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

Rubber weatherstripping around windshield glass is coming off and hitting the windshield. I had the car inspected by Safelite Auto Glass and they said the windshield needs to come out so they can replace all the surrounding parts that are coming off and they will also have to replace the windshield, since it will probably break when they take it out. It will cost $759.67 to repair. Insurance will only cover it if there is a chip in the windshield the size of a dollar bill. I understand you are already investigating this problem and I need to know if you are going to recall my car before something worse happens. I don't want to have an accident because windshield parts are flying off my car and hitting others.

NHTSA ODI 11504840

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, there was a loud sound outside the vehicle, and an airborne object was seen on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated it was later discovered that the driver’s side front windshield trim panel had detached from the vehicle. The contact purchased the replacement part from the dealer and the dealer replaced the part. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11504853

Drivers side windshield trim panel detached and flew off which driving.

NHTSA ODI 11504930

MY WINDSHIELD TRIM ON BOTH SIDES OF MY WINDSHIELD KEEP FLYING OFF!!!! FORD DEALERS SAY THEY'VE NEVER SEEN THIS BUT YET I DRIVE AROUND TOWN AND SEE PLENTY OF FORD EXPLORERS WITH THEM MISSING!!! THIS IS RIDICULOUS. IVE BOUGHT REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT WILL NOT EVEN STAY ON!!

NHTSA ODI 11505078

Three times, we have had to replace the front windshield pillar trim…twice is flew off during driving on the Interstate. It seems the weatherstripping peels back first and started flapping in the wind, and then the pillar trim rips off.

NHTSA ODI 11504659

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that rainwater was leaking into the cabin of the vehicle from the passenger’s and driver’s side third-row roof seat belts anchors to the seat belts, and onto the floor of the rear of the vehicle. The contact placed a blanket on the folded third-row seats and the trunk floor; upon returning to the vehicle, the blanket was soaking wet. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11502138

I recently had a deeply concerning issue occur with my 2013 Ford Explorer. While I was driving on the freeway my passenger side windshield trim flew off my car (No previous damage to the trim, it was not lifting before the incident).... almost hitting the vehicle behind me. In my eyes this should be a safety concern for the company and replaced by the manufacturer for the safety of their consumers (I reached out to Ford corporate, but they said nothing could be done). This is dangerous for the people driving around vehicles having this issue as a large piece of windshield trim can hit their windshield going 60 mph on a freeway or cause someone to swerve to not get hit by a flying object on the freeway. Upon reading up on the issue this is not uncommon so something should be done before someone is harmed.

NHTSA ODI 11430627

Water entering the body of the vehicle through the third row seatbelt opening. Fills spare tire wheel.

NHTSA ODI 11429836

Front windshield trim has flown off on the highway on three separate occasions.

NHTSA ODI 11429918

My body seams sealer next to the lift gate hinge is cracked ans leaks water into rear of car and mold grew on carpet. Call all local dealers and body shops. None know how to fix

NHTSA ODI 11427998

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated she noticed a small leak entering through the seat belt and ending into the wheel well. The contact stated approximately 6 months later, she started to smell a moldy odor and the leak was much larger. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11425415

Passenger door ajar warning signal stays on even when the door is shut which is causing all my lights to stay on and my car not locking because the door is saying it’s ajar when it is not.

NHTSA ODI 11422336

DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD A-PILLAR MOLDING FLEW OFF, I BELIEVE WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT NO TRUE WAY TO KNOW WHEN. THE INNER PILLAR MOLDING APPEARS TO BE CRACKED ON A FEW PLACES AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI 11399448

THE SEALS FOR THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR FAIL CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND DOWN THE BACK SEAT BELTS AND POOLING IN THE SPARE TIRE AREA OF THE TRUNK. THIS ALSO CAUSES MILDEW AND MOLD IN THE CARPETING.

NHTSA ODI 11387964

MY EXPLORER HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A FEW DAYS, AFTER OPENING THE PASSENGER SIDE, I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER SITTING THERE ON THE FLOOR LINEAR AND ON THE FLOORING ITSELF. I CHECKED THE MOON ROOF, IT WAS CLOSED, NO VISIBLE WATER SO THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE. I CHECKED THE SIDE DOOR AND SEALS, NO ISSUES. I NOTICED THAT WATER WAS FROM THE TOP PART OF THE PASSENGER SIDE INNER FOOTING AREA COMING DOWN SO I CHECKED THE WINDSHIELD AREA. AND AS ASSUMED, WATER WAS CREEPING IN FROM THE WINDSHIELD AREA DUE TO BAD CAULKING JOB/DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING CAUSING WATER (RAIN/SNOW, ETC) TO CREEP IN AND SOIL THE ELECTRICAL AREA AND THE FLOORING.

NHTSA ODI 11383658

WATER LEAKING IN THROUGH 3RD ROW DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT, LEAKS DOWN TO POWERFOLD ELECTRICAL WIRING, AND ACCUMULATES UNDER SEAT/CARPET AND INTO SPARE TIRE WELL. THE WATER COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CAN CAUSE GREAT HARM TO NY CHILDREN WHO SIT BACK THERE. THE WATER ON CARPET CAUSES MOLD AND MILDEW WHICH IS A HAZARD TO OUT HEALTH. THE WATER IN SPARE TIRE WELL CAN CAUSE RUST AND SUBSEQUENT EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER INTO CABIN.

NHTSA ODI 11378684

LEAKS FROM POOR QUALITY WELDS ABOVE REAR TAILGATE. CREATES MOLD IN CARPET ABS SPARE TIRE INSULATION. KNOWN PROBLEM ON VEHICLE. ADDITION LEAKS IN SUNROOF DUE TO POOR DRAINAGE CAUSING MOTOR TO FAIL. PAINT BUBBLE FAIL ON HOOD (KNOWN ISSUE ON EXPLORERS AND EXPEDITIONS)

NHTSA ODI 11366145

THE DRIVER CAR DOOR LATCH BROKE OFF AND DRIVER DOOR DOESN'T CLOSE PROPERLY. THE DOOR FLYS OPEN WHILE IN MOTION ESPECIALLY ON TURNS AND I HAVE TO HOLD IT CLOSED WITH ONE HAND WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE WITH MY ONLY OTHER HAND. CANNOT GET IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE! I HAVE TO CLIMB IN THROUGH THE PASSENGER OR BACK SEAT TO PUSH THE DOOR FULLY OPEN SO I CAN GET IN TO DRIVE. THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE IN MOTION. FORD SAID THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED 7/2020 AND REFUSES TO FIX MY CAR DOOR HANDLE, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION I WANT TO SELL THIS VEHICLE AND THE NEW OWNER WILL THEN BE IN DANGER HOWEVER FORD REFUSES TO COVER THIS DEFECT WITH THEIR DOOR HANDLES THAT ALREADY HAD A RECALL ON IT. PLEASE HELP ME MAKE OTHERS AWARE OF THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION AND ANY NEW CAR OWNERS WHO WILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR FORD EXPLORER AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT AND COVER THE EXPENSE TO FIX WHEN IT WAS PART OF A RECALL THAT 'EXPIRED'. I'M SCARED I MAY FLY OUT OF THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING AND GET HURT OR RUN OVER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS DOOR WON'T CLOSE SECURELY.

NHTSA ODI 11364174

HAVE LEAK AT 3RD ROW SEAT BELT AT ROOF ON LEFT HAND SIDE.SEAT BELT GETTING WET LEAKING DOWN ON SEAT AND FLOOR. FIRST NOTICED WHEN TILTING 3RD ROW SEAT ON SEPT. 29/2020. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOT MOVING . HAD RAIN THE NIGHT OFSEPT. 28/2020.

NHTSA ODI 11361979

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE HOOD PAINT WAS BUBBLING, CHIPPING, AND PEELING. THE CONTACT CALLED CAPITAL FORD OF WILMINGTON 4222 OLEANDER DR, WILMINGTON, NC 28403 910) 799-4060 WHERE INFORMED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE PHOTOS WHERE TAKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: TSB 20-2233 WAS REFERENCED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. *LN THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11353796

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER ANDERSON FORD LOCATED AT 3900 CLEMSON BLVD, ANDERSON, SC 29621, (864) 225-4151, AND MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

NHTSA ODI 11350139

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER LEAKED FROM THE SUNROOF INTO THE INTERIOR HEADLINER EVENTUALLY CAUSING ELECTRICAL FAILURES TO THE 3RD ROW SEAT CONTROLS PREVENTING THE SEAT TO NOT BE ABLE TO BE ADJUSTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE WATER DAMAGE CAUSED THE CARPET TO MOLD AND RUSTING OF THE WHEEL WELL. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11331099

INTERIOR DRIVER DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT RETURN TO THE RECESSED (PARKED) POSITION. THIS SAME DEFECT IS A RECALL ON FORD FUSIONS AND SOME OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES; WHY NOT ON THIS FORD EXPLORER? COST TO REPAIR AT DEALER AROUND $150.00. WORKED FINE FOR 7 YEARS. (SPRING INSIDE DOOR IS EITHER BROKEN OR OFF ITS ANCHOR(S).

NHTSA ODI 11323278

TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED HER SON NOTICED WATER LEAKING FROM THE CENTER OF THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED HER SON NOTICED THE ROOF SEPARATING FROM THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BODY COLLUSION SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11320303

WATER LEAKING INTO REAR AND INTO THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL WELL. ABOUT AN INCH OF WATER FOUND IN THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL WELL. UNSURE WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING.

NHTSA ODI 11318891