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 81 of 89

Dec 4, 2015Electrical systemBody & structure

DRIVER'S DOOR LATCH WILL NOT MOVE. DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE. DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON.

NHTSA ODI 10808344

Dec 1, 2015Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,120.

NHTSA ODI 10807816

Nov 26, 2015

GETTING EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN OF VEHICLE AT TIMES. SOMETIMES SO BAD THAT IT MAKES YOU SICK NAUSEOUS AND HEADACHES. FORD REFUSES TO FIX PROBLEM UNDER THERE WARRANTY. IT HAPPENS AT ANY TIME SLOW OR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN USING THE AC OR HEATER IT IS EVEN WORSE.

NHTSA ODI 10807090

Nov 24, 2015Transmission & drivetrain

INFO DISPLAY ON DASH WOULD ALWAYS STATE "SHIFT INTO PARK" EVEN AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE WITH CAR ALREADY INTO PARK POSITION--FORD DEALER HAD TO REPLACE SHIFTER CONTROL AT A COST OF $462.54--WAS TOLD BY SERVICE TECH THEY HAVE THE PART IN STOCK--AND HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ON NEWER CARS--WAS TOLD PART CANNOT BE FIXED.

NHTSA ODI 10806490

Nov 18, 2015Brakes

MY 2013 EXPLORER HAS 23190 MILES AND WAS BOUGHT NEW AND HAS BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALER ACCORDING TO FORD'S SERVICE PLAN SINCE NEW. A FEW DAYS AGO I NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE AND BURNING SMELL FROM THE REAR OF MY EXPLORER.THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT MY DRIVERS SIDE REAR CALIPER HAD SEIZED UP AND I NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKES. HE SAID THAT THIS WAS DUE TO ROAD SALT, WATER AND DEBRIS CONTAMINATING THE REAR BRAKES. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NOT WARRANTY COVERED AND MY COST WAS $389.84. I'VE READ IN NUMEROUS FORUMS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM ON MOST EXPLORERS LIKE MINE. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. LUCKILY MINE HAPPENED WHEN I WAS PARKING MY EXPLORER. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER AN INSPECTION REPLACEMENT RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 10794714

Nov 18, 2015Body & structure

PAINT ON HOOD HAS CORRODED CAUSING THE PAINT TO PEEL OFF. IT IS HAPPENING ALL ALONG BOTTOM EDGE OF HOOD. CAR HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT.

NHTSA ODI 10794735

Nov 17, 2015

WHEN ACCELERATING GAS FUMES SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE (ROTTEB EGGS) AFTER COUPLE OF HOURS DRIVING GETTING BAD HEADACHE FROM IT. IT'S VERY HARMFUL FOR PEOPLE INSIDE CAR, BECAUSE IT MY COST CO2 POISONING. DEALER HAVE NO FIX FOR IT.

NHTSA ODI 10794461

Nov 16, 2015Lights

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

NHTSA ODI 10790556

Nov 13, 2015SteeringSuspensionElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I WAS BACKING UP FROM PARKING SPOT IN A CITY GARAGE AND WHEN I PLACE THE CAR IN DRIVE MY POWER ASSISTED STEERING (EPAS) FAILED. I GOT THE POWER STEERING FAULT ERROR, ADVANCETRAC ERROR AND TERRAIN MANAGEMENT ERROR. THE CAR WAS TOO DIFFICULT TO MANUALLY STEER ACTUALLY NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. IT TOOK ALMOST 1 HOUR AND 2 GROWN BIG MEN TO MANUALLY STEER IT OUT OF THE GARAGE SO THAT IT COULD BE PUT ONTO A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK. FORD CLAIMS THAT MY VIN# NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL (14S06) FOR THIS ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I HAD IT TOWED TO HAS QUOTED ME AROUND $2,000 TO REPLACE THE STEERING RACK. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD AND FORD NEED TO TAKES RESPONSIBILITY AND CORRECT THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 10790170

Nov 11, 2015Steering

WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A TURN THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP WITH AN ERROR CODE STATING "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" IN MY EXPERIENCE THIS HAPPENED WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND NOW IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN TO CROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE ONLY THING THAT RELEASES THE STEERING IS TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL HOWEVER, IT'S THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM YET, FORD "HAS NEVER HEARD OF IT" I HAVE CHILDREN AND I FEAR THAT FORD WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE AND WE ARE IN A FETAL ACCIDENT. I REFUSE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AS IT'S UNSAFE AND I WILL NOT PUT MY KIDS LIFE AT RISK. HELP!!

NHTSA ODI 10789784

Nov 9, 2015Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE OPENED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V171000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 10789310

Nov 9, 2015Fuel system

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. IT BEGAN AS INTERMITTENT AND NOW HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 10789358

Oct 29, 2015EngineFuel system

UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION (I.E. HIGHWAY ON-RAMP), A VERY STRONG ODOR (BURNING RUBBER, EXHAUST?) ENTERS THE CABIN. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME, WHETHER THE AC IS ON OR OFF, RECIRCULATING OR FRESH AIR. THE ODOR IS EXTREMELY STRONG AND LASTS SEVERAL MINUTES. I'M ESPECIALLY CONCERNED FOR MY 3 YEAR OLD SON WHO IS EXPOSED TO THIS.

NHTSA ODI 10786914

Oct 25, 2015

PAINT IS BUBBLING ACROSS THE FRONT EDGE OF HOOD. FORD IS REFUSING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10785884

Oct 23, 2015

EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES LOOSE AND STICKING.

NHTSA ODI 10785500

Oct 23, 2015Steering

DRIVING VEHICLE THROUGH INTERSECTION, TURNING, , LOST POWER STEERING, AND TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. WAS ABLE TO MUSCLE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DISPLAY MADE A CHIME NOISE, AND STATED "POWER ASSIST FAILURE" ( OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT). I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF ROAD, TURNED OFF VEHICLE, WAITED 2 MIN, STARTED IT AGAIN AND IT WORKED FINE. FOUND THERE IS A RECALL "14S06" FOR EXACT MODEL AND YEAR WITH EXACT DESCRIPTION OF MY FAILURE. TOOK VEHICLE TO CLOSEST FORD DEALER, THEY SAID IT IS COVERED UNDER RECALL AND THERE WOULD BE NO CHARGE AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. AFTER NUMEROUS CALLS BACK AND FORTH WITH DEALER AND FORD, FORD CLAIMS THIS VIN IS NOT COVERED. I HAVE PAPERWORK FROM THE DEALER THAT SHOWS PART NUMBER NEEDED IS FOR THE STEERING GEAR # DB5Z-3504-NE, WHICH IS THE PART NUMBER IN THE RECALL. I AM UNABLE TO FIND A VIN # LIST AS IT APPEARS FORD DOES NOT HAVE ONE AND THEY DECIDE WHEN YOU CALL WHO GETS THE RECALL AND WHO DOES NOT. THERE IS NO TRANSPARENCY IN SUCH AS SYSTEM. IF FORD KNOWS OF THIS ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL AND KNOWS IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS, PER NHTSA, WHY AM I BEING REJECTED FOR THE EXACT SAFETY ISSUE ON THE EXACT MODEL AND YEAR? CAN YOU PLEASE HELP?

NHTSA ODI 10785658

Oct 20, 2015Body & structure

PAINT IS BUBBLING UP ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR. CALLED FORD AND THEY SAY ITS OUT OF WARRANTY SORRY. THE CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A 40,00 DOLLAR CAR.

NHTSA ODI 10783796

Oct 16, 2015Engine & coolingEquipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR VENTS WERE SUCKING THE EXCESS EXHAUST FUMES THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ODI 10782897

Oct 14, 2015

I HAVE 44,000 MILES AND OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE CABIN AFTER DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND COMING TO A STOP WITH THE DEFROST ON AND REAR A/C

NHTSA ODI 10782245

Oct 13, 2015

EXHAUST GAS ENTERING THE CABIN DURING HARD ACCELERATION OR WHEN DRIVING AT SUSTAINED HIGHWAY SPEEDS. APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO REAR AIR CONDITIONING SUCKING AIR FROM UNDERNEATH REAR OF CAR!

NHTSA ODI 10781623

Oct 8, 20154 injuries

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE FROM THE JENNINGS ANDERSON FORD DEALER. IT HAD AROUND 17,000 MILES ON IT. SHORTLY AFTER I VEHICLE, I BROUGHT IT IN BECAUSE THE EXHAUST FUMES ARE BEING SUCKED INTO THE VEHICLE WHEN I ACCELERATE SUCH AS GETTING ON THE FREEWAY. DAVID SAVINICH (SERVICE ADVISER) TOLD ME THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY HAD A FIX FOR IT. THEY INSTALLED THEIR FIX BUT IT IS STILL SUCKING IN EXHAUST FUMES. I TALKED TO JEFF ASHER (SERVICE DEPT MANAGER) AND I ASKED HIM WHETHER FORD HAD A FIX FOR IT. I WAS TOLD NO. I ASKED JEFF TO CALL ME IF THERE WAS A FIX. IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND THEIR IS STILL NO REPAIR. I GET A BAD HEADACHE EVERY TIME I GET ON THE FREEWAY. IT IS SO BAD THAT IT ALSO MAKES ME NAUSEATED. I AM UNABLE TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONER RECIRCULATATION IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 10780722

Oct 5, 2015

A WARNING POPS UP STATING SHIFT TO PARK WHEN IT IS CLEARLY IN PARK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. HAVE TO PUSH THE BUTTON AT FRONT TOP OF SHIFTER A FEW TIMES TO MAKE IT SENSE THAT IT IS IN PARK.

NHTSA ODI 10779864

Sep 30, 2015Brakes

OVERHEATING FRONT WHEEL BRAKES LEADING TO WARPED ROTORS!!! . THE 2013 FORD EXPLORER 3 TIMES SINCE DECEMBER 2014. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT BRAKES OVERHEAT THE ROTORS EVENTIALLY LEADING TO WARPED ROTORS AND UNUSUAL VIBRATION IN STEERING , IS MORE SEVERE AT HIGH SPEED .

NHTSA ODI 10778855

Sep 28, 2015

NAGING DOOR JAAR OPEN SENSOR, FOR UNDER 2 YEARS ITS ALREADY FAULTING

NHTSA ODI 10778046

Sep 28, 2015Body & structure

CORROSION (OXIDATION) ON THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. NOT NECESSARILY A SAFETY CONCERN BUT A CONCERN NON THE LESS. I ENTERED, THROUGH MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, A PRIOR APPROVAL CLAIM FOR THE DAMAGE AND WAS TURNED DOWN, FORD SAYS THEY DON'T WARRANTY RUST CLAIMS UNLESS THE PART HAS RUSTED THROUGH. SEARCHING ON GOOGLE, "FORD HOOD RUSTING", I SEE THAT THIS IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM AND THAT FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE, YET THEY CONTINUE TO DENY CLAIMS.

NHTSA ODI 10778065

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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 →