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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,096 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 10 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #35

Oct 012012

Explorer

  • 1,000 miles

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

We leased a 2013 Ford Explorer in October of 2012. Within about a month, we began smelling exhaust inside the car. I brought my car into a dealership in New York, who told me that I was not using the air conditioning properly. So, I thought the exhaust was getting inside the car because of something I was doing. I now know that lots of people are having this problem. I have now brought my car back into a dealership in Florida. The exhaust problem is getting worse, and I am nervous for my family. I had the car checked, and carbon monoxide was found inside the car.

- Plantation, FL, USA

problem #34

Sep 062014

Explorer

  • 34,000 miles
I purchased a used 2013 Ford Explorer one week ago. When pulling out of my driveway, the vehicle began to shake really bad and would not accelerate. I had to coast into my neighbors driveway and through my yard. I turned off the vehicle. Mind you, my husband experienced the same thing when he picked up the vehicle from the dealership but when he restarted the vehicle, everything seemed ok. Thinking it was related to my husband's experience, I restarted the vehicle. Everything seemed to be ok until I tried leaving out of my drive way. Again, the vehicle shook really bad and would not accelerate. I again coasted into my neighbors driveway and this time the engine light came on. I immediately called the dealership and they had to tow it in to service. It is going on day 3 of the work week and they still have not looked at it. Really not a good sign seeing as though we literally just bought the vehicle. I'm glad it happened leaving my driveway and not on the highway.

- Needville, TX, USA

problem #33

Mar 122014

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 10,000 miles
My vehicle is now at aprox 38,000 miles and this happens frequently upon hard accelerations and steep inclines, the smell of sulfur, rotten egg smell, or hard boiled egg smell (exhaust) this happens even when the A/C is running on recirculate. I purchased this vehicle new and am the original owner.

- East Dublin, GA, USA

problem #32

Aug 042014

Explorer

  • 7,345 miles

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

Vehicle is showing 75 to 100 ppm of carbon monoxide in the cabin. Fire dept CO2 meter showed this in the vehicle. Was told not to operate vehicle due to high levels of CO2.

- Kane, PA, USA

problem #31

Aug 042014

Explorer

  • 22,000 miles
Shortly after purchasing the vehicle (4/13) we noticed a burning odor inside the cabin during hard acceleration. This occurs when passing, towing and driving up steeper grades. We took the car to our local dealer and were told they could not reproduce the issue. Today the car is back at the dealer for the same issue and I am being told again that they cannot reproduce the issue, this after I took a technician for a ride and showed him how to reproduce it. A different technician called and asked a lot of questions about whether or not I run the A/C and what the smell was. After reading about many similar issue my next step will be to contact Ford directly.

- Brentwood, CA, USA

problem #30

Dec 102012

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 4,500 miles
While engaging passing gear at road speeds, cabin filled with exhaust fumes. This has continued from that time until present. Vehicle how has 33000 miles. Vehicle has been taken to local dealer - [xxx] - on numerous occasions with no results in stopping the problem. The last visit after keeping our vehicle for 1.5 weeks, we were told that Ford could not repair the problem and that the factory would take the vehicle under advisement - whatever that means. Meanwhile the problem continues to worsen while exhaust fumes now enter the vehicle at all stages of operation. We have been advised by several mechanics and other dealers no to drive the vehicle with our grand babies. This has become a serious health concern for our family as this is my wife's only mode of transportation. She frequently suffers headaches after trips in the vehicle to neighboring cities to shop!! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Union, MS, USA

problem #29

Jun 112014

Explorer

  • 41,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph, there was a odor of exhaust fumes coming from the vehicle. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.

- Richmond, WA, USA

problem #28

Jun 022013

Explorer

  • 12 miles
The vehicles ac system floods the interior cabin with an overwhelming exhaust smell during hard acceleration or anytime the engine exceeds 3500 RPM as in climbing a mountain road etc. Dealer has performed Ford technical bulletin however the problem was not fixed. Ford told me they are aware of the problem and to "check back" in a couple of months to see if the engineers have found a fix.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #27

May 162013

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 4,000 miles
I purchased a new 2013 Ford Explorer. I often drive with my dog in the rear seats. Prior to my Explorer, my dog never got sick when being driven. Since buying my Explorer, my dog has often gotten sick, including vomiting, while being driven the car. I had may car tested, and carbon monoxide was found inside my car with the engine on but the car idle. There was a higher level of carbon monoxide in the back of the car than in the front.

- Hollywood, FL, USA

problem #26

Mar 312012

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 1,000 miles
I bought a 2013 Ford Explorer in March of 2012. I almost immediately began smelling exhaust inside the car. The smell was worst when I hit the accelerator getting onto the highway or other times when I quickly increased the acceleration of the vehicle. I brought my Explorer into the Ford dealership on numerous occasions. The dealership verified my complaint and performed Ford's technical service bulletin 12-12-4. that did not fix the problem. I continued to smell exhaust inside the car. The dealer assured me there was no safety concern, and that there was no carbon monoxide getting into the vehicle. We later tested the vehicle and found harmful levels of carbon monoxide getting inside the vehicle, both while being driven and when idle. The levels were higher when the car was being driven. After long drives, my children have been ill and suffered headache, which was probably caused by exposure to carbon monoxide.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #25

Jun 152012

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 1,500 miles

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

Horrible exhaust fumes smell inside cabin of vehicle after moderate acceleration that lingers until windows are rolled down.

- Palos Hills, IL, USA

problem #24

Dec 012012

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 2,000 miles
Under medium to hard acceleration a strong sulfur smell enters the cabin through the air conditioning vents and it smells very bad. Family of four and concerned about what we are all breathing in. Contacted Ford and they have confirmed it and they don't understand where it is coming from and refused to fix it. This is the only car I have ever driven where there is this type of smell coming from ac under acceleration. Smell comes through for about 30 seconds and then stops. Stinks up the car until we roll down the windows to get the bad air out. Embarrassing when we have other people in the car. I know I am not the only person experiencing this problem. It is well documented in numerous chat forums and websites all over the www. this happens every time the vehicle is accelerated hard since we have owned it.(hundreds of times).

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

problem #23

May 012013

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 100 miles
The vehicle has always had a issue with the cabin filling with exhaust fumes when under heavy acceleration. Merging onto a highway etc with the engine above 3500 RPM's will fill the cabin with a burning exhaust smell. This has been highly exposed on the Explorer forums online. Many users are experiencing it, the tsb for has for the smell does not work. If I ride in the car too long in heavy highway traffic where I am accelerating and decelerating a lot it makes me and my family sick from the smell.

- Blaine , MN, USA

problem #22

Feb 282014

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 36,000 miles
During stop and go conditions the vehicle exhaust fumes with enter the cabin of the vehicle and being to make the occupants feel ill. Brought this issue to a Ford service dealer, which confirmed this was exhaust fumes entering the vehicle. There has not been a solution from the manufacturer yet.

- Eugene, OR, USA

problem #21

Sep 012013

Explorer

  • miles
I have a 2013 Ford Explorer Sport with approximately 8500 miles. The interior cabin often fills with exhaust fumes. Many occurrence over several months whether ac running with fresh or recirculating air. I called the dealer and they were unaware of any issues with this problem. Of course I will take the vehicle to dealer but based on other complaints, I have reviewed I don't expect much will be done unless Ford Motor Co takes a deeper look to resolve the problem.

- Garland, TX, USA

problem #20

Jun 132014

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 4,000 miles
There is a foul smell in the vehicle, maybe burning plastic on the vehicle or exhaust. The fumes gets inside the vehicle that can make it unbearable when you have the ac on. You can not stay in the car. The ac has to be turn off and all windows open in order to continue driving. I brought the vehicle back to the dealership for service, last year. The service representative informed me that it was a plastic bag that got stuck in the exhaust. Once its burned off the smell will be gone. However. It does not seem to be the case. The foul smell is getting worse that its unbearable to stay in the vehicle with the ac on.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #19

May 022014

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 4,800 miles
The first thing I noticed was that the car felt like it was sputtering and running roughly. When I came to a stop light, it ran really rough and just died. It started back up and I was able to drive it home. Not knowing if the problem was just a fluke or not, I drove it the next day. After having gone about 8 miles, it did the same thing again. The engine runs rough and then just dies. It also happened to my husband as he left our neighborhood. It started to die on him but he put it in neutral and gave it gas. He took it to the local Lincoln Mercury (bayway) on gulf freeway in houston, tx. They kept it for almost 3 days, could not find anything wrong and one of the service managers drove it the last day and it never happened to him so problem was not found. Today as I was traveling down the gulf freeway (I-45) service road I slowed down for a light, the car sputtered and died while sitting at the light. The car was hard to start up and I was able to get it going and trying to drive it to mcree Ford where I bought it last summer. It stalled and I had to have it towed to dealership. Last week when I was driving around in it, the whole A/C system turned off and it started blowing hot air. All the A/C lights had gone out. Don't know if that was part of a problem or not.

- Pearland, TX, USA

problem #18

Apr 192014

Explorer 4-cyl

  • miles
I have a 2013 Ford Explorer ecoboost. Today (April 19, 2014), I was on highway 280 South heading towards san jose and my car decelerated twice. 1. the first time I noticed the deceleration, I pulled over to the shoulder and turned the ignition off. I did not see any warning lights on the dashboard and the fuel indicator was normal, meaning it was above the reserve line. I started the ignition, left the gear lever in neutral and pressed the accelerator pedal for a few seconds, it seemed normal. I moved onto the highway and resumed driving. 2. after about 2 miles, the car decelerated again, this time, I was afraid it might stall and pulled over to the shoulder. Again, I did not see any warning lights on the dashboard and the fuel indicator was normal, meaning it was above the reserve line. I started the ignition, left the gear lever in neutral and pressed the accelerator pedal for a few seconds, it seemed normal. I moved onto the highway and resumed driving. After about 1 mile, the fuel indicator popped up the message that the car reached reserve stage. Then the car worked fine for the next 4 miles. This is a serious technical issue. If the car decelerates suddenly without warning, it can cause issues for drivers.

- Campbell, CA, USA

problem #17

Mar 012013

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 1,000 miles
Exhaust enters the vehicle cabin any time the engine is operated at higher rpms, such as climbing a long hill or traveling at highway speeds and passing other traffic. The problem appears to have been present since purchasing the vehicle (new), but we initially thought the odor was coming from surrounding vehicles. We shortly discovered that the exhaust odor occurred without the presence of any other traffic. The vehicle was taken to the Ford dealer who contacted Ford engineering for a fix. The "fix" didn't help. I contacted Ford customer service and established a "case" in August, 2013, and was promised the problem would be taken care of. Ford told us to operate the ventilation system in the recirculation mode until the problem was solved. This only amplified the odor because the exhaust still entered but was then trapped in the cabin. At Ford's direction the car was taken back to the dealer where it sat for 3 weeks but was not touched. The dealer then called and asked us to come get the car because they didn't know how to fix it. Since then, despite my continuing efforts, I have been repeatedly stalled and told "we're working on it". the odor is present year round but seems to be stronger in warmer weather.

- Leslie, AR, USA

problem #16

Mar 082014

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 3,491 miles
While waiting in line at the local car wash the engine in my 2013 Ford Explorer Sport began to rev up, then lost power and began to shake violently before the engine stalled completely. No warning lights were illuminated and no visible indications or warnings were displayed to give any indication as to what the problem might be. Several attempts to restart the engine failed and I had to push the vehicle out of line and into an adjacent parking lot. When I tried to restart the vehicle once tow truck arrived to tow the vehicle back to the Ford dealership where I purchased the truck it started up as if nothing had happened.

- Bolingbrook, IL, USA

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