2013 Ford Explorer Technical Service Bulletins

139 technical service bulletins (TSBs) are on record for the 2013 Ford Explorer. TSBs are notes manufacturers send to dealers about repair procedures for issues seen in the field. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault.

• 10137131Apr 11, 2018Equipment, Engine cooling. Some 2007-2016 Edge/MKX/Flex/MKT/MKZ/MKS/Taurus/Police Interceptor Sedan/Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with AWD and built on or before 30-Jun-2016 may exhibit a propane or natural gas odor during idle or low speed driving. This may be due to break down of the power transfer unit (PTU) fluid caused by excessive heat. If the source of the odor is identified as originating from the PTU, an…
• 10137113Mar 30, 2018Equipment. Replacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket SYNC/Navigation kit or modifying original SYNC/Navigation parts to provide additional features is not recommended nor supported on any Ford, Mercury or Lincoln vehicle. Only approved Genuine Ford accessories or originally installed systems are supported and certified to function correctly with other vehicle systems.
• 10136597Feb 14, 2018Equipment. 2010-2018 various vehicles equipped with SYNC or SYNC 3 may not function when attempting to find or use the Spotify app via AppLink. As of an update released on 1/15/2018 Spotify will no longer be supporting their AppLink integration. No repair attempts should be attempted to correct this concern.
• 10140336Jan 31, 2018Suspension. Certain 2013-2016 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles - Rear Suspension Toe Link Replacement
• 10138537Jan 31, 2018Suspension. Certain 2013-2016 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles - Rear Suspension Toe Link Replacement
• 10140287Jan 18, 2018Body and structure. Some 2011-2013 Edge/MKX, 2013 Flex/MKT vehicles built on or before 15-Jul-2013 and 2013-2014 Explorer vehicles built on or before 15-Aug-2013 may exhibit a door ajar lamp illuminated with all doors closed. This may be due to the door ajar sensor within the door latch. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
• 10138508Jan 18, 2018Body and structure. Some 2011-2013 Edge/MKX, 2013 Flex/MKT vehicles built on or before 15-Jul-2013 and 2013-2014 Explorer vehicles built on or before 15-Aug-2013 may exhibit a door ajar lamp illuminated with all doors closed. This may be due to the door ajar sensor within the door latch. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
• 10140323Jan 10, 2018Equipment. The Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE). The master code for the Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can be retrieved from FMCDealer - Parts and Service - Parts Product Line Information - Keys/Entry Devices - Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access.
• 10138524Jan 10, 2018Equipment. The Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE). The master code for the Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can be retrieved from FMCDealer - Parts and Service - Parts Product Line Information - Keys/Entry Devices - Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access.
• 10127430Nov 13, 2017Engine cooling. Certain 2013-2017 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles - Exhaust Odor and Carbon Monoxide Complaints
• 10127396Nov 9, 2017Body and structure, Equipment. Some 2013-2016 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit delamination of the top edge of the front door trim panels. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
• 10127405Nov 2, 2017Electrical system, Transmission and drivetrain. Some 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 procedure not being properly completed. To clear this DTC, use the Ford Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) service tool or Ford J2534 Diagnostic Software, select - Toolbox - Body - Security - PATS Functions - Parameter Reset. Follow the…
• 10125095Oct 26, 2017Engine cooling. Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles - Carbon Monoxide Concerns
• 10125094Oct 25, 2017Engine cooling. Certain 2013-2017 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles - Exhaust Odor and Carbon Monoxide Complaints
• 10125093Oct 12, 2017Engine cooling. Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Retail Vehicles - Carbon Monoxide Complaints
• 10119687Sep 21, 2017Engine cooling. Certain 2013-2017 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles - Exhaust Odor and Carbon Monoxide Complaints
• 10119685Sep 13, 2017Engine cooling. Certain 2013-2017 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles - Exhaust Odor and Carbon Monoxide Complaints
• 10109012Apr 12, 2017Equipment, Engine cooling. 2013-2017 Edge/MKX/Flex/MKT/MKZ/MKS/Taurus/Taurus Police/Explorer/Explorer Police/Continental vehicles equipped with a 3.5L or 3.7L engine, all wheel drive (AWD) and a power transfer unit (PTU) that is being repaired or replaced for an internal failure must also have the vent hose replaced due to contamination in the hose.
• 10099076Mar 14, 2017Engine cooling. Some 2011-2015 explorer vehicles may exhibit an exhaust odor in the vehicle with the auxiliary climate control system on. Customers may indicate the odor smells like sulfur, or that exhaust odors are entering the vehicle cabin. This condition may be worsened when the climate control system is in recirculate mode and the vehicle is heavily accelerated for an extended period.
• 10095858Feb 27, 2017Transmission and drivetrain, Equipment. Some 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 ticking and/or knocking noise coming from the driveline area. To identify this noise, refer to workshop manual (wsm), section 100-04, and follow the symptom chart. If the source of the noise is identified as the ptu and/or internal to the ptu…
• 10095849Feb 22, 2017Body and structure. 2011-2015 explorer and mkt vehicles requiring replacement of right front axle shaft no longer require installation of the center support bearing heat shield(7f469). The heat shield can be discarded.
• 10095154Jan 10, 2017Engine. To 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 revised to reference the new white-colored dye. The new white fluorescent dye provides a distinct white glow to identify engine oil leaks. The new white fluorescent dye requires a pure uv diagnostic inspection lamp. The white-colored…
• 10094586Dec 15, 2016Equipment, Engine cooling. Supercedes tsb 16-0165: some 2011-2015 explorer vehicles may exhibit an exhaust odor in the vehicle with the auxiliary climate control system on. Customers may indicate the odor smells like sulfur, or that exhaust odors are entering the vehicle cabin. This condition may be worsened when the climate control system is in recirculate mode and the vehicle is heavily accelerated for an extended period.
• 10095995Nov 17, 2016Steering. Some 2010-2016 epas equipped vehicles may exhibit steering related noises. The workshop manual (wsm) diagnostic procedures have been updated in section 211-02. When diagnosing and repairing epas steering noises use the updated procedures.
• 10091151Oct 17, 2016Brakes. Some 2008-2017 ford/mercury/lincoln vehicles equipped with sync may generate a vhr that identifies a concern with the brakes and suspension category indicating service is required due to a brake system warning lamp being illuminated. If the park brake was applied when the vhr was gathering data from the major vehicle systems, the brakes and suspension message will be reported as the vhr looks for any warning lamps…
• 10090681Oct 17, 2016Brakes. Some 2008-2017 ford/mercury/lincoln vehicles equipped with sync may generate a vhr that identifies a concern with the brakes and suspension category indicating service is required due to a brake system warning lamp being illuminated. If the park brake was applied when the vhr was gathering data from the major vehicle systems, the brakes and suspension message will be reported as the vhr looks for any warning lamps…
• 10109079Sep 30, 2016Seat belts. Some vehicles may have a concern where the safety belt retractor webbing does not extract from the stowed position or exhibits excessive pressure on the occupant during use. This may be due to a normal condition which happens when the seatbelt retracts at a high rate of speed. The Workshop Manual, Section 501-20A General Procedures has been updated with a locked seatbelt retractor releasing procedure.
• 10109070Sep 21, 2016Engine cooling, Engine. The 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 diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate when reading these PIDs and cannot display quickly enough to validate a concern. The PCM automatically monitors these inputs more accurately and will set diagnostic trouble codes…
• 10091204Jul 12, 2016Seats. Some 2009-2010 f-150 and 2011-2016 explorer vehicles may have a seat cushion cover that appears loose near the front of the seat. This may be caused by the seat cushion cover j-retainer becoming disengaged from the seat cushion pan flange. Follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition.
• 10091140Jun 16, 2016Equipment, Engine. 2013-2017 explorer, taurus, mks exhaust studs not missing
• 10078990May 13, 2016Electrical system. Siri eyes free functional issues using bluetooth and apple ios 9.2 and 9.2.1
• 10205031Apr 20, 2016Equipment. Touchscreen navigation system - arabic language - blank screen
• 10183767Apr 20, 2016Electrical system. Some 2012-2016 vehicles equipped with a touchscreen navigation system and the language set to Arabic may exhibit a blank screen. This may be the result of the ribbon cables not being fully seated inside the front display interface module (FDIM) or an improper software configuration of the FDIM.
• 10205012Mar 18, 2016Engine, Engine cooling. Harsh 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 camshaft time (Ti-VCT) EFNGINE, MAY EXHIBIT A HARSH ENGAGEMENT DURING ELEVATED IDLE. tHE CONDITION USUALLY OCCURS WHILE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS BELOW -9 c.
• 10075277Mar 18, 2016Transmission and drivetrain. HARSH 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 Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) engine, may exhibit a harsh engagement during elevated idle. The condition usually occurs while ambient temperature is below -9°C. ACTION Reprogram the powertrain control module (PCM) to the latest calibration…
• 10205010Mar 17, 2016Engine, Fuel system. 2.0L Ecoboost - Fuel odor
• 10075275Mar 17, 2016Fuel system. 2.0L ECOBOOST - FUEL ODOR ISSUE Some 2013-2016 Escape, 2015-2016 MKC vehicles built on or before 12/15/2015, 2013-2016 Fusion, MKZ, 2013-2015 Explorer, 2013-2014 Focus ST and Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L EcoBoost engines may exhibit fuel odor originating from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) hose. SERVICE PROCEDURE 1. Is the vehicle a 2016 Escape or MKC? a. Yes - check the vehicle build date. Was the…
• 10075273Mar 15, 2016Transmission and drivetrain. 6F35 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, 2012-2014 Edge/Explorer, and 2013-2014 Taurus/MKT/MKZ vehicles built on or before 10/14/2013 and equipped with a 6F35 automatic transmission may exhibit a fluid leak from the left hand (LH) transmission halfshaft seal due to wear on the…
• 10204979Oct 20, 2015Transmission and drivetrain. 2.0 GTDI/2.3L - Front wheel drive - Bibration and/or grinding/banging/clicking noise
• 10074660Oct 20, 2015Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
• 10058616Aug 1, 2015Transmission and drivetrain. Ford: transmission fluid leak from converter housing area on police utility equipped with 6f50/6f55 transmission
• 10059062Jul 1, 2015Steering. Ford: some vehicles and trucks are experiencing a malfunction with the heated steering wheel becoming inoperative and on demand test failure. Model 2014-15 fusion, 2011-15 mkx, 2013-15 super duty, explorer, taurus, mks, mkt, 2015 f-150, mkz, mkc, 2011-15 mkx.
• 10058625Jul 1, 2015Transmission and drivetrain. Ford: 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 2013-16 various vehicles.
• 10058601Jul 1, 2015Steering. Lincoln/ford: once procedure for heated steering wheel module program completed, heated steering wheel fails to operate properly and passes network test but fails on demand self test. Model 2011-15 fusion f-150, explorer, taurus, super duty, mkz, mkc, mks, mkt, mkx.
• 10057834Jul 1, 2015Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Ford: no service action is recommended for this condition. Please use at your discretion. Various 2010-2015 vehicles may experience a turbulence noise, similar to an helicopter noise, at highway speeds when the rear door window(s) or sunroof are open.
• 10058219Mar 1, 2015Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Ford explorer 2011-2015: bulletin information regarding the front glass window chattering up/down while traveling. The front window regulator motor needs to be replaced.
• 10057831Jan 9, 2015Vehicle speed control. Ford: certain 2013-2015 ford fusion and taurus, 2011-2015 ford explorer, 2013-2014 ford edge and flex, 2013-2015 lincoln mks, mkx, and 2013-2014 lincoln mkt vehicles may experience problems with the cruise control speed that doesn't match the speedometer speed.
• 10058153Dec 12, 2014Engine cooling. Ford explorer 2012-2015, ford taurus 2013-2015: some vehicles equipped with 2.0l gasoline turbocharged direct injection engines built before 10/05/2014 may have lack of power and malfunction illuminated lamp code due to ambient temperatures below 0 degrees celsius.
• 10058110Sep 19, 2014Exterior lighting, Electrical system. Ford/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 switch cycle.
• 10058106Sep 10, 2014Electrical system. Lincoln/ford: due to abnormally low voltage battery or cold ambient temperatures, intermittently, the audio output would fail, after vehicle has been started. Model 2013-14 edge, explorer, f150, mkx.

← All problems reported for the 2013 Ford Explorer