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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,330 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 1 of 2)

problem #36

Jun 202024

Explorer

  • 93,000 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 an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated and lost motive power. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the water pump. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 93,000.

- Millersville, PA, USA

problem #35

Jan 012024

Explorer

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, an unknown message and warning light were illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact waited 4 hours for the vehicle to cool down and then refilled the vehicle with coolant before successfully restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to three different independent mechanics to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #34

Mar 052024

Explorer

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that anti-freeze was leaking from the vehicle. While driving at unknown speeds, the message that the engine was overheating was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the water pump. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

- Cumberland, RI, USA

problem #33

Mar 092023

Explorer

  • 109,000 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 50 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. Additionally, the contact stated that the A/C unit was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air compressor and the CV joint had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired by the dealer. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a leak of Freon. The mechanic also diagnosed that there was a strong odor of carbon dioxide coming into the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

problem #32

Jun 282023

Explorer

  • 165,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a loud squeaking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact then became aware that there was coolant leaking from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the failure was a known issue. The contact was referred to NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #31

Sep 062023

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the engine overheated warning light was illuminated. The vehicle also started sputtering. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and waited approximately 10 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to a nearby certified mechanic who diagnosed that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000. The contact is requesting to be reimbursed for the water pump repair for the vehicle.

- Wynnewood, PA, USA

problem #30

May 082023

Explorer

  • 0 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 while driving 30 MPH, the high engine temperature and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #29

Feb 252023

Explorer

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary in his garage, he noticed a leak of water on the driveway. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the water pump to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

- Millersville, PA, USA

problem #28

Jan 082023

Explorer

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed in 20-degree weather, the engine was smoking and then overheated. The contact checked under the hood and noticed that the coolant level was low. The contact had previously added additional coolant. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the dealer who informed her about a diagnostic test, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Bayonne, NJ, USA

problem #27

Dec 192022

Explorer

  • 113,500 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle overheated. The check engine warning light and the coolant temperature warning light were illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle until the engine cooled down. The contact continued to drive. Additionally, the contact noticed that coolant was leaking onto the ground. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, the contact was not offered assistance because the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,500.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #26

Nov 232022

Explorer

  • 118,500 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 while driving approximately 20 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. and the vehicle lost motive power shortly after. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine and water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was then towed back to the residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was offered a trade-in. The approximate failure mileage was 118,500.

- Wentzville, MO, USA

problem #25

Aug 012022

Explorer

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. Additionally, coolant was discovered leaking from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Palm Harbor, FL, USA

problem #24

Nov 102022

Explorer

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while having routine maintenance performed on the vehicle, the mechanic noticed there was no coolant in the reservoir and the water pump was leaking. The contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 115,000.

- Campbellsville, KY, USA

problem #23

Jul 162022

Explorer

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on multiple occasions she noticed that the coolant level was low. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the internal water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to call the NHTSA hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

- Wilmington Manor, DE, USA

problem #22

Apr 152022

Explorer

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford explore. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH the vehicle engine stop warning lights turned on. The engine started overheating and the contact pulled over and added water. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was notified. The failure mileage was 72,000

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #21

Apr 042022

Explorer

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light would remain illuminated and the vehicle would sputter and fail to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the water pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #20

Feb 192022

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 183,460 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while her son was driving 45 MPH, the engine overheated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven home and the contact added antifreeze to the engine however, the liquid poured out. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was provided a service date in May 2022. The contact was informed that the water pump, timing chain, and other unnamed parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 183,460.

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #19

Jul 012016

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
Strong exhaust smell in the cabin of the vehicle making driver and any passengers feel sick. Worse when middle and back seats are up, less if seats are folded down. Happens immediately when care is started and continues when driving.

- Stanton, NJ, USA

problem #18

Jul 172013

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 2,600 miles
Soon after the purchase, there was a burnt metal/exhaust smell in the interior of the Explorer when the driver accelerated to pass a car, get onto the interstate, or something similar and then let off the accelerator. The first time it happened, we thought the vehicle was on fire and pulled off onto the side of the interstate and got out of the vehicle. We have to open windows to flush out the smell. At first, it seemed that "recirculate" would have to be on, but in time it did not matter whether it was on or off. When driving in traffic, we detect exhaust smell at all times. Turning on "recirculate" has no effect. I have asthma, and it has been worsening since we bought the Explorer. I am not a smoker. I now refuse to ride in the Explorer and am demanding that we get rid of it.

- Stem, NC, USA

problem #17

Apr 102016

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 57,897 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, exhaust fumes emitted inside the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the grill assembly/vent air, molding, valve assembly, and auto drain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,897...updated 10/13/16 updated 10/18/16.

- West Point, UT, USA

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