY FORD. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN SERVICED WITH THEIR COMPANY SINCE I BROUGHT THE CAR. NOW TODAY I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE MY TRANSFER CASE. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK WAS STALLING, I COULDN'T DRIVE OR GIVE IT GAS IN THE MOTION WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC SHOP. IT SOUNDED LIKE MY TRUCK WAS DRAGGING. THE COST OF A TRANSFER CASE IS OVER 1,000 NOT INCLUDING LABOR AND I THINK THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND WITH A TRUCK ALMOST 6 YEARS OLD. I THINK IT'S A DEFECT AND ALSO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON FOR NO REASON AT ALL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS CLAIM AND OTHER VEHICLE AS MINE. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AGAINST FORD.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 30, 201897,000 milesNY

EXHAUST MANIFOLDS HAVE DETERIORATED, ALLOWING EXHAUST GASES INTO THE CABIN WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVING. PROBLEM CONFIRMED BY REPAIR SHOP, WHICH ESTIMATES $2,000 TO REPLACE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND THE ATTACHED CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT IS KNOWN TO FORD, BASED ON NEWS ARTICLES.

Steering
Filed Nov 29, 2018121,000 milesFL

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 SIGNAL RESULTING IN A SHUT DOWN OF THE POWER STEERING ASSIST. UNFORTUNATELY MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS TIMEFRAME BUT I AM CURRENTLY HAVING THIS ISSUE AND HAVE READ MANY OTHER FORD DRIVERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE BUT FORD DENIES TO FIX VIA RECALL. CAN YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND EXTEND THE RECALL TO OTHER 2013 VEHICLES AS I OWN ONE AND THEY ARE DENYING ME TO FIX MY VEHICLE AND I AM SCARED TO DRIVE AND GET INTO A CAR ACCIDENT.

Engine2 injured
Filed Nov 29, 201848,700 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA FOR OVER THIRTY MINUTES, THE CONTACT FELT DIZZY AND LIGHT HEADED. THE SYMPTOMS RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WELSH MOTORS FORD (330-549-3925, LOCATED AT 13760 WOODWORTH RD, NEW SPRINGFIELD, OH 44443) WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S SYMPTOMS RETURNED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER LATER DIAGNOSED THAT THE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AGAIN, THE CONTACT'S SYMPTOMS RETURNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING A FOUR HOUR ROAD TRIP, ONE OF HER FAMILY MEMBERS SUFFERED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. NO ONE RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DUCT TAPE ON THE EXHAUST FELL OFF. THE DUCT TAPE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE SYMPTOMS CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,700.

Engine
Filed Nov 29, 201866,000 milesCA

EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE CAUSING NAUSEA AND HEADACHES. HAPPENING CONSISTANTLY FOR THE LAST 3YRS

Steering
Filed Nov 28, 201896,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (LINDSAY FORD, 11250 VEIRS MILL RD, SILVER SPRING, MD) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. *TT*JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 19, 2018109,000 milesID

ABOUT A YEAR AGO I WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS TO GET MY EXPLORER 'FIXED' WITH THE EXHAUST SMELL ISSUE. AND I THOUGH ALL WAS WELL. THEN THIS YEAR ONCE I STARTED USING THE HEATER IN MY VEHICLE IT BECAME MUCH WORSE THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR. MY TODDLER COMPLAINS OF HEAD ACHES AFTER CAR RIDES AND I GET LIGHT HEADED AND VERY NAUSEOUS. IF THE CAR IS LEFT RUNNING FOR EVEN 30 SECONDS WITH 50 FEET OF CLEARANCE BEHIND IT THE CABIN IS FILLED WITH AN UNBEARABLE AMOUNT OF EXHAUST SMELL. I'M SCARED FOR THE LIVES OF MY CHILDREN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE NOW THAT IT'S WINTER AND I NEED TO BE ABLE TO RUN THE HEATER. IT IS FINE AS LONG AS I HAVE THE CLIMATE CONTROL TURNED COMPLETELY OFF. BUT THAT'S UNREASONABLE WHEN IT'S 19 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND I HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN. I BOUGHT A CAR WITH A HEATER I SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE IT. LIKE I SAID IT IS MUCH WORSE WHEN THE CAR IS JUST SITTING PARKED AND RUNNING BUT THE SMELL IS PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE THE HEATER IS IN USE.

Steering
Filed Nov 14, 201860,000 milesTX

LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A TURN OFF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNING OUT OF PARKING LOTS. MAKING THIS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, NOT ONLY FOR ME BUT OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME

Steering
Filed Nov 13, 2018140,040 milesAZ

PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. POWER STEERING WAS FROZEN, POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. PULLED BACK INTO DRIVEWAY WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY DUE TO NO STEERING ASSIST OR POWER STEERING. THE NEXT DAY, NO WARNING LIGHT OR PROBLEM. TOOK TO LOCAL GOODYEAR, THEY DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM AFTER RUNNING AND DRIVING IT FOR A FEW HOURS. THERE WAS NO LIGHT OR CODE THAT SHOWED UP FROM PREVIOUS DAY'S ISSUE. ONCE PROBLEM WAS DUPLICATED THEY DETERMINED IT WAS THE RACK N PINION THAT WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 5, 201890,000 milesIL

THE CABIN SMELLS OF EXHAUST WHILE DRIVING. IT SMELLS THIS WAY ON CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY. THE SMELL GETS WORSE THE LONGER THE CAR IS RUNNING. WE HAD THE WORKAROUND THAT FORD SUGGESTED DONE AND IT HAS NOT HELPED THE ISSUE.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 4, 201880,000 milesTN

WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE A SYSTEM ERROR COMES UP 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILER' AND 'AUTO TRACTION SYSTEM NEEDS SERVICING'AND MY TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS TINTED IN AS WELL. I'VE TRIED TURNING MY VEHICLE IN AND OFF AGAIN AND EVEN TRYING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. THERE WAS A FACTORY RECALL FOR MY MAKE AND YEAR MODEL VEHICLE IN 2014 BUT I DO NOT KNOW IF IT WAS CORRECTED AS I LURCHED THE VEHICLE USED FROM A FORD DEALER IN 2017.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 3, 2018MA

SMELL OF EXHAUST WITHIN CAB OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. SMELL CAN BE OVERPOWERING AND THE EFFECTS CAN MAKE THE OCCUPANTS FEEL NAUSEOUS. FORD HAD BEEN NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES OF THIS MATTER AND WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 2, 2018106,000 milesOK

THE ROOF OPERATING PANEL MODULE IS BAD. MY MOON/SUNROOF IS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. WE STOPPED AT THREE DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS TO SEE IF THEY COULD SHUT IT SO WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN WITH IT OPEN THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT PLASTIC ON TOP OF IT BUT NOW IT'S JUST SITTING IN MY GARAGE UNTIL WE CAN COME UP WITH MONEY TO FIX IT

Steering
Filed Nov 2, 2018105,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. KRAPOHL FORD & LINCOLN (1415 EAST PICKARD ROAD, MOUNT PLEASANT, MICHIGAN 48858, (800) 772-5974) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. *DT *JB

Engine
Filed Nov 1, 201865,239 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, EXHAUST FUME ODOR WAS DETECTED INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ROLLED THE WINDOWS DOWN AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER QUIRK FORD (540 SOUTHERN ARTERY, QUINCY, MA 02169) WHERE THEY DETERMINE THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,239. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 1, 201883,000 milesWA

WE RECENTLY BEGAN SMELLING A PUNGENT 'SULFUR' OR 'ROTTEN EGG' LIKE SMELL THAT COMES AND GOES IN THE INTERIOR CABIN OF OUR EXPLORER WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. TYPICALLY THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR WHILE OR JUST AFTER DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS/ACCELERATING. WE BELIEVE THIS IS IN LINE WITH OTHER INSTANCES PEOPLE HAVE HAD IN EXPLORERS OF POSSIBLE EXHAUST LEAKS INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN SPACE OF THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE 83,000 MILES ON OUR 2013 AWD 3.5L EXPLORER LIMITED. WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER UNDER CUSTOMER SERVICE SATISFACTION PROGRAM SERVICE # 17N03, BUT THEY STATED OUR SPECIFIC VIN DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS SERVICE & THUS WOULD NOT COVER THAT SERVICE FIX FOR THIS ISSUE.

Power Train
Filed Oct 29, 2018115,000 milesMN

2ND TIME THE TRANSFER CASE HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. 115K MILES.

Steering
Filed Oct 29, 201878,475 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON BUT FAILED TO RESET THE POWER STEERING. COURTESY LINCOLN (4010 AMBASSADOR CAFFERY PKWY, LAFAYETTE, LA 70503, (337) 504-7341) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DECLINED TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,475. *TT *JB

Seat Belts
Filed Oct 29, 2018MS

WHEN IT RAINS, WATER POURS IN FROM DRIVER SIDE 3RD ROW SEAT BELT. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD EXPLORERS DUE TO POOR WELDING ISSUES, YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT FUTURE MOLD AND MILDEW ISSUES IN THE CAR. I DRIVE AROUND 3 YOUNG CHILDREN AND DO NOT WANT ANY HEALTH ISSUES BECAUSE OF THIS FLAW. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND ISSUE A RECALL SO IT CAN BE FIXED. I DO NOT HAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX THEIR WELDING MISTAKES.

Steering
Filed Oct 27, 201874,000 milesTX

STARTED WITH A LOAD GRINDING NOISE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THIS PROBLEM HAS PROGRESSED TO OCCASIONALLY LOSING POWER STEERING. LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS, THE CURRENT RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VIN, ONLY MODELS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED JUST A FEW MONTHS PRIOR. THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE WAS NOT REMEDIED ON LATER MODELS (2013, 2014 AND EVEN 2015'S). SHAME ON FORD! THEY MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND EXTEND THE CURRENT RECALL OF THEIR FAULTY PART TO LATER EXPLORER MODELS.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 26, 2018100 milesNJ

WINDSHIELD TRIM RANDOMLY FLEW OFF GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ST 70 MPH AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BEHIND ME.

Steering
Filed Oct 26, 2018125,000 milesLA

STEERING FROZE UP AND DIED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE BACKING UP FROM A PARKING SPOT. I HAVE SEEN SIMILAR REPORTS JUST LOOKING AT THE LAST FEW DAYS WORTH. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

Steering
Filed Oct 22, 201869,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ABILITY SEIZED AND THE POWER ASSIST FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CURRIE MOTORS FORD OF FRANKFURT, 9423 W LINCOLN HWY, FRANKFURT, IL 60423) ON AUGUST 19, 2018 FOR THE SAME FAILURE, AND THE DEALER UPDATED THE SOFTWARE FOR THE POWER CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. .*DT *JB

Steering
Filed Oct 20, 201874,000 milesTX

LOSS OF POWER STEERING. STARTED WITH A LOAD GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS, THE PROBLEM WORSENED TO THE POINT OF WHILE DRIVING, WE LOST STEERING CONTROL. AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE CURRENT RECALL OF THIS EXACT ISSUE APPARENTLY DOES NOT APPLY TO OUR VIN NUMBER. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE RECALL MUST BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MORE VIN NUMBERS. HELP!

Steering
Filed Oct 18, 201876,000 milesTX

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN FROM PARKING SPOTS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING CAME ON. LOST ALL POWER STEERING.THE DEALERSHIP SAID ITS THE EPAS, ELECTRIC POWER ASSISTED STEERING.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 18, 201845,000 milesTX

THE WELD SEAM SEALANT USED ABOVE THE TAILGATE HAS FAILED AND BEGUN CRACKING, ALLOWING RAINTO ENTER THROUGH THE POORLY DONE WELDING, AND DRIPS INTO MY CARGO AREA THROUGH THE REAR SPEAKERS, DOWN THE SEATBELT, AND ONTO MY SEATS. LUCKILY I HAVE A CARGO LINER WHICH HELPS AVOID MY SEATS FROM GETTING SOAKED. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER PARKED OR MOVING.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 18, 2018WI

CARBON MONOXIDE ODOR HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE. EVERY TIME I DRIVE I BEGIN TO FEEL NAUSEOUS AND GET A HEADACHE. I HAVE 2 BOYS, MY 11 YEAR OLD AGREES IT'S A STRONG ODOR AND HE BEGINS TO FEEL DIZZY. I FEAR TO EVEN HAVE MY CHILDREN ESPECIALLY MY 1 YEAR OLD IN THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE AND THEY WERE THE REASON I PURCHASED IT. I'VE HAD MY VEHICLE IN A CERTIFIED FORD DEALERSHIP TWICE NOW SINCE I PURCHASED A FEW MONTHS AGO HAS EVER MENTIONED THIS ISSUE! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED! DOES SOMEONE NEED TO BE HOSPITALIZED OR DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. I FINALLY LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE IF THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE AND OF COURSE IT IS! PLEASE FIX THIS, AN INVESTIGATION OVER A YEAR NOW AND NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. YOU HAVE A REPUTATION TO UPHOLD.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 16, 201845,000 milesHI

METAL BODY CRACKING ON UPPER AREA PANEL WHERE LIFTGATE HINGES ARE. CREATING WATER DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR PART OF THE THIRD ROW. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS AND THE CRACKS ARE GETTING BIGGER.

Steering
Filed Oct 15, 201861,000 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING ABILITY BECAME DIFFICULT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FAILURE APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AND A HALF AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS-50964197. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. *DT CONSUMER STATED REPAIR WAS DONE. UPDATED 11/30/18 *JB *TT*JB

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 13, 201819,192 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHETHER ON HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS MY REAR BRAKES KEEP DRAGGING CAUSING SMOKING HOT BURNING METAL SMELL . THIS STARTED BACK ON 09/09/2014 AND HAS HAPPENED 7 TIMES SINCE. ACTUALLY IT HAPPENED MORE THAN 7 BUT I ONLY HAVE DOCUMENTATION FOR 7. IT WAS HAPPENING SO MUCH BUT INTERMITTENTLY SO I BOUGHT A INFRARED GUN TO MEASURE THE HOT BRAKES. THE HIGHEST TEMPS RECORDED WAS 505 DEGREES. TWICE THE SQUEALING AND SCREECHING AND CRACKING SOUNDS OF METAL TO METAL WAS SO LOUD THAT I WAS SCARED TO DRIVE AND HAD TO TAKE IT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER. TWICE THE BRAKES WENT DOWN TO BARE METAL WHERE EVERYTHING HAD TO BE REPLACE. THE OTHER TIMES I WAS ABLE TO CATCH IT BEFORE THAT BUT STILL HOW MUCH BRAKE WAS WORN OFF I COULDN'T KNOW. TWICE THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED CALIPERS , TWICE THEY REPAIRED RESTRICTIONS IN BRAKE HOSES TWICE THEY CLAIMED THE SLIDES WERE RUSTING UP AND HAD TO BE CLEANED ( NOT UNDER WARRANTY ) AND THE BRAKES WERE ONLY ABOUT A YEAR OLD WHEN THEY SAID THE SLIDES WERE RUSTED.THREE SETS OF BRAKES WERE INSTALLED. I AM NOT HARD ON BRAKES AS I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL BRAKES ON THE FRONT. SOMETHING HAS CHANGED WITH FORDS DESIGN OF THESE BRAKES THAT'S CAUSING THIS . I HAVE OWNED A FORD EXPLORER FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS AND NEVER ENCOUNTER THIS PROBLEM NOR HAVE I HAD TO CLEAN THE SLIDES BETWEEN BRAKE JOBS. HOPE YOU CAN HELP AS I FEEL THE NEXT TIME THE BRAKES MAY FAIL COMPLETELY ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING ALL THE TRAUMA MY BRAKE SYSTEM AS GONE THROUGH SO FAR.

Steering
Filed Oct 10, 201895,000 milesAZ

FORD ANNOUNCED A POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT RECALL ON CERTAIN 2011-2013 FORD EXPLORER VEHICLES. MY 2013 HAD THE STEERING ASSIST FAULT GO OUT WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AND WHEN SEARCHING UNDER MY VIN, NO RECALL... TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO TELL ME THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH RECALL AND THAT IT'S GOING TO COST $2,200 TO FIX. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE CONSIDERING THE ISSUE AND IT BLOWS MY MIND THAT THE SAME EXACT ISSUE CAN OCCUR ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS A RECALL ISSUED AND MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE DOESN'T APPLY.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2013 Ford Explorer → · Every Explorer year → · How the figures are calculated →