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

STEERING RACK FAILED. SIGNALED POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT, ADVANCE TRAC FAIL, REVERSE CAMERA ON WHILE GOING FORWARD. TOOK TO FORD DEALER WHO SAID STEERING RACK NEEDS REPLACED FOR $1935.26 PLUS TAX.

NHTSA ODI 11048207

CONDITIONS: THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. THERE WAS HEAVY RAIN. THERE IS TRIM MOLDING ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD OF THE 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE MOLDING FLEW OFF, LEAVING EXPOSED A STRIP OF WEATHER STRIPPING, WHICH WAS COVERED WITH A BLACKISH GLUE. AS A RESULT OF THE MOLDING HAVING FLOWN OFF, THE NOW UNSECURED WEATHER STRIPPING WAS REPEATEDLY HITTING THE WINDSHIELD LEAVING IT COVERED WITH THE STICKY RESIDUE FROM THE GLUE. WHILE THAT ON ITS OWN MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SO BAD, IT WAS RAINING AND THE AUTOMATIC WIPERS HAD ENGAGED. THIS RESULTED IN THE WEATHER STRIPPING GETTING CAUGHT UNDERNEATH ONE OF THE WIPERS AND SMEARING THE GLUE ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD RENDERING IT COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. THE COMBINATION OF THE GLUE FROM THE WEATHER STRIPPING COMPLETELY OBSCURING MY VISIBILITY, THE WIPERS BEING RENDERED WHOLLY INOPERABLE, AND THE HEAVY RAIN WAS A DEVASTATING COMBINATION. I WAS ON A HIGHWAY, DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR, WITH MILD TO HEAVY TRAFFIC, WHILE IT WAS RAINING, AND IN THE SPAN OF LESS THAN FIVE SECONDS: (1) THE TRIM TO MY WINDSHIELD FLEW OFF IN TRAFFIC; (2) THE GLUE ON THE WEATHER STRIPPING THAT WAS HELD IN PLACE BY THE TRIM BEGAN REPEATEDLY FLAPPING ON THE WINDSHIELD; (3) THE WIPERS, ALREADY ENGAGED, GOT CAUGHT ON THE FLAPPING WEATHER STRIPPING, AND SMEARED THE GLUE ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD; AND (4) THE WIPERS WERE LEFT COMPLETELY INOPERABLE DUE TO THE WEATHER STRIPPING THAT THEY HAD GOTTEN CAUGHT ON. ESSENTIALLY, IN THE SPAN OF LESS THAN FIVE SECONDS, I WENT FROM BEING ABLE TO SEE AND DRIVE WITHOUT ISSUE TO HAVING TO DRIVE WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SEE WHAT WAS IN FRONT OF ME.

NHTSA ODI 11047363

HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE THE WORST THAT I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. HAD LIGHTS ADJUSTED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND NOT MUCH IMPROVEMENT. THE ROAD DOES NOT GET VERY WELL ILLUMINATED. EVEN THOUGH THE LIGHTS ARE IRRITATING TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC THEY DON'T DO MUCH TO HELP THE DRIVER SEE THE ROAD. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS NEW.

NHTSA ODI 11047119

FOR THE LAST 4 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN SMELLING EXHAUST WHEN I DRIVE WITH THE AC OR HEATER ON. I TOOK THE CAR INTO FORD FOR AN INSPECTION IN OCTOBER, AND WHILE THEY 'COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG', THEY DID QUOTE ME FOR $1,400 TO FIX WHAT MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO ASKED IF MAYBE I WAS JUST SMELLING OTHER FUMES WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. I TOOK THE CAR TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED IT AND SAID IT WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT FORD SHOULD BE COVERING THIS. I JUST CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON 11/16/17 TO TRY AND GET AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM (17N03). THEY TOLD ME THEY WILL NOT BE GETTING PARTS IN FOR ANOTHER MONTH. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! I AM DRIVING MY 3-YEAR-OLD AROUND IN THIS CAR, WITHOUT THE HEATER ON TRYING TO MINIMIZE THE FUMES. MEANWHILE FORD IS TELLING ME THAT THE MEDIA HAS BLOWN THIS OUT OF PROPORTION AND ONLY POLICE VEHICLES SHOULD BE GETTING THE FIXES.

NHTSA ODI 11046548

AFTER DRIVING IN MY EXPLORER, WHEN I GET OUT, I GET DIZZY AND NASEOUS. MY HUSBAND HAS THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO HIM WHILE DRIVING WITH ME

NHTSA ODI 11046257

ON NOV 5TH, A SULFURIC ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE FOR A BRIEF PERIOD. ON NOV 6TH, THE SAME ODOR WAS DETECTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE WITH MUCH MORE STRENGTH THAN THE PREVIOUS DAY. ON NOV 13TH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED ON THE 13TH STATING A KNOWN TSB HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED (THE TSB NUMBER WAS NOT DISCLOSED). UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME (APPROX 25 MILES), THE SULFURIC ODOR WAS STILL PRESENT. DRIVER EXPERIENCED DIZZINESS NEAR THE END OF THE COMMUTE HOME. ON NOV 15TH, DRIVER'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND REPORTED THE SAME SULFURIC ODOR AND EXPERIENCED A HEADACHE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES OF BEING IN THE VEHICLE. BOTH DRIVERS EXPERIENCED THE ODOR WHILE STATIONARY AS WELL AS IN MOTION. BOTH DRIVERS WERE DRIVING IN A MIX OF CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11046416

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT GOT OUT TO OBSERVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GUS MACHADO FORD (1200 W 49TH ST, HIALEAH, FL 33012) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11045896

WITH NO WARNING AT ALL, OUR POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE RECALL OF OTHER 2013 FORD EXPLORERS FOR THE IDENTICAL ISSUE OF SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING . OUR VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL ACCORDING TO FORD HOWEVER THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR POWER STEERING TO GO OUT WITH NO WARNING OR INDICATION.

NHTSA ODI 11046006

DRIVING ON TEXAS SH 290 POWER STEERING FAILED, STEERING LOST POWER ASSIST AT 70 MPH.

NHTSA ODI 11045575

VEHICLE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOES OUT. FORD HAS OPEN RECALL ON VERY ISSUE HAVING WITH VEHICLE. RECALL INCLUDES MY VEHICLE MODEL, MAKE AND YEAR. LOCAL DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED ISSUE IS SAME AS RECALL ISSUE. FORD STATES VIN IS NOT INCLUDED ON RECALL SO REFUSES TO FIX. FILED CASE NUMBER WITH FORD EXPLAINING SUCH BUT STILL REFUSE TO FIX UNDER RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11044831

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, IT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF STEERING FUNCTION AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL BERGSTROM FORD OF OSHKOSH DEALER (3355 JACKSON ST, OSHKOSH, WI) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS 13488512. THE CONTACT WAS DENIED ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11044891

THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN STARTING AND FIRST BACKING UP. WOULD TURN CAR OFF AND IT WOULD RESET. THE OTHER DAY IT DID IT AGAIN BUT THIS TIME DID NOT RESET. TOWED TO DEALER AND SAID I NEED NEW STEERING GEAR. SAW A RECALL FOR EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN 2013 EXPLORERS BUT SINCE MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN 12/12 AND NOT 2/12 IT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND REPAIR IS COMING OUT OF MY POCKET. IT WAS EVEN BUILT IN SAME PLANT AS CARS AFFECTED BY RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11043758

POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT , POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN STARTED IN MOTION FROM PARKED. TWICE OCT 17 2017 AND OCT 23 2017 BOTH TIMES SHUT CAR OFF , THEN RESTARTED EVERYTHING WORKED NORMAL. TOOK CAR TO PLANET FORD SPRING TEXAS, OCT 24 ,25,26,27.DEALER REPLACED STEERING GEAR COST ,$1734.12. FORD HAS HAD STEERING PROBLEMS 2010 TO 2015. CONTACTED FORD ,NO RECALL FOR MY VIN NUMBER. FORD CASE NUMBER CASE NUMBER CAS13412020.

NHTSA ODI 11041860

LEFT TRIM ON WINDSHIELD FLEW OFF AS I WAS DRIVING ON I75 LAST WEEK CAUSING THE CAR BEHIND ME TO SWERVE TO MISS THE PIECE FLYING THROUGH THE AIR. I HAVE READ ON THIS SITE AND OTHERS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE EVEN REFERENCED THE FOLLOWING CASE # CAS-13158913-T1R4M0. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL .

NHTSA ODI 11041156

DRIVER DOOR AJAR SENSOR REMAINS ON EVEN THOUGH DOOR IS SECURELY CLOSED, EVEN ON REPEAT ATTEMPTS TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THIS CAUSES THE DOORS NOT TO LOCK AND ALLOWS DOORS TO BE OPENED EVEN WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI 11040871

PAINT BUBBLING ON HOOD BECAME VISIBLE AFTER PAINT WARRANTY WAS OVER. FORD ADVISED MAY BE COVERED BY CORROSION WARRANTY. BROUGHT TO DEALER WHO REFERRED TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY. FORD REVIEWED PHOTOS TAKEN BY DEALER AND DENIED COVERAGE STATING CORROSION HAD TO BE ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE AFFECTED AREA. OWNER APPEALED THEIR DECISION CITING TWO PRIOR FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS FOR ALUMINUM BODY PART CONTAMINATION BY IRON IN PAINTING PROCESS. FORD AND DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS CORROSION MAY BE A SIGN OF A BIGGER SAFETY PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11040972

WHEN I DRIVE FOR A COUPLE OF MILES. I START SMELLING GAS FUMES IN THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. EVEN AFTER I GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND PUT MY NOSE TO THE HOOD I CAN SMELL GAS FUMES.

NHTSA ODI 11040313

REAR BRAKE CALIPERS, ROTORS AND PADS WERE FROZEN AND RUINED. CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE INTERNET MAKES CLEAR THAT MANY OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. A RECALL IS REQUIRED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY BECAUSE IT COULD NOT MOVE WITH FROZEN REAR BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI 11040481

KEYPAD FAILED. 16 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER WAS ACCIDENTALLY LOCKED IN STATIONARY CAR WHILE KEYS REMAINED INSIDE. THE KEYPAD, WHICH WORKED PREVIOUSLY, FAILED TO WORK. THE SITUATION WAS SO DIRE (AS IT WAS OVER 90 DEGREES THAT DAY) THAT POLICE WERE CALLED TO BREAK THE WINDOW. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR EXAMINATION AND DETERMINED THAT THE KEYPAD DID IN FACT NEED TO BE REPLACED. HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AS THE CAR CANNOT BE UNLOCKED IF ACCIDENTALLY LOCKED WITH KEYS REMAINING INSIDE. KEYPAD IS THE ONLY OPTION...WE WERE IN DISBELIEF THAT IT FAILED AND WANT OTHER FORD EXPLORER OWNERS TO BE MADE AWARE OF A POSSIBLE KEYPAD FAILURE ISSUE SO THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE.

NHTSA ODI 11039887

THE ELECTRONIC SCREEN THAT CONTROLS RADIO, ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, NAVIGATION, SHUTS DOWN FREQUENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, OR MOTOR IS RUNNING.

NHTSA ODI 11039708

WHEN THE ENGINE IS "GUNNED" OR WHEN THE RPMS ARE HIGH (WHEN SPEEDING UP QUICKLY), AN EXHAUST SMELL IS NOTICED IN THE CABIN. WE HAVE A PREEMIE INFANT AND A 3 YEAR OLD, AND ARE VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE EFFECTS THIS MAY HAVE ON THEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS 10/21/17

NHTSA ODI 11035777

UNPLEASANT FOUL ODOR EMITTED INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHENEVER ACCELERATING WITHIN MID TO HIGH RPM RANGE SUCH AS WHEN PASSING OR PULLING A GRADE. FUMES SMELL SIMILAR TO ROTTEN EGGS OR SULFUR. FOUL ODOR CAUSES HEADACHES DURING PERIODS OF EXTENDED EXPOSURE SUCH AS WHEN DRIVING FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THIS CONDITION HAS EXISTED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.

NHTSA ODI 11035265

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ODOR CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HAVE HEAD PRESSURE, DIZZINESS, EYES SORES, EYE PAIN, AND INABILITY TO SLEEP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (TED BRITT FORD FAIRFAX, 11165 FAIRFAX BLVD, FAIRFAX, VA 22030) WHERE IT WAS CLEANED, BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS CLEANED, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA ODI 11034254

BRAKE HOSE ON FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL FAILED CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE

NHTSA ODI 11033992

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED WHILE ACCELERATING AFTER BEING PARKED. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT RESET ITSELF. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER FURTHER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE AND, IF THE RECALL BECOMES EXTENDED AND THE VIN BECOMES INCLUDED, THE CONTACT COULD POSSIBLY BE REIMBURSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000.

NHTSA ODI 11034047