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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,293 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 7 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #94

Feb 012015

Explorer

  • 52,414 miles

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

The smell of exhaust fills the vehicle sometimes when it is in motion.

- Freeland, MI, USA

problem #93

Jan 262017

Explorer

  • 120,000 miles
Climate control system. There is a pungent odor coming from the system at various times, usually when the air conditioner is operating. This has been an ongoing issue and the source has not been identified. The engine will begin running rough at idle, both in drive and park, as though it were going to stall. The problem was checked and compared to another new vehicle, which had not been purchased, and identified as being "normal". most recently both catalytic converters failed. They were replaced and it does not appear to have corrected any other issue.

- Tujunga, CA, USA

problem #92

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 #91

Apr 142014

Explorer

  • miles

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

I have had my car back to Ford because when you accelerate the smell of exhaust comes back into the car. The last time I had it there they said this is the last way that Ford will allow them to fix, well it did not fix it. My granddaughter gets deathly sick with projectile vomitting when she rides in my car. I have made the comment to the service manager that if I put a parakeet in my car it would die, I get no reply. When I drive my car I try not to accelerate to much(haha). My mother does not like to ride in my car she is elderly and she does not need to be smelling that. I have driven Ford Explorer forever and this is the first time I have ever had problems with a car like this. Ford does not take me serious about this matter and when my kids come to town we can't drive my car cause of my granddaughter getting so sick, I don't want to harm her or anyone else.

- Punta Gorda, FL, USA

problem #90

Apr 302016

Explorer

  • 87,400 miles
Exhaust fumes when accelerating.

- Orange City, FL, USA

problem #89

Aug 102015

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed an abnormal odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown. Updated 05/09/17

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #88

Oct 012016

Explorer

  • 51,000 miles

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

There is an exhaust smell (like burnt hair) inside the cabin when the car accelerates, especially a hard acceleration and often when the air conditioning is on. Certified dealer cannot identify cause of issue or how it occurs.

- Rocklin, CA, USA

problem #87

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 #86

May 092012

Explorer

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed an abnormal exhaust odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure the failure mileage and VIN were unknown. Updated 05/10/17

- Early, TX, USA

problem #85

Jan 012015

Explorer

  • miles
I am having some issues with my 2013 Ford Explorer and Ford dealership.. in the nut shelf apparently they have been some issued already recorded about the smell of exhaust in the cabin especially on the highway if you trying to get on or pass someone etc..' I have been telling Ford in tallassee (where we purchased the car) and long lewis in prattville the same thing' they told me that they never heard of such and that there was nothing wrong with my car' anyway my car is back in tallassee at the Ford dealership' now they said yes it is an issue but my extended warranty won't cover it B/C it's an update and not a part that needs to be fixed' the update is $1300' needless to say I don't have the money to pay for it right now.. the main issue is that of course, Ford is aware of the problem but won't issue a recall' the muffler exhaust goes inside the cabin I/O outside which is why the smell is so bad'. me and my family have been breathing carbon monoxide every time we get in the car.. especially long ride, we all get headaches'. couple years ago I started being with headaches and migraines and have been put on meds' I never had migraines before we got the car' coincidence"?" don't think so.

- Prattville, AL, USA

problem #84

Dec 132016

Explorer

  • 73,000 miles

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

Oil supply line to turbo leaking. No parts available to make the repair through Ford. This is the same part failure and has caused a recall in the 2016 - 2017 Ford Explorer sports. Ford needs to look at previous years to determine if a recall should be done for all 2011 to present. (fire hazard)

- Liberty Center, OH, USA

problem #83

Jan 162017

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 59,000 miles
While driving my Explorer will lose all power after 30-45 minutes it will restart and run fine for a day or so and then happen again. When it loses power all of the warnings will appear and the radio will still work. When I restart the vehicle it takes a minute for the engine to turn over. This is very scary and dangerous when I am driving down the highway at 70 mph. I see there have been many complaints about this but no recall! this has also happened while driving a both 35-40 mph on city streets and has happened a total of about six times.

- Owasso, OK, USA

problem #82

Nov 232016

Explorer

  • 61,900 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 45 mph, the contact's vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. The dealer diagnosed that the throttle body and motor assembly failed. The throttle body was replaced and the vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 61,900.

- Cantonment, FL, USA

problem #81

Aug 152016

Explorer

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the throttle body had excess deposits, which caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.

- Crestview, FL, USA

problem #80

Nov 052016

Explorer

  • 118,000 miles
My truck has almost 120000 miles. And we were driving and notice the check light came on. We went to advance auto and had the truck scanned to see what code would come up. It said there was two cylinder misfired. And that it probably came from bad fuel. And then the engine started jumping and skipping. We finally got it to Firestone and they said there's tapping and knocking at the bottom of the engine. They came to the conclusion that now the truck needs a new engine. They quoted me a rough estimate of $10,000. We've kept up with all the oil changes along with having the A/C compressor replaced because it went out as well. The warranty company will only replace the engine with a used or remanufactured engine for $3700. There is no way a 2013 Ford Explorer with less than 120,000 miles needs a new engine. And we also smelled exhaust fumes through the vents inside the vehicle.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #79

Oct 142016

Explorer

  • 83,000 miles
Exhaust smell is extremely noticeable and disturbing, especially because I am travelling with a 3 year old. What can be done to resolve this issue immediately? I had a similar issue when the gas line had a leak and that is all I could smell.

- Westminster, MD, USA

problem #78

Aug 032014

Explorer

  • miles
During heavy acceleration... for example when I'm entering a highway... really strong smell of engine fumes enter the cabin... every time. I have a 2013 Ford Explorer XLT - very happy with my Ford otherwise.

- Zionsville, PA, USA

problem #77

Oct 212015

Explorer

  • miles
Exhaust leak in cabin

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #76

Oct 062016

Explorer

  • 83,127 miles
I had an incident in July 24, 2016 when I came to a stop at a highway toll booth the vehicle started stalling the low oil pressure message came on and stalled I restarted the vehicle the message went away and ran normal thought it was a clutch so I left it align. Checked oil level and it was normal. Well today 10/06/2016 my mother in law the vehicle belonging to her was driving on the highway to where speed limit is 70mph. Traffic came to a slow down almost a stop vehicle did the same low oil pressure message came on and stalled with my kids on board. She had to put in park and restarted the vehicle in the middle of the highway posing danger to other motorist and most important my family. Something needs to be done before something bad happens to someone that could have been prevented by a recall and further investigation. Thank you for your cooperation.

- Donna, TX, USA

problem #75

Sep 162016

Explorer

  • 40,000 miles
While driving an error message with wrench symbol came on and car wouldn't move. I pressed gas pedal and still wouldn't go. I was driving on a city street in heavy traffic..

- Leander, TX, USA

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