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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,674 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2013 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #67

Jan 072024

Explorer

  • miles

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

My vehicle was purchased new from Ford dealer with factory tow option, which comes with an undercarriage cover with integrated air scoop to help cool engine & transmission while towing. This cover (Ford # BB5Z-9910494-A) is designed with quarter tern thumb screws to hold it on to the undercarriage. While driving on highway, this part fell off and was not recovered. Now my vehicle is at risk of serious damage to either transmission or engine, or both in not having this key part. The weak design for fastening this metal part to the vehicle is a serious safety hazard, and Ford should provide a resigned replacement part through recall.

- Billerica, MA, USA

problem #66

Dec 292023

Explorer

  • miles
I started to notice a slight -??slipping-?? or -??sliding-?? feeling when driving on wet roads or if I hit a pothole or man cover just right. Then while my kids and I were on vacation over Christmas break, I hit a small wet spot on the road and began to fishtail. Luckily we avoided an accident. I was unable to drive over 20mph without feeling like I would lose control. When we had it checked by a mechanic we were told it the toe link on both rear tires were snapped, an issue Ford has recalled several times, as recently as 2020. We spoke with a Ford mechanic and were told my vehicle didn-??t have any active recalls related, the toe link had been recalled previously but was supposedly fixed in 2019, just months before the most recent recall. As a result, we had to pay the almost $600 repair bill.

- Jacksonville, IL, USA

problem #65

Jan 012024

Explorer

  • 198,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the steering wheel was loose while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the front axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the transfer case had previously been replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.

- Lewisburg, KY, USA

problem #64

Nov 052023

Explorer

  • miles

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

While driving in the rain the rear end was sliding thought I was going to lose control. It was also happening when driving on rough roads or bumps. Rear Tires are also wearing out quickly.

- Oak Ridge , TN, USA

problem #63

Sep 252023

Explorer

  • miles
Noise in the rear suspension

- Nogales, AZ, USA

problem #62

Aug 202023

Explorer

  • 160,000 miles
The contact's father-in-law owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact's father-in-law received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V675000 (Suspension). The contact stated that while her father-in-law was driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear end of the vehicle was sliding. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear toe link was fractured, the rear wheel knuckles were seized, and the rear passenger's side wheel bearing was loose; however, the dealer declined to perform the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to tow the vehicle to another dealer and file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

- Bethel, OH, USA

problem #61

Jul 072023

Explorer

  • miles

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

Power steering issues light came on right before it happened

- Garland, TX, USA

problem #60

Jun 012023

Explorer

  • 142,000 miles
The rear subframe fractured while driving nearly causing a wreck. The rear of the vehicle jerked violently to the right. If this had been on the highway I believe it would have cost the car to spin out. At the dealership it was found that the rear subframe was rusted out where the recalled to link attached. I tried to get part from the dealership but they said it was already disposed of i do have several pictures of the rusted frame. There were no symptoms until it broke.

- Jamestown, OH, USA

problem #59

Sep 202019

Explorer

  • 214,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the power steering failed to operate as needed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure. The contact also stated that when the Lane Departure: Lane Keep: Automatic Steering was engaged, the function independently disengaged, and the vehicle was drifting out of the lane. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the functionality returned. Additionally, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was notified of a failure with the rear suspension related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension) rear toe link. The contact related the steering failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 214,000.

- North Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #58

Feb 142021

Explorer

  • miles
My suspension was damaged and my car froze and stalled during winter storm and caused my car to go to several shops and I spent lots money on repairs

- San Antonio , TX, USA

problem #57

Feb 072023

Explorer

  • miles

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

The individual has a 2013 Ford Explorer with two active recalls for rear toe link fracture and reached out to Alton Blakely dealership in Somerset, Kentucky, to have it repaired. However, the dealership refused to repair the vehicle and directed the individual to find another dealership. The reason given was that in the past, they have conducted the repair and left the vehicle in worse shape than before, with the vehicle unable to be appropriately aligned, leading to uneven wear on the tires. The individual is looking to draft a complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the dealership's refusal to repair the vehicle, despite it being a recall repair.

- Williamsburg, KY, USA

problem #56

Feb 032023

Explorer

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while pulling out a parking lot, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. On another occasion, the contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the wheel hub needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) or 17E048000 (Wheels, Suspension). The failure mileage was 155,000.

- Crookston, MN, USA

problem #55

Jan 152023

Explorer

  • miles
This winter I began starting my vehicle and letting it warm up before driving it. After letting it run approximately 10 to 15 minutes, I opened my door and to get in and there was a very strong exhaust smell inside. I would have to roll my windows down to clear the cabin of the fumes. This happened every single time I would let it sit and warm up. There is also something happening with what I believe is my drive-train. There is a lot of different noises (squealing/whining, grinding (metal to metal), clanking and thumping) when I give it gas after sitting at a light. As soon as I step on the gas pedal it makes all the above noises and jerks, then acts like it doesn't want to go. It finally kicks in then goes. Once it kicks in, it drives just fine. The noise sounds like its coming from the undercarriage and sometimes the rear end. I am not driving the vehicle now, it is parked in my driveway, so I am currently without transportation. There is also a very loud popping noise coming from the front end. I was told this could be ball joints or possibly stabilizers.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #54

Sep 242022

Explorer

  • miles
No incidents steering makes loud noise

- Clayton, DE, USA

problem #53

Aug 282022

Explorer

  • miles
Our Explorer has been riding extremely rough going down smooth highways and the slightest bump in the road make the car shake sideways as if it-€™s almost bending in half. Last week, We drove a couple miles down the road and stopped at Walmart. After loading groceries up I started the car to leave and the steering wheel was harder than normal to move. I thought we might have had a low tire and we weren-€™t that far from home, however as we-€™re driving home, the dash notification screen lights up and says power steering assist fault. So I then let off the gas pedal attempting to try to slow down and this causes the steering wheel to completely tighten up, almost causing us to wreck as I can no longer move the steering wheel more than an inch in either direction while going down the highway. The only way I was able to get us home safely was stopping and going no more than 15 mph until we pulled into our driveway. I will not let my family get in the car until I know we-€™re all completely safe and out of harms way. The Ford dealership in Ponchatoula said it will have to be towed there and the problem won-€™t go away until the faulty steering motor is fixed. We were told they-€™ve had plenty Explorers come in with the same problem as our year, make, model and engine. I-€™m 6-€™2 230lbs I should not have this much trouble trying to turn a steering wheel either driving or sitting still.

- Ponchatoula , LA, USA

problem #52

Jul 182022

Explorer

  • 0 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Ford Escape and requested to be removed from the recall notification lists.

- Redbud, IL, USA

problem #51

May 272022

Explorer

  • miles
I bought this car 2020 an spoke to them about this popping noise when I turn my steering wheel, well the other I had it repair thinking it was struts an springs but to fine out it was the rack and pinion bushing they had to have this knowledge. Then my backup camera went out it's because there to large structural issues at each rear hang that seems to be body putty in so they act sold this car without a full inspection I don't think so it has structural damage at the time of me purchasing it.

- Centerville , IL, USA

problem #50

Apr 192022

Explorer

  • 163,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated when the vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be inspected for a vibration and unknown noises, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was repaired for the check engine fault. The contact also stated while driving approximately 25 MPH and making a left turn and occasionally while reversing the vehicle, the vehicle would vibrate abnormally. The contact related the failure to the suspension. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 163,000.

- Shelby, NC, USA

problem #49

Apr 182022

Explorer

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and the dealer had rescheduled the appointment twice. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #48

Nov 252021

Explorer

  • 112,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact indicated that while driving over a bump in the roadway, there was a clunking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. VIN tool confirms parts are not available. The failure mileage was 112,000.

- Goodlettsville, TN, USA

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