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

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel became firm, requiring extra effort while steering the vehicle. The contact stated that the stability control warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the warning light turned off an hour before the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the power steering functionality had not returned. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the electronic power steering assist had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

NHTSA ODI 11525724

While turning, the power steering assist stopped functioning, leaving me veering into oncoming traffic as I could not complete my turn without the power steering assist.

NHTSA ODI 11525411

The back up camera is now inverted. What is coming from the left appears to be coming from the right, and what is coming from the right appears to be coming from the left. Once the problem started, it has not gone away. The problem was confirmed at an independent service center.

NHTSA ODI 11524938

Vehicle began exhibiting intermittent, momentary ABS activation (right front) which would cause vehicle to randomly and severely pull to the right and momentarily flash the traction control warning lamp. This problem began early in 2022 and was first taken to Ford dealership in May 2022. Multiple visits to dealer resulted in inability to diagnose due to lack of recorded codes although they were able to reproduce. Dealer hypothesized a bad electronic steering rack. Subsequent visits to non-Ford repair shops yielded no solution despite replacing ABS Control Module, Electronic Steering rack, yaw sensor, and front struts. Repair shop was able to reproduce. Recently took vehicle to Ford dealer who reproduced and performed pinpoint tests identifying the yaw sensor in the Restraint Control Module (RCM) as most likely cause, but replacement failed to solve. Dealer then removed the front bumper assembly and cleaned and calibrated the cruise control module. Dealer finally identified the problem as a failed Steering Wheel Rotation Sensor and replaced/repaired on May 25, 2023 (over a year after first exhibiting). This part (Ford BB5Z-3F818-A) covers 25 fitments ranging from 2011-2016 and is on national back-order. Speaking with dealers across the US while searching for the part, we found many dealers have been awaiting this part to fix similar problems for a year or more and there were only 7 dealers nationwide with this part in inventory. Based on these facts, it would appear this is likely a "known" issue for Ford, however there has never been a TSB or recall issued to resolve or prevent this from occurring. On multiple occasions, the intermittent ABS activation nearly pulled the vehicle into another lane of traffic and/or into other vehicles' path. I believe this part failure poses a significant safety risk and should, at a minimum, be disclosed to Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealers via a TSB or through a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11524515

Vehicle A pillar flew off while driving on the highway and almost hit a vehicle behind me.

NHTSA ODI 11523908

a Ford Dealership informed me my water pump was severely leaking and needed to be replaced. The water pump is located inside the engine, which is EXTREMELY costly to repair. After digging into it I realized that this is common in this type of engine but Ford has not issued a recall in the US, but Canada has a recall. Now we have to come out of pocket to fix this issue when it is well know to Ford that this water pump inside the engine is a massive design and mechanical flaw.

NHTSA ODI 11522935

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the high engine temperature and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11522445

The camera system should have been apart of the recall. None of the electronics work in the console area. The backup camera goes black often and stops working.

NHTSA ODI 11522481

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist fault message was displayed. Over time, excessive effort was required to steer the vehicle because the steering wheel was firm. The contact called the dealer and was referred to the manufacturer. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 216,000.

NHTSA ODI 11522027

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started, an unknown warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

NHTSA ODI 11521167

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while making a left turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the service power steering now warning light was illuminated. The contact depressed the brake pedal, and the steering wheel was able to turn properly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 243,000.

NHTSA ODI 11520892

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became firm. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11521021

The passenger side windshield trim panel has flown off. When asking the dealership about it, they said it was an issue with the Explorers and that it will most likely happen to the second one as well. We are unable to attach it back on but have kept the piece as we were able to pull over and retrieve it.

NHTSA ODI 11519801

I was driving and the steering wheel got really hard to turn. It continues too do this periodically. I know there was a recall for this on vehicles built before mine.

NHTSA ODI 11519672

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the passenger’s side window trim panel detached from the vehicle, and moments later the front driver’s side window trim panel detached. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 88,345.

NHTSA ODI 11519227

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

Over several months at highway speeds the windshield trim on left and right of the windshield flew off. Appeared to be meagerly attached with clips and Velcro strips. These two strips are connected to the forward roof pylons, exposing the weather seals and allowing water to leak into the interior

NHTSA ODI 11517958

Windshield trim on both sides detached while driving . First incident was November 2019 while driving 70 mph on the DC beltway. The part landed in the middle of the road and was run over by several vehicles traveling behind me, but there was no damage to any of them. The second incident occurred during the summer of 2020 while driving 50 mph on a local, well traveled road. The part landed in the grass on the side of the road and did not hit any other vehicles. I have seen numerous other ford explorers that are also missing the windshield trim, and have read several articles stating there have been numerous reports of this issue occurring frequently, but it has not been confirmed by a dealership of any other service center. This issue has not been inspected by a dealership, law enforcement, or my insurance company. There was no indication prior to the trim detaching on either side that it was loose or not properly installed.

NHTSA ODI 11516828

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the trim panel of the front windshield detached from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage 108,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11516765

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer The contact stated that why driving approximately 75 mph when suddenly the power assist failed. The contact had pulled over and restarted the vehicle however the power assist failed to correct. The power assist warning light had illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the power assist module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired by a certified mechanic who was not associated with the dealer to which the vehicle was brought. The failure persisted causing the vehicle to be an additional 2 times. The contact stated the owner before them had the same power assist module replaced once before as well. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed them that they had missed the warranty/recall deadline then referred them to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11516290

There is a recall for 2011-2013 Ford Explorers re: Electric power steering malfunction but my VIN# is not included. My 2013 Explorer is experiencing this problem. Can you help? Vehicle was not driven much after incident. Thank you!

NHTSA ODI 11515725

My car was showing oil engine replace message, it was not performing as usual, when taken for normal service at ford dealer to change oil, they identified cooling liquid leaking inside the engine as it seems in the ford explorer and other models the water pump is inside the engine which makes identifying any leakage very challenging as it is not easily visible.the faulty water pump leaks liquid inside the engine which overheats and damages the engines and lead to car failure when driving it. Since leakage is not easy to detect the faulty water pump and bad design(by putting the water pump inside the engine) may lead to engine failure when driving the car and accidents leading to life threatening situation. When seaerching on the net it seems several ford explorer 2013 owners faced same issues and were not able to identify the leakage easily and had engine damage and had to pay a lot of money to fix it. Ford should recall and change the pumps on its own cost.

NHTSA ODI 11515508

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and exiting the highway, while making a left turn, the steering wheel failed to respond. The contact stated that while switching to the center lane, the vehicle kept drifting to the left. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rack and pinion steering arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 204,049.

NHTSA ODI 11515176

The driver side windshield panel flew off/broke off while driving at 55-60 mph.

NHTSA ODI 11514943

My suspension was damaged and my car froze and stalled during winter storm and caused my car to go to several shops and I spent lots money on repairs

NHTSA ODI 11514735