TroubleCAR
54
Trouble

2013 Ford Explorer

Complaints: 2203Avg mileage: 80,768 miSince: Aug 2012
1 deathCrashFire61 injured

Problem Areas

Steering
797
Unknown or Other
339
Engine
224
Structure:Body
222
Structure
193
Electrical System
154
Fuel/Propulsion System
120
Power Train
118
Suspension
77
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
45

Complaints Over Time

Recent Complaints

POWER TRAIN
30,000 miDec 21, 2018OMAHA, NE
1 deathCrash

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.

STEERING
89,953 miNov 7, 2024Panama City, FL
Crash1 injured

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 driven to the contact's residence. The contact stated that this was an extremely terrifying situation. The contact was the only occupant in the vehicle. The contact sustained a skinned left shoulder and a stiff neck, however, no medical attention was required. No Police report was filed. The vehicle was damaged to the passenger's side front grill. The contact stated that due to his fear, the vehicle had not been driven since the crash occurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. In addition, the contact was a certified mechanic and stated that the failure indicated a possible failed electronic steering module. The contact referenced recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000(Steering) which had a similar failure description, however the contact VIN was not associated with the recall. The dealer was made aware of the failure, however the contact was informed that the contact's vehicle was not associated with the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the contact's VIN was not associated with any unknown recalls. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,953.

AIR BAGS
Jan 17, 2024Bowling Green, VA
Crash2 injured

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.

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
200,060 miMar 21, 2023Ozark, AL
Crash1 injured

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. The contact was concerned for her safety and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with an electrical power steering assist failure. The contact was informed that the electrical power steering assist needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the part required to fix the vehicle was no longer in production. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 200,060.

SUSPENSION
130,000 miJun 30, 2020NAVARRE, FL
Crash1 injured

MEMORANDUM FOR FORD CORPORATION, CLAIM DIVISION FROM: [XXX], OWNER OF 2013 FORD EXPLORER XLT, VIN#[XXX]. RE: PUNITIVE DAMAGES DUE A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. RECALL# 19S17 MA'AM, SIR, I OWN A 2013 FORD EXPLORER, VIN#[XXX]. IN DECEMBER 2015, I MOVED TO GERMANY IN UNDER US ARMY ORDERS AND EXPORTED MY SUV TO OUR MILITARY INSTALLATION IN VILSECK, GERMANY. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR, EXPERIENCING STEERING PROBLEMS AND TWICE LOST CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN TWO ACCIDENTS IN MARCH, 2016 AND NOVEMBER, 2017. OVER MY DEPLOYMENT TO GERMANY, I SOUGHT HELP FROM LOCAL FORD SITES IN BAVARIA, SPENT CONSIDERABLE AMOUNTS TO FIX THE ISSUE THINKING THE BRAKES ARE THE ISSUES AND IN TIMES CHANGING TIRES, BUT IN VAIN. WHEN, I ATTEMPTED TO IMPORT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE HOMELAND UPON MY RECENT PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION (PCS) BACK TO HURLBURT FIELD, FL, I FOUND OUT THAT THE SUV WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL FOR A DEFECT IN THE REAR TOE LINK, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF CRASH (FORD RECALL# 19S17 AND NTHSA RECALL# 19V435). I OBTAINED A WAIVER TO IMPORT THE CAR AND CALLED WORLD FORD PENSACOLA AS SOON AS MY CAR LANDED IN THE US ON JANUARY 27, 2020 TO SCHEDULE A FIX. THEY FIXED THE ISSUE ON JANUARY 29, 2020. IT IS WORTH MENTIONING THAT FORD HAS MY UPDATED ARMY POST OFFICE (APO) ADDRESS BUT HAD NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF THIS IMPORTANT RECALL (I HAVE MAIL FROM FORD TO MY APO ADDRESS BUT NOT FOR THE RECALL). FOR THE FOREGOING REASONS, I DECIDED TO FILE A CLAIM WITH FORD CORPORATION FOR ALL OF THE EXPENSES INCURRED DUE TO THE MISHAP, INCLUDING MY ACCIDENT IN 2016 AND 2017. I CONTACTED YOUR HQ ,BUT IN VAIN. HE IGNORED MY PHONE CALLS AND MY EMAILS. THEREFORE, I AM REACHING OUT TO YOU IN WRITING. I AM ASKING, AT THIS POINT, ONLY FOR REPAIR EXPENSES AND NOT ASKING FOR MEDICAL BILLS STEMMING FROM THE ACCIDENTS ($ 1732.90 AND 5000.04 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
May 15, 2020TAMARAC, FL
Crash4 injured

ON JANUARY 12, 2020, WHILE DRIVING HOME TO FLORIDA FROM GEORGIA, INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT SERIOUSLY INJURED 26 YEAR OLD DRIVER AND HER 2 CHILDREN, AGES 8 AND 4. ALTHOUGH THE CHILDREN WERE ABLE TO GO HOME WITH WEEKS OF THE ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER WAS LEFT WITH SEVERE INJURIES AND IMPAIRMENTS, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, AND IN A COMA FOR NEARLY 2 MONTHS. THE 26 YEAR OLD DRIVER RECENTLY CAME HOME IN MARCH AFTER SPENDING TIME AT BROOKS REHABILITATION, BUT WE RECENTLY RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT ABOUT RECALL 19S17. WE ARE WONDERING IF THIS RECALL COULD HAVE POSSIBLY PLAYED A PART IN THIS ACCIDENT, AS SHE WAS BRAKING WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND VEERED OFF THE ROAD, AND SHE WENT HEAD ON INTO A SEMI-TRUCK GOING THE OTHER DIRECTION ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

SUSPENSION
Oct 9, 2019BISMARCK, ND
Crash1 injured

VEHICLE HAD TOE LINK REPLACED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RECALL 19V-435 ON 8-19-19. ON 9-10-19, THE REPLACEMENT TOE LINK FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH. THE DEALERSHIP REPORTS THE TOE LINK FAILED AT THE WELD.

SERVICE BRAKES
111,500 miMar 7, 2019GEORGETOWN, TX
Crash2 injured

I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, PREPARING TO STOP. I WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 65/70 MPH. WHEN PRESSING ON THE BREAKS THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. I PUMPED THE BREAKS. THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME WHERE AT A STOP AND GETTING CLOSER VERY QUICKLY. I PUSHED AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BREAK AND THEN TRIED TO PUSH ON THE EMERGENCY BREAK LOCATED ON THE FLOOR. IT ONLY KICKED BACK. SECONDS LATER I HAD A DIRECT IMPACT WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. AIRBAG DEPLOYED! THERE ARE NO SKID MARKS ON THE ROAD! THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP!!!

AIR BAGS
50,000 miMar 8, 2018HASTINGS, MN
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE CHEST THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 22, 2018TOMAH, WI
Crash1 injured

ONE CAR ACCIDENT HIT GUARD RAIL THEN RAN IN THE NEUTRAL GROUND ALL FOUR TIRES BLOWOUT. BLURRED VISION COULD NOT FIND THE INTERSTATE. GULOSE LEVEL 34 NOT A DIABETIC. NEED TO INVESTIGATE SUV TOTALED. ON HIGHWAY, IN MOTION

AIR BAGS
72,500 miJun 19, 2017HOUSTON, TX
Crash2 injured

ON MAY 31, 2017, I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH MY 2013 FORD EXPLORER STRUCK A RED LIGHT RUNNER AT APPROXIMATELY 35 - 40 MPH. MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE. SO MUCH SO, IT'S A TOTAL LOSS. THE MOST ALARMING DETAIL IS THAT MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT!! NEITHER THE DRIVER SIDE NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE. I KNOW THAT FORD HAS A NUMBER OF RECALLS IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS BUT I COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING IN REGARDS TO THE 2013 FORD EXPLORER EVEN THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. FORD REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THESE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS WITHIN THIS MODEL BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SEVERELY INJURED. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO AIRBAG LIGHTS, ETC... FORD IS EVEN REFUSING TO SEND A "REP" TO WHERE MY VEHICLE IS BEING HELD TO CONDUCT AN INSPECTION OF IT...

AIR BAGS
42,000 miMay 5, 2016NEW HAVEN, CT
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT BECAME UNCONSCIOUS AND CRASHED INTO A FRONT PORCH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND NOSE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

AIR BAGS
86,000 miMar 25, 2016COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
Crash1 injured

I WAS STANDING AT A RED LIGHT AND WAS REAR ENDED BY A SPEEDING DRIVER. I WAS CATAPULTED INTO THE TRUCK STANDING IN FRONT OF ME. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS TOTALED, AS WELL AS THE FRAME BENT FROM THE REAR; WHERE I WAS HIT ORIGINALLY ONLY MILLISECONDS BEFORE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG PROTECTION, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. A FIREMAN ON SCENE COMMENTED THAT HE COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE IS IN THE POLICE IMPOUND LOT, BECAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURIES. I HAVE SINCE SHOWN THE PICTURES TO SEVERAL PEOPLE, EVEN MECHANICS; AND THEY HAVE ALL STATED THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE AIRBAGS, SINCE THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS DEMANDING THAT I RELEASE THE VEHICLE TO THEM IMMEDIATELY.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
20,000 miJul 22, 2015CLOVERDALE, CA
Crash3 injured

2011-2015 FORD EXPLORER THERE IS A "DESIGN FLAW" IN WHICH THE INTERNAL CABIN AIR VENTS ARE SUCKING IN EXHAUST AND CARBON MONOXIDE. FORD HAS ISSUED A FIX (TSB 14-0130) BUT NOT A RECALL AND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. FOR ME IT IS HAPPENING ON ACCELERATION AND GOING UP STEEP GRADES AND THERE IS A SULFUR/MECHANICAL BURNING SMELL THAT WAFTS IN. THE KIDS AND I, AS WELL AS ANYONE ELSE IN THE CAR FOR LONG DURATIONS, HAVE BEEN GETTING MIGRAINES, DIZZY AND JUST FLAT OUT SICK. I DRIVE FOR WORK AND THE DIZZINESS AND MIGRAINES HAS BECOME SO FREQUENT, AS WELL AS MIXING UP WORDS WHEN I'M SPEAKING, THAT I WAS BEGINNING TO THINK SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH ME. I PASSED OUT AND WRECKED IT WHEN I HAD ONLY 20,000 MILES ON IT AND I KEPT SAYING "I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED, I JUST PASSED OUT". I HAD GONE UP THE GRADE ON 101, WHERE THE FUMES BECOME EXTREMELY POTENT, EXITED, AND HAD JUST GOT ON TO THE RANCH ROAD AND WAS GOING SLOW AND I WAS (FOR THE MOST PART) UN-INJURED AND NO ONE WAS WITH ME. I HAVE HAD IT IN 5 TIMES FOR THE SMELL BUT IT WASN'T UNTIL THIS LAST TIME THAT THEY TOLD ME WHAT WAS REALLY GOING ON. FORD WOULDN'T PAY FOR THE FIX EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A FORD PREMIUM 100K MILE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEIR WARRANTY EXCLUDES "DESIGN FLAWS" BUT FORTUNATELY HENRY CURTIS FORD PICKED UP THE TAB AND I HAD TO PAY THE $100 DEDUCTIBLE. WHILE THE PROBLEM IS NOT HAPPENING AS FREQUENTLY, IT STILL HAPPENS IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS. FORD IS REFUSING TO GIVE ME A NEW CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS "DESIGN FLAW", WHICH MEANS IT'S IN EVERY EXPLORER OUT THERE, INCLUDING THE ONES THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS DRIVE. EVERY ONE NEEDS TO KNOW AND FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE DIES...UPDATED 09/15/15 *BF UPDATED 12/05/2017*CN

AIR BAGS
24,000 miAug 29, 2014WINSLOW, AR
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND MAKING A SHARP LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

AIR BAGS
1,500 miAug 14, 2014JACKSONVILLE, FL
Crash1 injured

I WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FORD STATED THE SENSORS WHERE NOT EFFECTED BY THE ACCIDENT, HOWEVER THE WINDSHIELD CRASHED ALL OVER AND $18,000 WORTH OF FRONT END DAMAGE. *TR

AIR BAGS
40,000 miJun 4, 2014TRAVERSE, MI
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, SHOULDER AND LEFT KNEE. THE CONTACT ALSO SUFFERED FROM HEART COMPLICATIONS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

POWER TRAIN
2,000 miJul 8, 2013FAIRFIELD, CT
Crash1 injured

I TOOK A 10-MONTH RENTAL ON THIS VEHICLE IN JULY/2012 THRU ENTERPRISE/SANTA BARBARA, CA, WHERE THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE. I: LEFT THE CAR CURBSIDE BELIEVING IT WAS IN PARK; CROSSED THE SIDEWALK TO GREET A FRIEND, LEFT THE DRIVER DOOR OPEN; NOTICED THE CAR ROLLING BACKWARD TOWARD A CAR PARKED FURTHER DOWN THE CURB; RAN AFTER THE CAR; GOT INTO THE 'V' BETWEEN THE DRIVER SEAT AND DOOR; KEPT MY LEFT FOOT ON THE STREET - MY RIGHT FOOT IN THE CAR TO HIT THE BRAKE; WAS UNABLE AS THE MOMENTUM AND DOOR PUSHED ME BACKWARD; "RODE" THE CAR BACKWARD WITH 2 HANDS IN THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE, HOLDING MYSELF OFF THE ROAD. THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR RAKED UP THE LENGTH OF MY LEFT SHIN (SCRAPES AND HEMATOMAS) AND FORCED ME TO LET GO. LANDED ON THE STREET, LEFT ARM STUCK UNDER MY BACK. I WAS PINNED BETWEEN THE EDGE OF THE DOOR AND THE ASPHALT AS THE CAR DRAGGED ME DOWN THE STREET. IMPLORED MY FRIEND TO HELP. HE GAVE CHASE AS THE DOOR EDGE CUT ACROSS MY TORSO AS IT DRAGGED ME (TREMENDOUS PRESSURE ON CHEST AND LEFT SHOULDER?LONG BRUISE FROM RIGHT HIP TO LEFT SHOULDER. HE SUCCEEDED WITH DIFFICULTY AS THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE BRAKES. EXTREME PAIN FOR DAYS, COVERED WITH EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL BRUISES. MRI REVEALED A ROTATOR CUFF TEAR IN LEFT SHOULDER. ENDURED MONTHS OF PAIN/LOSS OF MOBILITY WHILE FINISHING PROJECT IN CALIFORNIA. RETURNED HOME TO CONNECTICUT, ENDURED A DIFFICULT ROTATOR CUFF + LABRUM REPAIR SURGERY. FACING MONTHS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY AND A LONG, HOPEFULLY SUCCESSFUL RECOVERY. THIS WAS THE 2ND SUCH INCIDENT WITH THIS VEHICLE, THE FIRST WITHOUT TRAUMA. LUCKY TO COME OUT OF THIS AS WELL AS I DID, I'M TOLD THE NEXT IN SEQUENCE WOULD HAVE BEEN THE TIRE RUNNING OVER MY LEG. I KNOW OTHERS HAVE BEEN DISABLED + KILLED IN SUCH SCENARIOS. PLEASE DON'T NEGLECT THIS GLARING PROBLEM. I URGE THE NHTSA TO DO EVERYTHING IN ITS POWER TO REMEDIATE THIS GIANT LEAP BACKWARD IN VEHICULAR SAFETY. *TR

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
4,986 miAug 9, 2012FRANKLINTON, NC
Crash1 injured

AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A FRONT END CRASH.

STRUCTURE:BODY
Sep 18, 2019HOLLYWOOD, SC
Fire1 injured

SMELL OF SMOKE, AND TAPPING NOISE PRIOR TO FIRE. SMOKE CAME FROM NEAR THE CENTER CONSOLE BETWEEN DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT. FIRE STARTED. MADE A COMPLAINT PRIOR ABOUT SMELL OF SMOKE AND NOISE.

Other Explorer Years

Other Ford Models