2013 Ford Explorer Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe losing power steering assist, and many say dealers told them their vehicle identification number was not covered by the related campaign. A second common theme is the exterior windshield A-pillar trim detaching at highway speeds, which owners frequently link to a later recall, and some report fuel or coolant leaks at higher mileage.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out (stiff or seized wheel)

   • 752 complaints (34%)
   • median 95,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (586 state mileage)
   • 16 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 62 quotes)
   • filed 2012–2026

   Complaints describe the power steering assist stopping while driving or right after start-up, leaving the wheel very stiff or effectively locked until the vehicle is shut off and restarted. Some say the fix is intermittent and returns, and many report a warning message about the steering assist. Owners commonly say the dealer diagnosed a failing rack and pinion, electric steering gear or steering module, and several state they were told their vehicle identification number was not included in the related campaign and that the repair would be at their own cost. Reported from roughly 46,000 miles upward, with many cases in the 76,000 to 180,000 mile range, often at low speed or immediately after starting the vehicle.

   Recall 14V286000

   What to check: Ask whether the electric power steering gear or rack has been replaced, and check the vehicle identification number against the steering campaign. During a test drive, note any steering assist warning message and whether the wheel feels firm at start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This truck is experimenting the power steering system shutdown after sometime of driving and I notice the rack pinion is been replace for new one I took it to the dealer to get the computer updated software and reprogram the steering system but a week later vehicle did same problem and they say that there is not recalls on it even that the vehicle is presenting the problem of the recall and it fall in the year of the recall itself”

   NHTSA complaint #11323280, filed 2020-05, 124,921 miles

   “The power steering on my 2013 Ford Explorer will intermittently stop working while the vehicle is in motion on a city street. My wife almost had an accident due to this because it makes the vehicle extremely difficult to control. This is a known defect with explorers and there was a recall issued (14s06) but only for certain VIN numbers. My Explorer was not covered under this recall and I had to pay $1800 to replace the whole power steering rack. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11350358, filed 2020-08, 82,000 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Windshield A-pillar trim detaches while driving

   • 235 complaints (11%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 10.9 yrs old (144 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $450 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Complaints describe the exterior trim along the windshield A-pillar coming loose or flying off at highway speed, sometimes striking another vehicle or damaging the window seal, and in some cases water getting into the cabin afterwards. Owners report the dealer confirming that the trim and its clips need replacement, and many say parts were unavailable and the vehicle was placed on a waiting list. Several mention having received a recall notice for this part and still waiting for the repair. Reported from about 57,000 miles upward, frequently at highway speeds of 55 to 75 mph.

   Recall 24V0310001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Look closely at both A-pillar trims for looseness, cracking or dry-rotted rubber, and ask whether the A-pillar trim recall repair has been completed. After a car wash or rain, check for dampness around the windshield edges and footwells.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the driver’s side A-pillar trim detached and flew off into traffic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11639737, filed 2025-01, 115,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the driver's side windshield trim panel detached from the vehicle and struck a vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11542108, filed 2023-09, 187,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Water pump failure and coolant loss

   • 183 complaints (8%)
   • median 77,871 mi at 6.7 yrs old (112 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 16 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2026

   Complaints describe coolant leaking or disappearing from the reservoir, the temperature gauge climbing, and an overheating warning while driving. Owners report that mechanics traced the loss to a leaking water pump that needed replacement, and one notes an engine fan noise and low coolant at parking speed. Some complain of the check engine light and rough running alongside the coolant loss. Mostly reported between about 79,000 and 150,000 miles.

   What to check: Check the coolant reservoir level and look for crusty residue or drips near the water pump and under the front of the engine. Ask whether the water pump has been replaced and whether the cooling system has been pressure tested.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and parking the vehicle, she heard a loud noise coming from the engine fan and the temperature gauge was rising. The contact stated that while her brother was inspecting the vehicle, he noticed a leak underneath the vehicle, and the radiator fluid was low. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11486345, filed 2022-09, 148,650 miles

   “The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while having routine maintenance performed on the vehicle, the mechanic noticed there was no coolant in the reservoir and the water pump was leaking. The contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 115,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11493142, filed 2022-11, 115,000 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel odor and fuel leaks near the tank

   • 102 complaints (5%)
   • median 56,500 mi at 4.2 yrs old (78 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2012–2026

   Owners describe a strong gasoline smell around the rear of the vehicle or in the garage and, in some cases, visible fuel dripping beneath the tank. Complaints mention the fuel tank, filler neck or fuel delivery area as the source, and some report leaking fuel injectors found at diagnosis. Several say the dealer told them there was no recall coverage for their vehicle identification number. Reported from roughly 99,000 to 200,000 miles, typically noticed while parked or just after starting the vehicle.

   Recall 15V812000Recall 13V227000Recall 13V109000

   What to check: Check for a fuel smell around the rear of the vehicle after it sits, and look under the tank for staining or drips. Ask whether the fuel delivery module and fuel tank campaigns have been completed for this vehicle identification number.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and moving to the passenger seat, he smelled a strong gasoline odor. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact looked under the gasoline tank and saw gas leaking onto the floor. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11438041, filed 2021-10, 120,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon reaching arriving to the destination, there was an abnormal gasoline odor coming from the rear of the vehicle. After a visual inspection, the contact observed gasoline leaking from the fuel tank. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel tank filler neck. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11653856, filed 2025-04, 200,000 miles

Buying note. Because power steering assist problems and A-pillar trim detachment dominate the reports, confirm recall status for both items and ask for repair records on the steering gear before buying. A pre-purchase inspection should also cover the rear suspension toe links, coolant level and any fuel smell around the tank.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.