Home · 2013 Ford Explorer Gas · Complaints

What 2,223 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Explorer Gas

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (2,223)Crash / fire / injury (78)Steering (831)Body & structure (436)Engine (224)Electrical system (160)Fuel system (153)Transmission & drivetrain (119)Suspension (79)Engine & cooling (67)Visibility & wipers (62)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (45)

78 of 2,223 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters · page 2 of 4

Dec 12, 20191 injury

NATURAL GAS SMELL ON INTERIOR OF VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WHEN IDLING, GAS SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS OR SULFUR. IT CAUSES ME TO GET HEADACHES AND DIZZINESS.

NHTSA ODI 11288572

Oct 9, 2019SuspensionCrash1 injury

VEHICLE HAD TOE LINK REPLACED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RECALL 19V-435 ON 8-19-19. ON 9-10-19, THE REPLACEMENT TOE LINK FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH. THE DEALERSHIP REPORTS THE TOE LINK FAILED AT THE WELD.

NHTSA ODI 11267244

Sep 30, 2019Body & structureEngine1 injury

WHEN IDLING CABIN FILLS UP WITH WHAT APPEARS TO BE SMOKE FROM MUFFLERS. FELL ASLEEP IN THE CAR WHILE IDLING, WOKE UP DIZZY AND THRU UP SHORTLY AFTER, STRONG HEADACHE AFTER. RUST AROUND THE LOCK ON THE TRUNK LID.

NHTSA ODI 11258919

Sep 24, 2019Body & structureEngine3 injuries

INITIAL COMPLAINT TO FORD DEALERSHIP RE: EXHAUST ODORS IN CABIN, POSSIBLY RELATED TO USE OF AIR CONDITIONING (INSPECTED 5/4/16, MILEAGE 47,450, NO REPAIRS COMPLETED). PERFORMANCE RECALL 17NO3 COMPLETED 10/22/18. EXHAUST ODORS WORSE AFTER RECALL. FORD DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AGAIN ON 10/30/18. RECOMMENDED USING RECIRCULATION OF CABIN AIR AT ALL TIMES. AIR CONDITIONING HAS SINCE STOPPED WORKING. PER DEALERSHIP REAR A/C LINES NOW NEED REPLACEMENT, EXT. COST OF $2,100. CABIN EXHAUST ODORS CONTINUE AND INSIDE OF WINDSHIELD IS FOGGING. ODORS WORSE WHEN STOPPED AT STOPLIGHTS. MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OF CO DETECTION IN CABIN WHILE IN MOTION IN RURAL AREAS. ELEVATED COHB WITH VARIOUS HEALTH SYMPTOMS AND CHILDREN NOW COMPLAINING OF CAR SICKNESS. VARIOUS AREAS OF RUST ALSO REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP AND NEW AREAS APPEARING (I.E. NEAR DRAIN VALES OF THE LIFTGATE). *DT *AS

NHTSA ODI 11257832

Sep 18, 2019Electrical systemBody & structureFire1 injury

SMELL OF SMOKE, AND TAPPING NOISE PRIOR TO FIRE. SMOKE CAME FROM NEAR THE CENTER CONSOLE BETWEEN DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT. FIRE STARTED. MADE A COMPLAINT PRIOR ABOUT SMELL OF SMOKE AND NOISE.

NHTSA ODI 11256307

Aug 15, 2019AirbagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, A DEER JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE CONTACT NO TIME TO BRAKE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE DEER. THE DEAR WAS STUCK IN THE GRILL FOR A FEW SECONDS. THEN THE DEAR LOOSENED ITSELF AND RAN OFF. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AFTER THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE AN ESTIMATE ON THE COSMETIC REPAIRS WERE PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11244120

Apr 16, 2019SteeringFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ODOR CAME FROM THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). DARLING'S FORD VOLKSWAGEN AUDI WAS CALLED AT 207-941-1330 (LOCATED AT 403 HOGAN RD, BANGOR, ME 04401). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 11196630

Apr 6, 2019SteeringCrash

I WAS DRIVING DOWN AURORA ROAD AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHICH CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL

NHTSA ODI 11194276

Mar 21, 20191 injury

I HAVE A 2013 FORD EXPLORER AND JUST TODAY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE CARBON MONOXIDE PROBLEM. BOUGHT IT CERTIFIED/USED FROM A FORD DEALER IN TN IN 2016. ABOUT THAT TIME, I STARTED HAVING HEADACHES AND DIZZY SPELLS, AND WEAKNESS IN MY ARMS AND LEGS. THE SAME SYMPTOMS I JUST LEARNED TODAY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED IN A FORD EXPLORER. IN DEC 2017 I MOVED TO FL AND THE FIRST FEW MONTHS I WAS HERE I HAD MY CAR TO THE FORD DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR A DIFFERENT PROBLEM (THE SYNC ISSUE). NEVER WAS I TOLD ANYTHING ABOUT A CARBON MONOXIDE PROBLEM. WHEN I GET OFF WORK TODAY I AM GOING TO BUY A CM DETECTOR TO CHECK THIS. I AM VERY SUSPICIOUS THAT THIS IS WHAT HAS CAUSED ALL THE MEDICAL PROBLEMS I SUDDENLY BEGAN EXPERIENCING ABOUT 3 YRS. AGO. I'M ALSO CONTACTING AN ATTORNEY.

NHTSA ODI 11190490

Mar 7, 2019BrakesFuel systemCrash2 injuries

I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, PREPARING TO STOP. I WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 65/70 MPH. WHEN PRESSING ON THE BREAKS THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. I PUMPED THE BREAKS. THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME WHERE AT A STOP AND GETTING CLOSER VERY QUICKLY. I PUSHED AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BREAK AND THEN TRIED TO PUSH ON THE EMERGENCY BREAK LOCATED ON THE FLOOR. IT ONLY KICKED BACK. SECONDS LATER I HAD A DIRECT IMPACT WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. AIRBAG DEPLOYED! THERE ARE NO SKID MARKS ON THE ROAD! THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP!!!

NHTSA ODI 11184815

Feb 23, 2019Transmission & drivetrainCrash

THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY ENGAGED IN PARK. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS BEEN REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THIS TIME IT ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO SOMEONE ELSE'S VEHICLE. OUR VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AT THE TOP OF THE DRIVEWAY FOR NEARLY 2 HOURS BEFORE THE PERSON PARKED BEHIND OR VEHICLE. THEY WHERE AT OUR HOUSE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, WHEN THEY WHERE LEAVING WE NOTICED THAT OUR VEHICLE HAD DISENGAGED FROM PARK AND ROLLED 15' DOWN THE DRIVEWAY INTO THEIR VEHICLE. THANKFULLY, THERE WERE ONLY A FEW SCRATCHES ON EITHER VEHICLE. OUR DRIVEWAY IS FAIRLY FLAT, IT HAS A 1-3 DEGREE SLOPE TO IT. LEADING TO THE CONCLUSION, THAT THERE IS NOT A LARGE INCLINE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FORCED OUT OF PARK. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WAY THE TRANSMISSION IS ENGAGED INTO PARK OR THERE IS YET ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFT LINKAGE. THE SHIFT LINKAGE WAS ADJUSTED THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE SECOND TIME THE SHIFT LINKAGE WAS REPLACED. WE ARE TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER TODAY TO SEE WHAT THEY FEEL NEEDS REPLACED THIS TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11182102

Jan 10, 2019Engine1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, EXCESSIVE EXHAUST FUMES AND A FUEL ODOR ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED HEADACHES AND DIZZINESS DUE TO THE EXHAUST FUMES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KENNY ROSS FORD SOUTH (LOCATED AT 3200 LIBRARY RD, CASTLE SHANNON, PA 15234, (412) 881-0001) WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A DEFINITE ODOR IN THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, HE WAS UNSURE IF IT WAS CARBON MONOXIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11166191

Dec 21, 2018Transmission & drivetrainCrash1 death

HAS THERE BEEN ANY REPORTED CASES OF A 2013 FORD EXPLORER SLIPPING FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITH THE SHIFTER? I HAVE NO SPECIFICS OTHER THAN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE CAR WAS PHYSICALLY SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO PARK OR REVERSE (ACCIDENTALLY) AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT IN HOUMA, LA.. PERSON DROVE CAR INTO PARKING LOT AND POSSIBLY WANTED TO GET OUT AND SEE HOW FAR THEY WERE FROM CURB. CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AND PERSON EXITED VEHICLE AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY RUN OVER. BYSTANDER WHO HEARD/SAW ACCIDENT SHIFTED CAR TO PARK (WAS PHYSICALLY IN REVERSE WHEN THEY GOT IT). I HAD HEARD THAT OLDER EXPLORERS MAY HAVE HAD AN ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11162920

Nov 29, 2018Engine2 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA FOR OVER THIRTY MINUTES, THE CONTACT FELT DIZZY AND LIGHT HEADED. THE SYMPTOMS RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WELSH MOTORS FORD (330-549-3925, LOCATED AT 13760 WOODWORTH RD, NEW SPRINGFIELD, OH 44443) WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S SYMPTOMS RETURNED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER LATER DIAGNOSED THAT THE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AGAIN, THE CONTACT'S SYMPTOMS RETURNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING A FOUR HOUR ROAD TRIP, ONE OF HER FAMILY MEMBERS SUFFERED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. NO ONE RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DUCT TAPE ON THE EXHAUST FELL OFF. THE DUCT TAPE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE SYMPTOMS CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,700.

NHTSA ODI 11154765

Sep 11, 2018Body & structureCrash

THE VEHICLE IS ROLLING AWAY WHILE IN "PARK". IT IS THE EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED FOR OTHER FORD VEHICLES BUT THE EXPLORER IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS OCCURRENCE TWICE NOW. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF OUR GARAGE AND INTO FENCE AND TREE. THE SECOND TIME, IT ROLLED OUT OF A PARKED SPOT WHILE MY WIFE WAS IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND CLEARLY OBSERVING THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN "PARK".

NHTSA ODI 11128734

Aug 3, 2018Crash

10-15 MINUTES AFTER COMMUTING ON THE SUN COAST PARKWAY IN FLORIDA, I EXPERIENCED DOUBLE VISION, BECAME UNABLE TO THINK CLEARLY OR MAKE DECISIONS (IE: TO PULL OVER AND CALL FOR HELP), AND HIT NUMEROUS UPRIGHT, RUBBER BARRIERS WHICH SEPARATE THE EXPRESS LANE FROM THE OTHER LANES OF TRAFFIC, AS WELL AS EITHER A TEMPORARY CONCRETE DIVIDER OR METAL RAIL. MUCH OF THE FOLLOWING 24 HOURS AFTER MY ACCIDENT ARE FOGGY OR I DO NOT REMEMBER AT ALL. AFTER 2 FULL NEUROLOGICAL WORK-UPS, I STILL HAVE NO DEFINITIVE DIAGNOSIS. RECENTLY, I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE FOR POSSIBLE EXHAUST ISSUES IN FORD EXPLORERS. MY SUV SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AND HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI 11115521

Mar 8, 2018AirbagsSeat beltsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE CHEST THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11076864

Feb 22, 2018Crash1 injury

ONE CAR ACCIDENT HIT GUARD RAIL THEN RAN IN THE NEUTRAL GROUND ALL FOUR TIRES BLOWOUT. BLURRED VISION COULD NOT FIND THE INTERSTATE. GULOSE LEVEL 34 NOT A DIABETIC. NEED TO INVESTIGATE SUV TOTALED. ON HIGHWAY, IN MOTION

NHTSA ODI 11074218

Feb 5, 2018EngineFire

MY WIFE AND I TOOK A TRIP FOR A BABY SHOWER, IT WAS ABOUT A 2.5 HR DRIVE. ON THE WAY THERE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THERE WERE NO OTHER WARNINGS OR INDICATIONS OF AN ISSUE. WE MADE IT FINE TO OUR DESTINATION, DROVE AROUND TOWN A LITTLE BIT, AND STAYED THE NIGHT. THE NEXT DAY WE HEADED HOME (ANOTHER 2.5 HR TRIP). THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON THE ENTIRE TIME, BUT THERE WERE NO ABNORMAL NOISES OR ODORS, OR ANY OTHER INDICATION THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE. WHEN WE GOT HOME, WE PARKED THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF, UNLOADED, THEN TURNED IT ON TO BACK IT INTO THE GARAGE AND TURN IT OFF AGAIN. AFTER SITTING IN THE GARAGE FOR 10 -15 MINUTES, THE CAR EXPLODED, SHAKING THE HOUSE AND CATCHING THE ENGINE BAY ON FIRE. THE ENGINE BAY WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES, CAUSING FIRE/SMOKE DAMAGE TO OUR GARAGE AND EVERYTHING IN IT. AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE COOLING FAN HAD FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, HOWEVER THAT SEEMS LIKE NOT A SUFFICIENT REASON TO WHY THE ENGINE EXPLODED. WE ARE UNSURE WHAT THE ROOT CAUSE WAS, BUT SOMETHING HAD TO HAVE GONE VERY WRONG FOR THE CAR TO EXPLODE IN THE GARAGE, IGNITION OFF, AND STATIONARY AND THE ONLY INDICATION BEING A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVEN IF THE COOLING FAN DID FAIL. THIS ALL HAPPENED JUST OVER A WEEK AFTER AN OIL CHANGE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE VERY LIKELY ENDED UP IN INJURY OR DEATH.

NHTSA ODI 11067101

Jan 25, 20183 injuries

I DROVE THIS VEHICLE CROSS COUNTRY, WHILE TOWING A TRUCK ON TRAILER, BACK WHILE TOWING A TRAILER, AND AGAIN WITH A U-HAUL FROM LAS VEGAS TO VIRGINIA (UP STEEP GRADES, AND THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS, ENGINE UNDER QUITE A LOAD, WHILE IN THE SUMMER, USING A/C) I GOT A HEADACHE AND NAUSEAU. MY DAUGHTER AND NEPHEW, WHO WERE PASSENGERS, DID AS WELL. I GOT SLEEPY BEHIND THE WHEEL (THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ME AND HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME). YOU CAN SMELL THE EXHAUST. I INSTALLED A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR, AND IT HAS GONE OFF TWICE. FORD HAS DONE SOME "FIXES" INCLUDING REPROGRAMMING A/C. WELL, IF YOU USE THE BUTTONS, INSTEAD OF THE TOUCH SCREEN, YOU CAN UNKNOWINGLY OVERRIDE THIS REPROGRAMMING. THEY DID NOT TELL ME THIS. I GO THROUGH THE GEARS IN THE MANUAL MODE AND DRIVE THIS HARD. YOU CAN STILL SMELL EXHAUST AND GET SYMPTOMS. BORROW A FIRE FIGHTERS "SNIFFER" AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE HARD AND WATCH THE READOUT. IT CANT POSSIBLY TAKE THIS LONG OR BE THAT DIFFICULT TO RESOLVE THIS INVESTIGATION. YOU CAN EVEN PUT A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR IN THE VEHICLE AND WATCH-SIMPLE. GO THROUGH THE GEARS MANUALLY, RED-LINING THE VEHICLE YOU WILL GET THE SMELL AND SYMPTOMS. DRIVE THE VEHICLE HARD UP A STEEP GRADE, YOU WILL GET THE SYMPTOMS. TOW WITH THE VEHICLE UP A GRADE, YOU WILL GET THE SMELL AND SYMPTOMS, ALL WITH A/C ON RECIRCULATE. LESS SO WITH OUT IT BEING ON RECIRCULATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED FORM THE FIRST TRIP OF 09/07/2015 TO CURRENT.

NHTSA ODI 11064869

Nov 20, 2017Body & structureVisibility & wipers1 injury

CONDITIONS: THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. THERE WAS HEAVY RAIN. THERE IS TRIM MOLDING ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD OF THE 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE MOLDING FLEW OFF, LEAVING EXPOSED A STRIP OF WEATHER STRIPPING, WHICH WAS COVERED WITH A BLACKISH GLUE. AS A RESULT OF THE MOLDING HAVING FLOWN OFF, THE NOW UNSECURED WEATHER STRIPPING WAS REPEATEDLY HITTING THE WINDSHIELD LEAVING IT COVERED WITH THE STICKY RESIDUE FROM THE GLUE. WHILE THAT ON ITS OWN MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SO BAD, IT WAS RAINING AND THE AUTOMATIC WIPERS HAD ENGAGED. THIS RESULTED IN THE WEATHER STRIPPING GETTING CAUGHT UNDERNEATH ONE OF THE WIPERS AND SMEARING THE GLUE ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD RENDERING IT COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. THE COMBINATION OF THE GLUE FROM THE WEATHER STRIPPING COMPLETELY OBSCURING MY VISIBILITY, THE WIPERS BEING RENDERED WHOLLY INOPERABLE, AND THE HEAVY RAIN WAS A DEVASTATING COMBINATION. I WAS ON A HIGHWAY, DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR, WITH MILD TO HEAVY TRAFFIC, WHILE IT WAS RAINING, AND IN THE SPAN OF LESS THAN FIVE SECONDS: (1) THE TRIM TO MY WINDSHIELD FLEW OFF IN TRAFFIC; (2) THE GLUE ON THE WEATHER STRIPPING THAT WAS HELD IN PLACE BY THE TRIM BEGAN REPEATEDLY FLAPPING ON THE WINDSHIELD; (3) THE WIPERS, ALREADY ENGAGED, GOT CAUGHT ON THE FLAPPING WEATHER STRIPPING, AND SMEARED THE GLUE ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD; AND (4) THE WIPERS WERE LEFT COMPLETELY INOPERABLE DUE TO THE WEATHER STRIPPING THAT THEY HAD GOTTEN CAUGHT ON. ESSENTIALLY, IN THE SPAN OF LESS THAN FIVE SECONDS, I WENT FROM BEING ABLE TO SEE AND DRIVE WITHOUT ISSUE TO HAVING TO DRIVE WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SEE WHAT WAS IN FRONT OF ME.

NHTSA ODI 11047363

Aug 31, 2017SteeringAirbagsBrakesCrash

I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES FROM MY HOME TO RUN AN ERRAND. I WAS USING THE HANDS-FREE DEVICE ON MY PHONE AS PER TEXAS LAW. THERE IS ONE WAY EACH WAY WITH A YELLOW DOUBLE LINE DIVIDER AND MANY PEOPLE PARK ON THE SIDE TO CHECK MAIL WALK DOGS ETC. SO I TEND TO DRIVE SO THAT I WON'T HIT THOSE INDIVIDUALS. THE ROAD IS CURVY AND I NOTICED THAT I WAS STARTING TO VEER OFF INTO THE GRASS AND I TRIED TO STEER BACK LEFT AND PRESS MY BRAKES AT WHICH TIME I REALIZED THAT MY BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING AND I COULD NOT GET BACK ON THE ROAD. I THEN RAN OVER A FIRE HYDRANT WHICH DID NOT DECELERATE MY CAR NOR DID IT DEPLOY MY AIRBAG; CONTINUING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES I AM THEN HIT A LARGE LIGHT POST WHICH CONTINUED TO NOT DECELERATE THE CAR AND NOT CAUSE ANY AIRBAG TO DEPLOY, AND I STILL COULD NOT TURN MY WHEEL TO THE LEFT (OR TO THE TO THE ROADWAY); THERE WAS A LARGE DELIVERY TRUCK WAITING TO GET INTO THE GATED COMMUNITY ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE AND I RAN INTO THAT VEHICLE STOPPING MY CAR AND TOTALING IT WHERE ARE THE COMPLETE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED (PUSHED IN) YET MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS GOING TO POSTED SPEED OF 35 MPH AS I ALWAYS DO. MY CAR HAD RECENTLY BEEN INSPECTED AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE BECAUSE IT IS OUT FOR RENEWAL IN AUGUST 2017. I BOUGHT THE CAR LESS THAN THREE YEARS AGO AS A FORD CERTIFIED USED CAR WITH A 10 YEAR 100,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY ON IT. IT HAD LESS THAN 67,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. IF THE TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN THERE TO STOP MY CAR, THERE IS NO OTHER OBSTRUCTION OTHER THEN A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND I PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED.

NHTSA ODI 11020996

Jun 19, 2017AirbagsCrash2 injuries

ON MAY 31, 2017, I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH MY 2013 FORD EXPLORER STRUCK A RED LIGHT RUNNER AT APPROXIMATELY 35 - 40 MPH. MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE. SO MUCH SO, IT'S A TOTAL LOSS. THE MOST ALARMING DETAIL IS THAT MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT!! NEITHER THE DRIVER SIDE NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE. I KNOW THAT FORD HAS A NUMBER OF RECALLS IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS BUT I COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING IN REGARDS TO THE 2013 FORD EXPLORER EVEN THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. FORD REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THESE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS WITHIN THIS MODEL BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SEVERELY INJURED. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO AIRBAG LIGHTS, ETC... FORD IS EVEN REFUSING TO SEND A "REP" TO WHERE MY VEHICLE IS BEING HELD TO CONDUCT AN INSPECTION OF IT...

NHTSA ODI 11000042

Apr 5, 2017EngineFuel system1 injury

THERE IS A CONSISTENT SMELL OF SULFUR OR GAS COMING INTO THE CAR THROUGH THE VENTS. I WAS LIGHT HEADED AND DIZZY WHILE DRIVING. STOPPED AND ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN. THIS WAS NOT JUST ONCE BUT FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I SEARCHED FOR RECALLS AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY FORD EXPLORER FOR THIS ISSUES. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO WHAT I AM TO DO?

NHTSA ODI 10970670

Sep 12, 2016Body & structureCrash

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A BACK ROAD THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF MY FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY OPENED FOR NO REASON WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE SUDDEN DOOR OPENING CAUSED ME TO SWERVE AND I HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR ON A SIGN POST. UPON EXAMINATION AFTER PULLING OVER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE APPEARED TO BE DEFECTIVE. IT HAD FALLEN APART, A SMALL LATCH IN THE HANDLE WAS BROKEN CAUSING IT COME LOOSE ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE DOOR FOR NO REASON. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW ENDED UP HAVING TO BE REPLACED. DUE TO RESOURCEFULNESS OF MY HUSBAND, WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN PARTS AND REPAIR THE DAMAGES OURSELVES BUT THE COST OF THE PARTS ALONE TOTALED IN EXCESS OF $400.00.

NHTSA ODI 10905947

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 2,223 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 20, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Ford Explorer Gas verdict →