Known Recalls

Model year record

2013 Ford Explorer

11 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 2,801 owner complaints on file.

Ford Explorer, 2011–2015 generation
Pictured: the 2011–2015 generation. 2007FordExplorer, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 24V031000

Structure: body: roof and pillars

Component
Structure: body: roof and pillars
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
1,889,110
Reported to NHTSA
2024-01-19
Owners notified
2024-07-18

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.

Safety risk

A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V746000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
150,723
Reported to NHTSA
2021-09-22
Owners notified
2022-03-17

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.

Safety risk

A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V537000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
631,176
Reported to NHTSA
2021-07-15
Owners notified
2022-03-16

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.

Safety risk

A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V675000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
454,941
Reported to NHTSA
2021-03-12
Owners notified
2020-11-27

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.

Safety risk

A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S62.

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V435000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
1,194,173
Reported to NHTSA
2019-06-10
Owners notified
2019-06-26

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

Safety risk

A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V812000

Fuel system, gasoline

Component
Fuel system, gasoline
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
868
Reported to NHTSA
2015-12-02
Owners notified
2015-12-21

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Safety risk

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V171000

Structure: body: door

Component
Structure: body: door
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
194,484
Reported to NHTSA
2015-03-24
Owners notified
2015-07-23

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.

Safety risk

If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S11.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V286000

Steering: electric power assist system

Component
Steering: electric power assist system
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
179,027
Reported to NHTSA
2014-05-29
Owners notified
2014-07-23

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.

Safety risk

If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V270000

Latches/locks/linkages

Component
Latches/locks/linkages
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
12,569
Reported to NHTSA
2013-06-26
Owners notified
2013-08-02

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety locks may change from an activated position to a deactivated position without notice.

Safety risk

If the child lock is deactivated, the door could be unlocked and opened from the inside which could lead to personal injury to an unrestrained child.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the safety locks. If necessary, the locks will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Ford's recall number is 13S07. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V227000

Fuel system, gasoline

Component
Fuel system, gasoline
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
390,783
Reported to NHTSA
2013-05-31
Owners notified
2013-07-20

Defect description

Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Safety risk

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V109000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
3,037
Reported to NHTSA
2013-03-27
Owners notified
2013-05-09

Defect description

Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and model year 2013 Explorer vehicles manufactured July 19, 2011, through March 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the fuel tanks may have a marginally sealed seam in the side of the tank. As a result, the fuel tanks may not provide the expected strength in the event of an impact. The tanks may also leak.

Safety risk

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tanks and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S03. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering81095,000 mi
Unknown or other34557,000 mi
Engine22654,000 mi
Structure: body22450,000 mi
Structure201115,000 mi
Electrical system15854,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system12050,000 mi
Power train11858,000 mi
Suspension7893,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)4581,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling3870,000 mi
Vehicle speed control3749,000 mi
Visibility/wiper3374,000 mi
Service brakes3142,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline2936,000 mi
Exterior lighting2530,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2234,000 mi
Wheels2069,000 mi
Seat belts1960,000 mi
Air bags1750,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system16120,000 mi
Back over prevention14108,000 mi
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera12120,000 mi
Seats1041,000 mi
Visibility: windshield: critical fasteners10—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch837,650 mi
Structure: body: door820,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly880,000 mi
Visibility: windshield887,000 mi
Lane departure: assist7—
Back over prevention: rearview system braking6139,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages65,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion6120,000 mi
Traction control system6105,000 mi
Back over prevention: warnings5—
Lane departure: blind spot detection4144,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer3203,912 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: pump3130,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump3107,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic365,000 mi
Steering: column393,000 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars3—
Visibility370,693 mi
Back over prevention: display function2156,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel240,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2130,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility24,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner215,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control2—
Forward collision avoidance: warnings2103,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: lock2102,000 mi
Parking brake243,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid292,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate238,000 mi
Air bags: frontal14,986 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1129,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor114,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1169,234 mi
Forward collision avoidance1144,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: throttlebody/manifold1121,000 mi
Lane departure: lane keep: automatic steering1214,000 mi
Lane departure: lane keep: steering assist1200,013 mi
Lane departure: sensing system: other1130,200 mi
Lane departure: warning1—
Power train: automatic transmission1102,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other: anchorage160,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper152,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1136,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings126,147 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages130,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system193,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: mounting bracket1147,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1135,000 mi
Steering: steering control module1130,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid1170,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing135,000 mi
Tires130,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal130,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system12,800 mi

The 2012 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 2014 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Explorer model years

202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986198519841977

All Ford Explorer recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.