2013 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 119about this part
- Share
- 5%of 2,237 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 119 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Ford Explorer, 5% of the 2,237 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I started my car after work (this is after a 12 hr sit time) and seen I had a fault on my dashboard, power steering assist and service advance faults. So in short, I do not have power steering, nor do I have my 4wd, and for some reason my turn signal does not work for steady on. The turn signal works for lane changes but not for steady on turning.”
NHTSA complaint #11394597, filed 2021-02, 189,000 miles“My 2013 Ford explore keeps cutting off completely while driving. A wrench comes up on my dash and also terrain management come up. I pull over cut the car off wait a minute and it starts. I understand this happens quite often with explorers. Shouldn't Ford be responsible for this due to being very dangerous. Please look into this🙏”
NHTSA complaint #11327969, filed 2020-06, 1 miles“It occurs 1 to 4 times while I'm driving. All of a suddenly the the gas pedal doesn't work and the terrain management system is off. I have to turn off the engine in the middle of the road in order for it to work again. Also, there's a weird smell coming coming out when all windows are closed and the AC is on.”
NHTSA complaint #11297545, filed 2020-01, 49,000 miles“Received a message on my dashboard power assist fault , the steering was stiff and could not turn. Turn off the car for 10 minutes and the steering was functioning ok. Later in the afternoon, I was about to hit the gas pump as my steering went stiff again. Now am scared that this may cause accident”
NHTSA complaint #11288788, filed 2019-12, 98,000 miles“There is an exhaust smell coming through my vents when driving the vehicle. When parked in the garage, the inside of the vehicle and the garage smell as though there is a vehicle running with the doors shut. When I get in the vehicle after work and it has been parked outside all day, the inside of the vehicle smells like exhaust.”
NHTSA complaint #11022167, filed 2017-09, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10160931May 10, 2019On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was…
- 10149778Sep 27, 2018Some 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Sedan and Utility vehicles may exhibit a reduced top speed after a transmission fluid service with unapproved fluid. The use of unapproved fluid…
- 10127405Nov 2, 2017Some vehicles may exhibit a no start condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a DTC P161A after PCM replacement. This may be due to the parameter reset…
- 10095858Feb 27, 2017Some 2007-2016 edge/mkx/flex/mkt/mkz/mks/taurus/taurus police/explorer/explorer police equipped with all wheel drive (awd) and built on or before 30-jun-2016 may exhibit a…
- 10075277Mar 18, 2016HARSH ENGAGEMENT DURING ELEVATED IDLE - AMBIENT TEMPERATURE BELOW -9 °C ISSUE Some 2013-2015 Explorer vehicles located in Russia and equipped with a 3.5L Twin independent…
- 10075273Mar 15, 20166F35 TRANSMISSION - FLUID LEAK AT LEFT SIDE HALFSHAFT SEAL BUILT ON OR BEFORE 10/14/2013 ISSUE Some 2009-2014 Escape, 2009-2011 Mariner, 2010-2014 Fusion, 2010-2011 Milan…
- 10204979Oct 20, 20152.0 GTDI/2.3L - Front wheel drive - Bibration and/or grinding/banging/clicking noise
- 10058616Aug 1, 2015Ford: transmission fluid leak from converter housing area on police utility equipped with 6f50/6f55 transmission
- 10058625Jul 1, 2015Ford: some vehicles transmission will experience, after a cold soak or an extended period with engine off, a 2-3 shift hesitation due to possible hydraulic circuit drain. Model…
- 10056136May 9, 2014Ford/lincoln: diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0420 and/or p0430, the malfunction indicator lamp (mil), on some vehicles, will be illuminated and the powertrain control module…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% |
| 2025 | 16 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 61 | 23% |
| 2021 | 127 | 28% |
| 2020 | 504 | 40% |
| 2019 | 35 | 12% |
| 2018 | 50 | 7% |
| 2017 | 125 | 7% |
| 2016 | 215 | 9% |
| 2015 | 86 | 5% |
| 2014 | 80 | 5% |
| 2013 | 119 | 5% |
| 2012 | 55 | 7% |
| 2011 | 64 | 5% |
| 2010 | 28 | 24% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 36 | 24% |
| 2007 | 57 | 27% |
| 2006 | 296 | 47% |
| 2005 | 99 | 20% |
| 2004 | 460 | 35% |
| 2003 | 335 | 30% |
| 2002 | 1,502 | 46% |
| 2001 | 42 | 11% |
| 2000 | 133 | 14% |
| 1999 | 115 | 9% |
| 1998 | 103 | 5% |
| 1997 | 104 | 6% |
| 1996 | 120 | 8% |
| 1995 | 119 | 14% |
| 1994 | 86 | 7% |
| 1993 | 72 | 8% |
| 1992 | 77 | 12% |
| 1991 | 69 | 11% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2013 Ford Explorer
836 complaintsBody and structure
439 complaintsOther or unknown
351 complaintsEngine
225 complaintsElectrical system
163 complaintsFuel system
153 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 29, 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