2013 Ford Explorer Owner Complaints

This is a 2013 Ford Explorer experiencing the exact catastrophic power steering failure described in Recall 14S06 / 15S18. The rack has failed twice, creating an immediate crash hazard. The current recall parameters are inadequate as they exclude my VIN despite identical component failure. Not only is this an immediate crash hazard, it is difficult to find any mechanic or dealership to remedy this problem because it is a major part with heavy labor. I have been sidelined and quoted high repair fees for a repair that should be covered as Ford admitted to the design flaws in the electrical steering, however restricting who actually gets protection from it. I feel this is reckless and greedy of Ford to do this. The failure to the electric steering went out while I was driving and I was unable to turn or control my steering, it is deeply frustrating this is a known issue that I was completely unaware of. I feel that Ford is not a good company to purchase from and their products are not safe for drivers. I'm posting this so others are warned that safety is not a priority with Ford and to shop with a brand that cares about safety and integrity for their consumers and families.

NHTSA ID

11754999

Incident

Aug 1, 2026

Backup camera only works sometimes which is a safety risk when backing up. Other year models have had a recall for this same reason. It has been doing it for at least 6 months now.

NHTSA ID

11754701

Incident

Aug 4, 2026

The rearview camera reverses and inverts the image and the guiding lines disappear. I am unable to use the camera when reversing. There is a recall on other Ford Explorers (2020-2024) just not my year (2013). It is not right that I drive a car that has the same issue becuse this is a known issue for the company.

NHTSA ID

11753942

Incident

Jun 1, 2014

I was driving and the steering locked. I could not move steering wheel either way. Towed to ford repair… they replaced steering rack. Four times it was replaced..4 times it locked.

NHTSA ID

11753414

Incident

May 16, 2026

Same issue as in recall 14S06. However, I do not see this recall under my VIN, nor has this vehicle been repaired in the past for this issue. I was hoping that possibly the recall doesn't show up because it was established in 2014. I just want to get it corrected, as the electric power steering is disabled.

NHTSA ID

11751091

Incident

Jul 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH in snowy and stormy weather, the driver’s side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to several dealers, where it was inspected, and it was confirmed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

NHTSA ID

11750508

Incident

Jul 15, 2026

Mileage

152,000 mi

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11747376

Incident

May 7, 2026

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11747368

Incident

Mar 31, 2026

I was driving at about 25 mph when the steering completely locked upon me going around a corner. There was no warning lamps or messages prior to it locking up. If another car would have been in the other lane I would have crashed. I would have been unable to avoid wrecking into anyone or anything that was in the way because I had zero control of my steering. There was nothing I could do to turn. It has not been inspected.

NHTSA ID

11746989

Incident

Apr 9, 2026

The sync touch responsive interface for climate control fails. This failure causes the system to repeatedly respond without prompt continually causing the driver to continually attempt to disengage the system causing a significant safety hazard. The chip in the system for the effected buttons is the component that fails. There is no solution. Replacement or upgraded interfaces are not available and disconnection of the panels renders the climate control, radio/entertainment, navigation and all other systems relayed thru the touch screen completely inoperable which is unreasonable. This occurs at random while operating the vehicle with the error often occurring continuously or at very high frequency. Ford discontinued the sync touch panel control due to issues but has provided no solution for the safety hazard it has created.

NHTSA ID

11746856

Incident

Jun 26, 2026

After getting my vehicle from the dealership my steering wheel was hard to turn , took it in and they replaced the struts (The old struts were binding). 6/7 Days later the same thing happened with the steering wheel. They had said it was a switch in the power steering and there was a safety recall and i would have to take it into a ford dealership. When i had called to make my appointment there wasn’t a recall and i called the ford company and they said the same thing.

NHTSA ID

11746332

Incident

Jun 19, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11745607

Incident

Feb 14, 2024

As I was backing my 2013 Ford Explorer Base model out of my garage I heard a pop and then my steering started making a grinding/dragging noise. When I pulled onto the street I noticed that my steering wheel would "stick". I went a short distance further down the road and it seemed to stop sticking. When I went around a curve towards the left, my steering stuck again and it was harder to get it to "unstick". I returned it back to my home and parked it back in the garage. I see that there is a recall for the steering on the 2013 models, but my VIN is NOT included in this recall. This is a huge safety hazard and could put me out of work, as I care for and transport autistic individuals. This vehicle and my job are my livelihood and this needs to be corrected/recall issued on all of the 2013 models since they all seem to be having similar steering issues. Vehicle has not yet been inspected. Vehicle is available for inspection on request.

NHTSA ID

11743397

Incident

May 22, 2026

Power steering message popped up on dash in a flash and disappeared while I was driving. Same message popped up a couple miles down (I pulled into a parking lot to check message.) Steering wheel locked and left me stranded in need of a tow truck to move car to mechanic and get home. Message pops up and disappears quickly not leaving much time to read or react.

NHTSA ID

11743394

Incident

Apr 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera intermittently displayed a blank image. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer due to the front axle fracturing after the vehicle struck a curb while driving in inclement weather. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

NHTSA ID

11742321

Incident

Mar 1, 2026

Mileage

190,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the driver side seatbelt unexpectedly unlatched. The dealer was contacted; however, it was diagnosed of repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11740389

Incident

Nov 19, 2025

Mileage

150,000 mi

Power steering assist fault while driving with total loss of power steering. Caused difficult steering, particularly at low speed and made for a dangerous driving situation with what seemed like complete loss of steering ability. Power steering fault and lane keeping assist failure warnings lit on display at the same time. Vehicle was towed to dealership and problem was isolated to steering module/gear failure after paying for battery replacement to verify that it was not a voltage related issue. 2013 Ford Explorers manufactured through the end of February 2012 at the Chicago plant have a recall for the same issue, but this vehicle was manufactured in June 2012 and I was told it is not covered. Repair was quoted at $4500.

NHTSA ID

11738002

Incident

May 3, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on the driver’s side windshield started to detach. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part required for the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that the remedy parts were not yet available and were on backorder. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11737590

Incident

May 13, 2026

Mileage

130,000 mi

The car had been parked for 30 minutes in the driveway and spontaneously caught on fire. Our lives and home were at risk of serious injury due to the fire. Firefighters and police were called to the scene and the fire was put out. There were no mechanical issues prior to this happening.

NHTSA ID

11736831

Incident

May 9, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Ford Explorer. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 136,000; at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 251,393. The contact also reported the odometer fraud to the local authorities.

NHTSA ID

11734026

Incident

Apr 26, 2026

Mileage

251,393 mi

I am writing to complain about Recall 24S02. The A-Pillar Trim has become loose on my car and the rubber mold underneath it now is loose and flaps aggressively in the wind creating damage to my windshield and driver side front window. I am afraid the whole piece will come off at any moment and cause a road hazard. I have called multiple dealers in my area over the past two years and were told that the parts for this recall is on "universal backorder. One dealer told me in 2025 verbatim, I'd "...have a better chance of seeing Jesus come back than to get that part fixed." I have tried getting in touch with corporate but have had not luck either. I am not sure what to do.

NHTSA ID

11733589

Incident

Jun 29, 2024

After more than two years with an open recall, Ford has not been able to repair my 2013 Ford Explorer due to an inability to source the replacement parts. On Sunday, April 12th the defective A-pillar trim on the driver’s side detached while driving at highway speeds on the interstate. My Ford dealer states that there is a backorder of over 80,000 A-pillar covers. It doesn’t seem that they are very interested in addressing this recall. What recourse do I have?

NHTSA ID

11732309

Incident

Apr 12, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving at slow speeds, the contact stated that while turning the steering wheel there was a lack of resistance, and there was a pulsating sensation in the steering wheel. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,000.

NHTSA ID

11731684

Incident

Apr 9, 2026

Mileage

168,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel failed to turn left or right. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact stopped, turned off, and restarted the vehicle several times to reset the power steering assist feature; however, the steering wheel was still difficult to turn. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.

NHTSA ID

11730813

Incident

Apr 13, 2026

Mileage

250,000 mi

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11728284

Incident

Jan 13, 2026