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 at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

NHTSA ODI 11474062

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the Power Steering Assist and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced because the rack and pinion module was not communicating with the computer system. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

NHTSA ODI 11473736

After picking up the vehicle from an oil change from the Ford dealer, the power steering functionality has changed. Upon entering the vehicle and attempting to reverse, the steering felt like it locked up. But with enough force the resistance can be overcome and the wheel will turn, but in jerking motions. It takes a strong effort, but will make an approx 60-90 degree advance/rotation of the steering wheel, then another effort to continue the turn, advancing about a quarter turn each time. Vehicle now feels unsafe to drive and am concerned it will sieze completely while driving due to a known recall that exists for this exact issue, NHTSA recall ID 14V286000, but the VIN falls just outside the recall range.

NHTSA ODI 11473158

Multiple times throughout the last month, I turned the vehicle on and went to back out of our garage and the dash displayed a warning of "electric power steering assist failed". The steering wheel was extremely hard to turn, so I stopped and placed the vehicle in park, turned it off, waited about 15 seconds and restarted the vehicle with no steering problems. This last time after doing the same, the error did not go away and the issue remains. I contacted the dealer, and they say there is no recall on the 2013 model year explorer for a vehicle built in October 2013. Just before and after.... how does a known recall issue for the prior yearand following year not indicate a potential issue in this year? The repair estimates are crazy high, and I feel did should repair at their cost.

NHTSA ODI 11472418

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing out of the driveway at 20 MPH, she heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from underneath the driver's side floorboard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced; however, the part was not available. The vehicle was repaired with remanufactured parts; however, while driving and turning all the way to the right, the steering rack was making abnormal grinding sounds. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where the rack and pinion were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who advised the contact to take the vehicle to an authorized Ford dealer since the parts to repair the vehicle were no longer available. The contact stated that the parts were on national back order. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11471810

I bought this car less than 2 years ago and I am tired of it already. I have gotten a power steering assist warning light multiple times in the past 2 weeks. The light comes on and I am unable to move the steering wheel. I tried waiting a while and restarting the car but the light still comes on. This left me and my child stranded at a gas station and waiting for assistance to get home. The dealership can not get me in until the end of next month. I am now without transportation. This is ridiculous because I need transportation to my job and to get my children to their activities.

NHTSA ODI 11471251

Power steering, can't steer the SUV out of my driveway

NHTSA ODI 11470776

Water pump failure - engine overheating and leaking coolant. Potenential to cause catastrophoic damage to engine. Not safe. Appears to be common with 2013 Ford Explorers. Many of the same cases and complaints found online but I cannot find the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11470233

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle while the vehicle intermittently experienced loss of power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering gear box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was 180,000.

NHTSA ODI 11469666

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound. Upon inspection underneath the vehicle, the contact noticed that the link shaft bracket and CV axle had broken in half. Additionally, the vehicle rolled away while the gear shifter was in park(P). The contact activated the parking brake to stop the vehicle from rolling away. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V692000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown. Consumer was left with loss of power and a loud metal hitting metal sound the tripod spider joint/ bearing had broke because it was not properly supported due to bracket failure the recall for this part is for models starting with 2014 Ford Explorer mine is a 2013 mine was built at the same plant as the recall for 2014 and up the exact problems the recall list is what happened even down to the roll away even through its in park it will still roll unless the parking brake is applied.

NHTSA ODI 11469112

Transfer case stopped working within 4 days. Known to be an ongoing problem for this vehicle. Made a screeching sound, locked up, clicking sound inside case and rendered vehicle undriveable instantly.

NHTSA ODI 11468138

My 2013 ford explorer sport ecoboost.. steering locked up. Mechanic diagnostic code came back power steering gearbox replacement/ steering rack needs to be replaced. My warranty doesn't cover the $2400 repair. Only had vehicle for less than a yr.

NHTSA ODI 11467906

While driving, the vehicle will drop out of drive, the engine will run roughly, the engine will not respond to accelerator pedal inputs. The service engine light will illuminate. If I coast to the side of the road, turn off the vehicle, then restart it, it runs normally as if nothing has gone wrong. The first four times this happened, no codes were set in the computer. This occurs at varying speeds and varying conditions. The last two times it occured, I had already driven the vehicle for 2 hours on the highway (70-75 mph). Once I left the highway, I drove for another 50-60 miles and then the issue recurred. Finally today, the vehicle set a P2111 code, which indicates an issue with the throttle actuator system. This is a dangerous situation. Each time it happend I was in traffic, sometimes heavy. Luckily I was able to quickly pull off safely and no crash occured, but a collision certainly could have happened.

NHTSA ODI 11467804

power steering assist fault occured while driving causing me to lose power steering. There is a recall out for this exact issue but my vehicle vin falls just outside of the dates stated for the recall, so the ford dealership is refusing to repair under the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11467282

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-35 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and started jerking. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle however, extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle. However, upon pulling into his driveway, the steering wheel seized. The contact restarted the vehicle the following day and the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was repaired with a new power steering unit at an independent automotive shop in late July 2022 at the owner's expense.

NHTSA ODI 11467381

While driving down the road my steering locked up and stopped working. I turned my vehicle off and called for a tow truck. I had it serviced and it was found to have electrical issue in the steering gear which resulted in the loss of electric power steering assist while driving. They had to replace the electronic steering rack and pinion.

NHTSA ODI 11467447

Upon taking off, in a busy intersection during lunch time traffic in town, a "Steering Assist Failure" and chime came on at the same time the power steering failed. While the steering was just shy of locked, I was able to avoid hitting oncoming traffic and aim the Explorer into a parking lot directly in my path. I put on my hazards (they should come on automatically in such instances) and the other motorists were kind and allowed me to do so since traffic around and behind me had to come to a stop. Even at a healthy 250 lbs and 6'4", it was a serious struggle to make even a small change in the angle of the steering wheel. The Explorer is my wife's vehicle and I just happened to be with her that day, prepping the vehicle for our son to take over as his since he starts college in the fall. I shudder to think what could've happened had either of them been driving it when this happened. There were NO prior indications, no odd noises, no roughness in the steering, no flashes of imminent failure, no notice of the possibility of this happening from FORD, just the sudden and dangerous loss of steering. We've owned this vehicle since it had ~54,000 we've loved the whole time, but this incident has caused us to lose faith in it. Even repaired, I don't see myself putting my wife OR son into it with any confidence in their safety.

NHTSA ODI 11466919

I bought this car 2020 an spoke to them about this popping noise when I turn my steering wheel, well the other I had it repair thinking it was struts an springs but to fine out it was the rack and pinion bushing they had to have this knowledge. Then my backup camera went out it's because there to large structural issues at each rear hang that seems to be body putty in so they act sold this car without a full inspection I don't think so it has structural damage at the time of me purchasing it.

NHTSA ODI 11466401

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rearview camera intermittently failed to display a rearview image while reversing with a message to contact the dealer displayed. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. 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 51,000.

NHTSA ODI 11466107

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering assist fault and the service advancetrac warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the power steering unit to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. 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 142,706

NHTSA ODI 11465924

The power steering stopped working while we were driving with kids in my car could of been really bad or really fatal. This is a real safety risk luckily we were not on a freeway or any where there was a lot of traffic. I check the car before we bought it a year ago with no recalls for my vin but this a wide spread issue that Ford needs to acknowledge

NHTSA ODI 11466004

Water pump leaking

NHTSA ODI 11465713

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 20-30 MPH, the Power Steering Fault message displayed and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) due to the manufactured date. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not provide financial assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 133,830.

NHTSA ODI 11465517

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving off the highway into a parking garage, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with electric power steering assist failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11464995

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 25 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 11464477