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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Ford Explorer Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2013 Ford Explorer has 12 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2,237 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 Ford Explorer, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2013 Ford Explorer owner complaints

Owners have filed 2,237 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Explorer, describing incidents dated March 30, 2012 to September 4, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Steering 836 complaints
  • Structure 439 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 345 complaints
  • Engine 290 complaints
  • Electrical System 163 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 153 complaints

Of the 2,237 complaints on file, 44 report a crash and 11 a fire; across all 2,237 complaints, owners report 61 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11771507 · Filed

    Power Steering failure extremely hard to turn when in low speeds, recall on other explorers for same year

  • ODI #11769807 · Filed

    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 while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s side A-pillar trim had…

  • ODI #11767882 · Filed

    My 2013 Explorer is under recall for A-pillar trim on the front windshield. I check with my dealer monthly and they sat they have not heard a word from Ford. It has been over a year! And my trim is already failing. Ford needs to be investigated !!!

Read all 2,237 complaints

Owner-reported

2013 Ford Explorer mileage at failure

1,510 of the 2,237 complaints on file for the 2013 Ford Explorer give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
SteeringMedian 105,000 milesMiddle half 75,000–135,000 milesBased on 601 complaints
StructureMedian 90,000 milesMiddle half 50,000–130,000 milesBased on 250 complaints
EngineMedian 65,000 milesMiddle half 30,000–105,000 milesBased on 221 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion SystemMedian 50,000 milesMiddle half 20,000–90,000 milesBased on 113 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2013 Ford Explorer in 6 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

1 more NHTSA investigation
Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Exterior A-Pillar Trim May Detach

NHTSA #24V031000 · Structure — Body — Roof and Pillars · NHTSA notice

Reported January 19, 2024 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 1,889,110 vehicles

Repair completion: 20.84% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 24S02 · Owners notified July 18, 2024 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

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 consequence

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture

NHTSA #21V746000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice

Reported September 22, 2021 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 150,723 vehicles

Repair completion: 47.67% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 21S43 · Owners notified March 17, 2022

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 consequence

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture

NHTSA #21V537000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice

Reported July 15, 2021 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 631,176 vehicles

Repair completion: 66.79% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 21S32 · Owners notified March 16, 2022

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 consequence

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture

NHTSA #20V675000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice

Reported March 12, 2021 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 454,941 vehicles

Repair completion: 77.55% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 20S62 · Owners notified November 27, 2020

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 consequence

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Rear Suspension Toe Links May Fracture

NHTSA #19V435000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice

Reported June 10, 2019 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 1,194,173 vehicles

Repair completion: 64.05% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 19S17 · Owners notified June 26, 2019 · Vehicles built May 17, 2010 – January 25, 2017 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Hub Unit Bearing may Allow Wheel Detachment

NHTSA #17E048000 · Wheels — Hub · NHTSA notice

Reported August 28, 2017 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 630 vehicles

Owners notified July 31, 2017

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.

Safety consequence

A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Delivery Module may Crack and Leak

NHTSA #15V812000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported December 2, 2015 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 868 vehicles

Repair completion: 80.18% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 13S04-S1 · Owners notified December 21, 2015 · Vehicles built December 5, 2012 – March 12, 2013 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Interior Door Handle Return Spring may Unseat

NHTSA #15V171000 · Structure — Body — Door · NHTSA notice

Reported March 24, 2015 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 194,484 vehicles

Repair completion: 67.75% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 15S11 · Owners notified July 23, 2015 · Vehicles built February 1, 2011 – January 31, 2012 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist

NHTSA #14V286000 · Steering — Electric Power Assist System · NHTSA notice

Reported May 29, 2014 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 179,027 vehicles

Repair completion: 82.8% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 14S06 · Owners notified July 23, 2014 · Vehicles built May 17, 2010 – February 28, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

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 consequence

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Child Safety Lock may become Deactivated

NHTSA #13V270000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · NHTSA notice

Reported June 26, 2013 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 12,569 vehicles

Ford campaign 13S07 · Owners notified August 2, 2013 · Vehicles built November 29, 2012 – December 12, 2012 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Delivery Module may Crack And Leak

NHTSA #13V227000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported May 31, 2013 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 390,783 vehicles

Ford campaign 13S04 · Owners notified July 20, 2013 · Vehicles built August 25, 2011 – January 10, 2013 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Tank may Leak at Seam

NHTSA #13V109000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported March 27, 2013 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 3,037 vehicles

Ford campaign 13S03 · Owners notified May 9, 2013 · Vehicles built July 19, 2011 – March 15, 2012 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Ford Explorer model years

Check your 2013 Ford Explorer VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Explorer at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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