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.
As I was driving on the highway, I heard a loud noise and thought that something hit my windshield. When I was able to stop and examine my vehicle, it became obvious that a large piece of the passenger side windshield molding broke off and the rubber stripping underneath that part came loose as well. I also found that a small piece of windshield molding broke off on the driver's side as well. I thought it might be an isolated incident, however, when we checked online for replacement parts we noticed that there were hundreds upon hundreds of purchases made for these particular parts. They are not cheap and if there are so many of these parts failing/breaking why hasn't Ford done something about it before a breaking part hits another vehicle or causes an accident? I also have first-hand knowledge that a friend of mine is experiencing a very similar problem and when his rubber came loose, flapping around as mine did, it was enough of a distraction that he almost had an accident. I have two repair estimates and will be happy to provide them upon request.
My 2013 Explorer had come bubbles coming up along the edge of the hood. I thought it was a body work issue but the body shop said it is actually corrosion from the aluminum hood. The corrosion is progressing and getting worse. This will eventually leave my hood structurally unsound and expose all the internal components to the elements for degradation.
I noticed the outside trim around the sides of the windshield appeared loose on the driver but mostly passenger side of my car. A few weeks later when I started driving over 10 mph down the road, I heard a noise like something beating against my windshield. I noticed the rubber seal around the windshield and between the trim and the windshield had come off and was flapping in the wind against my windshield and car. The body trim is now loose as well. I had a little water even leak into the car. It was very distracting and almost caused my wreck. I had to temporarily tape the rubber trim down as it keeps coming loose and gets worse as you drive (which you have no choice when you are not close to home or can't get your vehicle in for repairs until weeks later).
Water leak in back of vehicle due to a defective manufacturer's welded seam. Every time the vehicle comes in contact with (I.e.: rain, car wash) water leaks heavily into the vehicle through the third row seatbelt hole. The water leaks into vehicle when parked and when driving. Leak was not noticed at onset or when vehicle was still under warranty.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. During inclement weather (heavy rain), water affected the electronic components in the vehicle. Bowditch Ford (757-595-2211, located at 11291 jefferson ave, newport news, va 23601) kept the vehicle for several days for diagnostic testing. The dealer did not provide an update on the status and the vehicle was not repaired. A second dealer (hall Ford newport news, (877) 398-2216, located at 12896 jefferson ave, newport news, va 23608) diagnosed that the water short circuited the switches and the sun roof motor failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
- New Port News, VA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Steering is hard to steer. Feels like you have no power steering. Doesn't happen all the time just when you turn the steering wheel when driving slow. Also paint on the hood peeling off. Took to a garage for the steering and they say it's a known issue but no recall.
Interior of vehicle taking in water from rain showers (not even bad rain showers), water is coming in from the roof where the windshield meets the roof and absorbing around the sunglass holder/interior lights and dripping down onto radio/navigation system and completely soaks the floor board on the driver's side. I've had the door seal replaced recently and the dealer tells me its a different issue, without even evaluating it. At any rate this water coming into the vehicle is a huge issue especially that it's sitting in the car rotting everything out and dripping onto electrical systems threatening the integrity of any electrical or dash operations. I've researched this issue and it seems to be a widespread issue that needs to be addressed on a larger issue. This occurred after sitting in my work parking lot all day then I could also feel it when driving 35-45mph to the dealer.
My drivers side door latch failed while I was driving. The caution light came on saying drivers side door not latched and my door started to open. I pulled over and couldn't get the door to latch shut. After working with it it latched so I could get home. The next time I got into my drivers side the same thing, my door would not close. This time I was in my driveway attempting to leave and could not. The latch it still broken, a piece of the handle actually fell off. My car is in excellent condition and well taken care of, kept in a garage, low miles etc. Our friend mentioned their Ford having a recall on the door latch. Do not understand why it wasn't implemented on all 2013 Explorer.
The inside spare tire wheel well fills with water. This apparently is an engineering issue since I saw things online about it. Mold is an issue with this problem growing on the wheel cover. What is being done to correct this issue
When driving down I-75 headed to work, doing 65 mph both my windshield trims flew off my car an started making a loud rattling noise. It scared the crap out of me! how has this not been recalled?
Substantial amounts of water is leaking into the interior of the vehicle when parked or in motion. Water intrudes thu the front dome light, the side, the rear seat belt, and other areas. Water was standing in the front passenger seat feet area and it filled the rear spare tire wheel well. Had purchased extended warranty from the Ford dealer when I purchased the vehicle. Took it back to the dealer who cleared the two rear drains on the sun roof, but that does not solve the issue. Dealer ran diagnostics in a water closet they have in their shop. Diagnostic report notes "water is found coming in from the tail gate body seams" dealer explained that the seam sealer is applied at the factory during manufacturing prior to the painting. Apparently this factory sealer has failed. Unclear if sealer compound was defective, or was improperly applied. Bottom line is the factory seal has failed, the seams are now compromised resulting in this safety issue. The 3rd party extended warranty that Ford sold me is supposed to cover seals and gaskets, but apparently there is fine print deep in the bowels of the contract that excludes body issues even if the root cause is poor materials, poor quality, or workmanship by the manufacturer. Dealer indicated this issue has been observed previously on this model. Simple web searches show a large number of complaints for this and adjacent model years but yet recall yet for the issue. I contacted Ford's support line to file a complaint. No resolution as of this writing. Dealer also indicated that the repair would require a body shop.I went to the body shop owned by the dealer and received a preliminary estimate of $738. They emphasized "preliminary" as they're unsure how extensive the seam seal failure may be. This issue not only impacts the safety (water and ice in interior) but also creates a health hazard from mold, mildew, sickening smell.
The front hood paint has bubbled and peeled off the front edge. Appears to have bubbled in more places, now awaiting even more peeling. Obviously a paint defect. Although I will enter a date - it's been a constant defect. (speaking with other Ford Explorer owners - a common complaint.) #2 also, for several years the car driver door sensor (?) light (hence the ceiling lights) stay on (although the ceiling eventually turns off while driving). This indication that the door is ajar / not closed is frequent and often and has been looked at by the Ford dealership in Virginia several times - with no repair / fix. It is not constant but frequent.
We recently began smelling a pungent 'sulfur' or 'rotten egg' like smell that comes and goes in the interior cabin of our Explorer while driving the vehicle. Typically this seems to occur while or just after driving at freeway speeds/accelerating. We believe this is in line with other instances people have had in Explorer of possible exhaust leaks into the interior cabin space of the vehicle. We have 83,000 miles on our 2013 AWD 3.5L Explorer limited. We took our vehicle to a Ford dealer under customer service satisfaction program service # 17N03, but they stated our specific VIN does not apply to this service & thus would not cover that service fix for this issue.
The weld seam sealant used above the tailgate has failed and begun cracking, allowing rainto enter through the poorly done welding, and drips into my cargo area through the rear speakers, down the seatbelt, and onto my seats. Luckily I have a cargo liner which helps avoid my seats from getting soaked. This happens whether parked or moving.
Metal body cracking on upper area panel where liftgate hinges are. Creating water damage to the interior part of the third row. This has been ongoing for about two years and the cracks are getting bigger.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving at unknown speeds, the passenger side windshield trim detached from the vehicle. In addition, the driver side windshield trim was hanging from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (reuther Ford, 1325 mcnutt St, herculaneum, mo 63048, (636) 931-9393) where it was diagnosed that the brackets fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 87,000.
The vehicle is rolling away while in "park". it is the exact problem described for other Ford vehicles but the Explorer is not on the recall list. We have experienced this occurrence twice now. The first time it occurred, the vehicle rolled out of our garage and into fence and tree. The second time, it rolled out of a parked spot while my wife was in the driver seat and clearly observing the transmission was in "park".
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Labelle, FL, USA