2013 Ford Explorer: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 2,224 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 12 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
2,224
Complaints
12
Recalls
44
Crash reports
11
Fire reports
61
Injuries
34.6
Severity index
Severity index 34.6 - Low. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 145 2013 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2013 Ford Explorer ranks 117 of 145 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 19% of its model-year peers. See the full 2013 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 832 | 37.4% |
| STRUCTURE | 436 | 19.6% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 341 | 15.3% |
| ENGINE | 224 | 10.1% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 160 | 7.2% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 120 | 5.4% |
| POWER TRAIN | 119 | 5.4% |
| SUSPENSION | 79 | 3.6% |
The single most-reported system is STEERING, cited in 832 of 2,224 complaints (37.4%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
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) | 47 |
Complaint volume is rising - the last three years carry 1.5x the filings of the three before them, which usually signals a wear-related defect surfacing with age.
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. |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.