NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Ford Explorer. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
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. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE NOT ADEQUATELY DESIGNED. WHEN DRIVING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE ANY OBJECTS THROUGH THE TOP PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,300.
EXHAUST LEAKS INTO CABIN UNDER ACCELERATION
OUR 2013 FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE WE PURCHASED THE SUV IN MAY 2013. THE MAIN COMPLAINT IS AN EXHAUST SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN WITH AND/OR WITHOUT THE REAR PASSENGER CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM SWITCHED ON. THE EXHAUST SMELL IS SO SEVERE AT TIMES IT CAUSES NAUSEA, DIZZINESS, AND HEADACHES. THIS CONDITION USUALLY OCCURS WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION,AND DURING LIGHT HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS USING NORMAL ACCELERATION. DURING LANE CHANGES OR HEAVY ACCELERATION THE CONDITION IS WORSE AND REQUIRES THE WINDOWS TO BE LOWER TO VENT THE EXHAUST FROM THE CABIN.
AT THE3200 MILEAGE I EXPERINCE BRAKE ISSUES ROTARY HAD TO BE REPLACED .ON THE FIRST WEEK OF JULY 2015 ADDITIONAL BRAKE WORK HAD TO BE REDONE.ON JULY10TH 2015 WHILE DRIVING THE AC UNIT WENT OUT COMPLETLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A LONG EXTENDED TRIP BARELY MADE IT HOME NO AIR WIERD SCREEHIN NOISE. SCHEDULED TO GO BACK TO REPAIR7-14-15 . I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE JULY 2014.THE VEHICLE HAS 36000. VERY UNHAPPY AT THIS POINT THINKING ABOUT RETURNING THE VEHICLE AND STARTING OVER WITH SOME OTHER VEHICLE
I STARTED DRIVING AND ENGINE STARTED REVVING UP, TOOK FOOT OUT OF GAS PEDAL AN VEHICLE CONTINUED REVVING UP TO 3,000 RPM IN SLOW SPEED. CHANGE TRANSMISSION TO "N" AND VEHICLE CONTINUED AT 3,000 RPM. CHANGED BACK TO "D" AND DID NOT CHANGED, ONCE AGAIN CHANGE TO "N" AND BACK TO DRIVE AND RPM CAME DOWN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800.
I WAS PARKED ON A DRIVEWAY WHICH WAS ELEVATED AND HAD A STEEP SLOPE DOWN TO THE ROAD. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR AND HIT A TREE.
HAVE A BURNING SMELL IN THE CABIN DURING ACCELERATION. HAVE HAD IT IN THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES OVER THREE YEARS. THEY TRIED SEVERAL THINGS LIKE SEALING UNDER BODY OF VEHICLE.THE LAST ANSWER WE GOT FROM THEM IS THAT FORD IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM.
DEAR NHTSA, I HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED A FORD EXPLORER LIMITED 2013 MODEL ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE MYTOUCH SYSTEM HAS CONSTANT GLITCHES AND CAUSING DISTRACTIONS WHILE DRIVING. YESTERDAY I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE ENTIRE SCREEN WAS OUT INCLUDING THE BACKUP SENSORS AND CAMERA. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY DO NOT SEEM TO BE VERY RESPONSIVE. I WILL BE TAKING THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW HOWEVER I FIND THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS MY WIFE RELIES ON THE CAMERA AND SENSORS WHEN PARKING A VEHICLE. *TR
I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE # 13S04 FROM FORD ON A FUEL DELIVERY MODULE THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE RECALL NOTICE WAS DATED JULY OF 2013. MY FORD DEALER TELLS ME THEY CANNOT GET THE PART--DON'T KNOW WHY. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD--COMPUTER HAS MY PART ON ORDER--BUT THEY CANNOT OR WOULD NOT TELL ME WHEN I COULD EXPECT THE PART AND IF I SHOULD HAPPEN TO SMELL GAS TAKE THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER. WHAT'S GOING ON???????? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT 4 MPH, HIS FOOT SLIPPED AND DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSING HIM TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TOO SMALL AND TOO CLOSE TO THE FUEL PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
DRIVING VEHICLE AND CROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM FAILURE TURNS ON, ADVANCETRAC SYSTEM FAILURE, STABILITY CONTROL FAILURE AND TRACTION CONTROL FAILURE OCCUR. VEHICLE BEGINS TO DECELERATE AND TRANSMISSION GOES FROM AN ILLUMINATED "D" TO BLANK. VERY HARD TO MANEUVER VEHICLE. VEHICLE STRUGGLES TO GAIN SPEED AFTERWARDS. THE ONLY RESOLUTION I HAVE FOUND IS TO PULL OVER IF POSSIBLE AND TURN ON VEHICLE AND RESTART. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55MPH. I WAS BEHIND A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE AND WANTED TO PASS IT. THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE APPROACHING IN THE ONCOMING LANE AND I THOUGHT I HAD ENOUGH DISTANCE TO PASS. AS I TURNED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE TO PASS THIS VEHICLE, I HEARD A STRANGE NOISE LIKE A "POOF" AND MY VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SLOWED. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS ENOUGH DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE ONCOMING VEHICLE AND THE ONCOMING VEHICLE HAD A WIDE SHOULDER . AFTER THAT, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO HAVE LESS POWER ON ACCELERATION. ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER IT STARTED LEAKING OIL ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE. IT IS A SPORT MODEL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL CARBON MONOXIDE ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE USING THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE ODOR WAS ALSO PRESENT WHEN THE CONTACT ACCELERATED TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES OR WHILE DRIVING HIGH SPEEDS. IN JUNE OF 2013, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEIF JOHNSON FORD (501 E KOENIG LN, AUSTIN, TX 78751) WHERE THEY VERIFIED THE PROPER SEAL OF SEALED MECHANIC JOINTS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER IN AUGUST OF 2013 DUE TO THE ODOR. THE DEALER CHECKED THE MOULDING, ADHESIVE GRILL, INLET VALVE, ASSEMBLY AUTO DRAIN, UNDER COAT, AND PERFORMED TSB 121204 WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CO-SEAMS AND INSTALLED BOTH NEW VENTS. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2013, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SECOND DEALER (COVERT FORD LINCOLN, 11514 RESEARCH BLVD, AUSTIN, TX, 78758,) IN REFERENCE TO THE CARBON MONOXIDE ODOR DUE TO ACCELERATION. THE DEALER CHECKED THE CABIN AIR FILTER AND EXHAUST FOR LEAKS/DAMAGE, ALONG WITH REGULAR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE; HOWEVER, NO DIAGNOSIS WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT SENT A LETTER TO THE SECOND DEALER IN OCTOBER OF 2013 ABOUT THE ODOR IN REFERENCE TO FINDINGS FROM THE INTERNET. THE CONTACT ASKED THE DEALER TO COMPARE THE FAILURES AND INFORM HER OF FORD'S OUTCOME. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TOW OTHER MECHANICS WHERE THE EXHAUST WAS ADJUSTED; HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND THE FORD DEALERS COULD NOT PROVIDE A SOLUTION THROUGH JUNE OF 2015. THE CONTACT STOPPED ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO FRUSTRATION, TIME, AND MONEY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,800.
TAKING A TRIP IN MY 2013 FORD EXPLORER SPORT (TEXAS TO FLORIDA) WITH THE 3.5 TURBOCHARGED ENGINE IN RAINING CONDITIONS AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, SHUDDER AND STALL WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. WOULD NOT DRIVE PROPERLY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE HAD TO COAST OFF HIGHWAY AND STAY IN HOTEL UNTIL DEALERSHIP OPENED NEXT DAY. LOSS OF TIME AND VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
THERE WAS GASOLINE LEAKING OUT OF THE FUEL MODULE INTO MY GARAGE WHEN I WENT TO GET INTO THE EXPLORER TO GO TO WORK. I ALSO HAVE A GAS HOT WATER HEATER IN THE GARAGE BESIDE WHERE I PARK THE EXPLORER. I WAS NOT AWARE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS UNTIL I GOT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FUMES WERE EXTREMELY STRONG. I OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR AND LET THE FUMES DISSIPATE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR WHERE I FOUND OUT NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AND WON'T BE UNTIL POSSIBLY SEPTEMBER. I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. I AM HANDICAPPED AND HAVE AN ELECTRIC CHAIR CARRIER ON THE BACK OF THE EXPLORER WHICH I HAVE TO USE TO TAKE MY ELECTRIC CHAIR TO WORK. NOW, I HAVE NO VEHICLE AND HAVE BEEN HOME FOR OVER A WEEK WITH NO VEHICLE I CAN DRIVE. I ASKED FORD TO SWAP MY EXPLORER FOR AN IDENTICAL ONE WHICH WAS DENIED. THEY OFFERED ME A 15 PASSENGER VAN TO DRIVE UNTIL MY VEHICLE IS REPAIRED BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE TAXES ON THE RENTAL COST DAILY UNTIL MINE IS REPAIRED. I CAN'T GET A 15 PASSENGER VAN IN MY DRIVEWAY MUCH LESS MY GARAGE! I NEED MY VEHICLE REPAIRED NOW OR A NEW VEHICLE. I CAN'T JUST DRIVE ANYTHING DUE TO MY DISABILITIES. IN ADDITION, IT SHOULD NOT BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY TAXES ON A RENTAL VEHICLE UNTIL MINE IS REPAIRED AS IT IS NOT MY FAULT THAT FORD'S FUEL MODULES ARE DEFECTIVE. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT COST IN ADDITION TO MY MONTHLY CAR PAYMENT AND GAS COSTS. *TR
I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING OF A SUSPENSION ISSUE SINCE I HAD PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2013. I AM BEING TOLD THERE WANT BE A RECALL UNTIL SOMEONE DIES. I EVEN TRIED TO HAVE IT FIXED UNDER WARRANTY BUT SUSPENSION ARE NOT COVERED ACCORDING TO FORD DEALERS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GASOLINE WOULD DISAPPEAR WHEN REFUELING TO CAPACITY. SHE ALSO BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V227000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR REPAIR HOWEVER, THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO SMELLED FUEL AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED HER THAT ALL OF THE RECALLS PROCEDURES HAD BEEN PERFORMED ACCORDINGLY ON THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,800.
I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY FUEL TANK IS EMITTING STRONG HYDROCARBON VAPORS DUE TO THE TANK BEING PRESSURIZED WITHOUT A FUEL CAP. IT DOES NOT COME WITH A FUEL CAP. I CAN SEE THE POSSIBILITY OF THESE VAPORS IN A CLOSED SPACE POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE. I AM A RETIRED FIREFIGHTER AND I HAVE SEEN THIS NUMEROUS TIMES WITH GAS CANS LEFT IN GARAGES WITH GAS HOT WATER HEATERS. *TR
UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION EXHAUST FUMES ENTER THE CABIN. THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE FORD EXPLORER FORUMS. HTTP://WWW.EXPLORERFORUM.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=323597. A RECALL IS NEEDED OR THEY NEED TO BUY THESE BACK! *TR
THE VEHICLES AC SYSTEM FLOODS THE INTERIOR CABIN WITH AN OVERWHELMING EXHAUST SMELL DURING HARD ACCELERATION OR ANYTIME THE ENGINE EXCEEDS 3500 RPM AS IN CLIMBING A MOUNTAIN ROAD ETC. DEALER HAS PERFORMED FORD TECHNICAL BULLETIN HOWEVER THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. FORD TOLD ME THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND TO "CHECK BACK" IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO SEE IF THE ENGINEERS HAVE FOUND A FIX. *TR
WE NOTICED SOMETHING WRONG A FEW WEEKS AFTER WE BOUGHT IT. WHEN ACCELERATING YOU WOULD NOTICE A WEIRD SMELL. THE BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT INVOLVING MY VEHICLE. ON 4/16/16 I TOOK I TO FORD AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL, SINCE THEN I'VE TAKEN IT IN 3 TIMES TO FIX THE EXISTING ISSUE. AS OF NOW THERE ARE TIME I STILL GET SOME ODOR
EXHAUST FUMES IN CABIN - SINCE WE HAVE BEEN WITHOUT THE EXPLORER FOR THREE MONTHS (IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP GETTING AN UPDATED TURBO), MY WIFE HAS NOT HAD ANY UNEXPLAINED HEADACHES AFTER SPENDING ALL DAY RUNNING ERRANDS IN THE EXPLORER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 13V227000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED!! I WAS SITTING IN MY VEHICLE, PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. I GOT OUT AND CHECKED THE TIRES AND AROUND MY VEHICLE. I SAW NOTHING UNUSUAL SO I GOT BACK IN, TURNED THE AIR OFF AND THAT'S WHEN I DISCOVERED IT WAS THE SUNROOF. I HEARD CRACKLING OF GLASS. GOT BACK OUT AND STEPPED IN THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR AND LOOKED ON TOP - IT HAD CRACKED IN THE SHAPE OF AN X WITH A SMALL POP UP RIGHT IN THE CENTER. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT NOTHING HAD HIT THE GLASS BECAUSE I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE GLASS WAS PUSHED UPWARD INSTEAD OF INWARD. I TOOK NUMEROUS PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY RIGHT AFTER THIS HAPPENED. DROVE IT TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, WITHIN A HALF HOUR, AS PER THE SERVICE MGR. FOR PRE APPROVAL OF WARRANTY COVERAGE. IT WAS DENIED TWICE. FORD'S RESPONSE FOR DENIAL OF WARRANTY COVERAGE : " AS PER SECTION 3 OF THE WARRANTY AND POLICY MANUAL, DAMAGED GLASS (STONE CHIPS, SCRATCHES, ETC.) IS NOT CONSIDERED A WARRANTABLE CONDITION UNLESS AS RELATED TO ANOTHER DEFECTIVE COMPONENT. THE LOUD NOISE AS DESCRIBED BY THE CUSTOMER HAS GENERALLY BEEN FOUND TO BE THE TIME IN WHICH THE GLASS IS IMPACTED IN OTHER SIMILAR CASES. THE POINT OF IMPACT TO THE GLASS IS THE PLACE IN WHICH THE GLASS IS BROKEN AND BOWED UPWARD (BOW UPWARD DUE TO INTERIOR CABIN PRESSURE IS SLIGHTLY GREATER THAN AMBIENT PRESSURE WHEN WINDOWS ARE UP AND THE HVAC SYSTEM IS RUNNING.) UNFORTUNATELY, THIS BROKEN GLASS IS CONSIDERED TO BE DAMAGE THAT CAN NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY AT THIS TIME." 23 DAYS LATER...MY $40K VEHICLE IS STILL DAMAGED AND SITTING IN MY GARAGE B/C THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THESE PANORAMIC SUNROOFS EXPLODING. FORD CAN NOT KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND FOR REPLACEMENT GLASS. I PRAY SOMEONE, ESPECIALLY A CHILD IS NOT INJURED OR EVEN WORSE KILLED BY THIS DEFECT. *TR
MY 2013 FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 3 WEEKS NOW AND STILL NO REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE FUEL PUMP. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY 3 TIMES AND THEY CAN'T GIVE ME AN ANSWER AND HAVE BEEN IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHEN THIS PART WILL BE READY. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A RENTAL BUT IT IS A CHEVY IMPALA, NOT ANYWHERE NEAR THE SIZE OF MY EXPLORER, AND HAD TO FIGHT TO GET THAT AS THEY ONLY PAY FOR A COMPACT CAR. I HAVE TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND THIS IS SUMMER TIME AND WE ARE DOING A LOT OF TRAVELING THAT IS VERY DIFFICULT WITHOUT MY EXPLORER. IT WOULD BE NICE IF SOMEONE COULD GIVE ME AN ANSWER ABOUT HOW MUCH LONGER THIS IS GOING TO TAKE. I AM BEYOND FRUSTRATED AND READY TO ASK FORD FOR MY MONEY BACK SO THAT I CAN BUY A DIFFERENT VEHICLE BUT I ASSURE YOU THEY WON'T DO THAT. WHAT IS EVEN MORE IRRITATING IS I AM PAYING A MONTHLY PAYMENT AND INSURANCE ON A CAR I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT FOR ALMOST A MONTH. SOMEONE NEEDS TO STEP UP AND GET THESE PARTS OUT TO THE DEALERSHIPS. I ALSO DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS RECALL UNTIL READING AN ARTICLE ABOUT IT. NICE TO KNOW THAT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY FORD!! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INSPECTED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE FUEL TANK, WHICH WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V109000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,500.
FROM MY FORD EXPLORER LIMITED (WITH 5000 LBS FACTORY INSTALLED TOW PACKAGE), THERE WAS A HIGH SMELL OF GASOLINE AFTER FUELING VEHICLE. ODOR DID NOT DIMINISH. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MA DEALERSHIP, (5-17-13), WHERE MECHANICS DETERMINED THAT GAS TANK WAS LEAKING. PARTS NOT EASILY AVAILABLE. GAS TANK AND FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. I SPOKE WITH FORD NE REGIONAL MGR, [XXX], AND REQUESTED AN UPGRADE TO MY WARRANTY FROM 5YR TO 7YR. SHE SAID, "FORD DOES NOT PAY FOR PAIN AND SUFFERING," AFTER I SAID THAT THIS WAS A SERIOUS FIRE SAFETY HAZARD. SHE TOLD ME THAT NOTHING HAPPENED SO IT CAN'T BE CONSIDERED. NO UPGRADE ALLOWED! AND SHE ALSO TOLD ME THAT "PARTS BREAK, AND HAVE TO BE FIXED.!" AFTER 11 CONSECUTIVE DAYS AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE CAR WAS FIXED BY 5-28-2013. THE MYFORDSYNC SYSTEM HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED 10+ TIMES SINCE PURCHASE IN 9-2013. COMPLETE FAILURE TO WORK HAS HAPPENED. BLANK SCREEN, NO BACKUP CAMERAS. VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLE. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP MANAGER ABOUT A WARRANTY UPGRADE, BUT HE HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY QUESTIONS, EVEN THOUGH HE SAID THAT HE, "HAS NEVER SEEN THIS GAS TANK PROBLEM." THIS CAR HAS REQUIRED MORE THAN 15 DAYS OF REPAIR IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS, AND IT IS WELL UNDER 15,000 MILES. THE CURRENT GAS MILEAGE IS WELL UNDER THE STICKER MPG OF 26 HIGHWAY. IT IS RANGING FROM LOCAL OF A BEST OF 19 MPG TO A BEST OF (HIGHWAY) 21MPG. TOWING IT IS 14 MPG TO 15.4MPG. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I PURCHASED A NEW 2013 FORD EXPLORER. I OFTEN DRIVE WITH MY DOG IN THE REAR SEATS. PRIOR TO MY EXPLORER, MY DOG NEVER GOT SICK WHEN BEING DRIVEN. SINCE BUYING MY EXPLORER, MY DOG HAS OFTEN GOTTEN SICK, INCLUDING VOMITING, WHILE BEING DRIVEN THE CAR. I HAD MAY CAR TESTED, AND CARBON MONOXIDE WAS FOUND INSIDE MY CAR WITH THE ENGINE ON BUT THE CAR IDLE. THERE WAS A HIGHER LEVEL OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE BACK OF THE CAR THAN IN THE FRONT. *TR
WATER COMING IN THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE THIRD ROW PASSENGER SEATBELT..IT THEN DRIPS ON THE SEAT ..HAD IT AT THE DEALER THREE TIMES ALREADY..THEY DO NOT HAVE A CLUE HOW TO FIX IT. *TR
I WAS MAKING A U-TURN NOT EVEN GOING MORE THAN 15 MPH AND MY 2013 FORD EXPLORER SPORT'S, WHICH ONLY HAS 6050 MILES ON IT, POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOP WORKING AND ALL ACROSS THE DASH, WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP, STABILITY CONTROL FAULT, POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAULT, TRACTION CONTROL FAULT. I LOST POWER STEERING AND SLOWLY STEERED INTO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. I TURNED OFF MY ENGINE AND THEN RESTARTED IT, THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN AND SOME OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF, EXCEPT THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS, I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE A SECOND TIME AND ALL THE WARNINGS LIGHTS WENT OFF, I WENT STRAIGHT THE DEALERSHIP AND IT IS THERE NOW. THE SERVICE ADVISOR HAD SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS HAPPEN ONCE AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING GEARS AND SYSTEM. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND I WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND HURT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY AND OTHER PERSONS. LUCKILY I WAS IN SLOW TRAFFIC AND A GAS STATION WAS NEARBY, AND I DID NOT HAVE MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH THE EXPLORERS AND FIX THESE SAFETY ISSUES ASAP! *TR
AFTER ENTERING A HIGHWAY MY HORN HONKED AND THE MESSAGE "NO KEY DETECTED" APPEARED. THE VEHICLE NEVER DIED BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER A DOZEN TIMES. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP, WHERE THE SAME CONCERN WAS DUPLICATED, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS SOME SORT OF INTERFERENCE WITH THE RADIO FREQUENCY OF THE KEYS, THEY SAID THAT ANYTHING FROM PHONES TO CHARGES COULD CAUSE THIS AND THAT IT IS NORMAL AND I WOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT. ON 1/17/13 AND AGAIN ON 2/11/13 AFTER PUSHING THE BUTTON TO TURN THE CAR OFF THE AUXILIARY POWER CAME ON. I WAS TOLD THIS IS OKAY AND THAT THE POWER WOULD EVENTUALLY TURN ITSELF OFF. 5/16/2013 THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME I NOTICED THAT MY RADIO HAD SHUT ITSELF OFF. I TURNED THE CAR ON AND THE RADIO WAS OFF, I KNOW I DID NOT TURN THIS OFF WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF. *TR
SINCE THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE, WE BECAME AWARE OF A VERY STRONG EXHAUST SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN UPON HARD ACCELERATION. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME. FIRST COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP WHEN I BROUGHT IN FOR FIRST OIL CHANGE AND THEY BASICALLY BLEW ME OFF AND CLAIMED THEY FOUND NOTHING. THAT WAS BACK IN 2013. WE HAVE SINCE USED A CARBON MONOXIDE TESTER IN THE VEHICLE THAT CONFIRMS AN ISSUE WITH LEVELS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS OCCURRED REPEATEDLY EVERY TIME WE ACCELERATE HARD FROM THE FIRST WEEK WE OWNED THE VEHICLE, TO CURRENTLY. IT SEEMS LIKE IT MIGHT EVEN BE GETTING STRONGER IN SMELL AND LINGERS LONGER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTAKE HOSE FROM THE TURBO CHARGER HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 399.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN WITH THE STEERING, AXLE OR THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE SPECIFICS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 2,000. *TR
THE BUCKLE FOR BOTH INFLATABLE SEATBELTS IN THE SECOND ROW SEAT HAVE BROKEN A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES. ONCE THE BUCKLE CRUMBLED INTO MANY PIECES IN MY DAUGHTER'S HAND, ON BOTH BELTS A PROTECTIVE PLASTIC COVER HAS FALLEN OFF, AND NOW ONE OF THE BELTS GETS STUCK OCCASIONALLY IN THE BUCKLE. ALSO THE MIDDLE BELT LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT UNROLL. SO A TOTAL OF 5 ISSUES WITH ONE ROW OF BELTS AND BUCKLES. THIS IS THE ROW MY CHILDREN SIT IN. I REQUESTED FORD TO TAKE THIS VEHICLE BACK UNDER THE CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW AND THEY DENIED IT! *TR
MY WIFE BROUGHT OUR 2013 FORD EXPLORER INTO OUR DEALERSHIP, EARLY MAY 2013, IN REGARDS TO SMELLING GAS FUMES OUTSIDE THE CAR AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE TIME MENTIONED TECHNICAL TERMS THAT MADE MY WIFE BELIEVE THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. LATER, I DROPPED OFF OUR 2013 FORD EXPLORER ON JUNE 13, 2013 (8AM ON THURS) AT OUR DEALERSHIP IN REGARDS TO PERSONALLY SMELLING GAS FUMES OUTSIDE MY WIFE'S PRIMARY CAR. THEY TOOK THE VEHICLE IN DURING OUR 2ND VISIT TO INVESTIGATE THIS GAS ODOR AND THEY CONFIRMED IT. THE SERVICE ADVISOR ALSO MENTIONED A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR A FUEL RELATED ISSUE (DURING 2ND VISIT) AND WE WERE NOT SURE IF THIS WAS RELATED AT THE TIME. MY CONCERN ARE THE FOLLOWING; WHY WAS THIS NOT TAKEN CARE OF DURING AN EARLIER VISIT AND I'M FRUSTRATED WITH THE PROTOCOL OUR DEALERSHIP FOLLOWED FOR THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS HAD A ISSUE WITH THE CABIN FILLING WITH EXHAUST FUMES WHEN UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION. MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY ETC WITH THE ENGINE ABOVE 3500 RPM'S WILL FILL THE CABIN WITH A BURNING EXHAUST SMELL. THIS HAS BEEN HIGHLY EXPOSED ON THE EXPLORER FORUMS ONLINE. MANY USERS ARE EXPERIENCING IT, THE TSB FOR HAS FOR THE SMELL DOES NOT WORK. IF I RIDE IN THE CAR TOO LONG IN HEAVY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC WHERE I AM ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING A LOT IT MAKES ME AND MY FAMILY SICK FROM THE SMELL. *TR
UNTIL THIS LAST WEEKEND, WE OWNED A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WE NOTICED AN EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CABIN SOON AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS JUST "NEW ENGINE SMELL." ON TRIPS ACCELERATING UP MOUNTAINS THE EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CABIN HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY BAD. IN FACT, MY 8 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAS COMPLAINED OF A STOMACH ACHE AND THE NEED TO THROW UP EVERY TIME WE ARE IN THIS VEHICLE ON AN EXTENDED TRIP. WE CHALKED IT UP TO HER HAVING MOTION SICKNESS AND EVEN STARTED GIVING HER DRAMAMINE (WHICH NEVER HELPED). WHEN WE RENTED CARS FOR TRIPS, SHE DIDN'T HAVE THE SICK FEELING. MY HUSBAND WAS GETTING HEADACHES IN THIS VEHICLE, AND I WOULD ALWAYS FEEL EXTREMELY SLEEPY AND ALSO GET HEADACHES. MY FATHER (WHO IS A MECHANIC) RODE IN THE CAR WITH US THIS PAST 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY, AND TOLD US WE PROBABLY HAD AN EXHAUST LEAK. LAST WEEK, AFTER TRAVELING BACK FROM BEING IN THE MOUNTAINS AND SMELLING THE EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CABIN ON YET ANOTHER TRIP, AND MY DAUGHTER GETTING SICK YET AGAIN, WE DECIDED WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK OUT THE CAR. THEY SAID THERE WAS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN OUT FOR THE ISSUE AND THEY KNEW WHAT TO DO TO FIX IT. THE DAY WE GOT IT BACK FROM THE DEALER AFTER THEY "FIXED IT", WE ACCELERATED HARD ON THE FREEWAY AND THE SMELL WAS STILL THERE, AND ACTUALLY EVEN WORSE. WE ROLLED ALL THE WINDOWS DOWN AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT AND TRADED IT IN. I AM LIVID. FORD HAS KNOWINGLY ENDANGERED MY FAMILY FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS THAT WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR. AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ISSUE AND REALIZING THAT FORD WAS NOT LIKELY TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WE DECIDED WE COULDN'T RISK OUR FAMILY'S HEALTH BY KEEPING THIS CAR. WE HAVE LOST TWO YEARS THAT WE HAVE PAID ON THE CAR. WE HAD PLANNED ON KEEPING THE EXPLORER WELL AFTER WE PAID IT OFF. I HAVE LOST ALL TRUST IN FORD.
EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING CABIN AFTER ACCELERATION ONTO FREEWAY OR PASSING. MUST OPEN WINDOWS TO CLEAR CABIN OF FUMES. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO TOMMIE VAUGHN MOTORS, INC. IN HOUSTON, TX AFTER PURCHASE IN 2013. I WAS ASSURED THERE WAS NO WAY EXHAUST FUMES COULD ENTER THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH LOCAL DEALER HEAR IN GALVESTON, TX AND WAS TOLD FORD HAS NOT DETECTED PROBLEMS WITH EXPLORER MODELS OTHER THAN POLICE INTERCEPTOR. PLEASE ADD MY VEHICLE TO LIST OF CIVILIAN MODELS WITH EXHAUST FUME ISSUES. DATE OF ORIGINAL OCCURRENCE BELOW IS APPROX. AS I DO NOT RECALL THE EXACT DATE FIRST REPORTED TO DEALER.
TWO ISSUES THE POWER ASSIST FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN DRIVE AT LOW SPEEDS. THE SECOND IS THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED IN 2013 MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS IGNORED BY FORD AND NHTSA. DEALER REFUSED TO FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE HAS RECALLS FOR THESE TWO ISSUES ALL BUT THE BASE MODELS AND FORD REFUSED TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE BOTH ISSUES COST OVER $1000 TO REPAIR.
I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING, AS WELL AS STABILITY CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL, AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ERRORS. I WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. ONCE I STARTED MOVING TO MAKE THE TURN (@ 5 MPH), A NUMBER OF BEEPS WENT OFF, WARNINGS WERE DISPLAYED ON THE VEHICLE INFORMATION SCREEN, AND I LOST POWER STEERING. AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER STEERING, I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THEN RESTARTED. AT THIS POINT THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING, BUT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT ERRORS WERE STILL HAPPENING. AFTER A MINUTE, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WENT OFF. THERE WAS STILL AN ERROR WITH THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT. AFTER GETTING HOME SAFELY 90 MINUTES LATER, I RESTARTED IT AGAIN, AND ALL SYSTEMS SEEMED TO BE WORKING, WITH NO ERRORS REPORTED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY OVER-STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING TO STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,700. *TR
EXHAUST SMELL COMING THROUGH AC VENTS WHILE DRIVING. ALL SPEEDS. *TR
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400. RK
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SEVERELY INADEQUATE ,IF IT IS RAINING IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAS GONE "OFF ROUTE" WHILE DRIVING TO A DESTINATION. OFF ROUTE MEANS THE GPS IS STILL DISPLAYED BUT THE MARKER IS MOVED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROUTE ON THE MAP. THIS INDICATES TO THE SYSTEM THAT IT IS "OFF ROUTE" AND STARTS DISPLAYING MESSAGES AND ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS. THIS IS A SERIOUS DISTRACTION AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS BETWEEN TRYING TO WATCH FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNS AND FOLLOW OR CORRECT THE RE-ROUTE. WHEN CONTACTING CORPORATE FORD, THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE; HOWEVER, WE ARE TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO TO CORRECT IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT IS AFFECTING A NUMBER OF THEIR VEHICLES AND THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IT IS SERIOUS ENOUGH TO WARRANT A FIX AT THIS TIME. *TR
THE FUEL PUMP STARTED TO COME APART UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION RELEASING RAW GAS FUMES INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN. THIS DEFECT MADE THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
WHILE ACCELERATING UNDER FULL THROTTLE THE VEHICLE STEERING BECOMES ERRATIC AND THE VEHICLE WANTS TO WEAVE SIDE TO SIDE WITH NO INPUT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE ME TO HAVE MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION WHEN TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, GET UP TO SPEED ON FROM A HIGHWAY ON RAMP, OR WHILE TRYING TO AVOID ANOTHER SITUATION. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA AND FORD TO EVALUATE THEIR 2013 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED 4WD FOR UNINTENTIONAL STEERING SWAY UNDER FULL ACCELERATION. *TR