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

The car had been parked for 30 minutes in the driveway and spontaneously caught on fire. Our lives and home were at risk of serious injury due to the fire. Firefighters and police were called to the scene and the fire was put out. There were no mechanical issues prior to this happening.

NHTSA ODI 11736831

My car was parked in the driveway and it caught on fire from under the hood.

NHTSA ODI 11723623

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver and the front passenger’s side of the vehicle crashed into the shoulder lane wall. No warning lights were illuminated. The air bags had not deployed. No injuries were sustained; however, medical attention was sought. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the axle on the front passenger’s side wheel was cracked and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the engine mounts also needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

NHTSA ODI 11675366

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended and turned off for a few hours, it caught fire. There were no warning lights illuminated prior to the failure. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries airbag deployment or crash. The vehicle was towed to a police tow lot. A police report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who assisted with a claim. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.

NHTSA ODI 11664641

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the steering wheel was turned left, however, the steering failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the steering proceeded to go forward. In addition, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle slid onto the grass and crashed into a barrier. The air bags deployed. The engine seized. The vehicle started, and the vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The contact stated that this was an extremely terrifying situation. The contact was the only occupant in the vehicle. The contact sustained a skinned left shoulder and a stiff neck, however, no medical attention was required. No Police report was filed. The vehicle was damaged to the passenger's side front grill. The contact stated that due to his fear, the vehicle had not been driven since the crash occurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. In addition, the contact was a certified mechanic and stated that the failure indicated a possible failed electronic steering module. The contact referenced recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000(Steering) which had a similar failure description, however the contact VIN was not associated with the recall. The dealer was made aware of the failure, however the contact was informed that the contact's vehicle was not associated with the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the contact's VIN was not associated with any unknown recalls. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,953.

NHTSA ODI 11623989

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving, the contact noticed a strong unusual odor in the interior of the vehicle. The contact stated that the air conditioner was on, and the odor came through the vents. In addition, the contact stated that he and his minor child developed a headache and became nauseous. Medical attention was not sought as of yet. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The contact researched and discovered Customer Support Program 19N05, which had a similar failure description. However, the contact was informed that the repair was completed on the contact's vehicle on February 5, 2020. The contact t was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157,625.

NHTSA ODI 11612672

I own a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving in the rain exiting the freeway at approximate speed of 25 MPH the steering wheel seemed to lock up and then was extremely difficult to steer, making it impossible to maneuver the vehicle causing me to hydroplane across several lanes until I crashed into a mature bush. Causing damage to my radiator. I have not taken it to the dealer and have only shopped around for independent mechanics. I am not sure of the extent of other damage. I just became aware that this is a similar problem for other owners. The car is currently undrivable and is going to cost me a large amount of money - now the registration has lapsed (cannot smog) and I have DMV fees to. This was a solo car accident and no other people were in my vehicle at the time. I saw the recall notice (recently) on NHTSA but my VIN number is not included. I have not contacted anyone yet regarding this - I am already have trouble with FORD regarding covered repairs and being charged for a rental car (that was supposed to be included) Not sure what to do! Now i am making payments on a vehicle that i cannot drive and i cannot afford to purchase another one.

NHTSA ODI 11595170

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced a failure. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH the driver's side A-Pillar trim was blown off of the vehicle by the slipstream. The contact stated that the trim piece crashed into a vehicle that was following behind the contact's vehicle. The contact stated that both vehicles had stopped and that the driver of the second vehicle indicated that a small chip was made by the piece of trim that had struck at approximately mid-windshield on the driver's side. The contact stated that the trim on the passenger side A-Pillar was becoming loose. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. VIN tool confirms parts not yet available.

NHTSA ODI 11584879

UNKNOWN. My sister had went to town in her car. She had came back home and parked the car in the driveway. After doing so her and her husband we inside, heard a rumbling sound went outside and car was on fire. The neighbors say they saw the car just catch on fire in her driveway. She had purchased the car less than 60 days ago in Manhattan, ks from CSM AUTO.

NHTSA ODI 11576436

My vehicle was struck by a tractor trailer at 55-60 mph while sitting still. The impact caused my vehicle to spin and be embedded into the guardrail. None of the airbags deployed.

NHTSA ODI 11566136

Unknown what caused the issue but our vehicle erupted into flames in our driveway not 10 minutes after we pulled in. No warnings, no indication anything was wrong. We smelled smoke and went outside to find the hood completely engulfed. It took fire department to extinguish it. They’re not certain of cause yet but said likely an electrical short

NHTSA ODI 11548867

the car keep saying power steering assist this is the second time the steering gear went out

NHTSA ODI 11546335

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH with her three-year-old in the vehicle, the power steering assist fault warning light illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn, causing the vehicle to strike a street pole sign. The contact stated that she was unable to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained neck injuries but did not receive medical attention. A Police report was not filed. The contact was concerned for her safety and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with an electrical power steering assist failure. The contact was informed that the electrical power steering assist needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the part required to fix the vehicle was no longer in production. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 200,060.

NHTSA ODI 11513075

My 2013 Ford Explorer Sport lost control while driving. My wife ran off the road while driving going around a curve because the power steering went out without warning. Luckily, she was not in a place where she did not hit anyone but had a near miss with a pedestrian walking on the side of the road. I noticed in the past that the power steering fault indicator came on a few times when starting the vehicle. After turning the SUV off and back on, everything worked fine. I notified them at the dealership the last time I was getting serviced and they said it was a common problem but for some reason, there was no recall for my VIN. After reading the complaints online for this issue, I find it disturbing that this is not a safety recall. I can only imagine how this could have turned tragic while driving down the mountain last weekend if this happened while on a downward descent, my family could have been killed. This is scary to think about and I am surprised that more people have not been seriously hurt or killed due to this electrical malfunction. I also don't understand how the same year models have recalls on the same part but because of the factory location that this is not covered on some VIN numbers. This should defiantly be a recall that is reconsidered. Thank God that she was able to vear enough to miss the pedestrian walking.

NHTSA ODI 11479799

I pulled into a parking spot. I shifted to park, turned off my engine. My vehicle rolled backward and hit a parked car while I was still sitting in it.

NHTSA ODI 11476027

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated they had taken their vehicle to a local dealer for a crack in the water pump which the dealer repaired, After the repair, the contact noticed a burning abnormal odor when turning on their heat from their a/c unit, which caused the contact and his passenger to become light-headed and dizzy. The contact drove to a local hospital where it was confirmed that the reason for the symptoms was due to high level of carbon monoxide levels. The contact called the local dealer about the abnormal odor but the dealer informed the contact they would not be able to fix the issue and inform the contact to reach out to the manufacturer for the failure. The contact decided to take the vehicle's independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as small oil leaks around the engine that contribute to the odor coming into the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

NHTSA ODI 11444001

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle was jerking. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering assist before the driver lost control of the vehicle. The traction control warning light was illuminated along with the service power steering message displayed. The driver sustained injuries to her arm however, no medical attention was provided. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 188,000.

NHTSA ODI 11438871

The electric power steering assist failed on my explorer while driving causing me to lose control and hit the ditch. There was a recall with this problem on the 2011-2013 models but both Ford and my local Ford dealer advised me that my vehicle is not part of the recall. It’s the same problem as the existing recall but mine is not included.

NHTSA ODI 11423531

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, MAKING A SLIGHT TURN IN THE ROADWAY SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A SLIGHT DITCH STOPPING IN A DRIVEWAY ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER VICTORY LANE FORD, INC. (903 OLD RTE 66 N, LITCHFIELD, IL 62056) WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE RACK AND PINON NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. MANUFACTURER. WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11377903

I MOTHER OF 3 (15, 13 & 11) & WIFE GOT INTO A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT ON NOVEMBER 17TH, 2020 AT ABOUT 8:10AM DRIVING SOUTH ON THE WHITESTONE EXPRESSWAY SOUTH A HIGHLY TRAFFICKED HIGHWAY WITH 4 DRIVING LANES. POLICE REPORT NO. 2020-109-2709. I EXPLAINED TO ALL INSTANCES INCLUDING POLICE, PARAMEDICS, TOW COMPANY, CAR INSURANCE, FORD AUTO DEALER, REPAIRING SHOP, ETC. THAT MY CAR SIMPLY FAILED ME. I SUDDENLY LOST 100% CONTROL OF THE DIRECTION OF THE CAR AND I WAS FORCED INTO INVADING ALL THE LANES TO MY LEFT AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FAR-RIGHT SIDE. I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER FOR OVER 30 YEARS I WAS TOTALLY AWARE AND FOCUSED ON REGAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS SIMPLY NOT POSSIBLE, THE CAR SPUN OUT AND I GOT EVENTUALLY HIT ON THE BACK REALLY STRONG. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ISSUED SEVERAL RECALLS RELATED TO THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE REAR TOE LINKS THAT INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. THIS REPAIR WAS PERFORMED TO MY CAR AN EXPLORER BY THE STAMFORD FORD LINCOLN SFL ON AUGUST 11TH, 2020 BUT THE MOST RECENT RECALL I FOUND OUT JUST YESTERDAY NOV 23RD THAT WAS ISSUED ON OCTOBER 30TH, 2020 (NO COMMUNICATION WAS SENT TO ME BY EITHER THE AGENCY OR THE FORD MOTOR CORPORATION). IT IS MY CIVIL DUTY TO COMMUNICATE THIS TO THE COMMUNITY TO AVOID THIS FROM HAPPENING TO OTHERS, ANYONE THAT OWNS A FORD EXPLORER 2013-2017 COULD DIE AT ANY TIME FOR THIS ONGOING UNRESOLVED ISSUE BY FORD. EVERY FAMILY DESERVES TO DRIVE A SAFE CAR. PRESENTLY, I AM RUNNING THE RISK THAT MY CAR GETS TOTALED BY THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE STAMFORD BODY REPAIR SHOP THAT WORKS ALONG WITH THE SFL IN WHICH CASE I SIMPLY MIGHT NEVER GET THE EXPLANATIONS THAT I DESERVE FOR THE MECHANICAL FAILURE AND I WILL BE ALSO LOSING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN THE NEED TO GET A SAFE CAR TO DRIVE FOR MY FAMILY. REQUESTING KINDLY YOUR HELP TO INVESTIGATE THIS FURTHER. DMV CT MENTIONED I SHOULD SEEK YOUR HELP ON THE MATTER.

NHTSA ODI 11376441

VEHICLE STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE IN MOTION NEARLY CAUSING A HEAD ON COLLISION. VEHICLE IS 2 MONTHS OUTSIDE BUILD DATE OF PREVIOUS RECALL FOR STEERING FAILURES. VEHICLE STEERING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN WHEELS IN ANY DIRECTION

NHTSA ODI 11366649

EXPLORER VEERED OFF THE EDGE OF THE ROAD WHILE IN MOTION ON US ROUTE 322 AND COULD NOT BE STEERED BACK ONTO THE ROAD. IT WAS REPAIRED AT CORNELL AUTO BODY. CHIP CORNELL NOTICED A SUSPICIOUS BREAK AND A CRACK IN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AS DID MY BROTHER, TOM GREEN, WHO IS A RETIRED WELDER AT JOY MANUFACTURING WITH (42) YRS. EXERIENCE. TOM TOOK THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO GRIFFIN-PHILLIS FORD, 2582 PA-257 SENECA, PA 16346 FOR THEM TO SHOW IT TO A FORD REPRESENTATIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11365783

MEMORANDUM FOR FORD CORPORATION, CLAIM DIVISION FROM: [XXX], OWNER OF 2013 FORD EXPLORER XLT, VIN#[XXX]. RE: PUNITIVE DAMAGES DUE A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. RECALL# 19S17 MA'AM, SIR, I OWN A 2013 FORD EXPLORER, VIN#[XXX]. IN DECEMBER 2015, I MOVED TO GERMANY IN UNDER US ARMY ORDERS AND EXPORTED MY SUV TO OUR MILITARY INSTALLATION IN VILSECK, GERMANY. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR, EXPERIENCING STEERING PROBLEMS AND TWICE LOST CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN TWO ACCIDENTS IN MARCH, 2016 AND NOVEMBER, 2017. OVER MY DEPLOYMENT TO GERMANY, I SOUGHT HELP FROM LOCAL FORD SITES IN BAVARIA, SPENT CONSIDERABLE AMOUNTS TO FIX THE ISSUE THINKING THE BRAKES ARE THE ISSUES AND IN TIMES CHANGING TIRES, BUT IN VAIN. WHEN, I ATTEMPTED TO IMPORT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE HOMELAND UPON MY RECENT PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION (PCS) BACK TO HURLBURT FIELD, FL, I FOUND OUT THAT THE SUV WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL FOR A DEFECT IN THE REAR TOE LINK, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF CRASH (FORD RECALL# 19S17 AND NTHSA RECALL# 19V435). I OBTAINED A WAIVER TO IMPORT THE CAR AND CALLED WORLD FORD PENSACOLA AS SOON AS MY CAR LANDED IN THE US ON JANUARY 27, 2020 TO SCHEDULE A FIX. THEY FIXED THE ISSUE ON JANUARY 29, 2020. IT IS WORTH MENTIONING THAT FORD HAS MY UPDATED ARMY POST OFFICE (APO) ADDRESS BUT HAD NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF THIS IMPORTANT RECALL (I HAVE MAIL FROM FORD TO MY APO ADDRESS BUT NOT FOR THE RECALL). FOR THE FOREGOING REASONS, I DECIDED TO FILE A CLAIM WITH FORD CORPORATION FOR ALL OF THE EXPENSES INCURRED DUE TO THE MISHAP, INCLUDING MY ACCIDENT IN 2016 AND 2017. I CONTACTED YOUR HQ ,BUT IN VAIN. HE IGNORED MY PHONE CALLS AND MY EMAILS. THEREFORE, I AM REACHING OUT TO YOU IN WRITING. I AM ASKING, AT THIS POINT, ONLY FOR REPAIR EXPENSES AND NOT ASKING FOR MEDICAL BILLS STEMMING FROM THE ACCIDENTS ($ 1732.90 AND 5000.04 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331703

MY WIFE EXPERIENCE "SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION" OF OUR FORD EXPLORER. MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A WALGREENS PARKING LOT, SLOWED DOWN TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. MY WIFE HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE AS SHE WAS ENTERING THE SPACE, BUT THE BRAKE COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR. THERE WAS AN EXTREME AND SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION. ONCE THE CAR HIT THE POLE, IT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE EVEN WITH MY WIFE APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AFTER HITTING A PARKED TRUCK. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS ENOUGH FORCE ON THE FRONT END TO MAKE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11329641

ON JANUARY 12, 2020, WHILE DRIVING HOME TO FLORIDA FROM GEORGIA, INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT SERIOUSLY INJURED 26 YEAR OLD DRIVER AND HER 2 CHILDREN, AGES 8 AND 4. ALTHOUGH THE CHILDREN WERE ABLE TO GO HOME WITH WEEKS OF THE ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER WAS LEFT WITH SEVERE INJURIES AND IMPAIRMENTS, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, AND IN A COMA FOR NEARLY 2 MONTHS. THE 26 YEAR OLD DRIVER RECENTLY CAME HOME IN MARCH AFTER SPENDING TIME AT BROOKS REHABILITATION, BUT WE RECENTLY RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT ABOUT RECALL 19S17. WE ARE WONDERING IF THIS RECALL COULD HAVE POSSIBLY PLAYED A PART IN THIS ACCIDENT, AS SHE WAS BRAKING WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND VEERED OFF THE ROAD, AND SHE WENT HEAD ON INTO A SEMI-TRUCK GOING THE OTHER DIRECTION ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324637