Home · 2013 Ford Explorer Police Intercept · Complaints

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

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (2,224)Crash / fire / injury (78)Steering (832)Body & structure (436)Engine (224)Electrical system (160)Fuel system (153)Transmission & drivetrain (119)Suspension (79)Engine & cooling (67)Visibility & wipers (62)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (45)

Newest first · 2,224 complaints · page 46 of 89

Sep 10, 2019Engine

THE ENGINE BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT CAUSED BY THE WATER PUMP SEAL FAILING. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHERS THAT ALSO HAVE HAD WATER PUMP FAILURES.

NHTSA ODI 11254370

Sep 10, 2019Engine

THE ENGINE BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT CAUSED BY THE WATER PUMP SEAL FAILING. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHERS THAT ALSO HAVE HAD WATER PUMP FAILURES.

NHTSA ODI 11254372

Sep 10, 2019Engine

THE ENGINE BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT CAUSED BY THE WATER PUMP SEAL FAILING. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHERS THAT ALSO HAVE HAD WATER PUMP FAILURES.

NHTSA ODI 11254373

Sep 6, 2019Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, MULTIPLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND FLASHED DIFFERENT COLORS. ALSO, THE INFORMATION SCREEN ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD TURNED BLACK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2019, THE IGNITION FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCHES WOULD OPEN AND CLOSE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO JIM CLICK FORD LINCOLN (LOCATED AT 6244 E 22ND ST, TUCSON, AZ 85711, (866) 787-4416). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ODI 11253743

Sep 4, 2019

I OWN A FORD EXPLORER AND IT'S BEEN HAVEING PROBLEMS ..THERE IS A WRENCH LIGHT TURNING ON THE PANEL ..AND IT JUST STOPS RUNNING .ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF ..I HAVE A 2 MONTH OLD BABY AND I FEAR FOR OUR SAFETY..MY EXPLORER TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESSWAY WITH TRAILERS AND FAST CARS ALMOST HIT ME..I KNOW ALOT OF EXPLORER OWNERS THAT ARE HAVEING THE SAME PROBLEMS..THE DANGEROUS MATTER IS ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE RUNNING AND THE DIAGNOSTICS CANT FIND NOTHING WRONG..THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR EXPLORERS IT REALLY DANGEROUS THE ENGINE JUST SHUTTING OFF WHILE RUNNING U CAN CRASH AND GET KILLED IF U GET HIT WHILE ALL CARS ARE DRIVING FAST IN EXPRESSWAYS ..ITS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES NOW ..WRENCH LIGHT TURNS ON AND THEN ENGINE TURNS OFF WHILE RUNNING IT HAPPENS MORE WHEN U FILL UP THE TANK WITH GAS..TENDS TO HAPPEN..ITS SCARY..ITS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES FIRST TIME WAS LAST YEAR THEN ONCE A MONTH AND NOW IT'S BEEN DOING IT 5 TO 6 TIMES A DAY..THAT'S Y I TOOK IT TO GET CHECKED..PLUS IT HAS RECALLS ON IT ALSO ..TO TOP IT OFF

NHTSA ODI 11253079

Sep 3, 2019Engine

ENGINE RATTLES UPON STARTUP FOR ROUGHLY 2 SECONDS. THIA IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE TIMING CHAIN STRETCHES AND REPLACEMENT OF TIMING CHAIN AND PHASERS IS NEEDED.

NHTSA ODI 11253047

Sep 2, 2019Backup camera & sensors

THE BACKUP CAMERA ON MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MALFUNCTIONING/INOPERABLE FOR 2 YEARS. WHEN IT DOES WORK IT SHOWS THE VIEW BACKWARDS. THE DEALERSHIP, WHO I HAVE COME TO DISTRUST, SAID THEY COULD FIX IT FOR AROUND $500.00. I CALLED FOMOCO AND TOLD THEM MY PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY TOLD ME IT'S NOT A SAFETY HAZARD, THEREFORE THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING. TO ME WHEN THE CAMERA WORKS(SELDOMLY) AND SHOWS THE IMAGE BACKWARDS, THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA ODI 11252747

Sep 1, 2019

I HAVE BEEN SMELLING EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THIS DAY I WAS GETTING A HEADACHE AND FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO PASS OUT. I PULLED OVER SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS BEFORE PASSING OUT. WOKE UP 30 MINS LATER. SINCE THEN I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11252639

Sep 1, 2019Suspension

TAKATA RECALL. NEVER INFORMED OF THE RECALL THAT WAS IN PLACE.

NHTSA ODI 11252676

Aug 29, 2019Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. JONES-WEST FORD (3600 KIETZKE LN, RENO, NV 89502, (775) 329-8800) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11252256

Aug 28, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel system

THROTTLEBODY P2111 CODE. LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. NOT COVERED BY FACTORY SERVICE BULLETIN 13N03. WHY NOT?

NHTSA ODI 11251954

Aug 28, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHAPMAN FORD (1255 COLUMBUS AVE, MARYSVILLE, OH 43040, (937) 642-0015) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO KEEP ALL RECEIPTS FOR THE REPAIR IN THE EVENT THAT HER VEHICLE BECAME INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ODI 11252016

Aug 28, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. ON AUGUST 21, 2019, THE STEERING WHEEL ASSIST AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WOOLWINE FORD-LINCOLN (LOCATED AT 3080 US 49, COLLINS, MS 39428, (601) 765-4461) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11252079

Aug 28, 2019Steering

LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT LOWER SPEEDS OR WHEN STATIONARY WITH THE STEERING LOCKING OUT AT HIGHER HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

NHTSA ODI 11252085

Aug 26, 2019Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED THREE MONTHS AGO. ALSO, WHILE IN A PARKING LOT DRIVING 12 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

NHTSA ODI 11246493

Aug 23, 2019Engine

I OWN AT 2013 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS I HAVE TAKEN MY EXPLORER TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE WE KEEP SMELLING EXHAUST WHEN WE ACCELERATE . THE DEALERSHIP HAS MADE ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE LEAK BUT AS OF TODAY IT'S STILL DOING IT. I CALLED FORD TODAY TO SEE IF HAS ANY MORE INFORMATION THEY COULD PASS ALONG TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM AND THEY ONLY REFERRED ME BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SULFUR IS SO BAD SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS FOR FRESH AIR WHICH IS NOT ALWAYS GOOD WHEN THE WEATHER IS BAD. IT HAPPENS WITH THE AIR/HEAT IS ON AND WHEN IT'S NOT ON. I'M AT A LOSS NOW ON HOW TO GET THIS REPAIRED AS IT SEEMS NO ONE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT IS CAUSING IT AND NO ONE IS TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11246112

Aug 22, 2019Steering

2013 FORD EXPLORER SPORT - MY VEHICLE IS HAVING DANGEROUS STEERING ISSUES. MY VEHICLE IS APPEARS TO BE EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED THERE APPEARS TO BE STEERING LOSS. THERE ALSO APPEARS TO BE LOSS OF STEERING WHEN AT DIFFERENT STEERING ANGELS. IT APPEARS TO SHUT DOWN THE POWER THAT IS BEING SENT TO THE POWER STEERING ASSIST. THIS FAULT HAPPENS WHEN IN ANY LOCATION, HIGHWAY, PARKING LOT, LOCAL STREET, CITY STREET, ETC. THE ISSUE HAPPENS RANDOMLY AT ALL SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. THE MOST DISCOURAGING ASPECT OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE IS THAT FORD HAD RECOGNIZED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE OF MINE, THAT WERE ONLY BUILT JUST MONTHS BEFORE MINE. IT IS ALSO DISAPPOINTING TO SEE THAT FORD IS NOT EVEN LOOKING INTO THE ISSUE (AS TOLD BY CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVE IN THE PHILIPPINES).

NHTSA ODI 11245775

Aug 22, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION AND THE SERVICE POWER STEERING MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FRENCHIES FORD (216 EAST ORVIS ST, MECCENA, NY) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY AND STEERING SHAFT WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11245858

Aug 20, 2019Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD ROW SEATS BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRONTIER FORD (3701 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SANTA CLARA, CA 95051, (408) 241-1800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT MOTOR AND SEAT HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. AN ENGINEER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE, BUT NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUNNYVALE FORD (650 E EL CAMINO REAL, SUNNYVALE, CA 94087, (408) 215-9949), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ODI 11245319

Aug 19, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT TO LEFT AND NOTICED A VERY LOUD ABNORMAL, WINDING NOISE. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC RACK AND PINION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. TERREBONNE FORD LINCOLN (339 ST CHARLES ST, HOUMA, LA 70360, (985) 876-5100) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11245033

Aug 17, 2019Steering

VEHICLE HAS BEEN THROUGH 4 STEERING RACKS EACH TIME IT IS REPLACED THE VEHICLE HAS LEFT THE SERVICE SHOP ONLY TO RETURN IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS. STEERING TIGHTENS UP RENDERING THE VEHICLE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. DASHBOARD DISPLAYS WARNINGS SUCH AS POWER STEERING FAILURE, SERVICE POWER STEERING, POWERTRAIN LOCK, ETC. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. ONCE I WAS ON A BACK ROAD, ONCE ON A HIGHWAY AND ONCE ON A SERVICE ROAD JUST MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP

NHTSA ODI 11244619

Aug 15, 2019AirbagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, A DEER JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE CONTACT NO TIME TO BRAKE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE DEER. THE DEAR WAS STUCK IN THE GRILL FOR A FEW SECONDS. THEN THE DEAR LOOSENED ITSELF AND RAN OFF. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AFTER THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE AN ESTIMATE ON THE COSMETIC REPAIRS WERE PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11244120

Aug 15, 2019SuspensionTransmission & drivetrainSpeed control

FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS HAVE BEEN KNOCKING OVER 1 YEAR AGO. AT THE TIME MY CAR WAS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. AT FIRST THE FORD DEALERSHIP THEY THOUGHT IT WAS VALVE BODY IN THE SUSPENSION THE FIRST TIME THEY CHECKED. EXPLORER WAS JERKING WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP. THE SECOND TIME I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. THEY REPLACED THAT BECAUSE I COMPLAINED THAT I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH A 5 TO 6 YEAR OLD CAR. ONLY HAS 77,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 11244132

Aug 15, 2019

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND IT CONSTANTLY FLOODS INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINS OR I GO THROUGH AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH. THIS HAS BEEN OVER 3 YEARS OF ME PAYING PEOPLE TO BLOW OUT SUN ROOF. TO NO AVAIL. I DRIVE AND WATER CONSTANTLY POURS FROM THE CEILING CONSOLE, SEATBELT HOLES ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CAR AND FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AREA. ALMOST 6 TO 8 INCHES DEEP OF WATER AT TIMES. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH TOWELS ON MY LAP AND SHOWER CURTAINS ON THE FLOORS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS NO HELP, NEITHER IS DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE.

NHTSA ODI 11244189

Aug 15, 2019Steering

THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME INOPERABLE WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI 11244262

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Ford Explorer Police Intercept verdict →