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 48 of 89

Jul 17, 2019SteeringElectrical system

THE STEERING BECAME SO BAD IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND COULD EASILY HAVE CAUSED A BAD ACCIDENT. I DID NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE IT. LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP SAID IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE IN THE STEERING SO I DROVE IT UNSAFELY TO FORD DEALER WHO TOLD US IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING GEAR. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IN A 2013 VEHICLE WITH A LITTLE OVER 100K MILES

NHTSA ODI 11232847

Jul 17, 2019Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V435000 (SUSPENSION). GULLO FORD OF CONROE (LOCATED AT 925 INTERSTATE 45 S, CONROE, TX 77301, (281) 367-0000) STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11232898

Jul 16, 2019Body & structure

I AM WRITING THIS LETTER IN REGARDS TO MY 2013 FORD EXPLORER XLT. I'VE NOTICED A FAST ACTING PAINT FLAW THAT IS GROWING IN CRITICALITY, AND IS GROWING INCREASINGLY FRUSTRATING EACH DAY! WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THIS WAS NOT RECOGNIZABLE TO THE EYE OBVIOUSLY, AS I WOULDN'T HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE OTHERWISE. CURRENTLY, THE PAINT IS BUBBLING UP AROUND THE ENTIRE EDGE OF THE HOOD. ON 7/14 ONE OF THOSE BUBBLES OF PAINT FLAKED OFF, WHICH WILL NOW LEAD TO OTHER MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE PAINT AND LOOK OF, NOT ONLY THE HOOD, BUT ESSENTIALLY THE ENTIRE CAR. AT THIS POINT I'VE BEEN FORCED TO DISCONTINUE TAKING THIS VEHICLE THROUGH THE CAR WASH (TOUCH OR NO TOUCH), AS MORE PAINT WILL FLAKE OFF. NOT ONLY THAT, I AVOID THE AREAS WHEN I WASH AND WAX THE VEHICLE BY HAND. IF WHAT FORD'S SLOGAN RINGS TRUE (BUILT FORD TOUGH), THEN I MUST SAY, THAT I'M PERFECTLY FINE WITH DOING BUSINESS ELSEWHERE, AS THIS PAINT JOB IS FAR FROM TOUGH, IT'S ROUGH! I PRIDE MYSELF IN BEING A HARD WORKING CONSUMER, AND WHEN I TAKE THE PLUNGE TO SPEND THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY TO PURCHASE A PRODUCT, I WANT TO STEP BACK AND BE PROUD OF IT, AND THE HARD WORK THAT IT TOOK TO BE IN A POSITION TO MAKE THIS KIND OF PURCHASING DECISION. I WOULD ALSO EXPECT A SENSE OF PRIDE FROM THE COMPANY'S PERSPECTIVE TO STAND BY YOUR PRODUCT, AND THAT IS PRECISELY WHY I'M WRITING THIS COMPLAINT LETTER.

NHTSA ODI 11232274

Jul 15, 2019Steering

MY 2013 EXPLORER LOSSES POWER STEERING DUE TO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM HAD FAILED DUE TO OVERHEATING. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, MY VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL 14V286000 WHICH WAS NOTED MAY 29, 2014. I REPAIRED THE CAR AT THE COST $2,600.00. I CONTINUE TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING.

NHTSA ODI 11231855

Jul 14, 2019Steering

POWER STEERING FAULT TWICE WHEN MAKING SHARP TURN

NHTSA ODI 11231805

Jul 12, 2019Body & structure

TAKARA RECALL THE HOOD OF MY 2013 FORD EXPLORER HAS A CORROSION ON IT. PAINT IS PEELING AND BUBBLING. THE ALUMINUM HAS A POWDER LOOK TO IT AND IS WEEK. AFTER TIME HOOD COULD COME UNLATCHED DO TO ALUMINUM CORROSION. FORD IS AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT WON'T FIX OUT SIDE OF 3/36000 MILE WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 11231201

Jul 12, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. DURING THE FAILURE, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ODI 11231223

Jul 12, 2019Steering

DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY GOING 75MPH WHEN WE GOT A POWER STEERING FAULT ERROR. WE LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL. VERY SCARY WITH OUR 3 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESSWAY. CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT WHILE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, OUR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE SINCE IT IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE THAT MODELS UNDER THE RECALL ARE EXPERIENCING. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ASAP. WE PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE FAULT WENT AWAY AND WE REGAINED POWER STEERING. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NOT MUCH TRAFFIC OTHERWISE WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11231347

Jul 12, 2019Steering

MALFUNCTION REGARDING "STEERING ASSIST FAULT" KEEPS SHOWING UP. LOSS OF POWER STEERING ALL OF THE SUDDEN THAT ALMOST RESULTED IN A CRASH. I SEE RECALLS ABOUT STEERING ASSIST FAULT BUT MINE IS NOT LISTED. IT HAS HAPPENED IN MOTION AND WHEN FIRST STARTING UP THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11231435

Jul 11, 2019Electrical system

THE "DOOR AJAR" WARNING CONTINUES TO APPEAR AFTER DRIVER DOOR IS SHUT. ONCE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND COMES TO A STOP, THE WARNING WILL AUDIBLY BEEP AND DISPLAY A MESSAGE TO SHIFT TO PARK, THUS DISTRACTING THE DRIVER. THE WARNING PREVENTS THE DOME LIGHTS WAS SHUTTING OFF UNTIL THE CAR IS IN MOTION. ALL OF WHICH IS A DRAIN ON THE CAR BATTERY. ISSUE APPEARS TO BE A FAULTY CAR DOOR SENSOR. I'VE CLEANED IT, BUT IT ONLY OFFERED A TEMPORARY FIX.

NHTSA ODI 11231004

Jul 11, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. PARADISE FORD (1360 W KING ST, COCOA, FL 32922, (888) 379-8533) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS FAULTY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PROVIDED A SECOND OPINION AND REACHED THE SAME DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 11231010

Jul 10, 2019Steering

SOMETIMES THE STEERING LOCKS UP EVEN WHEN MOVING HAVE TO SHUT DOWN ENGINE WAIT A MINUTE AND RESTART TO GET SOME POWER STEERING RE-ACTIVATED

NHTSA ODI 11230653

Jul 10, 2019Steering

WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL IN MY VEHICLE IT MAKES A LOUD CLUNK NOISE AND ALSO WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES. I LOOKED UP ALL FORD EXPLORER RECALLS AND NOTICED ONE IN 2014 THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. HOW CAN I KNOW IF MY VEHICLE WAS ON THE RECALL LIST BEING SO LONG AGO AND CAN THIS BE COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL? I SEE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVING THIS SAME ISSUE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN 2017.

NHTSA ODI 11230822

Jul 9, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWER OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAITED TEN MINUTES AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO METRO FORD (LOCATED AT 9000 NW 7TH AVE, MIAMI, FL 33150, (305) 751-9711) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED METRO FORD AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL PINES FORD (LOCATED AT 8655 PINES BLVD, PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33024, (954) 443-7000) TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PINES FORD, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

NHTSA ODI 11230351

Jul 9, 2019Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V435000 (SUSPENSION). RED MCCOMBS FORD (8333, I-10, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78230, (210) 996-2678) WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT HAVE THE PART WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PART WOULD ARRIVE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11230356

Jul 8, 2019

2013 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES REQUESTING ANY AVAILABLE INFORMATION REGARDING VEHICLE. *LD *JS

NHTSA ODI 11229252

Jul 8, 2019Steering

I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING. IT BEGAN AS A LITTLE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL NEAR THE END OF AN 8 HOUR DRIVE. THE SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW LIGHT CAME ON AT THAT POINT. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI 11230031

Jul 8, 2019Steering

MY STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE IN MOTION WHILE TURNING OFF THE HIGHWAY RESULTING IN A NEAR COLLISION. I RECEIVED NO INTERIOR WARNING LIGHTS OR SIGNALS ALERTING ME TO AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING.

NHTSA ODI 11230192

Jul 5, 2019Steering

TWO ISSUES THE POWER ASSIST FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN DRIVE AT LOW SPEEDS. THE SECOND IS THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED IN 2013 MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS IGNORED BY FORD AND NHTSA. DEALER REFUSED TO FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE HAS RECALLS FOR THESE TWO ISSUES ALL BUT THE BASE MODELS AND FORD REFUSED TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE BOTH ISSUES COST OVER $1000 TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11229623

Jul 5, 2019Steering

14V286000 THE EXPLORER EXPERIENCES A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AT LOW SPEEDS AND ONE TIME AT 55 MILES ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11229627

Jul 5, 2019SteeringSuspensionBody & structureLatches & locks

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND THE FUSE WAS REINSERTED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WOBBLED AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL FLICK FORD (737 NORTH FREEWAY SERVICE RD, HUNTSVILLE, TX) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. FURTHERMORE, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE DOOR AJAR WARNING MESSAGE ERRONEOUSLY DISPLAYED, THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED, AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11229629

Jul 5, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO D-PATRICK BOONVILLE FORD (LOCATED AT 3100 IN-62, BOONVILLE, IN 47601, (812) 897-5838) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ODI 11229652

Jul 4, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel system

"TAKATA RECALL" ODOR PROBLEM WHEN ACCELERATING. MY CHILD WAS DIAGNOSE BEING ON THE SPECTRUM. MIGHT BE BECAUSE OF THE CARBON MONOXIDE WHO KNOWS. THERE IS ALSO A LEAK ON BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS MY KIDS ALWAYS GET DRETCHED WITH WATER RUNNING DOWN THEIR CAR SEAT AND CLOTHES. CATCHING COLDS AND PNEUMONIA. SO FRUSTRATING

NHTSA ODI 11229490

Jul 3, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE "POWER STEERING SERVICE NOW" AND ADVANCETRAC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING RACK FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURES AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL 14V2846000 BUT, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *JS *JS

NHTSA ODI 11229157

Jul 3, 2019Body & structure

I HAVE TWO COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS AUTO 1) CAR PAINT IN THE HOOD LOOKS BUBBLY AND SOME IS PEALING. 2)INSIDE THE PASSENGER DOOR THE FABRIC REAPED BELOW WHERE THE WINDOWS AND DOOR BUTTONS ARE LOCATED.

NHTSA ODI 11229185

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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 →