2013 Ford Explorer Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 63about this part
- Share
- 3%of 2,237 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 63 complaints about the visibility of the 2013 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 2,237 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The power steering went completely out. Steering wheel locked up & the turn signal & wipers wouldn't work. At first , I could turn the vehicle off & it would reset but it started happening more often at a low speed or when I would put the vehicle in reverse. It went completely out in august 2019. My particular 2013 Ford explored didn't have a recall for this & it cost $2,300 to fix.”
NHTSA complaint #11289283, filed 2019-12, 111,000 miles“Two things: the window outer pillar mount randomly flies off of the vehicle. My glass guy has even traded out the whole part and again it has flown off. This glass guy is the one who does glass for the Ford dealer here. 2 - the exhaust that comes through the rear air vent not only smells bad but makes me and my kids very ill.”
NHTSA complaint #11006417, filed 2017-07, 111,000 miles“This is my third attempt at this. My Explorer has the exhaust problem you are seeing in the news. I have tried to work with the dealership, Ford directly and now one wants to acknowledged. I have been chasing this for a few years. My kids and I are getting ill and with 100 degree temp and below zero climate we have to use the air. They also have a problem with their outer window pillars where they will come lose and randomly fly off on the freeway. …”
NHTSA complaint #11011748, filed 2017-07, 70,000 miles“At any speed exhaust fumes get into passenger compartment. With vehicle idling and climate control to off position, I let it idle 5 min. Then turned climate control to on position and nothing but fumes come out thru air vents. I bought this Explorer 10/23/12 and it has been in the shop since 12/12/12. Ford sent a fix for this Explorer and it didn't work. Fmc needs to call me asap. This is looking more and more like a buy back.”
NHTSA complaint #10493493, filed 2013-01, 2,800 miles“I noticed the outside trim around the sides of the windshield appeared loose on the driver but mostly passenger side of my car. A few weeks later when I started driving over 10 MPH down the road, I heard a noise like something beating against my windshield. I noticed the rubber seal around the windshield and between the trim and the windshield had come off and was flapping in the wind against my windshield and car. The body trim is now loose as well. I had a little water even leak into the car. It was very distracting and almost caused my wreck. …”
NHTSA complaint #11217355, filed 2019-06, 92,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10207049Jan 7, 2022Some 2011-2022 Explorer and 2020-2022 Aviator vehicles may experience an inoperative roof opening panel motor. If diagnostics lead to a motor replacement, visually inspect the…
- 10164508Aug 9, 2019Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in…
- 10162064Jun 7, 2019Some 2011-2015 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit front window glass that jumps/chatters during up/down movement. This may be due to various conditions in…
- 10057834Jul 1, 2015Ford: 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…
- 10058219Mar 1, 2015Ford explorer 2011-2015: bulletin information regarding the front glass window chattering up/down while traveling. The front window regulator motor needs to be replaced.
- 10057395Sep 1, 2014Lincoln/ford: on some vehicles, the moon roof sunshade binding is experiencing issues such as retaining clips/tabs are broken and its hard to open or close. Model 2009-14 mks…
- 10053467Jun 12, 2013Ford: when front window glass, on some vehicles, are being opening or closing, there is a chattering or jumping movement. Models 2011-2013 explorer.
- 10053465Jun 11, 2013Ford: on the left or right front door, on some vehicles, the ballistic door panels may exhibit a sticking or binding of door window glass. Models 2013 taurus, explorer.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 14% |
| 2025 | 13 | 12% |
| 2024 | 3 | 14% |
| 2023 | 11 | 10% |
| 2022 | 31 | 11% |
| 2021 | 48 | 11% |
| 2020 | 69 | 6% |
| 2019 | 8 | 3% |
| 2018 | 27 | 4% |
| 2017 | 77 | 5% |
| 2016 | 68 | 3% |
| 2015 | 45 | 2% |
| 2014 | 53 | 3% |
| 2013 | 63 | 3% |
| 2012 | 24 | 3% |
| 2011 | 23 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 4% |
| 2006 | 16 | 3% |
| 2005 | 26 | 5% |
| 2004 | 112 | 9% |
| 2003 | 62 | 5% |
| 2002 | 138 | 4% |
| 2001 | 17 | 5% |
| 2000 | 46 | 5% |
| 1999 | 217 | 16% |
| 1998 | 108 | 6% |
| 1997 | 90 | 5% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 19 | 2% |
| 1994 | 71 | 6% |
| 1993 | 56 | 6% |
| 1992 | 46 | 7% |
| 1991 | 32 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 8% |
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 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 27, 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