Worst 2013 Ford Explorer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Steering Defects
Engine Problems
Body Structure
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Ford Explorer.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 800 | 11 | 1 | 104,500 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 224 | 1 | 5 | 57,672 mi | |
| Body Structure | 222 | 3 | 1 | 60,009 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 193 | 1 | — | 108,351 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 154 | — | 2 | 61,282 mi | |
| Fuel System | 120 | 1 | — | 59,315 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 118 | 9 | — | 63,271 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 77 | 5 | — | 96,513 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 45 | — | — | 84,443 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 38 | — | — | 67,434 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 37 | 1 | — | 49,098 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 32 | — | — | 79,943 mi | |
| Brakes | 31 | 3 | — | 49,795 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 29 | — | — | 61,768 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 25 | — | — | 44,945 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 22 | — | — | 41,633 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 20 | 1 | — | 79,750 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 18 | 1 | — | 117,467 mi | |
| Airbags | 17 | 11 | — | 57,316 mi | |
| Steering:Electric Power Assist System | 16 | 1 | — | 138,016 mi | |
| Backup Camera | 13 | — | — | 112,100 mi | |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 12 | — | — | 111,429 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 10 | — | — | 46,004 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield:Critical Fasteners | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 8 | — | — | 45,193 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 8 | — | — | 54,620 mi | |
| Sunroof/Moonroof | 8 | — | — | 82,839 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 8 | — | — | 77,600 mi | |
| Lane Departure: Assist | 6 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2013 Ford Explorer
11 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,100,891 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety locks may change from an activated position to a deactivated position without notice.
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
+ 1 more recalls
Other Ford Explorer Years
2013 Ford Explorer — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2013 Ford Explorer reliable?
What are common problems with the 2013 Ford Explorer?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Ford Explorer?
How safe is the 2013 Ford Explorer?
Does the 2013 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2013 Ford Explorer?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2013 Ford Explorer
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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