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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
21 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,500 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2013 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 16)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #291

Nov 102023

Explorer

  • miles

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

2013 Ford Explorer: Power Steering service now red light came on as problem occured it did ding, but not in time for reaction. While driving the wheel will lock no matter how fast or slow you are going. Put myself, my children and husband in danger, as well as others. This has occurred now 4 times in the last month. It is being sent to dealership for a current Recall. No police or insurance has inspected.

- Converse, TX, USA

problem #290

Oct 012023

Explorer

  • miles
The passenger side windshield panel trim flew off my car, at 60 mph. 6-8 months ago, the driver side windshield panel trim did the exact same thing at the exact same mph. This is absolutely ABSURD that Ford has not issued a recall for this.

- Elgin, IL, USA

problem #289

Jul 202023

Explorer

  • miles
While driving on the interstate around 65 mph, the windshield trim flew off of my vehicle. It appeared that a truck behind me drove over it but I am not 100% sure

- Suffolk, VA, USA

problem #288

Jun 232023

Explorer

  • miles

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

While driving on highway, 65-70 mph, both sides windshield trim flew off of vehicle. The right side first, then the left side approximately 5 minutes later. Unsure if debris struck any vehicles behind me.

- Williston, FL, USA

problem #287

Jul 082023

Explorer

  • miles
This weekend we were driving down the interstate and all of a sudden the windshield trim flew off. It didn-??t cause any wrecks thankfully but the cars behind us did break all of a sudden and another swerved. Luckily nothing happened but it could of caused an accident.

- Mount Vernon, TX, USA

problem #286

Dec 242022

Explorer 6-cyl

  • miles
The front windshield trim starting flapping and hitting my side window and windshield while driving approximately 65 miles an hour. At first I had no idea what the loud noise was. Something was in my eye sight hitting my window and windshield. I did not know what was happening, it was very startling and scary! I was in traffic. I pulled over as soon as I could, trying to avoid getting hit by other vehicles. When I was able to get out, I saw the trim had come loose. I taped it so I could continue on my trip. It is very frightening and unsafe while in traffic. The other side of the windshield trim is now coming out. I fear that the windshield is not secure. A couple of months ago, I received a letter about this problem in the mail. We made an appt. with Ford dealer to get it fixed. I had to cancel that appt. due to an emergency. I contacted the dealer last week and said I could now bring the Explorer in to get it fixed. I was told that there has never been a recall or any letters addressing this problem sent out to owners. I DID receive a letter several months ago, my husband took the letter to Ford when he scheduled the original appt. and the dealer kept it as reference! Now I am told that a letter about this windshield trim has never existed! I will take my Explorer to a dealer and get it repaired, letter or no letter. I feel like Ford is not being totally honest with me about an unsafe problem.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #285

May 262023

Explorer

  • miles

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

The trim on the front windshield blows off constantly at highway speeds. I-??ve had this car for a little over a year now and we-??ve already replaced it four different times. Every time, it stays on about a month before it detaches and blows off again. The last time, it just barely missed the car behind me. I haven-??t replaced it since then because I am terrified the next time it happens, a motorcyclist will be behind me and it could hit them and cause a fatal accident. This is a SERIOUS issue that needs addressed! I should not be scared to drive my car over 45 MPH for fear of causing a serious accident! On top of that, not replacing it means it now leaks into my car when it rains. I love my explorer but the trim on it is absolute garbage..

- Shelbyville, TN, USA

problem #284

Apr 152023

Explorer

  • miles
The back up camera is now inverted. What is coming from the left appears to be coming from the right, and what is coming from the right appears to be coming from the left. Once the problem started, it has not gone away. The problem was confirmed at an independent service center.

- Sandy Springs, GA, USA

problem #283

Sep 032022

Explorer

  • miles
The passenger side windshield trim panel has flown off. When asking the dealership about it, they said it was an issue with the Explorers and that it will most likely happen to the second one as well. We are unable to attach it back on but have kept the piece as we were able to pull over and retrieve it.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #282

Nov 042019

Explorer

  • miles
Windshield trim on both sides detached while driving. First incident was November 2019 while driving 70 mph on the DC beltway. The part landed in the middle of the road and was run over by several vehicles traveling behind me, but there was no damage to any of them. The second incident occurred during the summer of 2020 while driving 50 mph on a local, well traveled road. The part landed in the grass on the side of the road and did not hit any other vehicles. I have seen numerous other ford explorers that are also missing the windshield trim, and have read several articles stating there have been numerous reports of this issue occurring frequently, but it has not been confirmed by a dealership of any other service center. This issue has not been inspected by a dealership, law enforcement, or my insurance company. There was no indication prior to the trim detaching on either side that it was loose or not properly installed.

- Huntingtown , MD, USA

problem #281

Apr 012023

Explorer

  • miles

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

The driver side windshield panel flew off/broke off while driving at 55-60 mph.

- Elgin, IL, USA

problem #280

Mar 262023

Explorer

  • miles
I was driving down the highway yesterday (Sunday, March 26, 2023) and the windshield trim panel on the driver's side flew off. I was doing the speed limit, which was 70 MPH. Thank goodness there wasn't anyone behind me! It could have smashed into their windshield!

- Henrico, VA, USA

problem #279

Jan 192023

Explorer

  • miles
The windshield trim (passenger side) was detached and flew off my car, while driving on a highway at 75 mph.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #278

Feb 012023

Explorer

  • miles
The SUV will swerve into other lane when it switches gears. Replaced both struts. Odor in the cab. Coolant will not stay and after spending $1000 for repairs, it still cannot be fixed. Cracked head gasket.

- Jena, LA, USA

problem #277

Jun 152022

Explorer

  • miles
The trim piece on the windshield post along the side of the windshield fell off while traveling on a highway. It flew into the air and may have struck another vehicle. We replaced that piece on the drivers side of our car but a few months ago the trim on the passenger side flew off while traveling. This causes a safety problem to other drivers and could cause an accident. The first piece of trim was replaced. The problem has not been reviewed by the manufacturer, police or a insurance representative. There was no warning that this problem was about to occur.

- Mifflinburg, PA, USA

problem #276

May 092022

Explorer

  • miles
2011-2019 Ford Explorer Windshield-Outer Trim Molding Passenger Side With Clips7- molding detached - randomly while driving on the interstate - had to purchase new molding and trim - recently saw the info on the news and felt the need to report - it was scary when it detached and startled me - HAVE RECEIPTS AND PICTURES I SENT TO PARTS COMPANY TO OBTAIN THE RIGHT PART

- Horn Lake, MS, USA

problem #275

Feb 012020

Explorer

  • miles
I've had to replace the windshield trim panel piece three times because they keep flying off.

- Cypress, TX, USA

problem #274

Aug 172022

Explorer

  • miles
Passenger side windshield trim panel flew off and hit another vehicle after it bounced off the road. I replaced the trim parts for about $65. It appears that the seal and then the plastic retaining clips failed to secure the trim panel.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #273

Nov 012022

Explorer

  • miles
I have owned this car since 2013 - since it was new. For the 2nd time, I am getting messages saying "switch to park" when I put the car in park. The first time was in 2017 after about 48000 miles. When I took it to the dealer they replaced a part of the transmission. Now again it is happening in 2022 at almost 72000 miles. Obviously the replacement part is just as bad as the original - probably worse since the 2nd time it only lasted about 24000 miles. I now have had to pay to replace a part of the transmission 2 times. Is this a message I could have ignored" Is it only a faulty sensor? Or is the transmission really not in park" Who knows what else it wrong with the transmission. If you google "switch to park ford explorer" you will see that there are many many others with the same problem. Even the dealer's service person when I brought it in to be fixed a 2nd time said they see this problem a lot. I have bought and driven Fords for the last 40 years - usually past 100000 miles each - and have never had this problem occur.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #272

Aug 222022

Explorer

  • miles
Ac is not blowing cold air, it is also making a hissing noise. I got it inspected by an independent service center, and was told it will be expensive to repair. It is very common with my year and make of vehicle. A freon leak it is very dangerous for a person to breathe in, and can cause significate damage to me and my baby.

- Ocilla, GA, USA

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