2013 Ford Explorer problems and recalls
Owner complaints on the 2013 Ford Explorer include 1 fatality report, 44 crashes and 11 fires across 2,231 filings.
2,231
Complaints
12
Recalls
44
Crash reports
11
Fire reports
61
Injuries
35.6
Severity index
Severity index 35.6 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.
Ranked 136 of 145 by severity index among 2013 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 6% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2013 ranking.
Components cited in complaints
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 834 | 37.4% |
| STRUCTURE | 438 | 19.6% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 343 | 15.4% |
| ENGINE | 224 | 10.0% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 163 | 7.3% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 120 | 5.4% |
| POWER TRAIN | 119 | 5.3% |
| SUSPENSION | 79 | 3.5% |
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 61 |
| 2014 | 67 |
| 2015 | 94 |
| 2016 | 190 |
| 2017 | 263 |
| 2018 | 203 |
| 2019 | 290 |
| 2020 | 147 |
| 2021 | 128 |
| 2022 | 128 |
| 2023 | 212 |
| 2024 | 165 |
| 2025 | 220 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 54 |
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.5x those in 2020 to 2022 (597 against 403).
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V435000 | 10/06/2019 | SUSPENSION:REAR | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension. |
| 17E048000 | 28/08/2017 | WHEELS:HUB | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feat |
| 15V171000 | 24/03/2015 | STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation. |
| 15V812000 | 02/12/2015 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak. |
| 14V286000 | 29/05/2014 | STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the mot |
| 13V109000 | 27/03/2013 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and model year 2013 Explorer vehicles manufactured July 19, 2011, through March 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the fuel tanks may have a marginally sealed seam in the side of the tank. As a result, the fuel tan |
| 13V227000 | 31/05/2013 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, all |
| 13V270000 | 26/06/2013 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety locks may change from |
| 21V746000 | 22/09/2021 | SUSPENSION:REAR | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire |
| 21V537000 | 15/07/2021 | SUSPENSION:REAR | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, P |
| 20V675000 | 12/03/2021 | SUSPENSION:REAR | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, |
| 24V031000 | 19/01/2024 | STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach. |
Other Ford Explorer model years
Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 14 years side by side.
- 2012sev 26.0
- 2014sev 34.3
- 2015sev 52.0
- 2016sev 30.2
- 2017sev 37.5
- 2018sev 31.4
- 2019sev 29.8
- 2020sev 43.4
- 2021sev 53.6
- 2022sev 89.1
- 2023sev 84.0
- 2024sev 79.8
- 2025sev 62.0
Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-07. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.