2013 FORD EXPLORER Complaints

I was driving along the interstate and noticed the vehicle swerving side to side and it was not due to my driving. It was as if the steering was going out or rather I was unable to keep the vehicle under control. I was having to work extra hard to keep the car in the correct lane. I was about 45 minutes from home but no where to pull over due to construction on the interstate. So I just tried going slower. Once I got off the exit a warning popped up on the car that said “service power steering”. I pulled off at the car service shop I use for repairs and stopped the car. By the time I went to drive again which was only a couple moments, the car was hardly able to make turns.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the engine shut off inadvertently. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The power train warning light was illuminated. There was no further information provided. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

The vehicle's power steering loses power periodically since about October 1, 2023. I have just had the vehicle diagnosed at Duval Ford in Jacksonville, FL on October 9, 2023. I subsequently had Power Steering Control Module replaced, an alignment, and reprogramming of the Primary Control Module done at Ortega Car Care in Jacksonville since there would be cost savings of nearly $1,000. Safety Recall 14S06 seems to be targeted to this problem. The covered vehicle build period is January 1, 2012 to February 28, 2012 according to 14S06 (including Supplement 3). Based on my VIN, my vehicle was built on 4/20/12. I believe that being only 51 days from the end of the approved build period (which may be somewhat arbitrary?) is not a sufficient reason to deny any/all financial assist to get the described safety repair completed. I sent an email to the NHTSA (Request #831557) re: NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 and was provided the option of pursuing a "complaint" to get a more satisfactory resolution. I am writing this complaint for my partner and the vehicle owner - [XXX] - since his language and writing skills are limited. Thank you for the opportunity to submit this complaint. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Power steering has gone out. No control of vehicle. Steering wheel is VERY HARD to move if movable if all thank goodness didn’t cause any accident on freeway. Car will need towed. See info all over web about accident and incidents about this issue on this model but no recall need help from ford on matter

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. It took fire department to extinguish it. They’re not certain of cause yet but said likely an electrical short

For that pass 6 months my vehicle has had a check engine light on. Warning light will flash steering assist fault the the wheel locks up and vehicle comes to a holt. This problem has been happening on and off some days it’s fine some days this accurs. Recall #14S06

While driving normal highway speeds my driver side windshield trim piece flew off. This is not safe as now I am worried that the passenger side will do it next.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and making a turn, the electric steering gear lost power and switched to manual mode. The power steering control module warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence. The contact opened the hood to refill the power steering fluid but was unable to locate the steering fluid reservoir. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the failure was due to the power steering. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was due to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 164,567.

My 2013 Ford Explorer had coolant leaking below (No check engine light present). If I didn't notice the coolant on the garage floor, I would've never known of any issue. After taking it in to the dealership, they said the issue was defective Water pump (Actual Replacement Pump Cost: $155.64) that is leaking coolant and failing to properly cool the engine. Due to the design flaw of the engine, the water pump is internally positioned in the engine requiring disassembly of the entire engine to access and replace the faulty pump. Since this is a labor intensive requirement, the $155 part required $1,814.95 in labor costs associated with the replacement. This is uncalled for. Not to mention, the parts that were removed in the engine also were required to be replaced based on manufacture requirement (additional $802 in gaskets/seals/bolts/etc. If the water pump was not replaced, it would lead to complete engine failure. I had no options other to pay $2,930.22 in total parts/labor costs to replace a $155 Water pump. Shame on Ford.

I was driving down the interstate and heard a very loud bang, we thought someone had shot at the vehicle. It scared me and I swerved off the highway almost hitting the sidewall. The car behind me went off the road also. I went to check on them and their windshield was busted as well. It was dark out, and we knew something hit us, but we couldn't figure out what it was. When I woke up the next morning, I noticed the windshield trim was missing. It had flown off and hit the car behind me. Called the dealership and said it's a known issue but no recall on it. This could've killed me and my kids or the people behind me. The fact that it's a known issue and not rectified scares me.