2013 Ford EXPLORER: complaints, problems and recalls

AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A FRONT END CRASH.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,986 miles reported. Look up ODI 10471021 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE QUICKLY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON (DOES NOT MATTER IF IT'S ON FRESH AIR INTAKE OR RECIRCULATING), THERE IS A DEFINITE ODOR OF GASOLINE EXHAUST IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM CAN BE DUPLICATED AT ANY SPEED, FROM A DEAD STOP OR ACCELERATING DURING A PASSING MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND TWO TECHNICAL BULLETINS WERE ADDRESSED (ONE FOR A VIBRATION SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHICH WAS REPAIRED AND THE OTHER FOR THE EXHAUST ODOR IN THE CABIN). UPON COMPLETION OF THE FACTORY…

Owner-reported narrative. 350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10472937 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER LOWER DOOR SEALS WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SLIP RESISTANT SAFETY TREAD. THE PASSENGER SLIPPED AND FELL WHEN ENTERING THE DOOR AS HER FOOT WAS PLACED ON THE DOOR SEAL. THE PASSENGER SLIGHTLY BUMPED HER HEAD AND SUSTAINED AN ABRASION TO THE LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE DOOR SEAL WAS A MANUFACTURERS DESIGN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250.

Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10473133 at NHTSA ↗

RECENTLY TRADED A 2011 FORD EXPLORER FOR A 2013. THE 2011 DEVELOPED A CORROSION PROBLEM WITH THE SEAM ON THE FRONT UNDERSIDE EDGE OF THE HOOD. WE DID NOT WANT OUR 12K MILE CAR PAINTED ON SO WE TRADED IT FOR A 2013 FORD EXPLORER WE THOROUGHLY INSPECTED. 3 WEEKS AND 300 MILES LATER I OPENED THE HOOD WHILE CLEANING THE VEHICLE AND THE CORROSION HAS ALREADY STARTED CAUSING PAINT TO POP OFF THE UNDERSIDE ALONG THE SEAM SEALER. SO FAR FORD HAS FAILED TO TAKE ANY ACTION. FORD HAS A CORROSION / PAINT ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND OTHER'S WITH ALUMINUM HOOD…

Owner-reported narrative. 350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10474921 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SECOND ROW PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO UN-LATCH WHEN OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE OTHER TWO REAR SEATS WERE NOT IN A FULLY RECLINED POSITION. THE DOWNWARD POSITIONING OF THE TWO SEATS COVERED THE SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200. UPDATED 10/26/12 *CN

Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10476813 at NHTSA ↗

POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE BACKING UP AND DRIVING. TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND ON CAUSES POWER STEERING TO WORK. VERY HARD TO STEER, NOT SAFE TO DRIVE... DEALER IS PUTTING A HOLE NEW POWER STEERING UNIT IN... *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10482910 at NHTSA ↗

HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT LIGHTING OF THE ROAD. IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HAS PAINTED BLACK PAINT ON 1/2 OF THE WINDSHIELD. ON A TWO LANE UNLIT ROAD THE CAR IS UNSAFE. THE LIGHTS LIGHT UP ONLY HALF WAY UP A STREET OR STOP SIGN AND LESS THAN THAT IF GOING DOWNHILL. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES AND THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. IN THE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP TO FORD IT IS STATED AS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP SWITCHED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FROM ONE EXPLORER TO ANOTHER WITH THE SAME RESUL…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10485409 at NHTSA ↗

HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT LIGHTING OF THE ROAD. IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HAS PAINTED BLACK PAINT ON 1/2 OF THE WINDSHIELD. ON A TWO LANE UNLIT ROAD THE CAR IS UNSAFE. THE LIGHTS LIGHT UP ONLY HALF WAY UP A STREET OR STOP SIGN AND LESS THAN THAT IF GOING DOWNHILL. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP 1 TIME AND THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE DROVE ONE AND HAD TO STOP OVERNIGHT BECAUSE IT WAS SO BAD. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT ON A TWO LANE UNLIT ROAD. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10487507 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2013-03-27 (March 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.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2013-05-31 (May 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.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2013-06-26 (June 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2014-05-29 (May 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2015-03-24 (March 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2015-12-02 (December 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.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2019-06-10 (June 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.

Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2021-03-12 (March 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.

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2021-07-15 (July 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.

Consequence: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2021-09-22 (September 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.

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2024-01-19 (January 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.

Consequence: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.