2013 Ford Explorer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 Ford Explorer has a complaint index of 85, ranking it 4th worst out of 21 model years, with 2,234 complaints and 11 recalls. Steering problems dominate, making up 37% of complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict compared to other Explorer years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 Explorer years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 2,234
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 44
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 11
- Injuries
- 61
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 61 / 1
Top 2013 Ford Explorer problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering835 (37%)
- Structure & Body455 (20%)
- Other348 (16%)
- Engine316 (14%)
- Electrical System183 (8%)
- Fuel System153 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain119 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires93 (4%)
- Brakes88 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers62 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the steering wheel seizing or losing power assist during turns, sometimes causing loss of control and crashes.
- Some describe the vehicle rolling out of park on its own after being parked, even without an incline, hitting objects or other vehicles.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during frontal or side-impact crashes despite significant vehicle damage.
- Brake pedals were described as too small and positioned too close to the accelerator, leading owners to hit the wrong pedal while reversing.
- One owner reported an Ecoboost engine failure with smoke entering the cabin and an abnormal noise before the motor was replaced.
2013 Ford Explorer recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V031000Jan 19, 2024Structure & Body1,889,110 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
- NHTSA 21V746000Sep 22, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires150,723 vehicles
Suspension:rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.
- NHTSA 21V537000Jul 15, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires631,176 vehicles
Suspension:rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
Risk: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.
2013 Ford Explorer fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,325
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Ford Explorer reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Explorer ranks 4th worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 85, and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Explorer years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Ford Explorer?
- Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 835 complaints (37% of the total) and linked to 12 crashes, with a median failure mileage of 95,000 miles.
- Does the 2013 Ford Explorer have a steering recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 14V286000 covers an intermittent connection in the electric power steering system that can cause loss of steering assist.
- How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Explorer have?
- NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2013 Explorer, covering steering, suspension, fuel system, and structure/body components, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2013 Explorer compare to other years?
- The 2013 model's complaint index of 85 is higher than most other Explorer years except 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2020, which also carry Avoid verdicts.