MYRModel Year Report

2013 Ford Explorer

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2013 Ford Explorer
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Explorer Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2013 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 1 complaints 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaints 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1994: 1231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1450 complaints 1996 1997: 1731 complaints 1998: 1959 complaints 1999: 1348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3294 complaints 2002 2003: 1131 complaints 2004: 1304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1196 complaints 2012: 824 complaints 2013: 2229 complaints 2013 2014: 1674 complaints 2014 2015: 1771 complaints 2016: 2443 complaints 2017: 1677 complaints 2018: 720 complaints 2019: 291 complaints 2020: 1198 complaints 2020 2021: 412 complaints 2022: 257 complaints 2023: 106 complaints 2024: 19 complaints 2025: 95 complaints 2026: 29 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints 2027
2013: 2229 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19851
19863
19873
19884
19891
199012
1991616
1992640
1993944
19941231
1995843
19961450
19971731
19981959
19991348
2000952
2001375
20023294
20031131
20041304
2005497
2006630
2007208
2008148
200933
2010115
20111196
2012824
20132229
20141674
20151771
20162443
20171677
2018720
2019291
20201198
2021412
2022257
2023106
202419
202595
202629
20270

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STEERING 38%

38% of complaints: steering — 839 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing electric power assist system and rack and pinion.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

the car keep saying power steering assist this is the second time the steering gear went out

NHTSA ODI report, 20230925

I was driving and the steering locked. I could not move steering wheel either way. Towed to ford repair… they replaced steering rack. Four times it was replaced..4 times it locked.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260729

Same issue as in recall 14S06. However, I do not see this recall under my VIN, nor has this vehicle been repaired in the past for this issue. I was hoping that possibly the recall doesn't show up because it was established in 2014.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260717

STRUCTURE 20%

20% of complaints: structure — 437 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and door.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CONDITIONS: THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. THERE WAS HEAVY RAIN. THERE IS TRIM MOLDING ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD OF THE 2013 FORD EXPLORER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171120

Also filed under VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER LOWER DOOR SEALS WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SLIP RESISTANT SAFETY TREAD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120831

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260715

ENGINE 10%

10% of complaints: engine — 224 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Unknown what caused the issue but our vehicle erupted into flames in our driveway not 10 minutes after we pulled in. No warnings, no indication anything was wrong. We smelled smoke and went outside to find the hood completely engulfed.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231008

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 163 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and instrument cluster/panel.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The rearview camera reverses and inverts the image and the guiding lines disappear. I am unable to use the camera when reversing. There is a recall on other Ford Explorers (2020-2024) just not my year (2013).

NHTSA ODI report, 20260731

Also filed under VISIBILITY/WIPER

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 120 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20120619 — PE (closed 20140612)

Electric power steering failure

▮ 2013 — complaint volume: 2229
R 20130509 — fuel system, gasoline

Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and model year 2013 Explorer vehicles manufactured July 19, 2011, through March 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the fuel tanks may h

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tanks and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S03. Owners may c

Campaign 13V109000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130720 — fuel system, gasoline

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 vehicl

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1

Campaign 13V227000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130802 — latches/locks/linkages

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, wit

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the safety locks. If necessary, the locks will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Ford's recall number is 13S07. Owners m

Campaign 13V270000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140723 — steering

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge.

Campaign 14V286000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140822 — PE (closed 20150203)

Front brake hose failure

R 20150723 — structure

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Campaign 15V171000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150928 — EA (closed 20181102)

Front Brake Hose Failure

R 20151221 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.

Campaign 15V812000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20160701 — PE (closed 20170912)

Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor

I 20170727 — EA (closed 20230117)

Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab

R 20170731 — suspension, wheels

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles.

Remedy: Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application.

Campaign 17E048000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190626 — suspension

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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019.

Campaign 19V435000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20201127 — suspension

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,...

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020.

Campaign 20V675000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20220316 — suspension

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...

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675.

Campaign 21V537000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20220317 — suspension

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,...

Remedy: Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge.

Campaign 21V746000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20230127 — PE (closed 20240208)

Windshield trim molding Item detachment

R 20240718 — structure

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.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years.

Campaign 24V031000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2013 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (839 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (437 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (224 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 13V109000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V227000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V270000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V286000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V171000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V812000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17E048000 (suspension, wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V435000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V675000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V537000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V746000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V031000 (structure) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ■ 2016 ■ 1998

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2013 Ford Explorer reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Ford Explorer is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Explorer?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Explorer have?

12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.