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 70 MPH, the front windshield detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to stop on the side of the road safely. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the mechanic stated that the clips holding the glass were not functioning correctly. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 91,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11504928

Drivers side windshield trim panel detached and flew off which driving.

NHTSA ODI 11504930

MY WINDSHIELD TRIM ON BOTH SIDES OF MY WINDSHIELD KEEP FLYING OFF!!!! FORD DEALERS SAY THEY'VE NEVER SEEN THIS BUT YET I DRIVE AROUND TOWN AND SEE PLENTY OF FORD EXPLORERS WITH THEM MISSING!!! THIS IS RIDICULOUS. IVE BOUGHT REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT WILL NOT EVEN STAY ON!!

NHTSA ODI 11505078

Reverse Parking Camera goes blank when backing up intermitently or does not work unless you shut the vehicle down multiple times

NHTSA ODI 11504619

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel suddenly became very difficult to turn in either direction, with a creaking sound coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the steering column and rack and pinion were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the 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 11504624

The windshield trim panels flew off while driving on the highway.

NHTSA ODI 11504629

Three times, we have had to replace the front windshield pillar trim…twice is flew off during driving on the Interstate. It seems the weatherstripping peels back first and started flapping in the wind, and then the pillar trim rips off.

NHTSA ODI 11504659

Our Ford Explorer has had some of the trim around the windshield panels detach while driving on the interstate. The first time it happened, it was severe, making a noise on our windshield and flying off towards the car behind us. We actually had to pull over to check to see if the windshield was still intact enough to continue driving. We went to the next exit, got some glue and gasket trimming and tried to repair/fix the part that was gone. We continued to worry about traveling on highways because that is when more and more of it seemed to detach or come loose. Windshield/glass replacement people said they couldn't replace those gaskets. The replacement had to come from the dealer. The dealer wouldn't replace the gasket or trimmings. They said there was no replacement part by FORD that would do that. Our insurance would NOT help us and declared they couldn't do anything unless the windshield itself came off or was broken. We have continued to just glue and try to repair these parts that are coming off. We are thankful that NHTSA is investigating this in other Explorers. It is a dangerous situation that we have sought help for- but to no avail. Pic 1 &2 shows the side that has no gasket left at all and trim is loose. Pic 3-7 shows the remaining gasket & trim is loose, flapping, and glued down in some places to keep it intact.

NHTSA ODI 11504683

I saw issues with trim coming off of Ford Explorers. This has happened to us now, twice. There is a rubber section adjacent to the windshield that flew off of our car while driving down the highway. There had been no known issues with it at the time it happened. We had it repaired only to have it happen again within 6 months of replacing the original trim.

NHTSA ODI 11504698

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the backup camera failed to work as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

NHTSA ODI 11504000

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved DTC codes: B141B and BNR B141C. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.

NHTSA ODI 11503794

Power steering assist fault multiple times over the past six months. Problem went away after shutting vehicle off and restarting. Yesterday the PS assist failed again while driving and light came on. Took the vehicle to Palm Coast Ford in Palm Coast, FL where I was told the PS system needs replaced at $2200. Vehicle shows no recalls even though the problem is clearly common among owners. Parts on order and will be repaired next week at my expense. How does the manufacturer get away without paying for such a common problem with so many complaints filed on this site?

NHTSA ODI 11503346

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that rainwater was leaking into the cabin of the vehicle from the passenger’s and driver’s side third-row roof seat belts anchors to the seat belts, and onto the floor of the rear of the vehicle. The contact placed a blanket on the folded third-row seats and the trunk floor; upon returning to the vehicle, the blanket was soaking wet. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11502138

This winter I began starting my vehicle and letting it warm up before driving it. After letting it run approximately 10 to 15 minutes, I opened my door and to get in and there was a very strong exhaust smell inside. I would have to roll my windows down to clear the cabin of the fumes. This happened every single time I would let it sit and warm up. There is also something happening with what I believe is my drive-train. There is a lot of different noises (squealing/whining, grinding (metal to metal), clanking and thumping) when I give it gas after sitting at a light. As soon as I step on the gas pedal it makes all the above noises and jerks, then acts like it doesn't want to go. It finally kicks in then goes. Once it kicks in, it drives just fine. The noise sounds like its coming from the undercarriage and sometimes the rear end. I am not driving the vehicle now, it is parked in my driveway, so I am currently without transportation. There is also a very loud popping noise coming from the front end. I was told this could be ball joints or possibly stabilizers.

NHTSA ODI 11502298

I know there was a recall on exhaust fumes coming in the vehicle months ago, and it's starting again I've had really bad fumes coming in my car .

NHTSA ODI 11501810

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, the power steering assist failure warning message appeared on the instrument panel and the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. On both occasions, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and resume normal driving. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) which she linked to the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

NHTSA ODI 11501604

The sunroof motor burned out due to water intrusion from clogged drains. Water also pooled in the passenger side floorboard and soaked the carpet from faulty drains. Cracks in the manufacturer's seam sealer at welds cracked at the back tailgate and leaked all down into the carpet and floorboard below the cargo area. This is a huge issue for those of us to are extremely sensitive to mold and mildew. It can also cause severe corrosion to other components of the car. I have reported it to the company and the dealer and they say that it is not their issue. In fact, they accused me of trying to weld or caulk the cracks. The vehicle has been inspected by Ford mechanics. There were no warnings of any kind. I discovered the burnt sunroof motor due to the sunroof not closing. Had to scramble to find someone to remedy the problem. I've investigated these issues and there are several customers with these exact same problems on Ford vehicles from 2011 - 2019. There should be several recalls concerning these issues.

NHTSA ODI 11501689

WATER PUMP! WATER PUMP! WATER PUMP! The same exact issue with every other Ford Explorer that they knew about when coming off the assembly lines and not doing anything to be held accountable. As the Millions of Americans get screwed over because we have to now pay Minimum $2K to have it repaired. Canada has them as a recall, why not USA ? Absolutely Ridiculous on FORD to get away with this.

NHTSA ODI 11500176

Vehicle Lost Power Steering while driving to drop my kids off at school, lets talk about heart dropping! Became extremely hard to turn the wheel! Thankfully made it home, where it just sits with the service power steering light on along with service Advancetrac. Called the ford dealership in ottawa kansas where we bought this Car February 2019, they said there was no recalls, completely no help. Just let us know it would cost close to $4,000 to fix! As in other complaints it sounds alot like recall from 2014 14V-286, however when I put my vin in shows up as no recalls found for the 2013 ford explorer. The amount of complaints for the steering on this vehicle, please open a investigation in this. Before someone gets seriously hurt.

NHTSA ODI 11499752

So my 2013 Ford Explorer XLT Steering locked up while I was driving lucky I did not crash but did had to use a lot of force to turn wheel to get to side of the road had car towed to ford dealership they said sorry it's not a recall but yet I've seen and read a lot of complaints but nothing as far as a recall I ended up paying a lot of money to fix it please someone put a recall on that Steering before someone gets hurt and so I can get my money back

NHTSA ODI 11499431

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure nearly caused a collision. The local dealer and a second dealer, Gregg Smith Ford Lincoln (1316 Price Ln, Clinton, MO 64735) were made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

NHTSA ODI 11499050

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle overheated. The check engine warning light and the coolant temperature warning light were illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle until the engine cooled down. The contact continued to drive. Additionally, the contact noticed that coolant was leaking onto the ground. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, the contact was not offered assistance because the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,500.

NHTSA ODI 11498565

Power steering went out. POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. error is on car.

NHTSA ODI 11498606

Vehicle lost power steering while driving. Vehicle indicates power steering assist fault. Vehicle is currently at a Ford dealership. My 17 year old son was driving the vehicle at the time of the malfunction with several passengers in the vehicle. Thankfully he was able to maintain control of the vehicle, but a power steering failure and lower experienced driver could have easily resulted in an motor vehicle accident and injuries. The dealership has confirmed that this was the failure of the steering gear, a known issue with many 2013 Ford Explorers. A search of my VIN indicates that it was not part of a recall, but vehicle presents with the same problems as described in NHTSA Recall 14V-286 issued in 2014. There were no previous indicators of this failure prior to the time of the event.

NHTSA ODI 11497563

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. and the vehicle lost motive power shortly after. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine and water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was then towed back to the residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was offered a trade-in. The approximate failure mileage was 118,500.

NHTSA ODI 11496767