2013 Ford Explorer Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 1%of 2,237 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2013 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 2,237 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Turn signals malfunctioned constantly. Problem allegedly caused by faulty installation of both wiring harnesses at factory. Both were replaced. Second vehicle in our fleet with this problem. Vehicle started losing acceleration; problem traced to faulty throttle body. Second vehicle in our fleet with this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10893569, filed 2016-08, 55,000 miles“Throttle position. Fuel peddle doesn't always accelerate when being pushed. As I pull out the car may accelerate or may not. Sometimes it suddenly lurches. Very scary when crossing through traffic. My mechanic said it's going to be me t-boned.”
NHTSA complaint #11110842, filed 2018-07, 100,000 miles“Complained of faulty power steering error message coming on when starting vehicle for 1.5 years to Ford dealership with no exact response regarding the issue. They said they reset the system and it should work fine afterwards. The next day I still had the issue. I then complained again about it but it was in the shop for numerous issues and that was overlooked/ignored. My power steering has now gone out completely and the recalls for the power steering ended for explorers manufactured after feb. 2012 and mine was manufactured in dec. 2012. …”
NHTSA complaint #11306642, filed 2020-02, 130,000 miles“Having a issue headlights going off. Mostly one bub at a time but not always the same bub or both buds go off but always turn back on once I place switch back in off position and turn them back on. After being pulled over by locat shierff is when I first noticed the issue for my headlight being out. Trouble had gotten worst of time. I spoke to a local state trooper and I was told that it is known issue with newer Ford headlights. I went dealership and I explained to them it seem like a electrical power issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11113839, filed 2018-07, 80,000 miles“Lights and passenger door ajar stay on. Lights don't turn off when backing up or until driving forward at a certain speed. Locks unlock by themselves. Lights will randomly turn on when no one is by the car. Have 3 little kids need a car that should be reliable to lock the door to s and stay locked or to safely back up with visibility but can't bc the lights stay on”
NHTSA complaint #11377079, filed 2020-11, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10058110Sep 19, 2014Ford/lincoln: the ambient lighting on lincoln (mylincoln touch) vehicles will default to white and on ford (myford touch) vehicles will default to ice blue after the ignition…
- 10055020Jan 1, 2014Ford: the low to high beam or high to low beam is an intermittent transition and would need the affected hid 13008 headlamp housing replaced. Model 2013-2014 escape, 2013…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 8 | 2% |
| 2020 | 56 | 4% |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% |
| 2017 | 12 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 0% |
| 2015 | 17 | 1% |
| 2014 | 25 | 1% |
| 2013 | 25 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 12 | 8% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% |
| 2002 | 19 | 1% |
| 2001 | 9 | 2% |
| 2000 | 26 | 3% |
| 1999 | 46 | 3% |
| 1998 | 38 | 2% |
| 1997 | 20 | 1% |
| 1996 | 15 | 1% |
| 1995 | 16 | 2% |
| 1994 | 9 | 1% |
| 1993 | 7 | 1% |
| 1992 | 3 | 0% |
| 1991 | 6 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2013 Ford Explorer
836 complaintsBody and structure
439 complaintsOther or unknown
351 complaintsEngine
225 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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