Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2013 Ford Explorer — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2019 to Dec 2016
The most reported issue is steering problems (678 complaints). 44 complaints involved crashes. 10 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (12)
NHTSA Campaign: 19V435000
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 17E048000
Component: WHEELS:HUB
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.
Risk: A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 15V171000
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 15V812000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 14V286000
Component: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 13V109000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 13V227000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 13V270000
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V746000
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V537000
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
Risk: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 20V675000
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 24V031000
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
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.
Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 18, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 2204)
Structure →10 issues
Your 2013 Explorer had a recall repair for rear suspension toe links and ball joints completed three times between recalls, with the most recent service in 2022. A second Ford dealership recently found significant frame corrosion and structural damage that they believe resulted from incomplete recall work, and they've requested Ford reopen the case and replace the frame. Ford has refused to authorize further repairs despite the documented corrosion damage, leaving your vehicle unsafe to drive. This issue may require a complete frame replacement or comprehensive structural repair to address the underlying corrosion from the original suspension problem.
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Your driver's side A-pillar trim (the vertical piece between your windshield and door) blew off while driving at highway speed, and you weren't able to recover it. When you took your vehicle to the dealer, they found the passenger's side trim was also loose and temporarily taped it. There's an open recall (24V031000) for this issue, but replacement parts aren't yet available, and you feel the manufacturer is taking too long to make them available.
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Your Explorer's driver's side A-pillar trim (the piece that frames the front window) detached while you were driving and hit another vehicle. Ford issued a recall to fix this, but the replacement part hasn't been available yet, and you've had to wait longer than expected. The fix will involve replacing the A-pillar trim piece and reattaching it properly to the vehicle frame.
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Your 2013 Ford Explorer has a safety recall (24V031000) for the A-pillar trim on the passenger's side, but Ford hasn't made the replacement part available yet. While driving at 60 MPH, the passenger-side A-pillar trim detached from your vehicle, and the dealer temporarily fixed it with black tape. You've also noticed the seal around the front passenger windshield is deteriorating and water is occasionally leaking inside. Ford told you the windshield seal and water leak are symptoms of the recall issue but won't cover them under the recall repair. The fix will involve replacing the A-pillar trim piece and resealing the windshield area once Ford makes the recall parts available.
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Your windshield trim has come loose, with the lining pushed outward, partially missing, and detached from the frame. You're concerned the windshield itself could loosen or fall out because of this trim failure. Ford has issued a recall (Campaign 24V031000) for this issue. Fixing this will likely involve replacing the windshield trim and resealing the windshield to the frame.
Parts you may need:
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Your 2013 Ford Explorer is subject to a recall (24V031000) for structural issues with the A-pillar trim. While driving around a corner at low speed, the front passenger's side A-pillar trim detached and separated from your vehicle. The dealer confirmed that replacement parts for this recall were not yet available, and the manufacturer has not been notified of this failure. The repair will likely involve replacing the A-pillar trim component once parts become available.
Parts you may need:
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Your 2013 Ford Explorer has a recall for a structural issue with the A-pillar trim (the vertical trim piece on both sides of your windshield). The trim has failed and needs replacement, but the manufacturer hasn't made replacement parts available yet. As a temporary fix, the dealer applied duct tape to both sides. You're concerned that the recall repair is taking too long to complete.
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The owner has filed a complaint about the vehicle's structure but did not provide details in the submission. Without additional information about what specific structural issue occurred, it's unclear what part of the body or frame is affected. The owner has referenced an attached document that would contain more details about the concern.
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You received a recall notice for your 2013 Ford Explorer (Campaign 24V031000) regarding a structural issue, but the dealer couldn't complete the repair because the required parts weren't available. You've noticed that the A-pillar trim (the vertical support beam beside the windshield) has detached on both the driver's and passenger's sides. The repair will likely involve reattaching or replacing the A-pillar trim pieces.
Parts you may need:
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You received a recall notice for your 2013 Ford Explorer, but the repair parts aren't available yet. While driving, you noticed that the trim pieces on both the driver's and passenger's side A-pillars (the vertical supports at the front of your doors) became loose. The recall has been pending for longer than you consider reasonable. The dealer can install the replacement A-pillar trim pieces once the parts become available.
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Unknown Or Other →5 issues
Your car caught fire while parked in the driveway, with the fire originating from under the hood. This is a serious safety hazard that requires immediate investigation to identify the cause.
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Your 2013 Ford Explorer has a strong raw fuel smell inside the cabin, which is a fire hazard. Your vehicle has open recalls for the rear suspension toe link and A-pillar exterior trim that need to be addressed. The fuel smell may be related to a cracked fuel delivery module, and the suspension issue could affect vehicle control while driving. A complete fuel system inspection and recall repairs will likely be needed to resolve these safety concerns.
Parts you may need:
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Your car has been under recall since 2023, but Ford still hasn't provided a fix as of March 2026 despite promising one in late 2024. You've received recall notices but can't use your vehicle for work until the issue is resolved. You may want to contact Ford directly or explore third-party repair options, though a factory recall remedy is typically the recommended approach.
Parts you may need:
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Your vehicle's A-pillar trim (the panel around the front windshield support) is detaching, and pieces have come off while driving on the highway. This is a potential safety concern since loose trim can become a road hazard.
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Your backup camera display is mirrored — when you're backing up, everything appears on the opposite side of the screen from where it actually is. This makes it harder to accurately judge distances and position when reversing, creating a safety concern. The fix will likely involve recalibrating or reprogramming the camera system through the vehicle's display unit.
Parts you may need:
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Steering,electrical System,wheels →1 issue
Your Explorer's power steering suddenly failed while driving, making the steering wheel extremely hard to turn and creating a serious safety hazard. A "Power Steering Assist Fault" warning appeared on your dashboard, but there were no warning signs before the failure occurred. The power steering system lost electrical power and stopped providing assist to help you turn the wheel. This will require an inspection of the power steering system's electrical components and control module to identify why the assist suddenly cut out.
Parts you may need:
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Steering,unknown Or Other,engine →1 issue
Your Explorer's engine has an internal water pump driven by the timing chain that can fail around 100,000 miles, causing coolant to leak into the oil pan. When coolant and oil mix, it can destroy engine bearings and cause sudden engine seizure without warning. If this happens while driving, you'll lose engine power, power steering, and power brakes all at once, creating a serious crash risk. The fix would require replacing the water pump, which involves removing the timing chain cover and potentially other engine components.
Parts you may need:
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Electrical System,seat Belts,back Over Prevention →1 issue
Your rear backup camera frequently malfunctions, showing a green screen, black screen, or reversed/distorted image when you're backing up. Additionally, your window control buttons are intermittent and don't always respond when pressed. Most concerning, your rear seatbelts aren't clicking into place properly, which is a safety issue if you have children in the backseat. These issues will likely require inspection of the camera wiring and connector, replacement of the window switch assembly, and replacement or repair of the rear seatbelt buckles.
Parts you may need:
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Visibility/wiper,back Over Prevention →1 issue
Your backup camera display is not working properly — it may be unavailable, the image may flash on and off, or the image may appear reversed. This affects your ability to see behind the vehicle when backing up.
Parts you may need:
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Steering →1 issue
While driving, your steering wheel suddenly became very difficult to turn and felt like it seized up, and a power steering warning light came on. You took the vehicle to a mechanic, but they weren't able to diagnose or repair the issue. The problem happened at around 201,226 miles. Fixing this will likely involve inspecting and possibly replacing the power steering pump or related hydraulic components.
Parts you may need:
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