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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,975 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Ford Explorer fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2013 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 4 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #56

Apr 052017

Explorer

  • 50 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There is a consistent smell of sulfur or gas coming into the car through the vents. I was light headed and dizzy while driving. Stopped and roll the windows down. This was not just once but Ford is doing nothing about the problem. I searched for recalls and they said there is no recall on my Ford Explorer for this issues. Please advise as to what I am to do?

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

problem #55

Mar 282017

Explorer

  • 91,000 miles
While driving my 2013 Ford Explorer during acceleration I noticed the smell of exhaust in the cabin of the vehicle. About that same time I started to feel dizzy and nauseous. I have made a complaint about this matter in the past with NHTSA and have yet to receive any feed back for this matter.

- Richland, WA, USA

problem #54

Feb 272017

Explorer

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was emitting strong gasoline fumes without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000. The VIN was not available.

- Delaware, OH, USA

problem #53

Mar 012017

Explorer

  • 52,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Exhaust fumes leaking into cabin of car especially when accelerating or running A/C. currently have an open case with Ford but they are refusing to fix this issue at their expense. This is a defect in the manufacturing of the care and therefore should not be out of my pocket to drive a safe vehicle. I have two little kids with respiratory issues and need this issue fixed asap.

- Hutto, TX, USA

problem #52

Feb 212017

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
I have had my Explorer at the dealership twice since I purchased it regards the front drive side brakes. They put on a new rotor and brake. Issue is still on going. Still making a bad sound on that side. Issue 2: when ever I accelerate to pass other car or to merge onto the interstate the exhaust smell within the vehicle is horrible. My children and I have been suffering from horrible headaches. I have a feeling we are breathing in carbon monoxide. I will be taking it to the dealer tomorrow.

- Elkton, VA, USA

problem #51

Feb 132017

Explorer

  • miles
There is a strong exhaust odor that in my car. I am unable to use the ac and heat because of the side effects I get. (massive headaches, blurred vision, nausea). I just bought my car in December 2016 and I contacted the Ford company I bought my car from and they are unaware of this defect. I am scared to put my 7 month old in my car and will not put her life in danger because of this issue.

- Graham, NC, USA

problem #50

Feb 192017

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There has been a strong odor of gas fumes within the vehicle. The vehicle has been in motion each time of this occurrence. This would happen either city or highway driving. There does not seem to be a specific time or season. The car did go through a recall that I thought was the problem. The problem persists and has made us nauseous. I fear that this problem is affecting our health and the safety of my family.

- Delaware, OH, USA

problem #49

Apr 042016

Explorer

  • 77,000 miles
In the spring and summer when driving with my ac on I started getting the worst head akes of my life and was even hospiltised for them and noone could ever figure anything out then in the fall wehn we stoped my head stped hurting and then I took a trip in Nov to Florida and used the ac almost the whole way back and when I returned home I was put back in the hospital for again a head ake that could not be controlled with yet again no answer to a couse and the only thing I can think or and relate is driving my car and the ac being on sometimes not alsways tho with a exsust smell

- Neon, KY, USA

problem #48

Jan 082017

Explorer

  • 49,000 miles
Strong exhaust/gasoline smell inside the cabin while driving with windows closed and the air conditioning on.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #47

Jul 032016

Explorer

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed strong fumes inside the vehicle which caused nausea and headaches. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000. Updated 06/02/17

- Anaheim, CA, USA

problem #46

Sep 222012

Explorer

  • 5 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. On several occasions, while driving various speeds, the contact noticed an abnormal fuel odor in the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 5. the VIN was not available.

- Oxford, GA, USA

problem #45

Mar 022016

Explorer

  • 41,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the a fuel odor emitted from the vehicle. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was previously taken for inspection two weeks prior to the failure; however, the technician did not indicate a failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #44

May 142016

Explorer

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving various speeds, a strong fuel odor emitted inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the gasket was loose and caused the fuel odor to emit into the cabin of the vehicle. The technician stated that the gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #43

Oct 162016

Explorer

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a strong odor of fuel inside the vehicle. The contact and his children became ill. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a leak in the fuel pump. The dealer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- North Ridge, CA, USA

problem #42

Oct 022016

Explorer

  • 19,850 miles
While driving on highway at 65-70 mph I accelerated to pass another vehicle, and shortly after passing, a strong smell of exhaust fumes or gasoline entered the passenger area. This has occurred several times since purchasing the car new in 2013. I called my Ford dealer and was told that a service bulletin has been issued to fix the problem, but since my vehicle is now out of warranty I would have to pay for the fix. After checking on line, this is evidently a wide-spread problem of a safety nature (my wife has asthma) and one that is inherent in many Explorer nationally, and if not corrected at Ford's expense by a special warranty exception, then the vehicles should be repaired under a safety recall.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #41

Aug 032016

Explorer

  • 35,000 miles
On Aug.3th, 2016 I was driving my Ford Explorer 2013 on a freeway going aprox. 65miles/hr. At one point a wrench light came on and the vehicles engine quit. I made sure to put my hazard lights on and slowly changed lanes to get out of the way. This was very dangerous as the freeway is under heavy construction so there not much space to pull over safely. I managed to find the "safest" spot and stopped the vehicle. I turned everything off and was about to call for help. I figured I should try and start it up and see if it will move from me instead. Once I did this, and I knew that if I gave it some gas the vehicle would go, I took it back home and left it there until I could get it to the mechanics. The mechanic we used said he's seen this quite often and its some type of sensor that gives the engine the fuel it needs to run. Unfortunately, the sensor failed. We got it fixed but Ford would not cover for this. I understand that the warranty is finished on this vehicle but there is not enough miles on it to warrant this type of fault. The vehicle is only 3 years old too! I was and still am very upset that they will not help us pay for this faulty sensor. I would like to know how to put further action on this problem as I am sure there have been many other Ford with the same problem.

- Cypress, TX, USA

problem #40

Jun 012016

Explorer

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there were strong fumes emitting into the cabin of the vehicle, which caused nausea and headaches. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

- Graham, NC, USA

problem #39

Jun 072014

Explorer

  • 35,000 miles
Upon heavy acceleration I smell a very strong gas smell. It is so bad I have to roll down all windows and air out cabin. It makes me very dizzy to the point of having to pull off road on many occasions. It gives me a headache and at this point I am scared to drive it or have my kids in car. I am scared to pull out in traffic or accelerate very fast because of the smell and I am afraid of what it is doing to me and my family physically with the prolonged exposure. Ford says nothing is wrong when I took it to dealership. Please help.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #38

Aug 052016

Explorer

  • 55,000 miles
Turn signals malfunctioned constantly. Problem allegedly caused by faulty installation of both wiring harnesses at factory. Both were replaced. Second vehicle in our fleet with this problem. Vehicle started losing acceleration; problem traced to faulty throttle body. Second vehicle in our fleet with this problem.

- Jackson, WI, USA

problem #37

Jul 152016

Explorer

  • 88,500 miles
On two separate occasions, the car stalled after de-accelerating to a stopped position and made a "clunk" sound from the transmission area. During the first event at a traffic light, a very noticeable "clunk" was heard that sounded like the transmission. The car was re-started and seemed to drive normally. To be on the safe side, we brought the car to the dealership to have it checked but they could find nothing wrong. During the second event at a stop sign, another very noticeable "clunk" was heard from the underside of the car and the car actually shifted so that it was felt by the body. After re-starting the car this time and placing it into drive, this time the car did not move when pressing down on the gas pedal. Instead, only the engine revved up. In addition, when putting the gear into the reverse or drive position, that loud "clunk" sound and the physical shifting of the vehicle also happened. Because the car would literally not go, we called for a tow-truck and took it to the Ford dealership. At the dealership, a customer care rep and a technician came outside to look at the car. When putting the car into reverse and drive, the same "clunk" and shifting of the vehicle was observed and acknowledged by both men. However, at this point the car would move forward when applying the gas. We left the car at the dealership for evaluation. When following up early the next week, ,we were informed that they had driven the car about 100 miles over the course of three trips and the car was running normally. Also, we were told that the diagnostic/evaluation of the PCM and transmission did not show anything was wrong. In my opinion, there are two problems here: #1, the stalling/transmission problem and #2, the inability to identify the problem for such a major event

- Matthews, NC, USA

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