2013 Ford Explorer Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 1%of 2,237 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 36,825miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2013 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 2,237 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,825 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2013 Ford Explorer (limited) spontaneously locked while my 9 month old daughter was in the car with the keys. My wife had just put my daughter in the car with her purse, which had the vehicle keys inside. After she closed the door to walk to the driver's side, the vehicle locked, and would not open. All published vehicle owner's manuals/documentation clearly state that this should never happen. Further, the vehicle has built in mechanisms to safeguard against this scenario which also failed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10579661, filed 2014-04, 5,000 miles“Interior driver and passenger door latches are loose and don't have any resistance on them. Because of this the doors can easily be opened with very little effort at any speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10706392, filed 2015-04, 35,260 miles“The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front passenger side door ajar warning light illuminated and the dome light remained illuminated. The contact mentioned that the door was closed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10873368, filed 2016-06, 70,000 miles“The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the drver side door latch ajar warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. When the contact called the local dealer, the technician stated that he had not heard of such a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure recurred and was not remedied. The failure mileage was 37,650.”
NHTSA complaint #10837489, filed 2016-02, 37,650 miles“The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. Upon exiting the vehicle, the driver side door latch failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10863205, filed 2016-05, 5,000 milesRelated recalls
- 13V270000Jun 26, 2013Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through…Covers: Ford Explorer 2013, Lincoln MKS 2013, Ford Taurus 2013
Related service bulletins
- 10169994Dec 12, 2019Customer Satisfaction Program 19N09 Certain 2011-2014 Model Year Edge and MKX and 2013-2014 Model Year Explorer, Flex, and MKT Vehicles Left Front Door Latch Extended Coverage
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 7 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 5 | 0% |
| 2016 | 5 | 0% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 3 | 0% |
| 2013 | 16 | 1% |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 10 | 2% |
| 2004 | 23 | 2% |
| 2003 | 17 | 2% |
| 2002 | 50 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 29 | 3% |
| 1999 | 33 | 2% |
| 1998 | 65 | 3% |
| 1997 | 32 | 2% |
| 1996 | 34 | 2% |
| 1995 | 11 | 1% |
| 1994 | 23 | 2% |
| 1993 | 13 | 1% |
| 1992 | 4 | 1% |
| 1991 | 12 | 2% |
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