Model year record

2013 Ford Explorer

11 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 3,126 owner complaints on file.

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.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Steering	860	95,000 mi
Unknown or other	379	57,000 mi
Structure	337	115,000 mi
Structure: body	244	50,000 mi
Engine	230	55,580 mi
Electrical system	180	57,000 mi
Power train	123	60,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	122	50,000 mi
Suspension	85	93,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	45	81,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling	38	70,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	38	49,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	37	74,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	33	40,000 mi
Service brakes	32	42,000 mi
Exterior lighting	26	30,000 mi
Back over prevention	23	101,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	22	34,000 mi
Wheels	22	69,000 mi
Seat belts	21	74,000 mi
Air bags	17	50,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system	16	120,000 mi
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera	12	120,000 mi
Seats	11	60,000 mi
Back over prevention: rearview system braking	10	139,000 mi
Lane departure: assist	10	—
Visibility: windshield: critical fasteners	10	—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	9	80,000 mi
Back over prevention: warnings	8	—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	8	37,650 mi
Structure: body: door	8	20,000 mi
Visibility: windshield	8	87,000 mi
Lane departure: blind spot detection	6	144,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	6	5,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion	6	120,000 mi
Traction control system	6	105,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer	5	203,912 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	4	65,000 mi
Visibility	4	146,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: pump	3	130,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control	3	—
Forward collision avoidance: warnings	3	103,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	3	107,000 mi
Steering: column	3	93,000 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars	3	—
Back over prevention: display function	2	156,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	2	40,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	2	130,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility	2	4,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	2	15,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance	2	144,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: lock	2	102,000 mi
Parking brake	2	43,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid	2	92,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate	2	38,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	1	4,986 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan	1	129,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	1	14,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	1	169,234 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: throttlebody/manifold	1	121,000 mi
Lane departure: lane keep: automatic steering	1	214,000 mi
Lane departure: lane keep: steering assist	1	200,013 mi
Lane departure: sensing system: other	1	130,200 mi
Lane departure: warning	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission	1	102,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other: anchorage	1	60,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper	1	52,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	1	136,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	26,147 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages	1	30,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	1	93,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: mounting bracket	1	147,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack	1	135,000 mi
Steering: steering control module	1	130,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid	1	170,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	1	—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	1	35,000 mi
Tires	1	30,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt	1	—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	1	30,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	1	2,800 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.

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.