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

MY CARBON MONOXIDE TESTER IS GOING OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11074014

WATER LEAKS INTO CABIN OF CAR. ENTERS IN REAR OF VEHICLE AND RUNS DOWN THIRD ROW SEAT BELTS. HAPPENS ON BOTH SIDES.

NHTSA ODI 11074099

TAKATA RECALL MY POWER STEERING SYSTEM ERROR HAS POPPED UP 2 TIMES NOW TO WHERE I AM UNABLE TO STEER MY CAR. THIS TOOK PLACE RIGHT AFTER I TURNED MY CAR ON AND STARTED DRIVING AWAY. I WAS LUCKILY IN A PARKING LOT WHEN IT TOOK PLACE SO I STOPPED PUT MY CAR IN PARK TURNED MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. I HAVE TALKED TO AN AUTO MECHANIC AND HE HAS INFORMED ME THAT IT IS THE SENSOR THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS AND I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS NOW. THIS COULD PUT ME AND MY FAMILY IN EXTREME DANGER!!!

NHTSA ODI 11073594

2013 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REAR BRAKE REPLACEMENT. *LD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES, CALIPERS, ROTORS, AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11035048

WARNING THAT CAR NEEDS TO BE SHIFTED INTO PARK. ALARM DINGS EVEN WHEN CAR IS IN PARK. DISPLAY DOES NOT INDICATE CAR IS IN PARK . CAR IS STATIONARY POSITION IN PARKING LOT AND ENGINE IS ON.

NHTSA ODI 11073323

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING AND TRAC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED, BUT NO FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND. THE CONTACT CALLED TOMBALL FORD (22702 TOMBALL PKWY, TOMBALL, TX 77375, (877) 359-7182) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ODI 11072964

SO, IT WAS -17 DEGREES THE OTHER DAY IN MINNESOTA AND WE PACKED OUR CAR TO LEAVE TOWN. WENT TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT LIGHT CAME ON. ALONG WITH SERVICE ADV. TRAC FAILURE AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED, IT HAS HAPPENED THREE OR FOUR TIMES. EXCEPT USUALLY WE CAN SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTART IT AND "WALLA" IT WORKS FINE. EXCEPT THIS TIME:( (SAD FACE)! I WAS A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING IT TO THE FORD DEALER IN ORDER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT HOWEVER LIFE GOES ON (I'M EX MILITARY). THE WIFE DROVE THE F350 I DROVE THE EXPLORER. WE "FIST BUMPED" SHE WISHED ME LUCK AND WE DROVE 12 MILES WITHOUT KILLING ANYONE. YIPPEE . $47.48 LATER THEY TOLD ME THE COMPUTER IS READING BLA BLA BLA.. DOLLAR SIGNS ARE GOING THROUGH MY HEAD. ($1910.42) IS THE ESTIMATE. HMMM... IM THINKING MAYBE THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS. I FOUND THE RECALL!!! SO I THOUGHT! MY CAR WAS A FEW MONTHS TO NEW??? (WHAT THE) WELL, THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE OR (CENTS) (IT DOES FOR FORD) I CONTACT THE NHTSA AND FORD TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE SO I DONT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS OUT OF MY POCKET. I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THE FORD CONSUMER AND TOLD HER THAT WE NEED TO DRIVE THIS CAR IF FORD CANT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE GIRL ON THE OTHER END BLESS HER HEART, TOLD ME WE WILL JUST HAVE TO DRIVE IT THE WAY IT IS. WHAT??? I DON"T THINK SHE UNDERSTOOD THE PROBLEM AT HAND! WHAT IF THE STEERING KICKS IN AT 60 MILES AN HOUR? (UMM NOT GOOD)!!! IM HOPING FORD READS THIS BLOG AND UNDERSTANDS THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ME STRENGTH TO DRIVE THIS CAR AND THE REFLEXES IT MAY TAKE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THANKS FOR NOTHING AT THE MOMENT FORD. I DO BELIEVE IN YOU!!

NHTSA ODI 11072764

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF TO RESET THE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (PARK RAPIDS FORD, 1205 PARK AVE S, PARK RAPIDS, MN 56470) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11072326

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, AT A RATE OF 70 MPH AND SUDDENLY MY A PILLER OUTER COVER (TRIM) FLEW OFF MY CAR! I HAVE ATTACHED A PHOTO.

NHTSA ODI 11072017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUEL FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FERNELIUS FORD LINCOLN INC (10459 NORTH STRAITS HIGHWAY, CHEBOYGAN, MI 49721, 844 327-8314) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11067093

MY WIFE AND I TOOK A TRIP FOR A BABY SHOWER, IT WAS ABOUT A 2.5 HR DRIVE. ON THE WAY THERE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THERE WERE NO OTHER WARNINGS OR INDICATIONS OF AN ISSUE. WE MADE IT FINE TO OUR DESTINATION, DROVE AROUND TOWN A LITTLE BIT, AND STAYED THE NIGHT. THE NEXT DAY WE HEADED HOME (ANOTHER 2.5 HR TRIP). THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON THE ENTIRE TIME, BUT THERE WERE NO ABNORMAL NOISES OR ODORS, OR ANY OTHER INDICATION THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE. WHEN WE GOT HOME, WE PARKED THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF, UNLOADED, THEN TURNED IT ON TO BACK IT INTO THE GARAGE AND TURN IT OFF AGAIN. AFTER SITTING IN THE GARAGE FOR 10 -15 MINUTES, THE CAR EXPLODED, SHAKING THE HOUSE AND CATCHING THE ENGINE BAY ON FIRE. THE ENGINE BAY WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES, CAUSING FIRE/SMOKE DAMAGE TO OUR GARAGE AND EVERYTHING IN IT. AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE COOLING FAN HAD FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, HOWEVER THAT SEEMS LIKE NOT A SUFFICIENT REASON TO WHY THE ENGINE EXPLODED. WE ARE UNSURE WHAT THE ROOT CAUSE WAS, BUT SOMETHING HAD TO HAVE GONE VERY WRONG FOR THE CAR TO EXPLODE IN THE GARAGE, IGNITION OFF, AND STATIONARY AND THE ONLY INDICATION BEING A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVEN IF THE COOLING FAN DID FAIL. THIS ALL HAPPENED JUST OVER A WEEK AFTER AN OIL CHANGE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE VERY LIKELY ENDED UP IN INJURY OR DEATH.

NHTSA ODI 11067101

CARBON MONOXIDE SMELL ON THE INSIDE OF MY EXPLORER MADE MY WIFE AND HER FRIEND LIGHT HEADED AND STARTED GETTING HEADACHES AND WE STOP USING OUR EXPLORE FOR OUR SAFETY AND IT'S KNOW JUST PARKED IN MY GARAGE.AND HAVEN'T USE IT ANYMORE.

NHTSA ODI 11066867

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT WAS OVERCOME BY EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BECAME EXHAUSTED AND HAD SEVERE HEADACHES. THE CONTACT UNDERWENT MEDICAL TESTS AT CARY MEDICAL GROUP (530 NEW WAVERLY PL #200, CARY, NC 27518, (919) 859-5955) FOR CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TESTS SHOWED ELEVATED LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR INSPECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE WITH AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY TO PERFORM A CARBON MONOXIDE TEST ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,200.

NHTSA ODI 11066011

MY 2013 FORD EXPLORER XLT HAS BEEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP TWICE IN ORDER TO ADDRESS FORD RECALL 17NO3. TO THIS DAY, JANUARY 31, 2018, MY CO MONITOR PICKS UP HIGH READINGS (IN MY OPINION) FOR SUCH AN ENCLOSED SPACE OF A VEHICLE CABIN (12-43 PPM). I DRIVE A LOT FOR WORK AND AM BEING CONSTANTLY EXPOSED TO THESE FUMES. MY WIFE AND I ALSO HAVE A 1 YEAR OLD THAT WE REFUSE TO PLACE IN THIS CAR BECAUSE EVEN LOW LEVELS ARE MORE DANGEROUS TO HIM. THE READINGS OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AND ACCELERATING, ALSO WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON RECIRCULATE. I'VE NOTICED THAT I GET HIGH READINGS OF CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE OR EVEN JUST CHECKING THE VEHICLE PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. AFTER GETTING INTO MY CAR FOR LUNCH, THE CAR WAS EVEN TURNED OFF AND I HAD A READING OF 43PPM ON MY MONITOR (WHICH I LEAVE IN THE CAR). THIS TELLS ME THAT TOXIC FUMES ARE LEAKING FROM THE EXHAUST INTO THE CABIN, EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF, AND STAYING IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THINGS HAVE BEEN SEALED OFF DUE TO FORD'S "ATTEMPTS" AT FIXING THIS ISSUE. FORD EXPLORER, NOT JUST ME, CAN'T AFFORD TO PUT OUR HEALTH AT RISK WHILE FORD DENIES THERE'S A PROBLEM. CONSIDERING THAT CO IS ODORLESS, YOU DON'T NEED TO BE ABLE TO SMELL THE EXHAUST FUMES FOR CARBON MONOXIDE TO BE PRESENT IN GREAT AMOUNTS FOR ENCLOSED SPACES. THE PICTURE THAT I HAVE ATTACHED IS ONLY 1 OF AT LEAST 25 PICTURES AND VIDEOS I HAVE COMPILED TO MAKE MY CASE THAT FORD'S "ATTEMPT" TO FIX THIS ISSUE IS BEING IGNORED BY THEM.

NHTSA ODI 11066091

DEADLY CONSEQUENCE INVOLVING POWER STEERING IN FORD EXPLORERS. THIS IS A "KNOWN ISSUE" THAT FORD CONTINUES TO HAVE ISSUES WITH. THE STEERING GOES OUT UNEXPECTEDLY, MAKES AWFUL NOISES AND MAKES IT HARD TO TURN. FORD HAD A RECALL ON THIS BUT MANY FOLKS CONTINUE TO HAVE ISSUES WITH POWER STEERING GOING OUT WHICH COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS EVENTS AND/OR TRAGEDY ON HIGHWAYS. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE IS TRAINED TO TELL CUSTOMERS THAT ITS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY THE $2,000 TO FIX IT. I AM FULLY CAPABLE AND OK WITH PAYING FOR CAR REPAIRS FROM WEAR AND TEAR BUT I DONT THINK POWER STEERING GOING OUT IN THOUSANDS OF CARS, MANY WITH MILES WELL BELOW 60,000 SHOULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM! FORD KEEPS HAVING TO UPGRADE THEIR SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE BECAUSE THIS PART IS PROBLEMATIC. AT LEAST THEY COULD OFFER TO PAY FOR THE PART OR LABOR BUT IT IS EASIER FOR THEM TO HAVE THE NHTSA FORCE THEM TO DO IT THAN TO DO IT VOLUNTARILY. THUS, THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG. DISAPPOINTING.

NHTSA ODI 11065947

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN UNKNOWN ODOR WAS DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE CONTACT CALLED CROSSROADS FORD CARY (2333 WALNUT ST, CARY, NC 27518, (877) 280-8932) AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION AND TO CONTACT NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI 11065627

MY 2013 EXPLORER HOOD WAS PEELING AND I HAVE TO HAVE IT REPAINTED. IT WAS RUSTING. ALSO I SMELL FUEL FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE, IT IS SO BAD, YOU HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND GET OUT TO BREATH.

NHTSA ODI 11065664

PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW TRIM FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPRX 65-70 MPH.

NHTSA ODI 11065705

BOUGHT THE VEHICULE ON 01/23/2018.STARTED TO SMELL EXHAUST WHILE DRIVING.AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICULE,I FEEL DIZZY,NAUSEOUS AND HAVE A BAD HEADACHE FOR ABOUT 6 HOURS.START TO FEEL BETTER WHEN I'M NOT DRIVING THE VEHICULE.HAVNT WENT TO DOCTOR FOR CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING YET.TAKING IT TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON MONDAY.

NHTSA ODI 11065418

THERE IS A VERY PROMINENT FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. THIS IS PREVALENT WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING, AIR VENTS ARE TURNED ON, AND THE CAR IS EITHER STOPPED (SUCH AS IN TRAFFIC, STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, ETC) OR SLOWLY ROLLING. THE FUMES ARE SO BAD IT SOMETIMES BURNS MY EYES AND I HAVE TO SHUT OFF THE HEAT IN THE CAR SO IT WILL STOP CIRCULATING. THIS OCCURS REGARDLESS IF I AM ACCELERATING OR JUST DRIVING SLOWLY. I FIRST NOTICED THIS IN JUNE OF 2017. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN GETTING DIZZY AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HAVE 3 SMALL CHILDREN THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE AROUND IN IT.

NHTSA ODI 11064774

I DROVE THIS VEHICLE CROSS COUNTRY, WHILE TOWING A TRUCK ON TRAILER, BACK WHILE TOWING A TRAILER, AND AGAIN WITH A U-HAUL FROM LAS VEGAS TO VIRGINIA (UP STEEP GRADES, AND THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS, ENGINE UNDER QUITE A LOAD, WHILE IN THE SUMMER, USING A/C) I GOT A HEADACHE AND NAUSEAU. MY DAUGHTER AND NEPHEW, WHO WERE PASSENGERS, DID AS WELL. I GOT SLEEPY BEHIND THE WHEEL (THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ME AND HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME). YOU CAN SMELL THE EXHAUST. I INSTALLED A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR, AND IT HAS GONE OFF TWICE. FORD HAS DONE SOME "FIXES" INCLUDING REPROGRAMMING A/C. WELL, IF YOU USE THE BUTTONS, INSTEAD OF THE TOUCH SCREEN, YOU CAN UNKNOWINGLY OVERRIDE THIS REPROGRAMMING. THEY DID NOT TELL ME THIS. I GO THROUGH THE GEARS IN THE MANUAL MODE AND DRIVE THIS HARD. YOU CAN STILL SMELL EXHAUST AND GET SYMPTOMS. BORROW A FIRE FIGHTERS "SNIFFER" AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE HARD AND WATCH THE READOUT. IT CANT POSSIBLY TAKE THIS LONG OR BE THAT DIFFICULT TO RESOLVE THIS INVESTIGATION. YOU CAN EVEN PUT A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR IN THE VEHICLE AND WATCH-SIMPLE. GO THROUGH THE GEARS MANUALLY, RED-LINING THE VEHICLE YOU WILL GET THE SMELL AND SYMPTOMS. DRIVE THE VEHICLE HARD UP A STEEP GRADE, YOU WILL GET THE SYMPTOMS. TOW WITH THE VEHICLE UP A GRADE, YOU WILL GET THE SMELL AND SYMPTOMS, ALL WITH A/C ON RECIRCULATE. LESS SO WITH OUT IT BEING ON RECIRCULATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED FORM THE FIRST TRIP OF 09/07/2015 TO CURRENT.

NHTSA ODI 11064869

WHEN VEHICLE IS UNDER ACCELERATION, THERE IS AN EXHAUST SMELL THROUGHOUT THE CABIN. FORD HAS ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE, BUT THE EXHAUST SMELL REMAINS UNDER ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI 11064972

BOTH OF MY REMOTE CONTROLS ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL AND HAVE TO BE PUTTING THE CONTROL IN THE LITTLE BOX TO GET MY VEHICLE STARTED AND CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES ARE PRESENT SO I STOP DRIVING MY VEHICLE FOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS OF THE SMELL.

NHTSA ODI 11064565

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN REQUIRED EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO OPERATE NORMALLY AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. BARTON FORD (1600 N MAIN ST, SUFFOLK, VA) DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000(STEERING) DUE TO THE MANUFACTURED DATE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11064347

DISTINCT SMELL OF EXHAUST LEAKING IN THE CAB SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION.

NHTSA ODI 11064404