What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Explorer?

Steering has the most complaints, with 836. Structure follows with 439, then engine with 290. See the problems section above for what owners describe.

Does the 2013 Ford Explorer have recalls?

Yes, the page lists 11 recalls. Check the Recalls section for each one.

How many complaints does the 2013 Ford Explorer have?

NHTSA has 2,237 owner complaints on file. They are unverified and not adjusted for sales.

What is the gas mileage of the 2013 Ford Explorer?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Which year of the Explorer is best?

See the by-year comparison on this page. Compare years of the same model, since complaint counts are not adjusted for sales.

2013 Ford Explorer Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 2,237 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Ford Explorer^[1]. Steering is the biggest group, with 836 complaints^[2].

2,237owner complaints^[1]

11recalls^[3]

18–23MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups, biggest first. These are unverified owner reports, and one report can name more than one part.

Steering. 836 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the power steering going out while driving or backing up, with warning lights and a wheel that becomes very hard to turn. Some also describe the front end wandering when they press hard on the gas.
Structure. 439 complaints^[6]. Owners describe water leaking into the cabin, rust on the hood edge, door seals that make entry slippery, a keypad on the door that rarely responds, and a panoramic sunroof that shattered while parked.
Unknown Or Other. 345 complaints^[7]. These reports do not point to one clear part.
Engine. 290 complaints^[8]. Owners describe exhaust or burnt oil smells coming into the cabin, often when accelerating, even after dealer visits. One owner describes a sudden engine failure in a nearly new SUV.
Electrical System. 163 complaints^[9]. Owners describe warning messages and system faults, a touchscreen that glitches or goes dark, navigation that loses its route, and a key detection message that keeps returning.
Fuel/Propulsion System. 120 complaints^[10].
Power Train. 119 complaints^[11].
Suspension. 79 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2013 Explorer is necessarily included.

Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars (24V031), January 2024. About 1,889,110 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Suspension › Rear (21V746), September 2021. About 150,723 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of steering, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Suspension › Rear (21V537), July 2021. About 631,176 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of steering, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Suspension › Rear (20V675), March 2021. About 454,941 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of steering, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Suspension › Rear (19V435), June 2019. About 1,194,173 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Fuel System, Gasoline (15V812), December 2015. About 868 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Structure › Body › Door (15V171), March 2015. About 194,484 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[19]
Steering › Electric Power Assist System (14V286), May 2014. About 179,027 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[20]
Latches/Locks/Linkages (13V270), June 2013. About 12,569 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[21]
Fuel System, Gasoline (13V227), May 2013. About 390,783 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[22]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly (13V109), March 2013. About 3,037 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[23]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Explorer FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	20 / 27 / 23	$2,900
Explorer AWD FFV, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive^[24]	17 / 23 / 19	$3,550
Explorer 2WD FFV, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive^[25]	17 / 24 / 20	$3,350
Explorer FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[26]	17 / 24 / 20	$3,350
Explorer AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[27]	16 / 22 / 18	$3,700
Explorer AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[28]	17 / 23 / 19	$3,550

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[5]	5	5	5	4	17.4%
SUV FWD^[29]	5	5	5	4	16.9%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2013 Ford Explorer with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[30]	237 hp
2013 Ford Explorer with 3.5L 6-cylinder^[31]	287 hp
2013 Ford Explorer with 3.7L 6-cylinder^[32]	300 hp

How 2013 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Explorer model year. The 2013 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	843	5
1996	1,450	6
1997	1,773	7
1998	2,085	9
1999	1,441	9
2000	1,026	10
2001	730	8
2002	3,572	7
2003	1,274	2
2004	1,408	0
2005	568	0
2006	635	1
2007	308	1
2008	171	1
2009	39	0
2010	146	1
2011	1,197	6
2012	829	5
2013	2,237	11
2014	1,682	6
2015	1,815	8
2016	2,483	14
2017	1,712	14
2018	737	7
2019	299	6
2020	1,245	35
2021	455	27
2022	272	25
2023	113	15
2024	21	10
2025	108	22
2026	42	15

NHTSA's counts for the Explorer show 2,237 complaints and 11 recalls for 2013^[3]. Among the 33 model years listed, 30 have fewer complaints than 2013 and 2 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2002 (3,572)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2013 Explorer?

The 2013 Ford Explorer has a long complaint record, with 2,237 reports on file^[1]. Steering stands out as the largest group at 836 complaints^[2]. Owners also describe cabin smells and electrical glitches^[8]^[9]. Some reports mention crashes, fires or injuries, so it is worth reading them with care^[1]. These are unverified reports and are not adjusted for how many were sold, so use them as a guide for what to check on a used one.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Explorer?: Steering has the most complaints, with 836^[2]. Structure follows with 439^[6], then engine with 290^[8]. See the problems section above for what owners describe.
Does the 2013 Ford Explorer have recalls?: Yes, the page lists 11 recalls^[3]. Check the Recalls section for each one.
How many complaints does the 2013 Ford Explorer have?: NHTSA has 2,237 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified and not adjusted for sales.
What is the gas mileage of the 2013 Ford Explorer?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
Which year of the Explorer is best?: See the by-year comparison on this page. Compare years of the same model, since complaint counts are not adjusted for sales.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Ford Explorer

2001 730 complaints, 8 recalls
2013 this page
2014 1,682 complaints, 6 recalls
2015 1,815 complaints, 8 recalls
2016 2,483 complaints, 14 recalls
2017 1,712 complaints, 14 recalls
2018 737 complaints, 7 recalls

Compare all model years of the Ford Explorer

Other Ford models from 2013

2013 Ford Mustang 271 complaints, 5 recalls
2013 Ford Taurus 591 complaints, 9 recalls
2013 Ford Transit Connect 32 complaints, 4 recalls
2013 Ford Edge 2,447 complaints, 2 recalls
2013 Ford Escape 2,756 complaints, 18 recalls
2013 Ford F150 2,990 complaints, 3 recalls

All Ford models

Similar cars from 2013: suvs

2013 BMW X6 26 complaints, 6 recalls
2013 Buick Enclave 70 complaints, 4 recalls
2013 Cadillac SRX 393 complaints, 5 recalls
2013 GMC Acadia 135 complaints, 3 recalls
2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class 56 complaints, 4 recalls
2013 Toyota Land Cruiser 6 complaints, 2 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 2,237 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Ford Explorer (44 mention a crash, 11 a fire, 61 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
836 complaints name the steering component group (12 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Explorer model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Explorer FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
439 complaints name the structure component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
345 complaints name the unknown or other component group (8 crashes, 5 fires, 21 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,250). NHTSA vehicle records
290 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 6 fires, 16 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,060). NHTSA vehicle records
163 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,060). NHTSA vehicle records
120 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
119 complaints name the power train component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
79 complaints name the suspension component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,500). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 24V031, filed January 19, 2024: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V746, filed September 22, 2021: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V537, filed July 15, 2021: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V675, filed March 12, 2021: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V435, filed June 10, 2019: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V812, filed December 2, 2015: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V171, filed March 24, 2015: Structure › Body › Door . NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V286, filed May 29, 2014: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V270, filed June 26, 2013: Latches / Locks / Linkages. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V227, filed May 31, 2013: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V109, filed March 27, 2013: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Explorer AWD FFV, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Explorer 2WD FFV, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Explorer FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Explorer AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Explorer AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2013 Ford Explorer with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 237 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2013 Ford Explorer with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 287 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2013 Ford Explorer with 3.7L 6-cylinder: rated 300 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2013 Ford Explorer: problems, recalls and fuel economy