Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2013 Ford Explorer
NHTSA data on file today
The 2013 Ford Explorer has 12 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2,237 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #24V031000 Exterior A-Pillar Trim May Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V746000 Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V537000 Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V675000 Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V435000 Rear Suspension Toe Links May Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17E048000 Hub Unit Bearing may Allow Wheel Detachment NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V812000 Fuel Delivery Module may Crack and Leak NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V171000 Interior Door Handle Return Spring may Unseat NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V286000 Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #13V270000 Child Safety Lock may become Deactivated NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #13V227000 Fuel Delivery Module may Crack And Leak NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #13V109000 Fuel Tank may Leak at Seam NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Steering 836 complaints
- Structure 439 complaints
- Unknown or Other 345 complaints
- Engine 225 complaints
- Electrical System 163 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 120 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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $10,000–$14,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2013 Ford Explorer has a below-average reliability rating, based on a high number of complaints and several recall campaigns. The issues are diverse, affecting steering, structure, and fuel systems. This reflects potential for frequent repairs, though some data is limited in highlighting specific high-failure parts.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| steering system | 40,000–70,000 miles | $800–$1,500 | common |
| fuel system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $600–$1,200 | occasional |
| suspension | 60,000–90,000 miles | $700–$1,300 | rare |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Tire rotations
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid service
- Coolant flush
- Drive belt inspection
- Air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Steering difficulty or noise
- Fuel smell or leaks
- Uneven tire wear
- Suspension noises
- Door handle issues
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2013 Ford Explorer at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.