Home · 2013 Ford Explorer Police Intercept · Complaints

What 2,224 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Explorer Police Intercept

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 (2,224)Crash / fire / injury (78)Steering (832)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)

Newest first · 2,224 complaints · page 10 of 89

Mar 4, 2025Body & structure

Water leaking from ceiling

NHTSA ODI 11646362

Mar 3, 2025Body & structure

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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the A-pillar trim had started to detach on the driver’s and passenger’s side of the windshield. The contact reinforced the trim with duct tape. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11645934

Mar 3, 2025Body & structure

Ford issued a recall notice in Feb 2024 concerning the exterior A-pillar applique trim clip. This large piece of hard plastic separated from my windshield on an interstate while the vehicle was driving at a high rate of speed and the loose trim was a hazard to the vehicles behind me. It is unacceptable that I cannot have this replaced and the other side repaired more than one year after the recall. This is a safety issue to other vehicles on the road.

NHTSA ODI 11646073

Feb 28, 2025Body & structure

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. 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11645500

Feb 28, 2025Body & structure

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 manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11645557

Feb 27, 2025Body & structure

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 manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11645285

Feb 27, 2025Body & structure

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. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH on the highway, the passenger’s side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle, and the contact was unable to recover the A-pillar trim. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11645320

Feb 24, 2025Body & structure

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 during rainy weather, water was leaking into the interior of the vehicle from the top front of the driver’s and passenger’s side windshield. The local dealer was contacted. 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 83,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11644617

Feb 20, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the exterior windshield trim clips on the driver's and passenger's sides were fractured. The contact stated that the windshield trim clips on the driver's and passenger's sides were extremely loose and were rattling while driving. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that a technician from the dealer went to the residence on 08/2024 and inspected the vehicle and confirmed the failure was linked to the recall; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11643909

Feb 20, 2025Body & structure

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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11643928

Feb 18, 2025SteeringElectrical systemFuel system

Service advancetrac light came on while driving. Lost all propulsion and power steering. Almost went off road around a curve due to no power steering. Ford dealership diagnosed it as faulty steering sensor. Had that replaced about 18 months ago, now this near accident just happened. Service trac light traction control light are both on with no propulsion or power steering. I’ve been doing research on this and this seems to happen to a lot of ford owners as ford is the only manufacturer to produce vehicles with advancetrac system. How has this not been a recall yet?

NHTSA ODI 11643541

Feb 12, 2025SteeringWheels

The POWER STEERING has failed. The steering is tight, cumbersome, difficult to manage. The vehicle had a recall for REAR TOW LINK for which it is in service center currently. Ford issued a recall for THE STEERING issue as well. However, allegedly, my car does not qualify for the recall. Please advise. The steering issue is dangerous. I have read that over 600,000 vehicles have been recalled for this issue. I live in Ohio which has the “highly corrosive SALT factor”, which is a noted issue for this recall item.

NHTSA ODI 11642349

Feb 12, 2025Body & structure

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 unavailable. 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 stated that while driving at approximately 75 MPH, the contact observed that the driver's side A-pillar trim was blown off the vehicle due to the force of the slipstream of the vehicle. The contact called a local dealer and was advised that parts were not available. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11642144

Feb 12, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side front windshield trim detached. In addition, the contact stated that the passenger's side front windshield trim had fractured later. The contact stated that moisture was entering into the interior of the vehicle. The contact was concerned that moisture would eventually cause damage to the electrical system. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that parts were not available to repair the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 44,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11642149

Feb 12, 2025Body & structure

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 manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11642311

Feb 10, 2025Body & structure

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 manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and Bird Kultgen Ford (1701 W Loop 340, Waco, TX 76712) were made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11641658

Feb 10, 2025Body & structure

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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11641666

Feb 10, 2025

My 2013 Ford Explorer has a safety recall notice 24S02 that I received in the mail Feb 2024. Since getting the recall notice in the mail, I have tried numerous times over the past year with my Ford dealership in Glen Burnie, MD to get this recall taken care of. Every time I call, they keep saying they don’t have the parts and I am on the list for when parts come in they will call me etc…. Even before the recall was issued, in Oct 2023 I had the driver side molding and trim come off my vehicle. My husband and I were driving, heard something snap, had no idea what it was only when we parked the vehicle, we noticed the molding and trim on the driver side of my explorer had flown off on the road somewhere. I am thankful there were no accidents that happened. I did get the driver side molding and trim replaced and paid out of my own pocket to get this fixed. For all the parts $237.43 was the total (receipt is uploaded) and I am still waiting to be reimbursed for this since this recall. I will be uploading pictures of the molding and trim that came off my driver side (pic uploaded Oct 2023 when trim/molding came off) and when I paid for it to be fixed (receipt uploaded Oct 2023). I am also sending a recent picture of my passenger side trim (pic uploaded of passenger side gasket started to come off) because the gasket is falling apart and flying off into the air, which looks as if the trim and molding will eventually fly off as well since this is the safety recall. I need help in getting this safety recall fixed and also reimbursed for the other side molding and trim that I had to pay for. I feel as if I am getting the run around with my dealership and wanted to bring this to your attention. I am selecting the time of incident occurring [XXX] because this is the time of the 1st incident that occurred. Thank you for your time. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11641655

Feb 9, 2025

Rear view camera malfunction. Goes blank or gives a distorted image. Sometimes it gives a reverse image. Needs replaced. Could cause a crash or vehicular accident.

NHTSA ODI 11641600

Feb 7, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trims on both sides of the windshield started to detach. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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 approximate failure mileage was 150,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11641373

Feb 3, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on both windshields started to detach. 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, and the dealer stated that parts were not yet available. 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 approximate failure mileage was 150,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11640317

Feb 3, 2025Body & structure

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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11640399

Feb 3, 2025Body & structure

Driving 65 mph. 4 passengers. Pillar trim came off and slammed into window. Caused us to veer into another lane almost hitting another vehicle. Passenger side did this in 2023. My husband had to order part and fix it. Right after fix, a recall was issued. Called 5 times in 2024 for recall fix. Was told parts not available. While going to Fort Lauderdale cruise port January 25, 2025, the Driver’s side came off almost causing a crash collision that would have killed us all. Cannot get any shop to fix and was told to keep driving the vehicle. The rubber/part hanging from Explorer.

NHTSA ODI 11640442

Jan 30, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the driver’s side A-pillar trim detached and flew off into traffic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

NHTSA ODI 11639737

Jan 30, 2025Steering

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the electric power steering assist became functional. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure was related to the electric power steering, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The electric power steering assist and the lane assist warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the power steering control module was reprogrammed. Additionally, the dealer recommended the replacement of the power steering unit. The electronic power steering unit was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11639652

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 2,224 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 23, 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 Police Intercept verdict →