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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. UPDATED 04/04/16*LJ UPDATED 04/05/16.*JB

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THE PAINT IS BUBBLING AND FLAKING OFF THE EDGE OF THE HOOD. FORD REFUSED TO ASSIST.

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I NOTICED RIGHT AFTER BUYING MY CAR THAT IT WOULD SOMETIMES BE IN PARK, BUT THE CAR WOULD TELL ME TO SHIFT TO PARK. I TALKED WITH THE SALES GUY AT THE DEALERSHIP, HE SAID HE WOULD LOOK IN TO IT. IT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. THEN ONE TIME, I SHIFTED TO PARK IN A RAIN STORM AND RELEASED THE BRAKE. I LOOKED IN TO THE PASSENGER SEAT TO GRAB MY THINGS AND THE CAR ROLLED IN TO MY HOUSE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE HOUSE AND TO THE CAR.

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STEERING ASSIST FAULT LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I CRANK MY 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND WON'T TURN WHEN I TRY TO LEAVE A LOCATION. I HAVE TO SWITCH THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT IN ORDER FOR IT TO RESET.

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PAINT CORROSION/BUBBLING ON EDGE OF ALUMINUM HOOD. FORD WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. COST TO FIX ISSUE IS APPROXIMATELY $500-$750. CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE DURING PAINT PROCESS WITH THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS.

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POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND DISPLAYED POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT ERROR ON THE DASHBOARD. WAS UNABLE TO TURN WHEEL AT LOW/SLOW SPEED. CAR WAS BEING PARKED AT THE TIME THE FAULT OCCURRED.

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ELECTRICAL OUTLET IN REAR CENTER CONSOLE WAS COMPLETELY PULLED OUT WHILE TRYING TO UNPLUG COMPUTER EXPOSING ELECTRICAL WIRES ELECTROCUTING MY SON AND NEPHEW. THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A WHISTLING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

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AT ABOUT 42,000 MILES LEFT REAR BRAKE LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING. AT ABOUT 48,000 MILES RIGHT REAR BRAKE STARTED DRAGGING. I REPLACED ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS IN BOTH CASES. I CHECKED SLIDES ON BOTH AND THEY ARE FREE TO TRAVEL. IN BOTH CASES THE CALIPER IS STUCK. I SAVED THE CALIPER FROM THE LATER. THIS IS STILL AN OEM PART ONLY SO I REPLACED WITH FORD PART. WHEN TALKING TO LOCAL DEALERS TECHS THEY SAY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THEY ARE SEEING IN THIS VEHICLE. THE PART NUMBER OF THE CALIPER HAS CHANGED FROM THE ORIGINAL NUMBER ACCORDING TO THE PARTS TECH, HE CLAIMED THAT THIS USUALLY INDICATES A CHANGE IN A DESIGN FOR A PROBLEM.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND THE STEERING RACK MIGHT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE COMPUTER WAS UPDATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 03/18/16*LJ *CN

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WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THE MESSAGE "SHIFT TO PARK" IS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH - WHEN THE CAR WAS IN FACT IN "PARK". I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY SHIFT THE CAR IN AND OUT OF "PARK" OR TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF TO GET THE MESSAGE TO GO AWAY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE GEAR SHIFT WHICH COST ME $390.33.

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WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 65MPH, THE MOLDINGS BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FLEW OFF AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS. NOW I AM LEFT WITH ALL THE NUTS AND BOLTS EXPOSED AND FORD WILL NOT COVER, INSTEAD THEY WANT ME TO PAY $500 TO FIX IT. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 6 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE READ ONLINE OF THIS SAME THING HAPPENING TO MANY OTHERS WHO WERE TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY AS WELL. FORD IS LUCKY NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT, I WANT THIS INVESTIGATED SO NO FUTURE ACCIDENTS HAPPEN .

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THE TAILGATE LIFT IS UNSAFE. IT DOES NOT DETECT WHEN SOMEONE IS UNDER IT WHEN IT LOWERS. I DID NOT KNOW THE PERSON BEHIND THE CAR HAD PUSHED THE BUTTON ON TAILGATE TO LIFT IT. MY DAUGHTER HAD BENT OVER PLACING THINGS IN BACK. UNKNOWN TO ME, I PUSHED THE BUTTON INSIDE CAR TO LIFT THE GATE, BUT INSTEAD IT LOWERED. IT COULD HAVE SQUEEZED THE BREATH OUT OF MY DAUGHTER.

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AS REPORTED TO FORD: WHAT IS YOUR VEHICLE SALES OR SERVICE ISSUE?:VIN: IFM5K8D85DGA40422 2013 FORD EXPLORER - I RECENTLY SHIPPED MY 2013 FORD EXPLORER TO AZERBAIJAN WHERE I AM SERVING THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. I HIRED A DRIVER WHO CONVEYED A PROBLEM TO ME REGARDING THE POWER STEERING AND SYNC SYSTEM. AFTER DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH, I BECAME AWARE OF THE RECALL FOR POWER STEERING PROBLEMS WHICH SEEM TO FIT THE SYMPTOMS RELATED TO ME. I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY TYPE OF NOTICE FROM FORD REGARDING THIS SERIOUS CONDITION. ALSO, THE SYNC SYSTEM IS BUGGY. I WAS INFORMED SOME TIME AGO OF A FUEL SYSTEM RECALL (I BELIEVE). THE VEHICLE HAS 19,750 MILES. A VEHICLE TIRE SENSOR FAULT HAS RECENTLY DISPLAYED. THERE IS A FORD DEALERSHIP IN BAKU AZERBAIJAN WHERE I LIVE. THE EXPLORER IS PART OF THEIR PRODUCT LINE. PLEASE INFORM ME WHAT I CAN EXPECT FROM FORD TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES DISCLOSED HERE EITHER UNDER WARRANTY, RECALL OBLIGATION, OR CUSTOMER CARE (WITHOUT EXPENSE TO ME). FURTHER, I WOULD APPRECIATE IF FORD U.S. WOULD COORDINATE THOSE RESOLUTION EFFORTS. WHAT ACTION HAS YOUR DEALER TAKEN TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE?:HAVE NOT CONTACTED DEALER. SUSPECT LANGUAGE BARRIERS WOULD COMPLICATE RESOLUTION EFFORTS. WHAT ASSISTANCE ARE YOU SEEKING FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY?:COORDINATE ALL NECESSARY REPAIRS TO BE PERFORMED BY THE BAKU AZERBAIJAN FORD DEALER. PROVIDE A LOANER CAR WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. BE MORE PROACTIVE IN INFORMING CUSTOMERS OF POTENTIALLY SERIOUS DEFECTS THAT HAVE RESULTED IN RECALL. ARE YOU THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE :YES VIN : IFM5K8D85DGA40422 MILEAGE : 19,748 WHERE IS YOUR VEHICLE NOW : INPOSSESSION HAVE YOU CONTACTED THE DEALER :NO DEALER NAME :FORD BAKU AZERBAIJAN

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I CURRENTLY OWN A 2013 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS APPROXIMATELY 51K MILES. I'VE NOTICED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, THAT DURING PERIODS OF SUSTAINED DRIVING WE EXPERIENCE ODOR OF CERTAIN GASES OR FUMES. THESE ODORS ARE NOT CONSTANT, BUT THEY ARE PRESENT WITHIN THE CAB EVEN WHILE THE WINDOWS ARE SECURE. AGAIN, THE ONLY EXPERIENCES OF THESE INCIDENTS SO FAR ARE DURING PERIODS OF DRIVING FOR 2 OR MORE HOURS CONTINUOUSLY. I'VE CHECKED WITH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AND SEARCHED ONLINE AND I HAVEN'T FOUND ANY RECALL INFORMATION REGARDING EMISSION PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE. WE, OUR FAMILY WOULD APPRECIATE IF MORE RESEARCH COULD BE DONE ON THIS MATTER. WE PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT MAY LEAD TO A HEALTH RELATED ILLNESS/INJURY. SINCERELEY [XXX] *BF 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *BF

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WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY THE POWER STEERING SHUTDOWN AND THE VEHICLES STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF TO THE POINT YOU COULD HARDLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO FORD TO HAVE IT INSPECTED , THEY INFORMED ME NOTHING WAS WRONG AND ALL IT NEEDED WAS TO BE RESET. WITHIN 10 DAYS OF LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE THE VEHICLE AGAIN STARTED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FORD ONCE AGAIN, THIS TIME THEY HAD ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY NEED TO BE REPLACED . WITHIN DOING RESEARCH 2011-2013 FORD EXPLORERS HAVE THIS SAME POWER STEERING ISSUE, UNDER RECALL. FORD REFUSES TO FIX MY VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN RESTRICTIONS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND NEGLIGENT TO SAY THE LEAST.

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FORD MOTORCRAFT BATTERY (OVERCHARGE OR POSSIBLE LEAKING BATTERY) CAUSED EXTENSIVE CORROSION TO BATTERY TERMINAL AS WELL AS BATTERY CABLES AND HOUSING. READ ONLINE AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH FORD VEHICLES. NOT ONLY DID THE BATTERY NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE CABLES AND HOUSING DID AS WELL. VEHICLE IS LESS THAN THREE YEARS OLD. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED IMAGE TO SEE EXTENT OF CORROSION. THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN AFTER THE TERMINAL WAS SEMI-CLEANED IN ORDER TO JUMP THE BATTERY. BECAUSE OF THIS EXTENSIVE CORROSION, CABLES WERE SO CORRODED IT WOULD NOT MAKE A GOOD CONTACT WITH NEW BATTERY. AS I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER, THE CAR KEPT LOSING POWER AS THE BATTERY WAS CONTINUALLY DISCONNECTING. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY HAPPENED TO SOMEONE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF BATTERY TERMINAL CORROSION. THERE WAS ZERO CORROSION ON THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL. THE POSITIVE TERMINAL IS THE PROBLEM.

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TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER TO FIX THE FUEL RECALL ISSUE. NOW, ABOUT A YEAR LATER, VEHICLE IS DRAWING IN FUEL SMELL FROM BOTH THE VEHICLE AND EVERYTHING OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL IS STRONGER WHEN THE HEAT IS ON AND ALSO AROUND GAS STATIONS. NOW I'M BEING TOLD IT MIGHT BE A DIFFERENT PROBLEM WHICH WILL COST ME OVER $800.

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I HAVE AN EXPLORER 2013(32762 MILES) WITH BIG ODOR OF GASES INSIDE THE CABIN WHEN I ACCELERATE MY SUV. THE ODOR OF GASES IS AMAZING INSIDE THE CABIN AND I AFRAID WITH THAT ODOR CAN CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEM NOW OR IN THE FUTURE TO MY FAMILY. I ALREADY WENT TO THE FORD SERVICE AND THEY MAKE A SEAL BUT THE PROBLEM STILL THERE. (TSB 14-04-NA). THE GOVERNMENT NEED TO DO SOMETHING.

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I HAVE GOODYEAR FORTERA P245/65R17 105T TIRES AS OEM ON THIS VEHICLE.THE TREAD HAS DRY ROTTED CRACKS JUST LIKE THE TIRES RECALLED IN 2015.THE FIRST SIGN OF PROBLEM WAS TIRE LIGHT COMING ON. WHY ARE THESE TIRE BEING RECALLED ALSO?

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AS A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WEATHER DOOR STRIPPING WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 06/29/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED FUMES FROM THE EXHAUST ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 07/13/16.*JB

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VAPOR CANISTER PURGE VALVE INOPERATIVE AT 72,000 MILES CAUSING A MISS/ HESITATION WHEN VEHICLE WAS RUNNING. LIGHT CAME ON AND A LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE. IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THIS WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE VAPOR CANISTER PURGE VALVE. FORD DECIDED THIS WAS NOT AN EMISSIONS COMPONENT AND DID NOT WARRANTY THE REPAIR UNDER THEIR 80000 MILE EMISSIONS WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THIS IS CLEARLY DEFINED AS AN EMISSIONS COMPONENT BY THE EPA.

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MY PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE CAR. I HAVE SMALL KIDS THAT I DRIVE TO SCHOOL BACK AND FORTH AND I HAVE NO WARENTY.

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I WAS WASHING MY CAR THIS WEEKEND AND NOTICED BUBBLES UNDER THE PAINT ON THE EDGE OF MY 2013 FORD EXPLORER HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT IT WAS RUST AND WENT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER. ONCE AT THE BODY SHOP THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE SEEN MANY FORDS WITH ALUMINUM HOODS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME CAUSE I WAS OVER 36K MILES. APPARENTLY THIS PROBLEM GOES BACK TO 2007. I COULD NOT BELIEVE FORD HAD THE AUDACITY TO KNOWINGLY PRACTICE A MANUFACTURING PROCESS THAT HAD UNDESIRABLE RESULTS. I CALLED FORD AND THEY CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. TO MAKE IT WORSE, THEY CLAIM IT WAS NOT A KNOWN ISSUE, HENCE NO RECALL. WAITING TO HEAR FROM A SUPERVISOR, BUT NOW I KNOW I WILL NOT GET A FAVORABLE RESPONSE UNTIL WE RECEIVE RESULTS OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN NJ. BTW, MY ONE DEALER CLAIMS A CONSIDERABLE LARGER AMOUNT OF REPAIRS THAN COMPLAINTS YOU SEE HERE.

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HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION OF ROADWAYS IS SEVERELY INADEQUATE. WE HAVE BOTH OBSERVED THIS ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN DECEMBER 2012 (THE PRIMARY DRIVER IS A 5'5" FEMALE, THE SECONDARY DRIVER IS 5'10" MALE). THE HEADLIGHTS SEEM TO AIM TOO LOW AND LEAVE DARK SPOTS IN THE ROAD, PARTICULARLY WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. AND THE PROBLEM IS ONLY EXACERBATED WITH HIGHER SPEEDS. ILLUMINATION IS BETTER ON HIGH BEAM, BUT ONE CANNOT LEAVE HIGH BEAMS ENGAGED DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THESE ARE THE WORST HEADLIGHTS I'VE EVER SEEN ON A VEHICLE IN OVER 40 YEARS OF DRIVING INCLUDING CARS THAT I'VE DRIVEN FROM THE 50S, 60S, AND 70S, LET ALONE FOR A MODERN CAR.

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