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)

436 of 2,224 complaints match · Body & structure · clear filters · page 9 of 18

May 17, 2024Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the driver's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle and flew off. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11589270

May 6, 2024Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11587191

Apr 30, 2024Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the trim on the A-Pillar on the passenger’s side of the vehicle detached and blew off the vehicle and almost struck another vehicle. The contact was unable to recover the trim piece. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11586015

Apr 25, 2024Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the passenger’s side A-pillar trim detached from the windshield. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11585190

Apr 25, 2024Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield trim panel detached. The contact stated that the trim panels were loose on the driver's and the passenger's side of the windshield. The contact stated that rainwater entered the vehicle due to the failure. The front floor mats were soaked. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11585244

Apr 24, 2024Body & structureCrash

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced a failure. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH the driver's side A-Pillar trim was blown off of the vehicle by the slipstream. The contact stated that the trim piece crashed into a vehicle that was following behind the contact's vehicle. The contact stated that both vehicles had stopped and that the driver of the second vehicle indicated that a small chip was made by the piece of trim that had struck at approximately mid-windshield on the driver's side. The contact stated that the trim on the passenger side A-Pillar was becoming loose. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. VIN tool confirms parts not yet available.

NHTSA ODI 11584879

Apr 24, 2024Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side windshield trim detached and flew off the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11584931

Apr 15, 2024Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the front passenger's side windshield exterior pillar trim separated and flew off the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that there was water leaking inside the vehicle, on the front passenger's side carpet. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted several times. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11583057

Apr 12, 2024Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while entering the vehicle after it had rained, there was water accumulated in the cup holders inside the vehicle and on the front passenger's side carpet. Additionally, there was evidence of a water leak on the armrest, the infotainment system, and the passenger's side glove compartment. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and turning, the contact became aware that there was water leaking from the cabin interior lamp onto the cupholders. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11582567

Apr 1, 2024Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield trim on the driver’s and passenger’s sides fractured. The contact stated that the windshield trim was flopping loosely across the front windshield. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11580452

Apr 1, 2024Visibility & wipersBody & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH during rainy weather conditions, the rain started to enter through the windshield. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the recall parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11580487

Mar 27, 2024Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal flapping sound coming from the driver's side of the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the used car dealer, where it was inspected, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. Additionally, the contact later became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11579659

Mar 6, 2024Body & structureLatches & locks

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front driver's side exterior door handle cover and keyhole detached while opening. Additionally, the front driver's side door failed to latch, and the contact had to force the door to close. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V171000 (Structure) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA ODI 11575746

Mar 4, 2024Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the windshield exterior A-pillar trims detached and were hitting against the vehicle. The contact stated that she pushed the trims back into the original position. Additionally, the contact stated that she noticed that water was leaking inside the vehicle through the windshield, while it was raining and while the vehicle was at the car wash. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11575359

Feb 28, 2024Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the A-pillar applique trim was loose and had damaged the windshield gasket. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11574550

Feb 25, 2024SuspensionTransmission & drivetrainBody & structure

My vehicle was purchased new from Ford dealer with factory tow option, which comes with an undercarriage cover with integrated air scoop to help cool engine & transmission while towing. This cover (Ford # BB5Z-9910494-A) is designed with quarter tern thumb screws to hold it on to the undercarriage. While driving on highway, this part fell off and was not recovered. Now my vehicle is at risk of serious damage to either transmission or engine, or both in not having this key part. The weak design for fastening this metal part to the vehicle is a serious safety hazard, and Ford should provide a resigned replacement part through recall.

NHTSA ODI 11573861

Feb 8, 2024Body & structure

I bought the car from auction. The car was Represent like "Run and drive". But the car come with a lot of rust into the frame and this problem means a structural damage. The car it is not good for driving and it is not possible to be registered.

NHTSA ODI 11570768

Feb 5, 2024Body & structure

every time it rains, water comes inside the vehicle on the back side, noticed water coming from the third row seat belts, that cause a bad smell inside the vehicle and cost a lot of money to get that fix, Unknow how to fix, I called the Dealer the stated that is a known problem with this vehicles .

NHTSA ODI 11570017

Jan 25, 2024Body & structureVisibility & wipers

The windshield makes a loud cracking sound (for the last 4 months- this is how ong ive owned it) and a few weeks ago, the sound happened and the window cracked from the frame toward the center (about 7").

NHTSA ODI 11567888

Dec 29, 2023Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while opening the trunk lid, he became aware of the liquid. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was stated that the leak was coming from a cracked weld seal near the liftgate. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.

NHTSA ODI 11562672

Dec 22, 2023Body & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was water leaking inside the vehicle while her mother was driving and while the vehicle was parked in the rain. The contact stated that water was leaking in the driver's side of the vehicle and in the trunk. The contact stated that water was settling in the front driver's side floorboard and in the trunk. The contact stated that her mother had removed approximately a gallon of water out of the vehicle on one occasion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer informed the contact that the failure could be due to a clogged drain plug. Several unknown repairs were performed on the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11561472

Dec 11, 2023Body & structure

While driving on highway, I started hearing a humming/vibration sound on the right side around the windshield. When we stopped, I noticed the trim molding around my windshield (passenger side) had flown off while driving. When we got back on the road we no longer heard the humming/vibration sound so it seems that the sound was coming from windshield trim molding. As of now, I have not received any notification of it hitting another vehicle so hopefully it did not.

NHTSA ODI 11559538

Dec 8, 2023Body & structure

While driving down a major highway, the trim/molding on the passenger side of the windshield flew off. The underlying bracket is still attached to the vehicle. The flying debris could cause other drivers to swerve to avoid the debris and potentially causing an accident. A local Ford dealership said there is not a recall for this issue. I found an article in USA Today that states several others who own 2011-2019 Explorers have had this same issue. There were no warnings that this piece was going to fail. Since there is not a recall I will be forced to purchase and repair my own vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11559177

Nov 27, 2023Body & structure

The windshield trim panel on my 2013 Ford Explorer detached and flew off the vehicle without warning while I was driving on the highway . If the detached piece hit another motorist it could cause harm. This vehicle is up to date on it's regular maintenance and no warning was given for the part.

NHTSA ODI 11556956

Oct 16, 2023Body & structure

The passenger side front windshield molding blew off during highway driving and almost hit the car traveling behind.

NHTSA ODI 11550211

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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 →