10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
21 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,677 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #222

May 052015

Explorer

  • 25,000 miles
Door ajar notification remains on when all doors are closed and vehicle is in motion. Alert tone will sound when vehicle starts moving or comes to a stop. Auto door locks will not function or doors will not remain locked. Interior dome lights remain on until vehicle starts motion. The vehicle was serviced by Ford and sensors cleaned under warranty at 25K miles. Fix lasted about 4 months. Current mileage 67K.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #221

Apr 202019

Explorer

  • miles
The horn from the steering pad isn't working. It has been brought to Ford dealership service center on 3 occasions & they have stated the horn is operable and they don't see anything wrong with it. However, the horn stops working within 24 hours. The alarm horn does operate which leads me to believe there's some wiring/mechanical problem with contact when pressing the steering wheel horn pad. A case was filed w/ Ford customer care who referred me back to the dealer and they 'found' the horn to be operable & stopped working on a Saturday morning. On 4/29/19 I contacted Ford again and the representative pretty much said the vehicle is out of warranty & there are no extended warranties on the car so I was out of luck. I explained to him that it appears it may be some sort of manufacturing defect posing a hazard/liability to my family which he showed no interest of caring. The horn at this time is not working.

- Oak Lawn, IL, USA

problem #220

Apr 222019

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 30,000 miles
I am requesting that the dot NHTSA look into the possibility of a tire defect that can affect the safe operation of vehicles with cooper discoverer srx tires. I purchased a set of 4 cooper discoverer srx tires and had them professionally installed on my 2013 Ford Explorer. The size is 255/50R20. During the winter of 2018-19 they began to leak air excessively when it was cold. The loss would grow to a point the low air light came on every week. It was various tires causing the issue. This continued throughout the winter and into the spring of 2019. The leaks are more severe when driving than when the vehicle is stationary. I believe the tires may have been compromised to the point that they are continuing to leak when it is warm outside now. Over the past 3 months I have had them in 2 separate times and have been told the tires do not have a hole in them nor leak at the bead but are leaking due to weather or other. I have made multiple attempts with cooper tires to handle the safety issue and they not handled their warranty matter. I have been to two separate dealers who sent me back to the original installer and they have had them off two times to verify the issue. Before this safety issue becomes a serious incident I would like to see the tires investigated or possibly recalled. I am concerned about the safety of these tires and believe the model may reduce safety as they age. Mine are 2 years old almost. Thank you,

- Bemidji, MN, USA

problem #219

Apr 212019

Explorer

  • 77,700 miles
Corrosion of the ac lines running under the vehicle and of the rear ac condenser housing, which is exposed to the environment, caused a complete failure of the ac system and allowed all of the refrigerant to leak into the environment.

- Shelby Township, MI, USA

problem #218

Apr 182019

Explorer

  • 104,500 miles
While driving down the highway my passenger windshield mold flew off the car almost causing an accident.

- Ft Stewart, GA, USA

problem #217

Jan 012019

Explorer

  • 60,000 miles
Rain water leaking into the vehicles back hatch and coming through the seat belts, causing wet seat belts, seats, spare tire equipment, and personal and items in cargo area.

- King William, VA, USA

problem #216

Apr 022014

Explorer

  • miles
Fuerte olor a monoxido de carbono en interior de la cabina

- Culiacan, CA, USA

problem #215

Mar 212019

Explorer

  • miles
I have a 2013 Ford Explorer and just today found out about the carbon monoxide problem. Bought it certified/used from a Ford dealer in tn in 2016. About that time, I started having headaches and dizzy spells, and weakness in my arms and legs. The same symptoms I just learned today other people have experienced in a Ford Explorer. In Dec 2017 I moved to fl and the first few months I was here I had my car to the Ford dealer numerous times for a different problem (the sync issue). Never was I told anything about a carbon monoxide problem. When I get off work today I am going to buy a cm detector to check this. I am very suspicious that this is what has caused all the medical problems I suddenly began experiencing about 3 yrs. Ago. I'm also contacting an attorney.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #214

Mar 072019

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
I purchased my car brand new in 2012. I have a 2013 Ford Explorer. There was a recall #14S06 in 2014 that did not include my car, which was manufactured in the same year. The cars steering issue is a mechanical manufacturing defect. I am told that "because my car was not listed within the dates listed within the year 2012 that the recall was issued". despite notices, there is still a manufacturer's defect that I was told that Ford would not resolve. This defect is through no fault of my own. The car has less than 100K on it. I almost had an accident because it just suddenly locked up and wouldn't even turn and became inoperable. I would just like Ford to provide reimbursement or replacement parts for the repairs. I am not trying to get them to buy me a new car. The dealer is charging $2500+ to repair it. I believe that Ford knew or should have known that the problem would not only be limited to cars that were within a certain time frame, rather, they knew or should have known that the issue could extend to other vehicles of the same type that were manufactured within the same year.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #213

Feb 222019

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
The vehicle will not stay engaged in park. This is the third time this has been repaired. However, this time it rolled backwards into someone else's vehicle. Our vehicle was in park at the top of the driveway for nearly 2 hours before the person parked behind or vehicle. They where at our house for about an hour, when they where leaving we noticed that our vehicle had disengaged from park and rolled 15' down the driveway into their vehicle. Thankfully, there were only a few scratches on either vehicle. Our driveway is fairly flat, it has a 1-3 degree slope to it. Leading to the conclusion, that there is not a large incline that the vehicle was not forced out of park. There has to be something wrong with the way the transmission is engaged into park or there is yet another problem with the shift linkage. The shift linkage was adjusted the first time this happened. The second time the shift linkage was replaced. We are taking it back to the dealer today to see what they feel needs replaced this time.

- Whiteman Afb, MO, USA

problem #212

Feb 112019

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
Exhaust smell inside the car. Started when parked with engine turned on, continued while driving on the street and highway. At the beginning was not sure if it is from my car, opened windows, then closed them again couple times and the smell continued. Had to drive with open windows to get home. My daughter, me, dog and car seats and blankets smelled very bad, had to wash everything. Plus started to have light headache while driving.

- Addison, IL, USA

problem #211

Mar 052013

Explorer

  • 300 miles
In 2013 the dealer refuse to work on the issue while it was under warranty. Either the wheel hub and bearings are out or the struts are defective.the sound happens in motion and stationary if moving the steering wheel to the left and right. I have called and complained and was told that there was recalls for this make and model but not with my VIN number. Was told that a base model isn't that important. Called again to report it to Ford 2/4/2019 and was told that there are issues with your make and model and there wasn't any thing they could do until NHTSA steps in and direct me to this website.

- Conroe, TX, USA

problem #210

Apr 272015

Explorer

  • 32,002 miles
Purchased my 2013 Ford Explorer limited with 50 miles on it in November 2012.during 2015 had a strong mold smell, upon investigation found approximately 3'' of water in my spare tire storage area, 3rd row seat shoulder belt wet and carpet under 3rd row seat passenger side soaked.took to Ford dealership while under warranty on 4-27-2015 / 32,002 miles, had 17 days.took in under warranty 6-25-2015 with 34,460 miles, had 4 days.took in 3-11-16 with 44,501 miles, dealership sent vehicle to their bodyshop for 4 days.took to dealership 2-14-18 they sent it off sight to jr's automotive to repair water leak.took to dealership 1-20-19 for exact same issue that I have had for approximately 5 years, found water in vehicle same area 2 days later.in the approximately last 5 years I have had 2 cases opened with "Ford customer relations center"as described in the manual that came with the vehicle plus filed a claim with BBB when it was apparent that I would never get off of the merry-go-round with Ford.BBB turned me down base on too many miles on vehicle which remember is not a mechanical issue but a weather dependent issue.I could have taken vehicle to dealership dozen of times during this period but because of inconvenience without a vehicle and working 12 hour shift work it was just impracticable.all issues with water inside of vehicle was when I checked it after it was parked and of course with rain or melted snow involved and on a city street.

- Parkersburg, WV, USA

problem #209

Dec 222018

Explorer

  • 65,000 miles
I get sick; headache, nausea, feeling really tired and blurry vision after trips more than 2 jours

- Pontoon Beach, IL, USA

problem #208

Jan 012014

Explorer

  • miles
Smell exhaust while driving vehicle and odor is really strong

- Wildwood, FL, USA

problem #207

Dec 032018

Explorer

  • 74,000 miles
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.

- Hermantown, MN, USA

problem #206

Nov 302018

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
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.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #205

Nov 282018

Explorer

  • 97,000 miles
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.

- Rexford, NY, USA

problem #204

Nov 012018

Explorer

  • 109,000 miles
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.

- Idaho Falls, ID, USA

problem #203

Nov 052018

Explorer

  • 90,000 miles
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.

- Spring Valley, IL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »