2013 FORD EXPLORER Complaints

My vehicle was purchased new from Ford dealer with factory tow option, which comes with an undercarriage cover with integrated air scoop to help cool engine & transmission while towing. This cover (Ford # BB5Z-9910494-A) is designed with quarter tern thumb screws to hold it on to the undercarriage. While driving on highway, this part fell off and was not recovered. Now my vehicle is at risk of serious damage to either transmission or engine, or both in not having this key part. The weak design for fastening this metal part to the vehicle is a serious safety hazard, and Ford should provide a resigned replacement part through recall.

Vehicle steering stopped working and was towed to my mechanic. Mechanic was great and said that this was a Ford recall, however the dealer informed me that the vin number didn’t match. They have had a recall for Explorer that were manufactured 3 months prior to ours. This was expensive and new parts are unavailable because of so many issues, had to use rebuilt ones and installed at dealers. Please reopen the recall on explorer steering failure and see if maybe more explorers should be added to recall. Thanks for reading I hope this helps me and many other Explorer owners with same issue.

2013 explorery EPS system randamly will go out causing very hard steering to the point you almost crash. It don't matter if it's dry or wet hot cold it'll randomly come on and it'll pull you to the side. There's been a recall for this couple times but I'm told my vehicle isn't in the recall well I don't understand why it's not because I've had the Ford dealership come out and reflash my PSCM and still it comes on and I lose power steering almost killing myself and my family multiple times now I don't know what to do it cost way too much for me to buy new parts all the time they say the recall won't apply to it but I don't understand why it won't it's been recalled that's confirmed recalled why can't I get my vehicle fixed on my family is safe

The power transfer unit defective and I almost lost control of my vehicle without warning The vehicle has been inspected

We own a 2013 Ford Explorer XLT AWD 3.5L with an Odometer reading of 150,507 that we bought used from a private owner and owned for over a year. In the recent weeks of 1/5/2024 - 2/9/2024 the Power steering assist has gone out while maneuvering in and out of our garage multiple times. With a restart, the power assist comes back and seems to be ok for a few days until recently while driving, multiple times the steering wheel became locked in the 12:00 position and it took extra effort to turn the wheel from center. It appears as a faulty or sized rack and pinion. Also recently noticed audible noise while turning the steering wheel from lock to lock coming from the steering rack. I am an Automotive Technician in the field for 30+ years. That next morning I raised the vehicles front wheels off the ground and rotated the steering wheel with engine off to investigate the issue. I noticed a severe binding issue while rotating the steering wheel where the steering wheel will come to a binding stop and it takes 2 hands to get past the binding. At this point I knew this is a major safety concern and to not have my wife drive this vehicle anymore until repaired. I have researched the Technical Service bulletins on this issue and searched the internet as well. Obviously this has become a very common issue on these Explorers with all the filed complaints and the lack of availability of a replacement Rack and Pinion. I went to the Ford dealer to inquire about this known issue and safety concern and they said there are no recalls for this problem on this vehicle. Fortunately I caught this issue before the rack and pinion did seize into a position where my wife would not have been able to steer out of it and crash into another person, car or object. I understand that components eventually wear and fail over the vehicles lifetime and need replacing, but this seems to be a bigger issue and safety concern which needs addressing.

steering is very tight sometimes on turns and there is a lot of play in the steering wheel itself, i changed out almost all suspension and steering related parts and still have this issue. Also the steering wheel somehow always is off center and crooked even after multiple alignments

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound. The contact became aware that the power steering was inoperable. The contact stated that the steering was extremely difficult to turn due to the failure. However, the vehicle was safely driven to the residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired after remaining with the mechanic for two weeks. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The contact stated that there was an open recall for the failure, but the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the steering wheel was locked. The contact stated that there was a message displayed that the steering wheel was locked. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed. The mechanic stated that the power steering had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.

I bought the car from auction. The car was Represent like "Run and drive". But the car come with a lot of rust into the frame and this problem means a structural damage. The car it is not good for driving and it is not possible to be registered.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, while turning the steering wheel to the right to follow the road, the steering seemed to seize, and extra effort was needed to turn the steering wheel. The contact arrived at her destination and parked the vehicle. When the contact returned to the vehicle and restarted the vehicle, the power steering functionality had not returned. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.