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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 6 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #115

Oct 152012

Explorer

  • miles

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

The car has had consistent odor penetration into the passenger cabin since I bought it in October 2012. There is a sulfur-like or rotten-egg smell...almost like natural gas. More recently I am also getting a separate odor of burning oil. The smell is most present when the car's windows are all up and the A/C system is on. The oil smell is also noticeable outside the vehicle. I am concerned that this could be related to the well-publicized issue with police versions of the Ford Explorer. I am also concerned that the fumes could be toxic and I am being exposed for long periods of time to potential carcinogens.

- Foxboro, MA, USA

problem #114

Nov 182016

Explorer

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While the vehicle was idling with either the air conditioner or heat activated, the odor of carbon monoxide entered the cabin. The contact stated that the condition was worse while in recirculation mode. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (hayford Ford, 1330 301st ave ne, isanti, mn, 55040) who stated that they could repair the vehicle per tsb: 16-0165, but it would be at the contact's expense. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost of the remedy. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was a tsb, but no open recall and out of pocket expenses. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- Blaine, MN, USA

problem #113

Sep 012015

Explorer

  • 50,000 miles
We bought our vehicle used in 2015 with less than 40K miles on it. It is our main, family vehicle. The first issues started with paint chipping on the hood. The Ford store we bought it from never stated this was a problem. We did notice it after having it at home and it has gradually become worse. I have had usaa inspect it and they said it looks like "someone drove it where there was high sulfur present"---near water or etc. The second issue is with the engine. On several occasions our vehicle has failed to turn over at the first start. Will sit there and make noises like it is trying but fail and turn off. One instance happened while we were driving on a street road. Car had trouble starting and then shut off randomly. We have contacted usaa and taken the vehicle to our local Ford dealership but they cannot seem to help resolve either issues. Upon conducting our own research I see that these are re-occurring issues with other owners, across the us and Ford has yet to resolve. Vehicle is unsafe

- Lacey, WA, USA

problem #112

May 312017

Explorer

  • 50,000 miles

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

This make/model/year has a known factory defect that caused the exhaust manifold to blow exhaust directly into the cabin. I had to force the dealer to fix this, as they argued exhaust is not dangerous. I have attached the instructions on how to fix this, from the factory, proving it was a known serious issue, not disclosed to me. The dealership did a horrible job in the "repair" - having broken other parts of the car in the process. After they "repaired" the car, it began randomly shuddering, while idling. I have attached a video of it. You will need to turn up the volume to the max, as youtube compressed the sound terribly. I have one witness to this happening twice. The engine starts vibrating with such ferocity that it sounds as though the vehicle is about to explode. The witness is willing to testify in court. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=johecicectk. This vehicle has completely fallen apart around me. There are 10 other major mechanical issues, which Ford refuses to fix.

- Phoenixville, PA, USA

problem #111

Jul 112014

Explorer

  • miles
I've noticed this smell every time I turned my car on/off or would get finished driving. It would be in the drivers cabin down at the floor where it came from. I first noticed it there and had mentioned it to Ford when there for service. It smells like a natural gas ( like at home ) leak. I'd smell it if he air or heat was on bringing it into the cabin. The same smell would be present when I stopped driving and would op N the door. Smelled like it was coming from under the drivers side wheel area. It persisted for the last few years. I've told Ford many times but they say there's no recall. Or that my car was out of its manufacturers warranty. At the time in 2014, when I really took notice, my car was still under warranty. I bought my car out of its lease in 6 OR7/2016 and there were reports of exhaust issues with people having a smell on the cabin. Ironic that I've been complaining of this two years prior to it coming out in the news. When asked, I was unsure to buy a car with exhaust issues, they reassured me there were no active recalls. And that the exhaust wasn't a problem. I thought I had roadkill rotting under my car, but after numerous under carriage car washes and theee years later, the car still has that natural gas smell.

- Folsom, NJ, USA

problem #110

Jun 012013

Explorer

  • 41,000 miles
Exhaust fumes in cabin - since we have been without the Explorer for three months (it has been in the shop getting an updated turbo), my wife has not had any unexplained headaches after spending all day running errands in the Explorer.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #109

Aug 122017

Explorer

  • 73,425 miles

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

Under moderate to hard acceleration strong smell of exhaust fumes inside passenger compartment of vehicle. Can make it happen on demand.

- New Franklin, OH, USA

problem #108

Jul 222017

Explorer

  • 76,000 miles
The turbo boost went out on my 2013 Explorer, I have had this vehicle for 15 months and it has 76000 miles on it. Apparently the part is backordered due to this happening to a ton of Explorer. I had to go on a waiting list and I am number 488 to get this part, they are telling me it will take months and it is unsafe to drive. I could loose power when driving and make things worst. This is a safety issue and I can't be without a car. The dealership will not give me a loaner car either. I have seen a lot of E-mails regarding the same thing, don't you think that this should be a recall due to safety issues" I am beside myself and have know idea how I am going to be without a car, do I chance driving it and may possible get killed because I loose power" the check engine light comes on and off all the time when driving no matter where I am driving...

- Etters, PA, USA

problem #107

Feb 032015

Explorer

  • 48,126 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at various speeds, there was an odor of exhaust/carbon monoxide emitted through the vent of the vehicle, causing the driver to become drowsy while driving. The contact stated that the exhaust odor remained permanently in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to autonation Ford dealer, located on 1227 gulf freeway, houston, tx 77034 where it was diagnosed that the exhaust system needed to be refill. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The contact called the manufacturer where it was informed that the warranty did not cover the repair and referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 48,126.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #106

Jul 252017

Explorer

  • 60,000 miles
Exhaust enters the cabin during heavy acceleration at medium to high speed. This has been happening since we purchased the car new in 2013.

- Auburn, CA, USA

problem #105

Jul 282017

Explorer

  • miles

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

The vehicle was tested and found to have 10 ppm of co in the interior.

- Warrenton, VA, USA

problem #104

Jul 132017

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
Exhaust fumes when I accelerate, not floor boarding it but just regular acceleration that you smell in the cabin. I brought it to Ford dealership and they said it was nothing. This issue has been going on since I got the vehicle in 2015 October.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #103

Jun 302017

Explorer

  • 102,700 miles
Rotten egg/sulfur smell in cabin during hard acceleration / C02 infiltration causing passenger headaches / nausea. When accelerating to highway or freeway speeds or accelerating to pass a vehicle there is a significant sulfur smell in the cabin. The smell is significantly worse when the air conditioning is on and in recirculate mode, but is present regardless of ac or recirc mode (can be when vent or heat is active also).

- Moundsview, MN, USA

problem #102

May 222017

Explorer

  • 58,000 miles
My vehicle is exhibiting the exhaust smell in the cabin concern. It has been verified by the technician at jones Ford in North charleston, SC. I purchased the vehicle used in January 2017. It currently has 58000 miles on it. Ford is telling me that they will not cover this issue under the extended warranty I purchased from them.

- Mount Pleasant, SC, USA

problem #101

Apr 052017

Explorer

  • 50 miles
There is a consistent smell of sulfur or gas coming into the car through the vents. I was light headed and dizzy while driving. Stopped and roll the windows down. This was not just once but Ford is doing nothing about the problem. I searched for recalls and they said there is no recall on my Ford Explorer for this issues. Please advise as to what I am to do?

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

problem #100

Mar 252017

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
Since purchasing our Ford Explorer new exhaust fumes fill the cabin when accelerating (increase in RPM). After long trips causes headaches and dizziness. It's been an ongoing issue for 4 years. We have had the Ford service bulletins for this issue performed and problem remains.

- Oak Point, TX, USA

problem #99

Jun 012012

Explorer

  • 1,000 miles
I have been experincing exhaust fumes inside the vehicle when I accellarate at a high R.P.M.

- Amherst, OH, USA

problem #98

Nov 262016

Explorer

  • 47,000 miles
'takata recall' strong smell of sulfur, engine oil and gasoline.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #97

Mar 132017

Explorer

  • 70,000 miles
We bought the vehicle used and with 48 hours noticed an exhaust smell inside cabin when sitting at a traffic light or stop sign.

- Douds, IA, USA

problem #96

Mar 132017

Explorer

  • 54,000 miles
Strong propane gas smell while driving.

- Madison, WI, USA

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