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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 3 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #175

Nov 032020

Explorer

  • miles

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

Smelling a weird smell coming from the cabin like carbon monoxide smell.

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #174

Oct 212020

Explorer

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 4O mph the vehicle vibrated and then the engine shut off. The contact coasted to the lane closest to the side of the road and stopped and restarted the vehicle. The contact then was able to proceed back to his home. The contact called the dealer koons Ford of annapolis 2540 riva road, annapolis, md 21401 (410) 224-2100 and they ran a diagnostic test after the vehicle was bought in but could not get a code or duplicate the issue. The issue occurred twice and the vehicle was at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer had not yet been contacted. The failure mileage was 67,000.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #173

Jan 032020

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
Four 2013 Ford Explorer ran hot while I was operating the vehicle. We thought it was low on antifreeze so we added some. Out of precaution, we began monitoring the antifreeze level and notice that the level would drop, over a couple of weeks, enough which required us to have to add more antifreeze. My wife called Ford's service department to schedule an appointment to determine/confirm the problem. We were told that it sounds like the water pump was may be defective. On our way to the appointment, the vehicle shut down and had to be towed the rest of the way. Upon inspection, we were told that antifreeze had leaked into the engine, and further, the engine was damaged because of a broken timing chain.

- Charlotte, Nc, NC, USA

problem #172

Sep 152020

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 197,625 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 the vehicle was equipped with a msa altair floor xr gas detector which showed high levels of carbon monoxide. The contact stated that per one hour of driving the detector showed14 ppm (parts per minute). The contact stated that the failure was constant on a daily basis. The contact stated that the carbon monoxide detector was calibrated on a daily basis. The contact stated that his wife complained several times about headaches while driving in the vehicle. The contact stated that he sustained severe health issues and had heart ablation surgery from the carbon monoxide. The contact was concerned that continual driving presented a grave danger to health and safety. The vehicle was taken to chenoweth Ford Inc (1564 E pike St, clarksburg, wv 26301, (800) 344-1108) and an appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle repaired. The contact attempted to reach the manufacturer but, was unable to speak with a live representative. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 197,625.

- Buckhannon, WV, USA

problem #171

Jul 202020

Explorer

  • miles
I have had the vehicle for about three months and have had more problems from it then anyone can imagine from the wrench light ( transmission) to the torque converter to camshaft codes to converters to sensors, ac condenser went out, brake issues after replacing new pads and rotors, this has been a nightmare. The truck only has 84K miles and I have experienced more issues from it then any vehicle I have ever had. Ford really made junk this time.

- Mchenry, IL, USA

problem #170

Jul 122020

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 158,513 miles
For the past several months had a slight ticking sound at warm or cold startup. Was getting tired/achy while driving more than an hour. The sound became much louder over the weekend. It has been diagnosed as a cracked front exhaust manifold and may have been leaking co into the passenger compartment.

- Fort Morgan, CO, USA

problem #169

Jul 102020

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles

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

Anytime I drive this vehicle in rain or wet roads the main belt slips and squeals. The result is major loss of power on many occasions. My dash lights up like a christmas tree, I lose power to steering, wipers, fans, etc. The belt slipping is causing the alternator not to function which in turns causes loss of power. It's always when it's wet which is even scarier bc I have lost steering and engine power. This happens on any roads while the engine is under a load.

- Kingston, NH, USA

problem #168

Jun 172020

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
My wife experience "spontaneous acceleration" of our Ford Explorer. My wife was pulling into a walgreens parking lot, slowed down to turn into a parking space when the car lunged forward at a high rate of speed. My wife had her foot on the brake as she was entering the space, but the brake could not control the car. There was an extreme and spontaneous acceleration. Once the car hit the pole, it automatically shifted into reverse even with my wife applying the brake. The car came to a stop after hitting a parked truck. Additionally, the air bags did not deploy even though there was enough force on the front end to make the airbags deploy.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #167

Mar 182020

Explorer

  • 103,000 miles
I experience a rotten egg smell when accelerating. When I told the Ford dealership during routine service, they stated "it's normal". I looked for recall 19N05 with my VIN but it stated there are no unresolved issues. So it seems perhaps the recall 19N05 was performed. But the smell is still there during acceleration.

- Leeds, ME, USA

problem #166

Mar 132020

Explorer

  • 107,000 miles
Computer voice comand 80 mph governor

- Toddville, MD, USA

problem #165

Sep 012019

Explorer

  • 90,000 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 after multiple attempts to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turnover with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to jim click Ford Lincoln 6244 E 22nd St, tucson, AZ 85711 where the dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle. Once the vehicle was returned to the contact, the vehicle operated as intended. The contact then stated that on another occasion while driving at 75 mph, the vehicle began to lost motive power and the power steering ceased. The information screen became inoperable. The vehicle was again towed back to the same dealer. A diagnostic was not performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was since towed from the dealer to the residence. The manufacturer not been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Benson, AZ, USA

problem #164

Jan 252020

Explorer

  • 128,500 miles
On 2 separate occasions the truck loses power while driving. This effects the engine, power steering basically anything that uses power. This has happened while driving 65mph and 35-40mph. One time it happened on a street, the other time was while driving on the highway. This is very dangerous.

- Freehold, NJ, USA

problem #163

Jan 012020

Explorer

  • 85,678 miles
Engine fail make noise

- Shenandoah, PA, USA

problem #162

Dec 062019

Explorer

  • 163,000 miles
While driving in normal fashion in medium traffic engine all of a sudden died restarted after 5 minutes of attempts only to die again about 3 minutes later in middle of a turning lane. After being pushed to a parking lot it was discovered that head gasket was blown without any warning or signs. Had to be towed over 100 miles to my home on a roll back truck paid by car insurance

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #161

Oct 042019

Explorer

  • miles
My car started to leak coolant I've had to keep topping off coolant, took it to a Ford dealership, stated it was my water pump which would cost about $2000 to fix. I am only at 108K miles & I was told by Ford that they do not need maintencing and would last till 150,000 miles

- Turlock, CA, USA

problem #160

Sep 302019

Explorer

  • 84,211 miles
When driving (various speeds high was 70 mph - low was 25 mph - various roadways) vehicle loses power goes down to about 5 miles per hour - check engine lights comes on-- message "see manual". happened intermittently for 5 months initially one time- may go a month before happens again. Finally it started occurring 3 times within and hour then ok - did for that for two consecutive days before taking it to be fixed. Called Ford dealer they claimed they had heard of this - said it could be many things - I mentioned the reports of this on 2016 explored. Took it to a local shop. Replaced throttle body and throttle body gasket on 2 Oct 2019- issue has not occurred since.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #159

Aug 172017

Explorer

  • 84,509 miles
Vehicle's water pump began leaking during a normal patrol shift. We have had several of these fail at various mileages and each repair that was not under warranty has cost us around $2000 each time. I know these are not isolated incidents and that these water pumps fail often. I recall being at a fleet conference this past August and seeing a slide during a presentation from Ford and it showing the casting difference between the old style and new style pump. The old casting was thinner near the seal area and that allowed for excessive heat which caused the seal to fail. The new style pump has a thicker casting to prevent this fault. I would like to see a warranty extension or recall on the these pumps just like Ford ended up doing for the catalytic converters.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #158

Apr 182018

Explorer

  • 72,036 miles
Vehicle's water pump began leaking during a normal patrol shift. We have had several of these fail at various mileages and each repair that was not under warranty has cost us around $2000 each time. I know these are not isolated incidents and that these water pumps fail often. I recall being at a fleet conference this past August and seeing a slide during a presentation from Ford and it showing the casting difference between the old style and new style pump. The old casting was thinner near the seal area and that allowed for excessive heat which caused the seal to fail. The new style pump has a thicker casting to prevent this fault. I would like to see a warranty extension or recall on the these pumps just like Ford ended up doing for the catalytic converters.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #157

Mar 212019

Explorer

  • 83,132 miles
Vehicle's water pump began leaking during a normal patrol shift. We have had several of these fail at various mileages and each repair that was not under warranty has cost us around $2000 each time. I know these are not isolated incidents and that these water pumps fail often. I recall being at a fleet conference this past August and seeing a slide during a presentation from Ford and it showing the casting difference between the old style and new style pump. The old casting was thinner near the seal area and that allowed for excessive heat which caused the seal to fail. The new style pump has a thicker casting to prevent this fault. I would like to see a warranty extension or recall on the these pumps just like Ford ended up doing for the catalytic converters.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #156

Jun 122019

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
When idling cabin fills up with what appears to be smoke from mufflers. Fell asleep in the car while idling, woke up dizzy and thru up shortly after, strong headache after. Rust around the lock on the trunk lid.

- Somerville, MA, USA

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