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Model Year Problem Record

Ford Explorer 2013 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2013 Ford Explorer: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

2,236Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
11Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
8Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
77Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Steering840 complaints

840 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 14V286000.

Vehicle Structure440 complaints

440 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 15V171000, 24V031000.

Unknown Or Other345 complaints

345 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine293 complaints

293 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System163 complaints

163 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System153 complaints

153 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 13V109000, 13V227000, 15V812000.

Power Train119 complaints

119 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems111 complaints

111 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension79 complaints

79 complaints; 4 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 19V435000, 20V675000, 21V537000, 21V746000.

Visibility63 complaints

63 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes40 complaints

40 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control38 complaints

38 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages16 complaints

16 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 13V270000.

Seats10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

13V109000Reported March 27, 2013 - 3,037 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on March 27, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 3,037 vehicles across all affected models.

13V227000Reported May 31, 2013 - 390,783 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on May 31, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 390,783 vehicles across all affected models.

13V270000Reported June 26, 2013 - 12,569 vehicles potentially affected

Latches, Locks and Linkages. Recall covering the latches, locks and linkages system, reported to NHTSA on June 26, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 12,569 vehicles across all affected models.

14V286000Reported May 29, 2014 - 179,027 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on May 29, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 179,027 vehicles across all affected models.

15V171000Reported March 24, 2015 - 194,484 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on March 24, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 194,484 vehicles across all affected models.

15V812000Reported December 2, 2015 - 868 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on December 2, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 868 vehicles across all affected models.

19V435000Reported June 10, 2019 - 1,194,173 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on June 10, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 1,194,173 vehicles across all affected models.

20V675000Reported March 12, 2021 - 454,941 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on March 12, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 454,941 vehicles across all affected models.

21V537000Reported July 15, 2021 - 631,176 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on July 15, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 631,176 vehicles across all affected models.

21V746000Reported September 22, 2021 - 150,723 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on September 22, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 150,723 vehicles across all affected models.

24V031000Reported January 19, 2024 - 1,889,110 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on January 19, 2024. The campaign covers an estimated 1,889,110 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA15005Opened September 28, 2015 - Closed November 2, 2018

Front Brake Hose Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA17002Opened July 27, 2017 - Closed January 17, 2023

Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA17002Opened July 27, 2017 - Closed January 17, 2023

Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE12017Opened June 19, 2012 - Closed June 12, 2014

Electric power steering failure. Resulted in recall campaign 14V286000.

PE14027Opened August 22, 2014 - Closed February 3, 2015

Front brake hose failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE16008Opened July 1, 2016 - Closed September 12, 2017

Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE16008Opened July 1, 2016 - Closed September 12, 2017

Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE23001Opened January 27, 2023 - Closed February 8, 2024

Windshield trim molding Item detachment. Resulted in recall campaign 24V031.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20129
201361
201467
201594
2016189
2017263
2018203
2019290
2020147
2021128
2022128
2023212
2024165
2025220
202660
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.