MYRModel Year Report

2013 Ford Explorer

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2013 Ford Explorer
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
2,233
Recalls
12

Campaigns on file for 2013

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

38% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1994: 1,231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1996 1997: 1,731 complaints 1998: 1,959 complaints 1999: 1,348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1,197 complaints 2012: 826 complaints 2013: 2,233 complaints 2013 2,233 2014: 1,679 complaints 2015: 1,786 complaints 2016: 2,455 complaints 2017: 1,690 complaints 2018: 727 complaints 2019: 296 complaints 2020: 1,224 complaints 2020 2021: 432 complaints 2022: 267 complaints 2023: 110 complaints 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1987 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1993 1994: 1,231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1996 1997: 1,731 complaints 1998: 1,959 complaints 1999: 1,348 complaints 1999 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2005 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1,197 complaints 2012: 826 complaints 2013: 2,233 complaints 2013 2,233 2014: 1,679 complaints 2015: 1,786 complaints 2016: 2,455 complaints 2017: 1,690 complaints 2017 2018: 727 complaints 2019: 296 complaints 2020: 1,224 complaints 2020 2021: 432 complaints 2022: 267 complaints 2023: 110 complaints 2023 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1988 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1992 1993: 944 complaints 1994: 1,231 complaints 1994 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1996 1997: 1,731 complaints 1998: 1,959 complaints 1998 1999: 1,348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2000 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2004 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2006 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2010 2011: 1,197 complaints 2012: 826 complaints 2013: 2,233 complaints 2013 2,233 2014: 1,679 complaints 2015: 1,786 complaints 2016: 2,455 complaints 2016 2017: 1,690 complaints 2018: 727 complaints 2018 2019: 296 complaints 2020: 1,224 complaints 2020 2021: 432 complaints 2022: 267 complaints 2022 2023: 110 complaints 2024: 21 complaints 2024 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints

2013: 2,233 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19851
19863
19873
19884
19891
199012
1991616
1992640
1993944
19941,231
1995843
19961,450
19971,731
19981,959
19991,348
2000952
2001375
20023,295
20031,131
20041,304
2005497
2006630
2007208
2008148
200933
2010115
20111,197
2012826
20132,233
20141,679
20151,786
20162,455
20171,690
2018727
2019296
20201,224
2021432
2022267
2023110
202421
2025100
202639
20270

Known problem areas

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

Steering

38% · 840 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system and rack and pinion.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-25

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, 2026-07-29

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, 2026-07-17

Structure

20% · 437 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2017-11-20

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, 2012-08-31

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, 2026-07-15

Engine

10% · 225 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2023-10-08

Also filed under Electrical system

Electrical system

7% · 163 reports

Most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and instrument cluster/panel.

FIREINJURY
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, 2026-07-31

Also filed under Visibility/wiper

Fuel/propulsion system

5% · 120 reports
CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

12 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2012-06-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 2014-06-12 Electric power steering failure
  2. ▮
    2013Complaint volume 2,233 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2013-05-09Fuel system, gasoline13V109000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2013-07-20Fuel system, gasoline13V227000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2013-08-02Latches/locks/linkages13V270000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2014-07-23Steering14V286000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2014-08-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-02-03 Front brake hose failure
  8. R
    2015-07-23Structure15V171000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2015-09-28Engineering analysisClosed 2018-11-02 Front Brake Hose Failure
  10. R
    2015-12-21Fuel system, gasoline15V812000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    2016-07-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 2017-09-12 Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor
  12. I
    2017-07-27Engineering analysisClosed 2023-01-17 Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab
  13. R
    2017-07-31Suspension, wheels17E048000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2019-06-26Suspension19V435000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2020-11-27Suspension20V675000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2022-03-16Suspension21V537000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. R
    2022-03-17Suspension21V746000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. I
    2023-01-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 2024-02-08 Windshield trim molding Item detachment
  19. R
    2024-07-18Structure24V031000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2013 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 840 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 437 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 225 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 13V109000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 13V227000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 13V270000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 14V286000 · Steering
  • Recall 15V171000 · Structure
  • Recall 15V812000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 17E048000 · Suspension, wheels
  • Recall 19V435000 · Suspension
  • Recall 20V675000 · Suspension
  • Recall 21V537000 · Suspension
  • Recall 21V746000 · Suspension
  • Recall 24V031000 · Structure
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.