Print this page

7.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,220
Average Mileage:
46,150 miles
Total Complaints:
150 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace or repaint hood (59 reports)
  2. should be a factory recall (52 reports)
  3. not sure (28 reports)
  4. repaint (11 reports)
2013 Ford Explorer body / paint problems

body / paint problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Ford Explorer:

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

2013 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 8)

problem #150

Nov 262016

Explorer XLT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,313 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

paint on hood bubbling around perimeter paint on hood bubbling around perimeter paint on hood bubbling around perimeter paint on hood bubbling around perimeter paint on hood bubbling around perimeter paint on hood bubbling around perimeter

I plan to change the car by the end of the year and if Ford does not take responsibility and announce a recall for the front hood painting problem for tens of thousands of people and which they do not want to admit, then my next car will definitely not be a Ford. I hope many Ford lovers, deceived by Ford, will boycott this arrogant monster, because Ford pays millions to its lawyers and courts, but does not want to help its loyal customers, especially since Ford knows that it is shifting its problems to customers.

- Simon I., Bergenfield, US

problem #149

Jan 152018

Explorer XLT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

click to see larger images

paint on hood bubbling around perimeter

It's ridiculous. To get it fixed, they have to replace the entire hood. They quoted me $1,200. There needs to be a recall on this. I've spoken to so many Explorer owners who say they have this same problem.

- Hannah R., Killdeer, ND, US

problem #148

Dec 012019

Explorer Limited 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,500 miles

This should be recalled and fixed. This has been an issue and they knew about it. This vehicle is garage kept and not driven that much. 74500 miles on a 2013. This is my first Ford and I love the ride. But if they ignore their issues, I will have to go back to GM vehicles. I have always had GM and went outside the norm one time. Not happy if they do not fix their errors.

- mmaytn, Rogersville, US

problem #147

Oct 022016

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Hood bubbling begun 2016. slowly kept applying touch up purchased from a local dealer, Chapman Ford, Egg Harbor Township, NJ.

Bubbling keeps coming back, getting worst only to temporarily repair with touch up.

Complaint to the dealer several times. I was told this was between myself and Ford Motor Co. Their body shop had no recall to repair.

I had several explorers over the years for myself and my family. This is the last one since they ignored my complaint and so many thousands of complaints from what I recently learned from a friend.

- zorbas1947, Margate City, US

problem #146

Jan 012016

Explorer Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

This is my 2nd Ford that has had this issue. The other was my 2007 Expedition. There is no way this problem should be happening with low miles and garage kept. I have a coworker who also has a 2013 Explorer and he is having the same problem. This should have a been a recall.

- Joanne F., Hobart, US

problem #145

Sep 062018

Explorer Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

click to see larger images

paint on hood bubbling around perimeter paint on hood bubbling around perimeter paint on hood bubbling around perimeter paint on hood bubbling around perimeter

There needs to be a recall for this problem! The paint on a car that has been mostly garage kept shouldn't be peeling off. Especially when it is only 5 years old.

- dianad67, Charleston, US

problem #144

Dec 092015

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,332 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The paint is bubbling all along the front of the hood of my 2013 Ford Explorer XLT. It looks aweful. Makes me sick to look at it everyday. Makes even more sick and angry to think of the amount of money I paid for my Explorer XLT and they won't cover fixing it.

- kostuch, Menomonie, US

problem #143

Oct 032016

Explorer Limited 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

We have owned 5 Explorers. Never has this happened. Paint started bubbling in 2016 in a very small spot. Then over time it has made it's way around the front of the hood. It looks terrible. Makes me sick. The fact that Ford will not do anything about it is pathetic. Since I'm aware of the issue because of my Explorer I tend to look at other peoples Explorers and I see the problem a lot. This is a major problem and obviously a corrosion issue or paint problem fro. the factory. This wide of a problem and this major means Ford should do the right thing and fix this issue. My repair estimate is $1200.00. Money I don't have to spend on this. Ford should fix this. As a long time Ford fan this is changing my thinking.

- candc, Attalla, US

problem #142

May 012013

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 700 miles

FORD needs to recall the vehicles that have bubbled and rusted.

- Andrea N., Jacksonville, US

problem #141

Dec 202013

Explorer Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles

Before I purchased my 2013 Ford Explorer Limited with every available option possible including sun roof, I asked the dealer about issues Id heard about the Sync system. He told me then the problem was fixed . Its 6 years later and not only is the Sync not in Sync, I swear the truck has dementia. It forgets everything. Seat position, led colors, etc. It even makes erratic phone calls! On top of this my hood has bubbled and ford refuses to fix it claiming mileage. I only have 24000 miles now in 2019! So come on. Beware the Sync and the paint is rapidly becoming an even bigger problem. Come On Ford! WTF

- Al T., Rutledge, US

problem #140

Mar 102017

Explorer LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Paint on the perimeter of the hood is bubbling and flaking off. This should be a recall.

- nrobin, La, US

problem #139

Jul 182018

Explorer XLT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

As admitted by the dealership - Ford knows, and has known, about this problem with the hoods on 2012-2015 Ford Explorer hoods. The paint is bubbling and corrosion is setting in. The dealership suggest filing a claim with Ford corporate. Corporate will refer it to a local Ford representative who will investigate and make a determination. If Ford knows this is a problem, and has known it for years and has done nothing about it, why doesn't Ford corporate just make the decision and replace the hoods when this occurs?

- Jim R., Greenwood, IN, US

problem #138

May 012016

Explorer LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

click to see larger images

paint on hood bubbling around perimeter

I am very disappointed in the chipped paint on the hood of my vehicle. I filed a complaint with Ford about 2 years ago and they claim they've never received any other complaints which I don't believe. It's very noticeable and unattractive. This was my first time ever purchasing a Ford vehicle and from this experience and Ford Motor Company not providing a solution I may never purchase another Ford vehicle. We need to get a Class Action Lawsuit going, because this is insane. Also if you go on Youtube I believe they will show you a video of one of the warehouses where one of the employees admits to Ford receiving a bad batch of paint which is causing the chipping. I plan to send them a copy of that article as well as a picture of my vehicle.

- Joy C., Blue Island, US

problem #137

Jul 012016

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

Talked with dealership and Ford. They won't do anything because it hasn't perforated the aluminum. I pointed out that is highly unlikely. They stood by their statement that they know this is a problem but it isn't for them until it perforates.

- Bryon G., Kalamazoo, US

problem #136

Jun 052016

Explorer Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

My vehicle was not quite 4 years old and the paint on the edge of the hood was bubbling up and starting to chip off. There are now multiple places on the hood that is doing it. I have researched it and it is apparently a widespread Ford Explorer issue but they won't issue a recall on it. This is causing the value of my car to drop significantly so it will be hard to trade it in without losing quite a bit of money.

- Debbie C., Columbus, US

problem #135

Jun 012016

Explorer Xltr 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I wish I had found this thread before I complained to Ford. Like many others who've posted a similar complaint over the years here, my complaint of faulty workmanship fell on deaf ears at Ford when I reported the problem to my local dealership several years ago. They told me that Ford Corporate said they would not cover the problem with my hood because it was a paint issue. Fast forward to this week (October, 2018) when I decided the problem was becoming so bad that I had to get it repaired before winter. Fortunately, I have an topnotch body shop here and what they found was that there is a welded seam several inches from the leading front edge of the hood that had failed (I believe it is a weld where the hood latch mechanism is located). This weld failure allowed moisture in and it was just a matter of time before that caused a paint failure.

When I get the car back next week I plan to go back to Ford and demand they pay for this repair. If not, I'll never buy another Ford again.

- janst, Boise, US

problem #134

Mar 012016

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

Bought new and discovered paint bubbling along the edge of the hood. Dealer and a Ford rep tried to say it was caused by a stone chip but could not explain why it was also happening on side and back edge. Why I was able to find 4 other Explorers in the repair area of the lot with the same problem. Now looking at buying a new vehicle next year and have ruled out a Ford due to this and a couple problems with the navigation and voice recognition.

- Gregg K., Arlington, US

problem #133

Jun 012017

Explorer Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

I bought my Explorer Limited in 2016. In 2017 I noticed two areas of bubbling paint on the edge of the hood in the exact same spot on both sides. Since then another has formed. I brought it to the attention of the Ford dealer and they quoted me $900-1000 to repair. It’s a known issue and should be taken care of by them.

- Juli N., Angola, NY, US

problem #132

May 052016

Explorer XTL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,000 miles

Paid extra for the white pearl/diamond color paint. In only 3 years it was bubbling on the hood and beginning to rust!!!! There are cars 20 years older on the road with not a speck of rust. There are also yellow/brown rust spots on the back tailgate. Nothing is covered even under the premium package.!!! How can Ford continue to make such poor quality vehicles, not stand behind their product and charge so much??? So disappointed in them.

- Eileen M., Rochester, NY, US

problem #131

Jan 092018

Explorer Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

click to see larger images

paint on hood bubbling around perimeter

Have noticed several points on the leading edge of my hood where paint has started flaking showing bare metal. Google shows this is a known issue traced back to the manufacturing process.

Took my car to the dealer who submitted it to Ford and was told there was no help since I'm out of warranty. Have also gotten the same response from Ford customer care.

This is very disappointing as I've owned Ford vehicles for over 20 years, but if Ford doesn't take ownership and stand behind my car I will not buy another. I will also recommend to all I know that they not buy a Ford either.

I would hope that Ford would understand the cost of luring back a lost customer is much greater than keeping one.

- Hugh D., Knoxville, US

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?