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

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 70 MPH, the windshield trim panel detached from the windshield. The contact’s husband veered to the side of the road momentarily. The contact’s husband was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the windshield trim panel was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The contact stated that the dealer had replaced the windshield trim panel on two different occasions. However, the failure persisted. The contact stated that her husband taped the windshield trim panel to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in the recall related to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11506992

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the sunroof failed to close securely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the sunroof motor was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The dealer replaced the sunroof motor a second time in 2019; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sunroof motor needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer diagnosed that the failure was due to debris intrusion into the sunroof motor. The dealer informed the contact that the sunroof tubes needed to be kept clean to prevent debris from entering the sunroof motor. 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 approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11507091

Leaking water pump at bolt

NHTSA ODI 11506597

In October of 2018 while driving on the Interstate, I heard a noise in the area of the passenger windshield. I slowed down as I looked at the windshield and the pillar trim came loose and flew off the car. Fortunately, there was no one behind me and it went into the ditch at the side of the highway. I pulled off as soon as I could and checked the driver side trim, it seemed to be loose as well. I was able to secure it and went to my local dealership where they ordered replacement parts. The repair was $506.54. The same thing happened in December of 2021. So now I have paid twice to have this repair made which, in my opinion, should be a recall. I believe a consumer has a reasonable expectation that parts should remain on the vehicle. Yes, anyone could be hit and harmed by flying car parts. The problem was inspected and repaired by the Don Vance Ford Dealership (both times). There was no warning other that a rattling noise as the pieces came loose.

NHTSA ODI 11506646

Windshield trim falling apart and separating from windshield. Noticed this happening approx 2 years ago and has become extremely bad now. I have called local dealership and glass company for replacement part but was told by both there isn't a replacement part and windshield would have to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11506365

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

NHTSA ODI 11506368

at any speed the Explorer would go into "limp Mode"....NO THROTTLE...Terrian Management Error would appear and the wrench sign,,,,,dash lights and terrain knob light would go off....at highway speeds, with no warning, this could be a deadly situation.....taken to our local Ford dealership.....they had no idea what happened....COULD DO NOTHING...after some research we decided to have them replace the THROTTLE BODY, at our "out of pocket" expense.....driven the car three times with no problems.....but after the first time it happened, to my wife, we went like 2 months without a problem...then it happened again...three more times before we took it in......YouTube is full of folks having the same problem....Explorers and F-150 trucks......you can stop and turn the car off...wait about 20 secs and restart...everything was back to normal...TIL THE NEXT TIME.....my Wife refuses to drive the car again til it is FIXED.....I drive it twice a week only....2013 Ford Explorer LTD....V6

NHTSA ODI 11506507

While driving on the highway, the windshield driver's side upper pillar molding detached and flew off hitting the side of the rear of my vehicle. I was unaware of what had happened in the moment but was just knew there was a loud bang as if some type of debris hit my vehicle. I later noticed the lower molding had been damaged as well but was still attached to the vehicle. My safety was at risk in that I was startled by the bang and others could have been harmed by the flying trim. A call to the dealer confirmed there were issues with the trim piece but it was not under warranty and no recalls had been issued at the time. It was not physically inspected by anyone at the time. Due to cost, I ordered and installed a replacement upper trim piece but the lower trim remains damaged. No warnings or symptoms were present. It appears the passenger side remains in tact however does not seem as secure as it should.

NHTSA ODI 11506241

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed in 20-degree weather, the engine was smoking and then overheated. The contact checked under the hood and noticed that the coolant level was low. The contact had previously added additional coolant. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the dealer who informed her about a diagnostic test, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11506278

The individual has a 2013 Ford Explorer with two active recalls for rear toe link fracture and reached out to Alton Blakely dealership in Somerset, Kentucky, to have it repaired. However, the dealership refused to repair the vehicle and directed the individual to find another dealership. The reason given was that in the past, they have conducted the repair and left the vehicle in worse shape than before, with the vehicle unable to be appropriately aligned, leading to uneven wear on the tires. The individual is looking to draft a complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the dealership's refusal to repair the vehicle, despite it being a recall repair.

NHTSA ODI 11506064

The windshield cover on the driver side flew off while I was driving down the interstate.

NHTSA ODI 11506120

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 3 MPH, and leaving his driveway, the power steering failed to operate as needed. The contact stopped and turned off and then restarted the vehicle. The vehicle resumed power steering functionality. The contact stated that the "power steering assist" warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the power steering assist failure was intermittent. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been 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 11505792

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while pulling out a parking lot, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. On another occasion, the contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the wheel hub needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) or 17E048000 (Wheels, Suspension). The failure mileage was 155,000.

NHTSA ODI 11505799

Faulty water pumps causing leakage and eventually seize the engine

NHTSA ODI 11505652

Driving down the road and the driver's side windshield trim detached and flew off into traffic at highway speed. The shock of it flying off and into traffic makes it a safety risk. Repair shop person informed me it was a common issue. There was no message indication it was going to detach. Replacement was $200.

NHTSA ODI 11505503

The trim piece on the windshield post along the side of the windshield fell off while traveling on a highway. It flew into the air and may have struck another vehicle. We replaced that piece on the drivers side of our car but a few months ago the trim on the passenger side flew off while traveling. This causes a safety problem to other drivers and could cause an accident. The first piece of trim was replaced. The problem has not been reviewed by the manufacturer, police or a insurance representative. There was no warning that this problem was about to occur.

NHTSA ODI 11505541

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a distorted image in the opposite direction of the location. Additionally, the rear-view camera also displayed lines across the image. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the rear-view camera needed to be replaced. The manufacturer advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

NHTSA ODI 11505323

2011-2019 Ford Explorer Windshield-Outer Trim Molding Passenger Side With Clips7- molding detached - randomly while driving on the interstate - had to purchase new molding and trim - recently saw the info on the news and felt the need to report - it was scary when it detached and startled me - HAVE RECEIPTS AND PICTURES I SENT TO PARTS COMPANY TO OBTAIN THE RIGHT PART

NHTSA ODI 11505374

On July 12, 2021 on I-20 about 25 miles from Atlanta, the front windshield driver's side molding flew off without previous warning. This is on a 2013 Ford Explorer. This was a piece about 3" wide and 2 feet long that flew into the lane behind me and could create a safety issue for drivers behind me. I saw on the newspaper today that 16- other people have report. I did have it replaced at aElders Body Shop at my expense ($307) and they also refastened the right piece which was loose.

NHTSA ODI 11505170

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side windshield trim detached. Additionally, the driver's side door handle had also detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.

NHTSA ODI 11505173

I've had to replace the windshield trim panel piece three times because they keep flying off.

NHTSA ODI 11505229

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

Passenger side windshield trim panel flew off and hit another vehicle after it bounced off the road. I replaced the trim parts for about $65. It appears that the seal and then the plastic retaining clips failed to secure the trim panel.

NHTSA ODI 11504852

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

Windshield left pillar seal came loose at highway speed.started flapping and making loud noise.distraced me for few minutes till discovered source. No accident .seal stayed on car . Only came half way loose.

NHTSA ODI 11504854