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

The driver-side outer windshield trim moulding panel flew off of my vehicle while I was driving at highway speed. Upon inspection, I discovered the passenger-side panel is loose, as well, and could detach at any time.

NHTSA ODI 11514649

Power steering assist fault

NHTSA ODI 11514137

I was driving down the highway yesterday (Sunday, March 26, 2023) and the windshield trim panel on the driver's side flew off. I was doing the speed limit, which was 70 MPH. Thank goodness there wasn't anyone behind me! It could have smashed into their windshield!

NHTSA ODI 11513936

The windshield trim (passenger side) was detached and flew off my car, while driving on a highway at 75 mph.

NHTSA ODI 11513760

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated the water pump needed to be replaced. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called an independent mechanic who provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance provided. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11513450

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while making a turn from a complete stop, the vehicle gradually lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving by using physical strength to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred increasingly while making turns and decreased while driving on straight. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.

NHTSA ODI 11513001

My power steering assist fault came on while driving my steering wheel became very hard to turn which caused me to almost crash I had swerve and stop me and my 3 year old were almost killed my truck electrical system is malfunctioning on its on and ford will not look into it I’ve read up on all the recalls ford has had for the power steering assist fault and it’s scary that it happened to me while driving I’m extremely terrified to drive after having that happen to us

NHTSA ODI 11513051

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH with her three-year-old in the vehicle, the power steering assist fault warning light illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn, causing the vehicle to strike a street pole sign. The contact stated that she was unable to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained neck injuries but did not receive medical attention. A Police report was not filed. The contact was concerned for her safety and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with an electrical power steering assist failure. The contact was informed that the electrical power steering assist needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the part required to fix the vehicle was no longer in production. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 200,060.

NHTSA ODI 11513075

Windshield Trim on right side passenger came off while driving on the freeway luckily no was behind at the time to avoid further collision

NHTSA ODI 11512634

Water is leaking out from underneath the front passenger side part of the engine. I was told it was a water pump failure and the water pump is internal to the engine.

NHTSA ODI 11512515

Power steering assist fault I was driving when it came on and almost wrecked with my 3 year old in the car with me

NHTSA ODI 11512309

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary in his garage, he noticed a leak of water on the driveway. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the water pump to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

NHTSA ODI 11511533

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated when he started the vehicle and shifted into drive(D), the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact turned the vehicle off and, on several times, but the power steering functionality failed to return. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence without power steering at approximately 30 MPH. The contact stated that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11510972

On September 2, 2021, I was driving with my young son in the car. I had to pick him up from daycare due to severe weather(High winds and tornado warning in effect). I heard something hit my window, then my sons window, while driving 55 mph on the highway. I looked in the rearview and could'nt tell what it was. I dropped my son off at home with my mother and then noticed the entire A Pilar was missing on my 2013 Ford Explorer. I was shocked to say the least. I waited a few months to get this repair complete due to money restraints. Within those few months I noticed many other vehicles similar to mine by make and model were missing the same piece. Which I thought could no way be just a coincidence. I finally decided to get this eye sore fixed before it caused any more damage to my vehicle. I called my local body shop and they said that piece needs to be replaced by an auto glass shop. So then I thought, this is going to be expensive. I called my local auto body shop. Found out it would be $300 to replace both A pillars because you cant just have one. You need the pair. So I paid that and now that I know this is a known issue with my model vehicle I would expect more investigation or some sort of reimbursement for this.

NHTSA ODI 11510982

The SUV will swerve into other lane when it switches gears. Replaced both struts. Odor in the cab. Coolant will not stay and after spending $1000 for repairs, it still cannot be fixed. Cracked head gasket.

NHTSA ODI 11510468

Check engine light indicated Fuel injection system leaking on 2013 Ford explorer taken to Ford dealer. Investigated online 2013 Ford explorer have fuel injection leaking problems reported for 2013 Ford explorers

NHTSA ODI 11510101

The windshield pillar trim flew off the vehicle traveling 60mph down a highway. It was sudden and loud which was extremely distracting. The windshield pillar trim caused the vehicle behind to swerve. Part of the weather stripping which was attached to windshield pillar trim remained halfway on the vehicle flapping in the wind, scratching the vehicle. Driver had to pull over and remove the flapping piece. The problem has not been reproduced nor inspected. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure.

NHTSA ODI 11509781

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, there was an abnormal scraping noise coming from the rear driver's side tire. The contact stated that he depressed the brake pedal, and the pedal went to the floorboard. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stopped and inspected the vehicle and became aware that the rear passenger’s side brake pad had separated from the caliper. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact went to an auto parts store and purchased new pads, rotors, and calipers and replaced rear brakes. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

NHTSA ODI 11508898

Water pump failure, this part has been recalled on most Ford explorers but not mine and I’m unsure why. My water pump has failed and is causing additional damage to hoses and the engine due to overheating. My vehicle overheated on the interstate and was completely drained of water. I had to pay a $400 tow bill and walk over 10 miles home. The water pump started working again and then once again stopped working. This has caused a lot of problems to my safety and well-being, not to mention I have lost my job due to being late for work multiple times due to not having a reliable form of transportation. A quick Internet search has showed me this is a very common issue for my vehicle and I believe Ford should be held responsible for the faulty part.

NHTSA ODI 11508979

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, she heard a popping sound on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated that when she arrived at her residence, she became aware that the windshield trim panel had detached from the rear windshield and cut the rubber seal around the window. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the driver’s side windshield trim panel was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11507626

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from both front wheels. The contact stated that it sounded like the tires rubbing on the wheel wells. The contact stated that the check power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled off the highway into a parking lot and stopped the vehicle and saw the "Service Power Steering Now" light was illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to turn to the right or the left. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact had been advised by Ford Customer Service that there was a recall, NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA ODI 11507379

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel became difficult to turn intermittently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the radio, entertainment systems, and navigation systems were inoperable during the failure. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for the repairs due to the vehicle being vandalized and experienced the failure. The independent mechanic was informed of the rack and pinion and electric power steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11507412

Windshield trim broke off on right side at highway speed on interstate 78 in PA. I'm not aware of it had hit another vehicle or not, heard the noise when it flew off but didn't know what it was until I got home and seen the missing piece.

NHTSA ODI 11507247

While I was driving the passenger side panel started to fly off. I pulled over to the side of the road and secured it. My husband placed black tape on it to hold it down until it gets repaired.

NHTSA ODI 11507309

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist with the power steering assist fault message displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle to correct the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. 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 failure mileage was approximately 173,000.

NHTSA ODI 11506976