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 79 of 89

Apr 28, 2016Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO SECURE. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000. UPDATED 06/29/16*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI 10861980

Apr 27, 2016Transmission & drivetrainFuel system

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH PREPARING TO MERGE ONTO FREEWAY I LOST ACCELERATION POWER AND VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 5MPH NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENT. AFTER TURNING CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. LATER THAT DAY MY WIFE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. WE HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND AFTER TWO DAYS THEY WERE PREPARED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE PROBLEM DID NOT PRESENT DURING THE TEST DRIVES. AFTER REFUSING TO TAKE IT BACK UNTIL THEY FIGURED IT OUT THE NEXT DAY WE WERE TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS "BAD". 2 DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS "FIXED" AND RETURNED TO US. THE VERY NEXT MORNING WE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE LOSING PROPULSION AND DECELERATING RAPIDLY. AFTER TAKING IT BACK TO THE THE DEALERSHIP WE WERE TOLD THAT THE "NEW" THROTTLE BODY THAT WAS INSTALLED WAS ALSO "BAD". AFTER ANOTHER 2 DAYS WE PICKED UP OUR CAR AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS SO FAR.

NHTSA ODI 10861877

Apr 21, 2016Engine

WHEN DRIVING LOSS OF POWER HAPPENS. CAN NOT ACCELERATE! CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE. CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING. CAR HAS 40K MILES. VERY DANGEROUS IF DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK.

NHTSA ODI 10860705

Apr 21, 2016Fuel system

MY 2013 FORD EXPLORER V6 ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OR IN TOWN CREATING A VERY UNSAFE DRIVING SITUATION. LOOKING ONLINE THERE IS QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS TO THE SAME THAT THE THROTTLE BODY LOSES ELECTRICAL POWER AND SHUTS DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN 2 DAYS AND I NO LONGER DRIVE IT UNTIL A REPLACEMENT THROTTLE BODY CAN BE FOUND. FORD MADE A CHANGE TO THE REPLACEMENTS, BUT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS THAT IT CAUSES.

NHTSA ODI 10860744

Apr 19, 2016Steering

COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. I MOMENTARILY FELT PANICKED INSIDE, MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR AND WE WERE GOING 70. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED AND IT DROVE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT SEEMED FINE. 9 MONTHS LATER (APRIL 2016) IT HAPPENED AGAIN DRIVING 45MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO FORCE THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND CALM DOWN. THE CAR WOULD BARELY STEER. IT WAS HARDER TO MANEUVER THAN DRIVING AN OLDER VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER STEERING. IT WAS JUST SHORT OF BEING LOCKED UP. AGAIN IT RESET AFTER TURNING ON AND OFF ABOUT 5 TIMES. IT WAS EVENING AND I DECIDED IT HAD TO GO BACK TO THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY IT WAS LOCKED UP COMPLETELY AND NOT DRIVABLE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AS IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND UNSAFE. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST AND TRACTION ASSIST ALERTS STAYED UP- BOTH FUNCTIONS SHOWING OFF.

NHTSA ODI 10860249

Apr 19, 2016Body & structure

DOOR AJAR ISSUE. THE DOOR DOESNT WANT TO LATCH AND THE DOME LIGHT STAYS ON. DOESNT MATTER IF YOUR DRIVING OR STATIONARY THE ISSUE STILL PERSISTS. WHILE DRIVING IT WILL TELL YOU ONBOARD THAT YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR AND PARK AND CLOSE THE DOOR. VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI 10860440

Apr 17, 2016Body & structure

A PILLAR EXTERIOR TRIM COVER PIECE FLEW OFF ON THE EXPRESSWAY, A FRIENDS HAS DONE THE SAME THING AND AFTER CHECKING ON LINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMONS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10859980

Apr 14, 2016Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 10855408

Apr 13, 2016Electrical systemBody & structure

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SENSOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT CAN TAKE UP TO 10 MINUTES FOR THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT TO TURN OFF, EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN SLAM THE DOOR SHUT 20 TIMES.

NHTSA ODI 10855275

Apr 13, 2016Electrical systemLightsBody & structure

THE DRIVER SIDE "DOOR AJAR" ALARM IS CONSTANTLY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE DOOR IS FIRMLY CLOSED AND SECURE.THE ALARM KEEPS GOING OFF AND THE DOME LIGHT IS ON WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION FOR A DANGEROUS PERIOD OF TIME. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON AND DANGEROUS COMPLAINT FOR SIMILAR VEHICLES IN SIMILAR YEARS.ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE AND WATCHED ONLINE THERE ARE A LOT OF LIKE VEHICLES OUT THERE WITH THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10855323

Apr 3, 2016Steering

TAKATA INFLATORS, I BOUGHT MY 2013 FORD EXPLORER IN JULY OF 2015. BY NOVEMBER 2015 MY CAR HAD BEEN MAKING VERY LOUD SCRAPING NOISES EVERY TIME I TURNED RIGHT OR LEFT. I BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALER THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING RACK, WHICH FIXED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY OR RECALL. IN RESEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND THAT SOME 2013 FORD EXPLORERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND ARE COVERED UNDER AN ACTIVE RECALL. MINE STILL IS NOT!!! I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED TO GET FIXED ASAP OTHERWISE MY STEERING WHEEL COULD FREEZE UP, WHICH WOULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND PUT OUR LIVES IN DANGER. I AM VERY UPSET WITH THIS AS I HAD TO PAY $1561.00 OUT OF POCKET AND OUR LIVES WERE IN DANGER!!!!

NHTSA ODI 10853160

Mar 29, 2016Steering

WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE THE STEERING SEEMS TO "STICK" AND WHEN YOU APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, THE VEHICLE JERKS AND DARTS YOU INTO THE OTHER LANE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO OTHER VEHICLES SUCH AS CONSTRUCTION ZONES OR NARROW RURAL ROADS WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI 10852222

Mar 25, 2016Body & structureSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD ROW SEAT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SEAT WAS NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LEAK BY THE TOP OF THE REAR HATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA ODI 10851658

Mar 25, 2016AirbagsBody & structureCrash1 injury

I WAS STANDING AT A RED LIGHT AND WAS REAR ENDED BY A SPEEDING DRIVER. I WAS CATAPULTED INTO THE TRUCK STANDING IN FRONT OF ME. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS TOTALED, AS WELL AS THE FRAME BENT FROM THE REAR; WHERE I WAS HIT ORIGINALLY ONLY MILLISECONDS BEFORE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG PROTECTION, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. A FIREMAN ON SCENE COMMENTED THAT HE COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE IS IN THE POLICE IMPOUND LOT, BECAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURIES. I HAVE SINCE SHOWN THE PICTURES TO SEVERAL PEOPLE, EVEN MECHANICS; AND THEY HAVE ALL STATED THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE AIRBAGS, SINCE THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS DEMANDING THAT I RELEASE THE VEHICLE TO THEM IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ODI 10851716

Mar 10, 2016SteeringBody & structure

PAINT BUBBLES ON HOOD INSIDE AND OUT WITH CORROSION, 2) POWER STEERING FAILING, RECALL FOR ISSUE IN EFFECT, BUT, NOT MINE HAVE TO PAY $2000 FOR REPAIRS, UNABLE TO STEER WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEED

NHTSA ODI 10845977

Feb 29, 2016Steering

THE "POWER STEERING FAULT" LIGHT WAS ON WHEN I WAS DRIVING. AND I LOST STEERING ABILITY AT ALL. I MANAGED TO DRIVE TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER, AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $1800 FOR REPLACEMENT. THIS IS BECAUSE SOMEHOW I WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR POWER STEERING. THIS IS ABSURD!

NHTSA ODI 10838919

Feb 23, 2016Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. UPDATED 04/22/2016*LJ UPDATED 05/05/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI 10837855

Feb 22, 2016Latches & locks

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRVER SIDE DOOR LATCH AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. WHEN THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT HE HAD NOT HEARD OF SUCH A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,650.

NHTSA ODI 10837489

Feb 17, 2016Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ODI 10836784

Feb 16, 2016Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST DISABLE WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION AFTER IT WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

NHTSA ODI 10836387

Feb 16, 2016Steering

WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME REALLY HARD TO TURN AND THEN ON MY SCREEN OF MY TRUCK A WARNING POP UP SAYING ( POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT) SO NOW MY STEERING IS VERY HARD TO TURN

NHTSA ODI 10836541

Feb 15, 2016Steering

LOSS OF POWER STEERING. AFTER EXPERIENCING LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS I PERFORMED ONLINE RESEARCH AND BECAME AWARE OF SAFETY RECALL 14S06. I CONTACTED FORD FOR RESOLUTION AND THEY INFORMED ME MY VEHICLE IS NOT SUBJECT TO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WITH SOME 19,000 MILES IS OUR OF WARRANTY (>36 MONTHS). FORD INDICATED THAT ANY REPAIRS FOR THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION WOULD BE AT OWNER EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE IN CHICAGO WHICH WAS THE ORIGIN OF THE VEHICLE DEFECT WHICH PROMPTED THE RECALL. HOWEVER, IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AFTER THE RECALL CUT-OFF. I CONTEND THAT THE DEFECT WAS STILL PRESENT AND THE RECALL SHOULD BE BROADENED. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT WITH POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING CONSEQUENCES. FORD HAS BEEN UNRECEPTIVE IN EVEN INVESTIGATING THE MATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING ON THE OCCASIONS WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED, WHILE NEGOTIATING A CURVE. MY PROFESSIONAL DRIVER INDICATED THAT THE CAR HAD TO BE STOPPED AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED TO RESET THE POWER STEERING. NO DRIVER FEEDBACK OF A TROUBLE CODE.

NHTSA ODI 10826108

Feb 13, 2016Brakes

REAR BRAKES SEIZED SIMULTANEOUSLY ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. DEALERSHIP STATED CORROSION WAS THE ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED 3 MONTHS PRIOR WITH NO MENTION OF CORROSION. SEIZURE CAUSED FAILURE OF CALIPERS, PADS, ROTORS, AND LININGS ON BOTH SIDES. REPLACEMENT WAS PAID OUT OF POCKET, NOT COVERED BY ESP AND NOT BACKED UP BY PREMIUM MAINTENANCE PLAN.

NHTSA ODI 10825994

Feb 13, 2016SteeringCrash

POWER STEERING FAILURE. FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES, UNABLE TO REPLICATE AT DEALERSHIP. HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED WHILE IN A PARKING LOT. PULLING INTO PARKING SPOT AND STEERING FAILED CAUSING MINOR COLLISION WITH PARKED VEHICLE IN NEXT SPACE. DEALERSHIP STILL UNABLE TO REPLICATE.

NHTSA ODI 10825995

Feb 13, 2016

STARTED MY ENGINE. TRUCK WAS IN PARK AND I FEEL THIS BOUNCING/SHAKING WHICH IS QUITE STRANGE. HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT CAN BE AND HOW DANGEROUS IT IS WHILE DRIVING. ANOTHER TIME IT HAPPENED WAS WHEN I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, STILL IN DRIVE AND AGAIN THE BOUNCING/ SHAKING FEELING I EXPERIENCED AGAIN. I WAS ON A SMOOTH CITY STREET.

NHTSA ODI 10825998

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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 →