2013 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 2,234 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 44 involved a crash and 11 involved a fire. 61 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, body, roof and pillarsJan 19, 2024
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.
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
Campaign 24V031000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearSep 22, 2021
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 York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.
Campaign 21V746000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearJul 15, 2021
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 Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.
Campaign 21V537000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearMar 12, 2021
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 York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S62.
Campaign 20V675000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearJun 10, 2019
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.
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
Campaign 19V435000 on NHTSA.gov
Wheels, hubAug 28, 2017
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 resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 17E048000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineDec 2, 2015
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.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.
Campaign 15V812000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, doorMar 24, 2015
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.
If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S11.
Campaign 15V171000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemMay 29, 2014
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.
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.
Campaign 14V286000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkagesJun 26, 2013
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 position to a deactivated position without notice.
If the child lock is deactivated, the door could be unlocked and opened from the inside which could lead to personal injury to an unrestrained child.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the safety locks. If necessary, the locks will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Ford's recall number is 13S07. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 13V270000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineMay 31, 2013
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.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.
Campaign 13V227000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyMar 27, 2013
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 the expected strength in the event of an impact. The tanks may also leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tanks and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S03. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 13V109000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
344 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 7, 2025
Check engine light goes on and off. May stay on a day or 2 but goes back off. When I get it checked no mechanic seems to know why. Same with the check charging system light that comes on. Also, the trim on the outside kept coming out, hitting my passenger side window and cracking it. It has completely come off 2 days ago. Rain is getting in my car. Back tires keep losing air. There was an issue with getting an alignment due to incorrect hardware and wiring. There is a safety recall for this.
Other or unspecified, Jun 4, 2025
The camera in the console is reflecting everything backward. If I am backing into a parking stall, everything on my left appears on the right and vise versa. I don't rely on it but it is unsafe
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 12, 2025
The backup camera works for a couple seconds then goes to a all black screen
Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2025
The backup camera on this vehicle stopped working correctly a while back. The image usually is shown mirror... so everything left-right is flipped which causes confusion for the driver. Other times the screen goes completely blank/black. Both of these create a safety issue when backing up, for cross traffic and pedestrians. This is issue just suddenly started one day. I asked the Ford dealer about it and being outside of the warranty period, there wasn't anything they could do. I can pay to replace the camera, but others reported doing that and the same problem came back later. I see now that Ford as active recalls for the same problem - but only for more recent model year vehicles.
Other or unspecified, Mar 26, 2025
Bad welding on the top left hinge of the liftgate allowed a crack to form over time. The crack exposed metal which allowed rust to form and leaks from rain water. This excess build up of water also allowed paint chipping and additional rust along the entirety of the crack and rear tray. This was discovered after some time, due to not being immediately visible from the rear of the car.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2025
Water leaking from ceiling
Other or unspecified, Feb 10, 2025
My 2013 Ford Explorer has a safety recall notice 24S02 that I received in the mail Feb 2024. Since getting the recall notice in the mail, I have tried numerous times over the past year with my Ford dealership in Glen Burnie, MD to get this recall taken care of. Every time I call, they keep saying they don’t have the parts and I am on the list for when parts come in they will call me etc…. Even before the recall was issued, in Oct 2023 I had the driver side molding and trim come off my vehicle. My husband and I were driving, heard something snap, had no idea what it was only when we parked the vehicle, we noticed the molding and trim on the driver side of my explorer had flown off on the road somewhere. I am thankful there were no accidents that happened. I did get the driver side molding and trim replaced and paid out of my own pocket to get this fixed. For all the parts $237.43 was the total (receipt is uploaded) and I am still waiting to be reimbursed for this since this recall. I will be uploading pictures of the molding and trim that came off my driver side (pic uploaded Oct 2023 when trim/molding came off) and when I paid for it to be fixed (receipt uploaded Oct 2023). I am also sending a recent picture of my passenger side trim (pic uploaded of passenger side gasket started to come off) because the gasket is falling apart and flying off into the air, which looks as if the trim and molding will eventually fly off as well since this is the safety recall. I need help in getting this safety recall fixed and also reimbursed for the other side molding and trim that I had to pay for. I feel as if I am getting the run around with my dealership and wanted to bring this to your attention. I am selecting the time of incident occurring [XXX] because this is the time of the 1st incident that occurred. Thank you for your time. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2025
Rear view camera malfunction. Goes blank or gives a distorted image. Sometimes it gives a reverse image. Needs replaced. Could cause a crash or vehicular accident.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Jan 20, 2025
With the vehicle on, will sometimes get simultaneous warnings for "Hill Descent Control Fault" and "Service AdvanceTrac" along with 3 warnings/flags (ABS, Service AdvanceTrac, and Service AdvanceTrac OFF). Additionally, the instrument cluster/display will occasionally (less often) reset while the vehicle is still on and driving.
Other or unspecified, Jan 5, 2025
Passenger side windshield pillar flew off of the vehicle while traveling on [XXX] in Williamsburg, Virginia. Pillar flew between my vehicle and other vehicles beside me and behind me. This was in mid-April 2024. The vehicle was inspected in June/July 2024 by Ford Motor Company, Cavalier Ford, Chesapeake, Virginia 23321 and I have been waiting ever since for the replacement part to come in. Also, all seals around doors and windshield have dry rotted and/or fallen off of the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Nov 26, 2024
Our steering wheel locked when we were about to leave our destination and drive back an hour to go home.
Other or unspecified, Nov 15, 2024
The A Pillar failed on my vehicle while driving on the interstate. When it failed, it wrapped around my side passenger mirror and broke a piece off of the body of the mirror housing. Ford not only has not repaired the A Pillar in a timely manner, but they refuse to cover the passenger side mirror that the failed product damaged. The incident happened in early August 2024. I opened an escalated ticket with Ford, who promised that a representative would contact me by phone within 1 business day and that was October 14th, and no one has contacted me to this date. I was notified of the recall back in January. Why has Ford not made any progress on making the parts available for this recall repair?
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 29, 2024
The side pillar of my windshield flew off on the freeway and probably hit another car this was very dangerous and now I'm missing a piece of my car. This recall need to be fixed asap
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2024
I have been waiting patiently for the recall (24S02/24V031) to be completed for my vehicle as it has been over 6 months since I received a letter. I have called the dealership several times, and they are waiting on Ford to deliver the parts to the dealership to make the repair. I am worried that this issue may get worse if it is not completed soon. What can you help me with to get this issue resolved quickly? When there is very high wind, I am worried that the parts will come off and break my side windows.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Sep 3, 2024
When I was driving suddenly vehicle shakes and gas/acceleration paddle stopped working middle of the road. I pulled my car side of the road, put it in park and turn off vehicle and start it back on gas/acceleration paddle work again. Problem is this happened several times last few weeks.
Other or unspecified, Aug 9, 2024
Still waiting on the recall from February 2024. Regarding exterior A-pillar trim clip attachment. Parts are barely hanging on around my windshield. I need my windshield replaced but i feel I can't until the recall trim is complete. Is there any updates or time-frame as to when this recall will be completed?
Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2024
Both exterior trim (that are connected to the windscreen) have detached and flown off the vehicle. The first one came of during high winds while driving several months ago. The other other one subsequently cam off in a similar fashion while I was driving on the highway. I initially contacted my insurance company but the out of pocket expense was more than I could afford. I then discovered there was a recall but attempts to get it fixed at the Ford Motor Company has not been successful. They report that they have not received the parts or released by the company to deal with the recall. Can you please advise?
Steering, Other or unspecified, Jul 3, 2024
Mechanic informed me that there is a recall on the rear toe link, but it is not showing up for my car. I am on my 2nd set of rear tires in two months. When driving in Rain I have almost lost control of my steering many times when I drive over even a splash of water. My local ford dealership will not honor the recall because my VIN is not on the list.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2024, crash
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 aware that this is a similar problem for other owners. The car is currently undrivable and is going to cost me a large amount of money - now the registration has lapsed (cannot smog) and I have DMV fees to. This was a solo car accident and no other people were in my vehicle at the time. I saw the recall notice (recently) on NHTSA but my VIN number is not included. I have not contacted anyone yet regarding this - I am already have trouble with FORD regarding covered repairs and being charged for a rental car (that was supposed to be included) Not sure what to do! Now i am making payments on a vehicle that i cannot drive and i cannot afford to purchase another one.
Other or unspecified, May 30, 2024
While driving at highway speeds, I heard a rattling sound twice and then noticed something flew off of my car. I couldn't tell what at the time. When I was able to look later, the driver's side front a-pillar (which I was recently informed has a recall on it) was gone. This had then become a hazard in the road for other driver's. No remedy for the recall is available at this time. There was no warning lights or alarms at the time.
Other or unspecified, Mar 25, 2024
A-pillar applique trim clip attachments are not properly engaged due to improper assembly or repair.
Other or unspecified, Mar 13, 2024
Exterior A pillar trim three off the vehicle while driving.
Other or unspecified, Mar 12, 2024
Carbon monoxide leaking into cabin causing carbon monoxide detector to go off.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 10, 2024, fire
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.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Mar 6, 2024
My power steering just stopped working while I was driving at 45 mph. Then all my warning light were going off saying faulty break system faulty hill decent something about my charging system. This has happened 4 times now where my power steering goes out WHILE I’M DRIVING.