2013 FORD EXPLORER Complaints

every time it rains, water comes inside the vehicle on the back side, noticed water coming from the third row seat belts, that cause a bad smell inside the vehicle and cost a lot of money to get that fix, Unknow how to fix, I called the Dealer the stated that is a known problem with this vehicles .

Last year I had to replace my front rack and pinion costing me a couple thousands of dollars. While driving the power steering went making it very difficult to steer and have good control of the vehicle. No safety lights or warnings came on at this time. One year later just a few days ago the same exact thing happened. No warning, no lights. I called my local ford dealer because I researched and seen a recall for power steering issues. The dealership told me my vehicle was not included in the recall. I am worried that this is not only an issue that I have but others on the road driving these lemons. I have had nothing but issues with this vehicle. It is unsafe at this point. I am unaware of what determines recall eligibility but the model I am driving most certainly needs to be included. I cannot afford to replace another rack. This vehicle is not even paid off yet. So frustrating and concerning. Ford needs to step it up before someone really gets hurts.

The windshield makes a loud cracking sound (for the last 4 months- this is how ong ive owned it) and a few weeks ago, the sound happened and the window cracked from the frame toward the center (about 7").

Power steering failure. I noticed appeared on the instrument panel briefly before the vehicle power steering seized. I was unable to move the steering wheel in any direction without significant force. I was not driving thankfully or else this may have resulted in a serious accident due to inability to steer vehicle on public road.

We purchased a 2013 Ford Explorer in June of 2023. I had changed the rear wheel bearings on the vehicle and we had an alignment done at a local Firestone Auto Repair shop after the bearings were replaced. The Firestone shop did the alignment and the steering wheel felt stiff after. We drove the vehicle for two days after the alignment and around August 1, 2023 then the power steering went out on my wife when she had our infant son in the car. She said the service advance track light was flashing red and power steering light was flashing as well. She had no steering at all and luckily she was able to park the vehicle and get a ride home safely. I took the vehicle to a local Ford Dealer and they said the alignment computer showed the steering wheel was 30 degrees off. They re calibrated the alignment but could not confirm that was the reason the power steering went out but gave me a quote to repair the power steering unit. When they pulled it out of the shop, the power steering came back on. We drove the vehicle until around August 30 2023 and the power steering went out again when my wife was driving the vehicle. We had an independent shop look at it and when they hooked it up to the scan tool, it said power steering fault. When they pulled it out of the shop, the power steering came back on. We drove the vehicle until November 3, 2023 when the power steering went out again while driving and had a different Ford Dealer look at it. The diagnoses was intermittent power steering failure but it was not covered under the recall and the dealer nor Ford was provide any assistance. The diagnoses was exactly what the recall states but it was not covered. $4200 repair cost later we have an operational vehicle. Not very impressed with Ford. Reaching out to hope to get some kind of feedback and help in this matter. Three times total while owning the vehicle for six months intermittent power steering failure. Super dangerous situations luckily no one was hurt.

the electronic power steering system seems to be failing causing extremely hard steering. This seems to be a common issue among the explorer family. It is not causing any warning lights or check engine lights to appear on the dash. This could potential cause crashes due to intermitent failures. I have had it inspected by a local mechanic who stated this is a common problem that was recalled on some explorers but mine did not qualify. Mechanic stated the repairs could be extremely pricey.

Driving on a two lane highway with the cruise control set, tapped brake to eliminate the cruise as a truck had pulled onto highway ahead of us. Accelerated to pass the truck and resumed the cruise control to maintain previous speed. The vehicle began increasing speed as if the gas pedal was floored. Tapping brakes didn’t stop it nor did shutting the cruise off on the steering wheel, car was going 80-90 mph. Had to ride the brakes while the throttle seemed to be wide open until we could get it in neutral and pull of on the shoulder. Restarted the vehicle after it was shut off and the throttle was wide open again. The third time I started it, it appeared to be running normal. I did not engage the cruise control after that. At the time there was no engine light or warning light on. About a week later the engine light came on then a couple days later it was not on. Then it randomly would come on. I had scheduled an appt and it was determined the throttle body, gasket and purge valve needed replaced. This was an extremely scary situation and I would like to know if this has been an issue and could it possibly happen again? This could’ve caused a serious accident when you have zero control of the speed and it’s approaching 90mph on a highway. I did get repairs that were an expense over $500. Is there an explanation as to why this happened and can it randomly occur again??

My vehicle was struck by a tractor trailer at 55-60 mph while sitting still. The impact caused my vehicle to spin and be embedded into the guardrail. None of the airbags deployed.

I was driving and the steering wheel seized up and locked while I was turning to the left. The car continued to turn left despite my best efforts to straighten the wheel or turn it in any other direction. I just slammed on the brakes to stop from hitting someone or something. Eventually, the steering wheel loosened and I was able to park. During the parking, the steering wheel continued to stay tight and was difficult/almost impossible to turn. I called a tow truck and got the vehicle taken to my local Ford Dealership. I looked online to see what the issue might be and that's when I noticed many complaints/concerns about power steering in 2013 Ford Explorers. This is what I found: "Ford recalled certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorers, saying these vehicles “may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting a shut down of the power steering assist.” This is the exact problem that I have but I never received a recall notification. I contacted Ford and they said my car wasn't made in the same plant that the recall vehicles were made. However, other articles point out that it was widespread and continuous. "Ford Motor Co. announced three safety recalls in North America, including nearly 775,000 Explorer SUVs for an issue that may result in loss of steering control and thus increase the risk of a crash." The recall number was 14S06 but I am being told I don't qualify for the recall despite having a Ford Explorer within that exact year and the exact same issues and problem. I am very disappointed that Ford is unwilling to acknowledge the issue or help to remedy it. I contacted Dealerships and Ford Customer Service and both said there are no recalls on file. I hope this issue can be made aware (it already has if it is a recall of 775,000 vehicles) and addressed. Luckily, no one was hurt but this could have been very bad and Ford should take ownership.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH from a parking spot and turning the wheel to the left, the steering wheel seized. The steering wheel failed to turn left or right. The contact was able to reverse into a parking spot. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under recall. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 105,000.