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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,062 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Ford Explorer electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #117

Oct 102022

Explorer

  • miles

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

at any speed the Explorer would go into "limp Mode"....NO THROTTLE...Terrian Management Error would appear and the wrench sign, ,,,,dash lights and terrain knob light would go off....at highway speeds, with no warning, this could be a deadly situation.....taken to our local Ford dealership.....they had no idea what happened....COULD DO NOTHING...after some research we decided to have them replace the THROTTLE BODY, at our "out of pocket" expense.....driven the car three times with no problems.....but after the first time it happened, to my wife, we went like 2 months without a problem...then it happened again...three more times before we took it in......YouTube is full of folks having the same problem....Explorers and F-150 trucks......you can stop and turn the car off...wait about 20 secs and restart...everything was back to normal...TIL THE NEXT TIME.....my Wife refuses to drive the car again til it is FIXED.....I drive it twice a week only....2013 Ford Explorer LTD....V6

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #116

Dec 122022

Explorer

  • miles
Reverse Parking Camera goes blank when backing up intermitently or does not work unless you shut the vehicle down multiple times

- Pinckney, MI, USA

problem #115

Dec 302022

Explorer

  • miles
The sunroof motor burned out due to water intrusion from clogged drains. Water also pooled in the passenger side floorboard and soaked the carpet from faulty drains. Cracks in the manufacturer's seam sealer at welds cracked at the back tailgate and leaked all down into the carpet and floorboard below the cargo area. This is a huge issue for those of us to are extremely sensitive to mold and mildew. It can also cause severe corrosion to other components of the car. I have reported it to the company and the dealer and they say that it is not their issue. In fact, they accused me of trying to weld or caulk the cracks. The vehicle has been inspected by Ford mechanics. There were no warnings of any kind. I discovered the burnt sunroof motor due to the sunroof not closing. Had to scramble to find someone to remedy the problem. I've investigated these issues and there are several customers with these exact same problems on Ford vehicles from 2011 - 2019. There should be several recalls concerning these issues.

- Campbell, CA, USA

problem #114

Oct 102022

Explorer

  • miles

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

Every now and then, the "Power Steering Assist Fault" light would come one, usually once I parked or when I first started the car. When I would turn off the car and restart, the light would no longer be on and there were no power steering problems. This went on for a month or two. It seemed like it was just a faulty warning light. Then one day while at my daughters school, thankfully, I was parked, my "Power Steering Assist Fault" light came on and power steering no longer works. The car is extremely difficult to turn and is not safe to drive.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #113

Oct 242022

Explorer

  • miles
This vehicle has had recurring instances of failed power steering. It will happen at low speeds where the power steering malfunctions and does not work until the car is shut off and turned back on. This can be especially dangerous when driving near other people or cars when we experience loss of control. Thankfully no collisions have occurred yet but it-??s is an issue that has been recurring. There was a recall set out for electrical power steering failure - #14V286000. Unfortunately this recall only affects 2011-2013 FORD Explorers up until Feb 28, 2012 while this one was made Mar 7, 2012 (just a week outside of the recall). This was frustrating because the vehicle is experiencing every symptom that the recall #14V286000 states it fixes.

- Waco, TX, USA

problem #112

Sep 152022

Explorer 6-cyl

  • miles
As stated in the 2 of the articles in this year make and model range 2013-2018 Ford explorer. The car has been up to date with maintenance, after a couple thousand miles after the oil changed was. I then took the car to a mechanic shop and was told the water pump and thermostat were failing. I stopped driving the car and decided to take it to a ford dealer. After visiting Palmetto Ford in Miami. I was told the car did not have an open recall for this vin and they did not cover it. It is evident that the problem has been present in many ford explorers in this year and has been a safety concern since the car overheats while on the road. I will need to have a recall placed on my vin number so that i can take this to a ford dealer and get it resolved asap so that i can get back to my normal living as I do not have a transportation and happen to be losing time from work and spending money in rides. My vin number is provided in this report Vin: [XXX] 2013 Ford Explorer Limited Recall 16v925000 (engine and engine cooling) https://www.bing.com/search?q=2013+ford+explorer+water+pump+recall&cvid=744c57e549d049c2bbcd35d89655cedd&aqs=edge.0.0l3.8405j0j1&pglt=41&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=U531 https://#:~:text=The%20contact%20reference%20manufacturer%20recall%20number%3A%2016s46%20campaign, not%20assist.%20The%20failure%20mileage%20was%20approximately%2065%2C000. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Pinecrest, FL, USA

problem #111

Sep 092022

Explorer 6-cyl

  • miles

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

[XXX] 13 recalls listed two of which are the electronic power steering and traction control. I bought this vehicle and less than five days later the power steering goes out. So I'm going to loose my job and I could have lost my life yet Ford is denying there are any recalls and refusing to fix them. I am also a veteran and this is the last bit of bad news I can bare. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Fayetteville , GA, USA

problem #110

Sep 092022

Explorer

  • miles
Power steering control module causing power steering to stop and loss of control to car. I took to auto shop and had codes reset and happened again with in an hour.

- Mecosta, MI, USA

problem #109

Aug 012022

Explorer

  • miles
The check charging system light came on and the power steering locked up, once it locks it stays mostly down. I was going around a curb at about 55mph when this happened with my two children. If that is not a safety issue I do not know what is. I could have wrecked and we could have been seriously injured or worse. Now my check brake system light is also on, check engine light, and it has a leak in the driver's side third row seatbelt. Now I know that it's said to have the battery and alternator tested and that has been done. I feel like I wasted a lot of money that I honestly did not have to buy a decent vehicle for me and my kids. This part is not under recall for my vehicle, however I have done my research and there are numerous recalls, investigations, and complaints. I need this issue fixed.

- Vienna, GA, USA

problem #108

Mar 312022

Explorer

  • miles
I have been going through multiple sites trying to figure out what is going on with my car. I have only had my vehicle for less than a year and I barely even gotten to drive it. I'm now realizing every recall on the vehicle which there was like 13 has not been repaired. And I also have 4 different numbers for the odometer when I when I bought the vehicle at a 177000 but everything is reading at a 169000. I also purchased the vehicle in June not July like the title says. Also one of the titles said plate's not allowed. When I looked it up I believe this is a fleet vehicle and it does not say that anywhere on my title or in my paperwork. It did come from Canada. Is there any way you could possibly help me out with any of this? Also I had broken fuses and missing fuses. I had the 4 dealership look at it and a mechanic look at it and they both told me it looked like someone messed around with the wiring in my car.

- Gaylord, MI, USA

problem #107

Sep 052021

Explorer

  • miles

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

Vehicle will continue to run after key is in off position and removed. Vehicle can be driven with no key in the ignition. Also said starting system fault after battery was disonnected and reconnected.

- Grafton, WI, USA

problem #106

Mar 152021

Explorer

  • 142,000 miles
Vehicle had a faulty pscm along with the power assist steering rack. Car shop recommend I file a complaint because they have seen the same issue in these same exact vehicles.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #105

Feb 012021

Explorer

  • 189,000 miles
I started my car after work (this is after a 12 hr sit time) and seen I had a fault on my dashboard, power steering assist and service advance faults. So in short, I do not have power steering, nor do I have my 4WD, and for some reason my turn signal does not work for steady on. The turn signal works for lane changes but not for steady on turning.

- Howard City, MI, USA

problem #104

Jan 022021

Explorer

  • miles
Water leaking from headliner onto the radio/cd player causing it to short out. Seats & floor rug gets flooded every time it rains. Is there a recall for water leaking into the car every time it rains. This 2013 Explorer doesn't have a sunroof by the way. It's parked in my driveway on flat surface when leaking when raining.I can't drive when raining because of water dripping on to the dash board right over the radio/cd player.

- Panama, FL, USA

problem #103

Dec 162020

Explorer

  • 43,579 miles
My Explorer has been parked for a few days, after opening the passenger side, I noticed that there was a large puddle of water sitting there on the floor linear and on the flooring itself. I checked the moon roof, it was closed, no visible water so that is not possible. I checked the side door and seals, no issues. I noticed that water was from the top part of the passenger side inner footing area coming down so I checked the windshield area. And as assumed, water was creeping in from the windshield area due to bad caulking job/defective engineering causing water (rain/snow, etc) to creep in and soil the electrical area and the flooring.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #102

Nov 252020

Explorer

  • miles
Water is leaking through the top of vehicle. This is causing electrical issues and shorts. Am afraid car is putting me in a dangerous situation

- Johnson City, TN, USA

problem #101

Dec 042020

Explorer

  • miles
Water leaking in through 3rd row driver side seatbelt, leaks down to powerfold electrical wiring, and accumulates under seat/carpet and into spare tire well. The water coming into contact with the electrical wiring can cause great harm to NY children who sit back there. The water on carpet causes mold and mildew which is a hazard to out health. The water in spare tire well can cause rust and subsequent exhaust fumes to enter into cabin.

- Lonaconing, MD, USA

problem #100

Jan 012020

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
Lights and passenger door ajar stay on. Lights don't turn off when backing up or until driving forward at a certain speed. Locks unlock by themselves. Lights will randomly turn on when no one is by the car. Have 3 little kids need a car that should be reliable to lock the door to S and stay locked or to safely back up with visibility but can't bc the lights stay

- Leon, KS, USA

problem #99

Jul 012019

Explorer

  • miles
Frequent fume smells coming from the exhaust. I drive with my babies ages 3 and 4. I'm afraid this will have an effect on their health as well as mine. Sometimes we get headaches and I feel it's from being in this vehicle. Electric problems with the sunroof. Not working and unable to close.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #98

Oct 012020

Explorer

  • miles
Leaks from poor quality welds above rear tailgate. Creates mold in carpet ABS spare tire insulation. Known problem on vehicle. Addition leaks in sunroof due to poor drainage causing motor to fail. Paint bubble fail on hood (known issue on Explorer and Expedition)

- Westport, CT, USA

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