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2013 Ford Explorer

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2013 Ford Explorer has 2,204 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (1,523 complaints) and engine (398 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Ford Explorer, consider the 2024 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2024 has 99% fewer complaints

View the 2024 Ford Explorer dashboard →

5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200059160179136137
200141451969597
200213561282873221518
200367748116137332
20046723986155450
2005279145312993
2006762826244261
20077610313951
2008496372729
2009201372
20104111152423
20118682112213154
2012580207311239
201315233116139891
201411262414030664
201511932815735460
2016152613178557158
201711451610633688
201848284913838
20192004203433
202039463164165455
2021193164580112
20221189345952
202371613147
2024160311
20255016161114

By Category

Body
1523
Engine
398
Electrical
161
Transmission
91
Brakes
31

By Severity

1
1010
2
1116
3
23
4
54
5
1

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2013 Ford Explorer stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Body 2

Power Steering failure extremely hard to turn when in low speeds, recall on other explorers for same year

11d ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s side A-pillar trim had detached. The local dealer confirmed the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

18d ago
Body 2

My 2013 Explorer is under recall for A-pillar trim on the front windshield. I check with my dealer monthly and they sat they have not heard a word from Ford. It has been over a year! And my trim is already failing. Ford needs to be investigated !!!

27d ago
Body 2

The steering rack limiter on the passenger side dislodged itself and got caught on the rack and pinion teeth causing my wheel to get stuck

1mo ago
Engine 2

The water pump on these explorers are internal and if not caught by a professional in time, the water pump will fail and cause catastrophic engine failure

1mo ago
Body 2

THE BACKUP CAMERA HAS STOPPED WORKING, THE BEEPING SENSOR STILL ALARMS WHEN TO CLOSE BUT THE CAMERA DOES NOT WORK AT ALL.

1mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the parts to complete the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that both windshield exterior A-pillar trims had dry-rotted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was inspected. The dealer confirmed that parts were unavailable and placed the vehicle on a waiting list. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The VIN was unavailable.

1mo ago
Body 2

Coughlin Ford of Heath ohio committed recall fraud on my vehicle by falsifying federal safety recall 24S02. Their invoice claims the repair was Completed,' but my original panels are still loose and dangerously reliant on my own tape to stay attached to the vehicle. How can a safety recall be completed if the original hazardous parts were never replaced?

2mo ago
Electrical 1

This is a 2013 Ford Explorer experiencing the exact catastrophic power steering failure described in Recall 14S06 / 15S18. The rack has failed twice, creating an immediate crash hazard. The current recall parameters are inadequate as they exclude my VIN despite identical component failure. Not only is this an immediate crash hazard, it is difficult to find any mechanic or dealership to remedy this problem because it is a major part with heavy labor. I have been sidelined and quoted high repair fees for a repair that should be covered as Ford admitted to the design flaws in the electrical steering, however restricting who actually gets protection from it. I feel this is reckless and greedy of Ford to do this. The failure to the electric steering went out while I was driving and I was unable to turn or control my steering, it is deeply frustrating this is a known issue that I was completely unaware of. I feel that Ford is not a good company to purchase from and their products are not safe for drivers. I'm posting this so others are warned that safety is not a priority with Ford and to shop with a brand that cares about safety and integrity for their consumers and families.

2mo ago
Electrical 1

Backup camera only works sometimes which is a safety risk when backing up. Other year models have had a recall for this same reason. It has been doing it for at least 6 months now.

2mo ago
Electrical 1

The rearview camera reverses and inverts the image and the guiding lines disappear. I am unable to use the camera when reversing. There is a recall on other Ford Explorers (2020-2024) just not my year (2013). It is not right that I drive a car that has the same issue becuse this is a known issue for the company.

2mo ago
Body 1

I was driving and the steering locked. I could not move steering wheel either way. Towed to ford repair… they replaced steering rack. Four times it was replaced..4 times it locked.

2mo ago
Body 1

Same issue as in recall 14S06. However, I do not see this recall under my VIN, nor has this vehicle been repaired in the past for this issue. I was hoping that possibly the recall doesn't show up because it was established in 2014. I just want to get it corrected, as the electric power steering is disabled.

3mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH in snowy and stormy weather, the driver’s side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to several dealers, where it was inspected, and it was confirmed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

3mo ago
Body 1

I was driving at about 25 mph when the steering completely locked upon me going around a corner. There was no warning lamps or messages prior to it locking up. If another car would have been in the other lane I would have crashed. I would have been unable to avoid wrecking into anyone or anything that was in the way because I had zero control of my steering. There was nothing I could do to turn. It has not been inspected.

4mo ago
Electrical 1

The sync touch responsive interface for climate control fails. This failure causes the system to repeatedly respond without prompt continually causing the driver to continually attempt to disengage the system causing a significant safety hazard. The chip in the system for the effected buttons is the component that fails. There is no solution. Replacement or upgraded interfaces are not available and disconnection of the panels renders the climate control, radio/entertainment, navigation and all other systems relayed thru the touch screen completely inoperable which is unreasonable. This occurs at random while operating the vehicle with the error often occurring continuously or at very high frequency. Ford discontinued the sync touch panel control due to issues but has provided no solution for the safety hazard it has created.

4mo ago
Body 1

After getting my vehicle from the dealership my steering wheel was hard to turn , took it in and they replaced the struts (The old struts were binding). 6/7 Days later the same thing happened with the steering wheel. They had said it was a switch in the power steering and there was a safety recall and i would have to take it into a ford dealership. When i had called to make my appointment there wasn’t a recall and i called the ford company and they said the same thing.

4mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

4mo ago
Body 2

As I was backing my 2013 Ford Explorer Base model out of my garage I heard a pop and then my steering started making a grinding/dragging noise. When I pulled onto the street I noticed that my steering wheel would "stick". I went a short distance further down the road and it seemed to stop sticking. When I went around a curve towards the left, my steering stuck again and it was harder to get it to "unstick". I returned it back to my home and parked it back in the garage. I see that there is a recall for the steering on the 2013 models, but my VIN is NOT included in this recall. This is a huge safety hazard and could put me out of work, as I care for and transport autistic individuals. This vehicle and my job are my livelihood and this needs to be corrected/recall issued on all of the 2013 models since they all seem to be having similar steering issues. Vehicle has not yet been inspected. Vehicle is available for inspection on request.

4mo ago
Body 2

Power steering message popped up on dash in a flash and disappeared while I was driving. Same message popped up a couple miles down (I pulled into a parking lot to check message.) Steering wheel locked and left me stranded in need of a tow truck to move car to mechanic and get home. Message pops up and disappears quickly not leaving much time to read or react.

4mo ago

2204 total

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