2013 Ford Explorer Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 225about this part
- Share
- 10%of 2,237 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 225 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Ford Explorer, 10% of the 2,237 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We have noticed a car exhaust odor in our vehicle while at a standstill. The odor comes and goes and we are not sure what is causing it. It seems that car exhaust is coming into the vehicle through the car's ventilation system. The dealer ship could not find the issue. The vehicle did have the Ford carbon monoxide customer satisfaction program completed.”
NHTSA complaint #11206859, filed 2019-05, 99,000 miles“I experience a rotten egg smell when accelerating. When I told the Ford dealership during routine service, they stated it's normal . I looked for recall 19n05 with my VIN but it stated there are no unresolved issues. So it seems perhaps the recall 19n05 was performed. But the smell is still there during acceleration.”
NHTSA complaint #11320473, filed 2020-04, 103,000 miles“There is a consistent smell of sulfur or gas coming into the car through the vents. I was light headed and dizzy while driving. Stopped and roll the windows down. This was not just once but Ford is doing nothing about the problem. I searched for recalls and they said there is no recall on my Ford Explorer for this issues. Please advise as to what I am to do?”
NHTSA complaint #10970670, filed 2017-04, 50 miles“My vehicle is exhibiting the exhaust smell in the cabin concern. It has been verified by the technician at jones Ford in north charleston, sc. I purchased the vehicle used in january 2017. It currently has 58000 miles on it. Ford is telling me that they will not cover this issue under the extended warranty I purchased from them.”
NHTSA complaint #10991226, filed 2017-05, 58,000 miles“Under heavy acceleration (I.e. Highway on-ramp), a very strong odor (burning rubber, exhaust?) enters the cabin. This happens every time, whether the AC is on or off, recirculating or fresh air. The odor is extremely strong and lasts several minutes. I'm especially concerned for my 3 year old son who is exposed to this.”
NHTSA complaint #10786914, filed 2015-10, 30,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10159494Apr 26, 2019SSM 47948 - 2010-2019 Various Vehicles - Turbocharged Engines - Oil Supply Filter Replacement When Replacing The Turbocharger Or The Turbocharger Oil Supply Tube For 2010-2019…
- 10143090Jun 12, 2018Some 2013-2018 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a 3.7L twin independent variable camshaft timing (TiVCT) engine may exhibit an engine vibration and/or the engine…
- 10095154Jan 10, 2017To help differentiate engine oil leaks from other possible sources, a new white-colored fluorescent engine oil dye is available. Workshop manual (wsm), section 303-00 has been…
- 10109070Sep 21, 2016The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to…
- 10091140Jun 16, 20162013-2017 explorer, taurus, mks exhaust studs not missing
- 10205012Mar 18, 2016Harsh Engagement during elevated idle - Ambient temperature below -9 C. Some 2013-2015 Explorer vehicles located in Russia and equipped with a 3.5L Twin independent variable…
- 10205010Mar 17, 20162.0L Ecoboost - Fuel odor
- 10056147May 30, 2014Ford/lincoln: some vehicles, with aluminum valve cover, will experience an excessive condition of smoking engine oil and/or consumption of oil, from tail pipe, during normal…
- 10055042Jan 1, 2014Ford/lincoln: an accumulation of oil, in left hand valve cover baffle, migrating through fresh air intake of positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) system, may have engine oil in…
- 10054975Dec 1, 2013Ford: due to fuel vapor line not being connected properly (fully seated) to underside of fuel deliver module (fdm), which leads to carbon canister saturated with liquid fuel and…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 14% |
| 2025 | 8 | 7% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 10 | 9% |
| 2022 | 30 | 11% |
| 2021 | 51 | 11% |
| 2020 | 117 | 9% |
| 2019 | 19 | 6% |
| 2018 | 96 | 13% |
| 2017 | 241 | 14% |
| 2016 | 382 | 16% |
| 2015 | 227 | 13% |
| 2014 | 198 | 12% |
| 2013 | 225 | 10% |
| 2012 | 79 | 10% |
| 2011 | 83 | 7% |
| 2010 | 14 | 12% |
| 2009 | 4 | 12% |
| 2008 | 21 | 14% |
| 2007 | 28 | 13% |
| 2006 | 58 | 9% |
| 2005 | 17 | 3% |
| 2004 | 44 | 3% |
| 2003 | 22 | 2% |
| 2002 | 49 | 1% |
| 2001 | 6 | 2% |
| 2000 | 9 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 0% |
| 1998 | 6 | 0% |
| 1997 | 4 | 0% |
| 1996 | 2 | 0% |
| 1995 | 2 | 0% |
| 1993 | 1 | 0% |
| 1992 | 3 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2013 Ford Explorer
836 complaintsBody and structure
439 complaintsOther or unknown
351 complaintsElectrical system
163 complaintsFuel system
153 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
119 complaintsSuspension
79 complaintsEngine cooling
67 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
63 complaintsElectronic stability control
45 complaintsBrakes
40 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
38 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology