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

Review camera unavailable, image flashing, or image reversed.

NHTSA ODI 11725732

Backup camera doesn't always work. It displays a black screen alot of times.

NHTSA ODI 11698304

MY rear back up camera display does not work all the time. When I put my car in reverse and the rear camera displays the screen will go black and an error messages appears on the screen. This has been an issue since I purchased the car in 2021.

NHTSA ODI 11676348

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the glass moon roof panel became inoperable, and could no longer be opened. Additionally, there was rainwater leaking into the vehicle from the sunroof drainage system. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the Extend Coverage related to the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11674071

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 the driver's side and passenger's side windshield exterior A-Pillar trims had fractured and had partially separated from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that cold air was entering the vehicle through the windshield, causing the interior of the windshield to become frozen. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected. 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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11636458

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was water on the rear carpet and the floor was wet. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to the sunroof. The sunroof of the motor was disconnected, and valves and drainage pipes were cleaned. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the rear seats were wet, and the seat belt was wet. Additionally, there was water in the tire well. There was rust located in the vehicle. The contact discovered that water had entered through the liftgate. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11631204

For the past year, when I place the car in reverse the backup camera shows a reverse image. Items on the left appear on the camera as being on the right, and visa-versa. The first time it occurred I backed into a ditch. This occurs nine out of ten times. The hazard to pedestrians and chance of an accident is substantially increased. I contacted the local Ford dealer who showed no interest in my complaint, other that stating I would pay for the camera replacement, including labor. I noted that Ford Explorers were already recalled for rear camera problems. They stated that was for a different problem.

NHTSA ODI 11626576

The side pillar of my windshield flew off on the freeway and probably hit another car this was very dangerous and now I'm missing a piece of my car. This recall need to be fixed asap

NHTSA ODI 11622489

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ODI 11607203

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ODI 11607098

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof leaked water, causing the rearview mirror and rear seat belts to become wet. The contact stated that the sunroof motor and dashboard were previously replaced due to the failure; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ODI 11595562

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the moonroof was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the switch and sun/moon roof motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there was no Warranty coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The manufacturer contacted and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 116,414.

NHTSA ODI 11592063

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH during rainy weather conditions, the rain started to enter through the windshield. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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 the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the recall parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11580487

The windshield makes a loud cracking sound (for the last 4 months- this is how ong ive owned it) and a few weeks ago, the sound happened and the window cracked from the frame toward the center (about 7").

NHTSA ODI 11567888

The left and right windshield panels flew off of my Ford Explorer truck.

NHTSA ODI 11561257

While driving normal highway speeds my driver side windshield trim piece flew off. This is not safe as now I am worried that the passenger side will do it next.

NHTSA ODI 11548570

I was driving down the interstate and heard a very loud bang, we thought someone had shot at the vehicle. It scared me and I swerved off the highway almost hitting the sidewall. The car behind me went off the road also. I went to check on them and their windshield was busted as well. It was dark out, and we knew something hit us, but we couldn't figure out what it was. When I woke up the next morning, I noticed the windshield trim was missing. It had flown off and hit the car behind me. Called the dealership and said it's a known issue but no recall on it. This could've killed me and my kids or the people behind me. The fact that it's a known issue and not rectified scares me.

NHTSA ODI 11547852

CURRENT CONDITION The rearview camera do not display an image when driver put it in reverse.

NHTSA ODI 11544292

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into reverse(R), and driving at approximately 2 MPH, the rear-view camera image failed to remain operational. The contact stated that the "Rear-view camera Unavailable - See Dealer" and a yellow triangle with an exclamation point was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the backup camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V575000 (Visibility). The failure mileage was 70,693.

NHTSA ODI 11543161

The rear camera intermittently goes black and there is nothing on the screen except an error warning. We have experienced this problem for a couple years however it is becoming more frequent.

NHTSA ODI 11543223

For the 4th time since I have owned this vehicle, the trim on the driver's side of the windshield came loose, (the other times it snapped off), the gasket seal around the windshield came loose as a result, loosening the edge of the windshield. The first and second times we thought it was a coincidence or installation problem. By the 3rd time, after Ford denied there was an issue, my mechanic's shop took the time to investigate and found that this is a recurring problem and a design defect. This just happened again and once again I found myself hoping to make it to a store where I could buy tape to hold it all in place until I got home. I used a fair amount of 10x tape, but in addition to severe anxiety and stress over wondering if my windshield was going to peel off (that's what it sounds like), I also had the worry of being in an accident or causing one when the trim snapped loose completely and flew onto the highway. Because I travel for work as well as fun, I am now facing another repair bill that I cannot afford, but cannot do without. All four times this has been at highway speeds. I have reached out to Ford Motor Company and they have denied that there are any reports of problems. I looked online to see that you have opened an investigation and that there have, in fact, been numerous complaints about this same issue. Any support or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, and I am happy to speak in further detail with you. Thanks.

NHTSA ODI 11525836

The trim of the windshield has come off. This may have hit other drivers behind me as well as caused significant distraction to me. Also the rear view camera does not work and should be recalled. This causes significant safety concern.

NHTSA ODI 11518730

I was driving down the highway yesterday (Sunday, March 26, 2023) and the windshield trim panel on the driver's side flew off. I was doing the speed limit, which was 70 MPH. Thank goodness there wasn't anyone behind me! It could have smashed into their windshield!

NHTSA ODI 11513936

The windshield pillar trim flew off the vehicle traveling 60mph down a highway. It was sudden and loud which was extremely distracting. The windshield pillar trim caused the vehicle behind to swerve. Part of the weather stripping which was attached to windshield pillar trim remained halfway on the vehicle flapping in the wind, scratching the vehicle. Driver had to pull over and remove the flapping piece. The problem has not been reproduced nor inspected. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure.

NHTSA ODI 11509781

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, she heard a popping sound on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated that when she arrived at her residence, she became aware that the windshield trim panel had detached from the rear windshield and cut the rubber seal around the window. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the driver’s side windshield trim panel was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11507626