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

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ODI 11575581

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the windshield exterior A-pillar trims detached and were hitting against the vehicle. The contact stated that she pushed the trims back into the original position. Additionally, the contact stated that she noticed that water was leaking inside the vehicle through the windshield, while it was raining and while the vehicle was at the car wash. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. 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 failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11575359

Power steering became very hard and got stuck suddenly while driving, very dangerous. Was very difficult to steer the car or move the steering even an inch. Good that was driving at low speed, otherwise could have been an accident. After 2 days it started showing warning message about power sterring but at time of steering got stuck there was no warning. In process to repair, it's very dangerous as steering got stuck out of no where and expensive to have it fixed (approximately 1600 dollars).

NHTSA ODI 11575195

The Electronic Power Steering Assit (EPAS) has had a failiure. When the failiure happens it completely locks up the steering without prior warning.When that happens the cars steering cannot be controlled as norrmal, and the driver cannot easily steer the vehicle. The first time this happened I was pulling into a gas station, the EPAS went out and I almost hit pedestrians, a fuel pump and other vehicles. Had it not been for my years of driving experience this could have inured or even killed several people. The issue has been confirmed by my local Ford dealerships service department. The service manager told me that this car has had recalls on it, but upon checking my VIN found that Ford Motor Company did not include my vehicles vin under the recall. Even though this issue is known with my make and model. This issue has also been reported on many Ford Explorer group pages for others who have had the issue but were missed under the recall umbrella. The failiure message only appears after the acutal failure, meaning the steering is already gone by the time the warning is shown

NHTSA ODI 11574825

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 contact stated that the A-pillar applique trim was loose and had damaged the windshield gasket. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11574550

Rear backup camera stopped working a year ago. the rear of the car is a huge blind spot and have had a few close calls with pedestrians and other vehicles' when backing out of parking spots. My son also has a 2013 Explorer and his rear camera stopped working several years ago.

NHTSA ODI 11574570

The driver side exterior A-pillar applique trim detached from the vehicle in early 2020. I assumed the failure was a chance occurrence, but a recently reported recall identified this as a manufacturer's defect. I had to have the repair done myself at a cost of $335.81.

NHTSA ODI 11574205

Both the rear door lock actuators on my 2013 Ford Explorer broke within a month of each other. I am aware of actuator recalls on different Ford vehicles and I believe these broke for the same reasons as the other Ford actuators were recalled.

NHTSA ODI 11574294

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel locked with the "Steering Assist Fault Service Required" message was displayed. The contact stated that upon restart of the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal operation; however, the failure returned later. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11573979

My vehicle was purchased new from Ford dealer with factory tow option, which comes with an undercarriage cover with integrated air scoop to help cool engine & transmission while towing. This cover (Ford # BB5Z-9910494-A) is designed with quarter tern thumb screws to hold it on to the undercarriage. While driving on highway, this part fell off and was not recovered. Now my vehicle is at risk of serious damage to either transmission or engine, or both in not having this key part. The weak design for fastening this metal part to the vehicle is a serious safety hazard, and Ford should provide a resigned replacement part through recall.

NHTSA ODI 11573861

Vehicle steering stopped working and was towed to my mechanic. Mechanic was great and said that this was a Ford recall, however the dealer informed me that the vin number didn’t match. They have had a recall for Explorer that were manufactured 3 months prior to ours. This was expensive and new parts are unavailable because of so many issues, had to use rebuilt ones and installed at dealers. Please reopen the recall on explorer steering failure and see if maybe more explorers should be added to recall. Thanks for reading I hope this helps me and many other Explorer owners with same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11573136

2013 explorery EPS system randamly will go out causing very hard steering to the point you almost crash. It don't matter if it's dry or wet hot cold it'll randomly come on and it'll pull you to the side. There's been a recall for this couple times but I'm told my vehicle isn't in the recall well I don't understand why it's not because I've had the Ford dealership come out and reflash my PSCM and still it comes on and I lose power steering almost killing myself and my family multiple times now I don't know what to do it cost way too much for me to buy new parts all the time they say the recall won't apply to it but I don't understand why it won't it's been recalled that's confirmed recalled why can't I get my vehicle fixed on my family is safe

NHTSA ODI 11573055

We own a 2013 Ford Explorer XLT AWD 3.5L with an Odometer reading of 150,507 that we bought used from a private owner and owned for over a year. In the recent weeks of 1/5/2024 - 2/9/2024 the Power steering assist has gone out while maneuvering in and out of our garage multiple times. With a restart, the power assist comes back and seems to be ok for a few days until recently while driving, multiple times the steering wheel became locked in the 12:00 position and it took extra effort to turn the wheel from center. It appears as a faulty or sized rack and pinion. Also recently noticed audible noise while turning the steering wheel from lock to lock coming from the steering rack. I am an Automotive Technician in the field for 30+ years. That next morning I raised the vehicles front wheels off the ground and rotated the steering wheel with engine off to investigate the issue. I noticed a severe binding issue while rotating the steering wheel where the steering wheel will come to a binding stop and it takes 2 hands to get past the binding. At this point I knew this is a major safety concern and to not have my wife drive this vehicle anymore until repaired. I have researched the Technical Service bulletins on this issue and searched the internet as well. Obviously this has become a very common issue on these Explorers with all the filed complaints and the lack of availability of a replacement Rack and Pinion. I went to the Ford dealer to inquire about this known issue and safety concern and they said there are no recalls for this problem on this vehicle. Fortunately I caught this issue before the rack and pinion did seize into a position where my wife would not have been able to steer out of it and crash into another person, car or object. I understand that components eventually wear and fail over the vehicles lifetime and need replacing, but this seems to be a bigger issue and safety concern which needs addressing.

NHTSA ODI 11571893

The power transfer unit defective and I almost lost control of my vehicle without warning The vehicle has been inspected

NHTSA ODI 11571918

steering is very tight sometimes on turns and there is a lot of play in the steering wheel itself, i changed out almost all suspension and steering related parts and still have this issue. Also the steering wheel somehow always is off center and crooked even after multiple alignments

NHTSA ODI 11571577

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the steering wheel was locked. The contact stated that there was a message displayed that the steering wheel was locked. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed. The mechanic stated that the power steering had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.

NHTSA ODI 11571069

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound. The contact became aware that the power steering was inoperable. The contact stated that the steering was extremely difficult to turn due to the failure. However, the vehicle was safely driven to the residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired after remaining with the mechanic for two weeks. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The contact stated that there was an open recall for the failure, but the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA ODI 11571083

I bought the car from auction. The car was Represent like "Run and drive". But the car come with a lot of rust into the frame and this problem means a structural damage. The car it is not good for driving and it is not possible to be registered.

NHTSA ODI 11570768

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, while turning the steering wheel to the right to follow the road, the steering seemed to seize, and extra effort was needed to turn the steering wheel. The contact arrived at her destination and parked the vehicle. When the contact returned to the vehicle and restarted the vehicle, the power steering functionality had not returned. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11570358

every time it rains, water comes inside the vehicle on the back side, noticed water coming from the third row seat belts, that cause a bad smell inside the vehicle and cost a lot of money to get that fix, Unknow how to fix, I called the Dealer the stated that is a known problem with this vehicles .

NHTSA ODI 11570017

Last year I had to replace my front rack and pinion costing me a couple thousands of dollars. While driving the power steering went making it very difficult to steer and have good control of the vehicle. No safety lights or warnings came on at this time. One year later just a few days ago the same exact thing happened. No warning, no lights. I called my local ford dealer because I researched and seen a recall for power steering issues. The dealership told me my vehicle was not included in the recall. I am worried that this is not only an issue that I have but others on the road driving these lemons. I have had nothing but issues with this vehicle. It is unsafe at this point. I am unaware of what determines recall eligibility but the model I am driving most certainly needs to be included. I cannot afford to replace another rack. This vehicle is not even paid off yet. So frustrating and concerning. Ford needs to step it up before someone really gets hurts.

NHTSA ODI 11569199

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 electronic power steering system seems to be failing causing extremely hard steering. This seems to be a common issue among the explorer family. It is not causing any warning lights or check engine lights to appear on the dash. This could potential cause crashes due to intermitent failures. I have had it inspected by a local mechanic who stated this is a common problem that was recalled on some explorers but mine did not qualify. Mechanic stated the repairs could be extremely pricey.

NHTSA ODI 11567468

We purchased a 2013 Ford Explorer in June of 2023. I had changed the rear wheel bearings on the vehicle and we had an alignment done at a local Firestone Auto Repair shop after the bearings were replaced. The Firestone shop did the alignment and the steering wheel felt stiff after. We drove the vehicle for two days after the alignment and around August 1, 2023 then the power steering went out on my wife when she had our infant son in the car. She said the service advance track light was flashing red and power steering light was flashing as well. She had no steering at all and luckily she was able to park the vehicle and get a ride home safely. I took the vehicle to a local Ford Dealer and they said the alignment computer showed the steering wheel was 30 degrees off. They re calibrated the alignment but could not confirm that was the reason the power steering went out but gave me a quote to repair the power steering unit. When they pulled it out of the shop, the power steering came back on. We drove the vehicle until around August 30 2023 and the power steering went out again when my wife was driving the vehicle. We had an independent shop look at it and when they hooked it up to the scan tool, it said power steering fault. When they pulled it out of the shop, the power steering came back on. We drove the vehicle until November 3, 2023 when the power steering went out again while driving and had a different Ford Dealer look at it. The diagnoses was intermittent power steering failure but it was not covered under the recall and the dealer nor Ford was provide any assistance. The diagnoses was exactly what the recall states but it was not covered. $4200 repair cost later we have an operational vehicle. Not very impressed with Ford. Reaching out to hope to get some kind of feedback and help in this matter. Three times total while owning the vehicle for six months intermittent power steering failure. Super dangerous situations luckily no one was hurt.

NHTSA ODI 11567515

Power steering failure. I noticed appeared on the instrument panel briefly before the vehicle power steering seized. I was unable to move the steering wheel in any direction without significant force. I was not driving thankfully or else this may have resulted in a serious accident due to inability to steer vehicle on public road.

NHTSA ODI 11567606