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

MY ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST KEEPS LOCKING MY STEERING WHEEL, AND MY STEERING WHEEL IS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS MADE AFTER THERE RECALL DATES IT WILL NOT BE COVERED TO FIX. YET IT IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 11385372

THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE LOST POWER STEERING ON HIS VEHICLE AND HIS VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL .THE CONTACT STATED HIS WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LOST POWER.

NHTSA ODI 11385314

I RECEIVED NOTICE ABOUT A SAFETY RECALL FOR MY BALL JOINT SUSPENSIONS FOR MY VEHICLE. ACTUALLY TWO NOTICES FROM FORD. I SCHEDULED MY VEHICLE FOR RECALL SERVICE AND APPARENTLY MY VEHICLE VIN DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. YOU CAN LITERALLY HEAR MY BALL JOINTS KNOCKING EVERY TIME I MAKE A TURN. EVEN THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT MY BALL JOINTS WERE HORRIBLE BUT HIS HANDS WERE TIED BECAUSE MY VIN DID NOT POP UP IN HIS SYSTEM WITH THE RECALL. HOW IS IT I GET NOT ONE BUT TWO NOTICES FOR THE SAFETY RECALL AND NOW MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE COMPANY RECALL? WHEN AGAIN YOU CAN LITERALLY HEAR THE JOINTS KNOCKING EVERY SINGLE TIME I MAKE A TURN. IS IT REALLY GOING TO TAKE FOR ME TO GET INTO AN ACTUAL ACCIDENT TO HAVE THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED?

NHTSA ODI 11384699

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THEY TOOK THEIR VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER (RAMP MOTORS, INC. 4869 NESCONSET HWY, PORT JEFFERSON STATION, NY 11776; (631) 473-1550) FOR A RECALL. THE DEALER INFORMED THEM THEIR VEHICLE HAD THE FAILURE AND THEIR REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINKS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THEIR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V675000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11384720

THE FUEL TANK HAS A GAP BETWEEN THE PLACE YOU FILL UP GAS FROM GAS LEAKING STILL.THE WHEELS MAKE A POPPING SOUND WHEN YOU MAKE SHARP TURNS

NHTSA ODI 11384759

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING A BALL JOINT FAILURE AND RECALL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LANGDALE FORD (215 W MAGNOLIA ST, VALDOSTA, GA 31601, (229) 394-4334) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SECOND LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHICH STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION BALL JOINT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V675000 (SUSPENSION) BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER HOWEVER, THE RECALL REPAIR FAILED TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11384546

MY EXPLORER HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A FEW DAYS, AFTER OPENING THE PASSENGER SIDE, I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER SITTING THERE ON THE FLOOR LINEAR AND ON THE FLOORING ITSELF. I CHECKED THE MOON ROOF, IT WAS CLOSED, NO VISIBLE WATER SO THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE. I CHECKED THE SIDE DOOR AND SEALS, NO ISSUES. I NOTICED THAT WATER WAS FROM THE TOP PART OF THE PASSENGER SIDE INNER FOOTING AREA COMING DOWN SO I CHECKED THE WINDSHIELD AREA. AND AS ASSUMED, WATER WAS CREEPING IN FROM THE WINDSHIELD AREA DUE TO BAD CAULKING JOB/DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING CAUSING WATER (RAIN/SNOW, ETC) TO CREEP IN AND SOIL THE ELECTRICAL AREA AND THE FLOORING.

NHTSA ODI 11383658

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V675000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN DELACY FORD (3061 TRANSIT RD, ELMA, NY 14059, (716) 668-1200) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TOE LINK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL WAS SENT IN ERROR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,488.

NHTSA ODI 11383806

WATER IS LEAKING THROUGH THE TOP OF VEHICLE. THIS IS CAUSING ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND SHORTS. AM AFRAID CAR IS PUTTING ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION

NHTSA ODI 11382900

WATER LEAKING IN THROUGH 3RD ROW DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT, LEAKS DOWN TO POWERFOLD ELECTRICAL WIRING, AND ACCUMULATES UNDER SEAT/CARPET AND INTO SPARE TIRE WELL. THE WATER COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CAN CAUSE GREAT HARM TO NY CHILDREN WHO SIT BACK THERE. THE WATER ON CARPET CAUSES MOLD AND MILDEW WHICH IS A HAZARD TO OUT HEALTH. THE WATER IN SPARE TIRE WELL CAN CAUSE RUST AND SUBSEQUENT EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER INTO CABIN.

NHTSA ODI 11378684

POWER ASSIST FAILED, FORD REPAIRED BUT CHARGED ME $2,100. TOLD NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL FOR SAME PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI 11378221

I RECIEVED A LETTER STATING THAT MY VEHICLE WAS IN RECALL FOR THE REAR TOE LINK SUSPENSION. THE DESCRIPTION OF THIS RECALL IS HAPPENING TO MY VEHICLE BUT IT'S NOT THE REAR IT'S THE FRONT THAT'S DESCRIBING ALL THE SYMPTOMS. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?

NHTSA ODI 11378158

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, MAKING A SLIGHT TURN IN THE ROADWAY SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A SLIGHT DITCH STOPPING IN A DRIVEWAY ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER VICTORY LANE FORD, INC. (903 OLD RTE 66 N, LITCHFIELD, IL 62056) WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE RACK AND PINON NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. MANUFACTURER. WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11377903

LIGHTS AND PASSENGER DOOR AJAR STAY ON. LIGHTS DON'T TURN OFF WHEN BACKING UP OR UNTIL DRIVING FORWARD AT A CERTAIN SPEED. LOCKS UNLOCK BY THEMSELVES. LIGHTS WILL RANDOMLY TURN ON WHEN NO ONE IS BY THE CAR. HAVE 3 LITTLE KIDS NEED A CAR THAT SHOULD BE RELIABLE TO LOCK THE DOOR TO S AND STAY LOCKED OR TO SAFELY BACK UP WITH VISIBILITY BUT CAN'T BC THE LIGHTS STAY ON

NHTSA ODI 11377079

MY 2013 FORD EXPLORER EXPERIENCE AND WAS DIAGNOSED BY A FORD DEALER AS HAVING THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM AS LIKE VEHICLES COVERED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN NHTSA 14V286000. THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING AND A STEERING ASSIST FAILURE WARNING OCCURS WHILE MOVING. MY VEHICLE IS NOT WITHIN THE SAME MFG DATE RANGE AS THE VEHICLES COVER IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER IS THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL, AND THE SAME PART IS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11377128

I MOTHER OF 3 (15, 13 & 11) & WIFE GOT INTO A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT ON NOVEMBER 17TH, 2020 AT ABOUT 8:10AM DRIVING SOUTH ON THE WHITESTONE EXPRESSWAY SOUTH A HIGHLY TRAFFICKED HIGHWAY WITH 4 DRIVING LANES. POLICE REPORT NO. 2020-109-2709. I EXPLAINED TO ALL INSTANCES INCLUDING POLICE, PARAMEDICS, TOW COMPANY, CAR INSURANCE, FORD AUTO DEALER, REPAIRING SHOP, ETC. THAT MY CAR SIMPLY FAILED ME. I SUDDENLY LOST 100% CONTROL OF THE DIRECTION OF THE CAR AND I WAS FORCED INTO INVADING ALL THE LANES TO MY LEFT AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FAR-RIGHT SIDE. I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER FOR OVER 30 YEARS I WAS TOTALLY AWARE AND FOCUSED ON REGAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS SIMPLY NOT POSSIBLE, THE CAR SPUN OUT AND I GOT EVENTUALLY HIT ON THE BACK REALLY STRONG. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ISSUED SEVERAL RECALLS RELATED TO THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE REAR TOE LINKS THAT INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. THIS REPAIR WAS PERFORMED TO MY CAR AN EXPLORER BY THE STAMFORD FORD LINCOLN SFL ON AUGUST 11TH, 2020 BUT THE MOST RECENT RECALL I FOUND OUT JUST YESTERDAY NOV 23RD THAT WAS ISSUED ON OCTOBER 30TH, 2020 (NO COMMUNICATION WAS SENT TO ME BY EITHER THE AGENCY OR THE FORD MOTOR CORPORATION). IT IS MY CIVIL DUTY TO COMMUNICATE THIS TO THE COMMUNITY TO AVOID THIS FROM HAPPENING TO OTHERS, ANYONE THAT OWNS A FORD EXPLORER 2013-2017 COULD DIE AT ANY TIME FOR THIS ONGOING UNRESOLVED ISSUE BY FORD. EVERY FAMILY DESERVES TO DRIVE A SAFE CAR. PRESENTLY, I AM RUNNING THE RISK THAT MY CAR GETS TOTALED BY THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE STAMFORD BODY REPAIR SHOP THAT WORKS ALONG WITH THE SFL IN WHICH CASE I SIMPLY MIGHT NEVER GET THE EXPLANATIONS THAT I DESERVE FOR THE MECHANICAL FAILURE AND I WILL BE ALSO LOSING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN THE NEED TO GET A SAFE CAR TO DRIVE FOR MY FAMILY. REQUESTING KINDLY YOUR HELP TO INVESTIGATE THIS FURTHER. DMV CT MENTIONED I SHOULD SEEK YOUR HELP ON THE MATTER.

NHTSA ODI 11376441

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 4O MPH THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE LANE CLOSEST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN WAS ABLE TO PROCEED BACK TO HIS HOME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER KOONS FORD OF ANNAPOLIS 2540 RIVA ROAD, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401 (410) 224-2100 AND THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IN BUT COULD NOT GET A CODE OR DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE OCCURRED TWICE AND THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER UNREPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT YET BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI 11376159

FOUR 2013 FORD EXPLORER RAN HOT WHILE I WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS LOW ON ANTIFREEZE SO WE ADDED SOME. OUT OF PRECAUTION, WE BEGAN MONITORING THE ANTIFREEZE LEVEL AND NOTICE THAT THE LEVEL WOULD DROP, OVER A COUPLE OF WEEKS, ENOUGH WHICH REQUIRED US TO HAVE TO ADD MORE ANTIFREEZE. MY WIFE CALLED FORD'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO DETERMINE/CONFIRM THE PROBLEM. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE THE WATER PUMP WAS MAY BE DEFECTIVE. ON OUR WAY TO THE APPOINTMENT, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND HAD TO BE TOWED THE REST OF THE WAY. UPON INSPECTION, WE WERE TOLD THAT ANTIFREEZE HAD LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE, AND FURTHER, THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED BECAUSE OF A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11376033

MY FORD EXPLORER STEERING FAULT WARNINGS CAME ON AND HAD TO TOW IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. NOW I HAVE TO PAY 2800.00 TO FIX IT, SAW A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE BUT DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THAT NO RECALLS ARE ON MY VEHICLE. SO MANY FORD EXPLORERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, AFTER PAYING SO MUCH FOR VEHICLE AND NOW HAVING TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI 11375657

FREQUENT FUME SMELLS COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. I DRIVE WITH MY BABIES AGES 3 AND 4. I'M AFRAID THIS WILL HAVE AN EFFECT ON THEIR HEALTH AS WELL AS MINE. SOMETIMES WE GET HEADACHES AND I FEEL IT'S FROM BEING IN THIS VEHICLE. ELECTRIC PROBLEMS WITH THE SUNROOF. NOT WORKING AND UNABLE TO CLOSE.

NHTSA ODI 11374405

WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE FROM PARK WHILE STATIONARY, THE BACK-UP CAMERA DOES NOT ALWAYS ACTIVATE/COME ON SCREEN. WHEN SUCH INSTANCES OCCUR, AFTER REPEATED RE-SHIFTS, A MESSAGE DISPLAYS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11373889

MY EXPLORER WAS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS AS IN THE RECALL 14S06 AT LOW SPEEDS THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WOULD FAULT CAUSING IT TO BE MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER IN SHORT BURST IT WOULD COME AND GO AS WELL AS MAKING A WHINING SOUND. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM ENDED UP BEING THE STEERING GEAR/RACK AND PINION IT COST ME ROUGHLY 2,000 TO HAVE IT REPLACED WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM ABOUT THIS RECALL THEY SAID MY VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER RECALL 14S06 BUT MY VEHICLE HAD THE EXACT SYMPTOMS OF SAID RECALL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE A CRASH WITH INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS. ESPECIALLY WITH KIDS IN THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE WITH NO HELP FROM THE DEALERSHIP AS FAR AS PARTS AND LABOR COST

NHTSA ODI 11373429

MY BACKUP CAMERA WILL JUST GO BLACK SCREEN FOR NO REASON AT TIMES WHEN I AM TRYING TO BACK UP. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT OFTEN.

NHTSA ODI 11373130

I WAS ON THE STREET TURNING LEFT AND I LEFT MY VEHICLE SLOW THE SPEED AND THE WHEE GOT REALLY HARD. I WAS ABOUT TO BE IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME ANYMORE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO ANYMORE.

NHTSA ODI 11373184

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ORR FORD STONEWALL (251 US-171, STONEWALL, LA 71078, (318) 925-3333) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000. INVALID VIN.

NHTSA ODI 11372967