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

Driving on a two lane highway with the cruise control set, tapped brake to eliminate the cruise as a truck had pulled onto highway ahead of us. Accelerated to pass the truck and resumed the cruise control to maintain previous speed. The vehicle began increasing speed as if the gas pedal was floored. Tapping brakes didn’t stop it nor did shutting the cruise off on the steering wheel, car was going 80-90 mph. Had to ride the brakes while the throttle seemed to be wide open until we could get it in neutral and pull of on the shoulder. Restarted the vehicle after it was shut off and the throttle was wide open again. The third time I started it, it appeared to be running normal. I did not engage the cruise control after that. At the time there was no engine light or warning light on. About a week later the engine light came on then a couple days later it was not on. Then it randomly would come on. I had scheduled an appt and it was determined the throttle body, gasket and purge valve needed replaced. This was an extremely scary situation and I would like to know if this has been an issue and could it possibly happen again? This could’ve caused a serious accident when you have zero control of the speed and it’s approaching 90mph on a highway. I did get repairs that were an expense over $500. Is there an explanation as to why this happened and can it randomly occur again??

NHTSA ODI 11567173

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH from a parking spot and turning the wheel to the left, the steering wheel seized. The steering wheel failed to turn left or right. The contact was able to reverse into a parking spot. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under recall. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11565976

I was driving and the steering wheel seized up and locked while I was turning to the left. The car continued to turn left despite my best efforts to straighten the wheel or turn it in any other direction. I just slammed on the brakes to stop from hitting someone or something. Eventually, the steering wheel loosened and I was able to park. During the parking, the steering wheel continued to stay tight and was difficult/almost impossible to turn. I called a tow truck and got the vehicle taken to my local Ford Dealership. I looked online to see what the issue might be and that's when I noticed many complaints/concerns about power steering in 2013 Ford Explorers. This is what I found: "Ford recalled certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorers, saying these vehicles “may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting a shut down of the power steering assist.” This is the exact problem that I have but I never received a recall notification. I contacted Ford and they said my car wasn't made in the same plant that the recall vehicles were made. However, other articles point out that it was widespread and continuous. "Ford Motor Co. announced three safety recalls in North America, including nearly 775,000 Explorer SUVs for an issue that may result in loss of steering control and thus increase the risk of a crash." The recall number was 14S06 but I am being told I don't qualify for the recall despite having a Ford Explorer within that exact year and the exact same issues and problem. I am very disappointed that Ford is unwilling to acknowledge the issue or help to remedy it. I contacted Dealerships and Ford Customer Service and both said there are no recalls on file. I hope this issue can be made aware (it already has if it is a recall of 775,000 vehicles) and addressed. Luckily, no one was hurt but this could have been very bad and Ford should take ownership.

NHTSA ODI 11565982

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

I started to notice a slight “slipping” or “sliding” feeling when driving on wet roads or if I hit a pothole or man cover just right. Then while my kids and I were on vacation over Christmas break, I hit a small wet spot on the road and began to fishtail. Luckily we avoided an accident. I was unable to drive over 20mph without feeling like I would lose control. When we had it checked by a mechanic we were told it the toe link on both rear tires were snapped, an issue Ford has recalled several times, as recently as 2020. We spoke with a Ford mechanic and were told my vehicle didn’t have any active recalls related, the toe link had been recalled previously but was supposedly fixed in 2019, just months before the most recent recall. As a result, we had to pay the almost $600 repair bill.

NHTSA ODI 11565896

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. Additionally, the contact stated that the A/C unit was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air compressor and the CV joint had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired by the dealer. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a leak of Freon. The mechanic also diagnosed that there was a strong odor of carbon dioxide coming into the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

NHTSA ODI 11564378

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the steering wheel was loose while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the front axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the transfer case had previously been replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.

NHTSA ODI 11564398

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while opening the trunk lid, he became aware of the liquid. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was stated that the leak was coming from a cracked weld seal near the liftgate. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.

NHTSA ODI 11562672

ELECTRICAL RACK AND PINION - LOCKED UP STEERING WHEEL. Wife driving car could have been hurt. Was inspected by independent service person. No warning !!

NHTSA ODI 11561812

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was water leaking inside the vehicle while her mother was driving and while the vehicle was parked in the rain. The contact stated that water was leaking in the driver's side of the vehicle and in the trunk. The contact stated that water was settling in the front driver's side floorboard and in the trunk. The contact stated that her mother had removed approximately a gallon of water out of the vehicle on one occasion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer informed the contact that the failure could be due to a clogged drain plug. Several unknown repairs were performed on the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11561472

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

NHTSA ODI 11561257

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the Electronic Power Steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. After restarting the vehicle, the failure was self-corrected, and the vehicle operated normally. The failure was intermittent but eventually, the failure became a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11561332

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle the Electronic Power Steering had malfunctioned and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. After restarting the vehicle the failure had self corrected and the vehicle operated as normal. The failure was intermittent but eventually the failure became a permanent problem. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the Steering Rack Assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000(Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11561331

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel was loose and the traction control was inadvertently deactivated. The failure caused the vehicle to vibrate abnormally. The traction control warning light was illuminated, and the Service Advance Trac System message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who recalibrated the steering wheel; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

NHTSA ODI 11560884

While driving on highway, I started hearing a humming/vibration sound on the right side around the windshield. When we stopped, I noticed the trim molding around my windshield (passenger side) had flown off while driving. When we got back on the road we no longer heard the humming/vibration sound so it seems that the sound was coming from windshield trim molding. As of now, I have not received any notification of it hitting another vehicle so hopefully it did not.

NHTSA ODI 11559538

While driving down a major highway, the trim/molding on the passenger side of the windshield flew off. The underlying bracket is still attached to the vehicle. The flying debris could cause other drivers to swerve to avoid the debris and potentially causing an accident. A local Ford dealership said there is not a recall for this issue. I found an article in USA Today that states several others who own 2011-2019 Explorers have had this same issue. There were no warnings that this piece was going to fail. Since there is not a recall I will be forced to purchase and repair my own vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11559177

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon start the vehicle and while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact also stated that an abnormal clicking sound was coming from the steering wheel while driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was informed that a new steering gear system was needed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11558705

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, an abnormally strong fuel odor was detected. The contact moved the vehicle out of the garage due to the strong fuel odor. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the fuel tank was leaking. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

NHTSA ODI 11558566

The electric power assist for the steering quit working. This would be dangerous if driven

NHTSA ODI 11558268

Steering failure- known issue and has safety recall but my serial number was not in recall but having issue with power steering going out and giving fault warning. Usually able to restart and code goes away and steering works. Now it has happened while driving and cannot reset. No power steering. Asked dealer and they refused to repair since VIN was not in recall. Wrote Ford and they refused to repair under recall. This is a problem even though VIN is not in recall. Ford needs to repair under warranty since it’s a safety issue. Latest incident was 11/28/2023 but has happened multiple times in the last 8 months.

NHTSA ODI 11557601

The windshield trim panel on my 2013 Ford Explorer detached and flew off the vehicle without warning while I was driving on the highway . If the detached piece hit another motorist it could cause harm. This vehicle is up to date on it's regular maintenance and no warning was given for the part.

NHTSA ODI 11556956

While driving I’ve been having trouble with my steering wheel getting stuck when I make turns. Or just locking up randomly without movement. I then have to shut my car off and restart. It has almost caused me to wreck on multiple occasions. I’ve taken my car to two different mechanic shops and I was told by both that I would need to take my car into the dealership because the steering is electric. The dealership quoted me a price for 3 grand to have it fixed. This needs to be on the recall list immediately as I’ve found this to be a major issues for this make and model. Very dangerous! Be careful.

NHTSA ODI 11556809

The power Steering Assist failed. I was unable to steer the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11556131

While driving in the rain the rear end was sliding thought I was going to lose control. It was also happening when driving on rough roads or bumps. Rear Tires are also wearing out quickly.

NHTSA ODI 11556165

2013 Ford Explorer: Power Steering service now red light came on as problem occured it did ding, but not in time for reaction. While driving the wheel will lock no matter how fast or slow you are going. Put myself, my children and husband in danger, as well as others. This has occurred now 4 times in the last month. It is being sent to dealership for a current Recall. No police or insurance has inspected.

NHTSA ODI 11554857