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

Rear back glass has shattered on two separate occasions. First, in November after using auto start to warm the vehicle. Second, almost three years later while driving in the summer. Had to pay for replacement out of pocket.

NHTSA ODI 11426111

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 5 mph, he noticed that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated before the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and restarted the vehicle however, the power steering functionality did not return. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.

NHTSA ODI 11426156

Water was leaking in somehow through the drivers side. I had windshield replaced as well as moonroof motor (because the moonroof stopped working after leak also) . The water does not seem to get in anymore but Now my headlights randomly work. I have had the headlights replaced but it did not fix the problem. The mechanic has seen the problem but is stumped so now its a process of elimination I guess. When the headlights go out if I completly turn them off and back on again it will ussually fix it temporarily. Ive got a police warning because I got pulled over for no headlights but as the police were writing the ticket, the headlights randomly came back .There has been a lot of sensors going on the dash and ford has had to reset them.

NHTSA ODI 11426223

While shifting my Explorer (which I had just purchased used 3 days prior) from Reverse into Drive after backing out of a driveway, a prompt appeared on the left side of dash instrument panel saying ‘Power Steering Assist Fault,’ and then the power steering failed completely. After struggling to steer the car off the road, I parked and turned the ignition off and back on again and the problem went away (power steering resumed as normal). Then, after backing up again, the same thing happened in the same sequence. Again, I parked, turned the car off and on again and once again, the power steering worked. After this happened twice (in about 15 minutes), the next time I started the car, the power steering assist fault prompt came up again and the power steering never resumed working. I was about an hour away from my home and had to drive the car on the interstate and back home with no power steering and a traction management issue as well (steering became very jerky while adjusting wheel left or right to stay in lane, causing car to swerve back and forth). I notified my salesperson right away, but since it was Saturday, he said to bring it in first thing Monday. I took the car to the dealership I bought it from the following Monday and it was diagnosed and the part was ordered, but apparently is on a national backorder due to the chip shortage. Other prompts that came up (that never came up before) were ‘Service Advance Trac’ and another about the Terrain Management system. The blinker also stopped working automatically- meaning it would not stay on when engaged all the way. I had to hold it down to keep the blinker on, whereas before, it would stay on by itself if blinker arm was depressed all the way. This became difficult when trying to turn the vehicle with no power steering. The car is currently at Phil Long Ford Motor City dealership in Colorado Springs awaiting the backordered part.

NHTSA ODI 11426015

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the instrument cluster showed that the engine was overheating. The vehicle stalled and was not drivable. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the water pump and engine were needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

NHTSA ODI 11425854

I was driving on the interstate and all of a sudden the vehicle lost power. It slowed down and I had to pull off the interstate. I thought it was because I broke for the speed limit change to fast. This was before July. It happened another time and I noticed the dashboard and it showed a big wrench symbol. Pryor to the mishap I saw nothing on the dashboard, no warning at all. I checked the internet and it was stating that there were a recall on this problem. I have not received any paperwork.

NHTSA ODI 11425663

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated she noticed a small leak entering through the seat belt and ending into the wheel well. The contact stated approximately 6 months later, she started to smell a moldy odor and the leak was much larger. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11425415

When starting car driver assist alert comes on and car is hard to steer

NHTSA ODI 11425368

I was driving this 2013 Ford Explorer and the POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT warning appeared on the dashboard. The steering became very difficult to steer and maneuver. This can increase risk of accident and place other motorist at risk for serious injury

NHTSA ODI 11425267

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the passenger’s side door failed to latch properly. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated tied the door shut to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that in February 2021 the driver’s side door latch was replaced, not the passenger’s side door latch. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the Vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximate 102,000.

NHTSA ODI 11424902

Power steering assist fail. It happened in my driveway multiple times in one day, hasn't happened since. Car has been owned by my daughter for only a couple of months. I want to report it as a known issue.

NHTSA ODI 11424174

There was a recall for the toe joints so I took it to omeara ford in Northglenn colorado to get it fixed and when I got the car back I noticed it shook really bad when you step on the break no matter what speed. I took it to my local mechanic because I thought it was possibly my alignment. They stated per the recall an alignment should've been completed to complete the recall and advised I take it back to Ford. When I took it back to Ford, They stated a complete alignment wasn't completed and wasn't nesseccary only a partial was done and wanted to charge me to look at the vehicle again. I have kids and quite frankly it is scary to stop. I ended up taking it back to my local shop and had them do an alignment which it needed and I have documentation. However, It still shakes very bad and I believe this has to do with the recall not being completed correctly. This poses a risk to me and my children daily becuase I fear I am not going to be able to stop or my tires are going to fall off.

NHTSA ODI 11424064

Power Steering Failure when driving car. Notification of sensor on dash and power steering fails. Had to restart car upon failure to get power steering back. This has occurred several times at several different mileages fir car. Recalls on other Ford vehicles including Ford Explorer have been issued.

NHTSA ODI 11423857

The traction control , hill assist and abs light comes on and when it does the stability light warning come on also. When traveling in mountain you don’t know if the braking system is working or not

NHTSA ODI 11423698

The electric power steering assist failed on my explorer while driving causing me to lose control and hit the ditch. There was a recall with this problem on the 2011-2013 models but both Ford and my local Ford dealer advised me that my vehicle is not part of the recall. It’s the same problem as the existing recall but mine is not included.

NHTSA ODI 11423531

Back Over Prevention - Back Up camera is going black or is showing a mirror image. Available for inspection. Danger to driver and passengers as well as those outside the vehicle as they cannot be seen through the camera. Problem is consistent with each time vehicle is in reverse. No warnings presented by the vehicle and dealership has not looked at the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11423680

I was driving this 2013 Ford Explorer and suddenly the steering wheel became very difficult to steer and turn. Some warning lights appear on the dashboard stating POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC and TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT. The experience a loss of power and require extra effort to steer the vehicle. This potentially may increase the risk of a motor vehicle accident or crash and place motorist safety at risk. I urge FORD to address this concern immediately. This seems to be a trend and complain from numerous other motorist who operate and drive the 2013 Ford Explorer.

NHTSA ODI 11423349

The back up camera failed several times over the past few months. Just recently it has completely stopped. I have seen recalls for Ford explorers with later years.

NHTSA ODI 11423032

I kept getting the power steering assist failed. I got it repaired and then I found out that there was a recall previously on my car. How do I go about getting reimbursement about me fixing the recalled part.

NHTSA ODI 11422328

Passenger door ajar warning signal stays on even when the door is shut which is causing all my lights to stay on and my car not locking because the door is saying it’s ajar when it is not.

NHTSA ODI 11422336

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 10 mph, the vehicle lost power steering functionality while driving. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and regained normal steering functionality. The failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed that the battery, alternator, and transmission needed to be replaced. The battery and alternator were replaced. The dealer also performed three recall repairs for the door, rear toe link, and exhaust. and the battery and alternator were replaced. The failure recurred and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for transmission repair. The vehicle remained at the mechanic's. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The failure mileage was 200,000.

NHTSA ODI 11422346

I was driving when all of a sudden the power steering gave out. My wheel locked tight and I was unable to move the wheel easy. The light on the dash first stated drivers assist disabled and then "service power steering". I almost ran off the road due to loss of control of the wheel. It was taken to Gates Toyota where a Certified Ford Technician stated it was the power steering module. Upon looking this was an issue in Ford Explorer's in the past with a recall on it. Mine was not covered in this recall.

NHTSA ODI 11421966

On, June 19, 2021 I was driving back home from a Father's Day fishing excursion in Morehead City , NC, about 4 hours in my 5 hours and 40 minutes drive back home, my power steering light lite up on my dashboard, I felt my steering wheel starting to get a little tighter on my turns, so I found the nearest Auto Zone, looking to buy some power steering fluid , but before going inside, I lifted up my hood, to look for my power steering tank, I could not find one, so I went to my Ford manual book and found out, it was an electric power steering system. Since I was 1 hours and 40 minutes from being home, after I drop my brother in law off at his home in Arlington, Va. He had gotten sea sick on the boat and was in bad shape, so I left my truck running, then I made it home to my girlfriend house in White Plains, MD, I got up on June 20th, 2021, and started my truck up, and I could not turn my steering wheel at all, so I called my Travelers roadside assistance, for a tow truck, and they delivered my truck to Ford Dealership in Waldorf, MD. I waiting on them to call me back today, they was busy yesterday.

NHTSA ODI 11421781

Unknown. Get gas fume smell inside cabin of vehicle and other times it will smell like rotten eggs when accelerating spoke with the dealership and they don't seem concerned

NHTSA ODI 11419982

I was driving this said Ford motor vehicle and suddenly the steering wheel became very stiff and difficult to steer and maneuver. Immediately a warning light appear on the dashboard stating POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. This said Ford SUV experience a loss of power and require extra effort to steer the vehicle. This increases the risk of a vehicle crash and place my safety and the safety of other motorist and/or pedestrians at risk. I hope this concern can be addressed in a timely manner. Thanks in advance.

NHTSA ODI 11419867