2013 Ford Explorer Driver assistance Problems

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

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 rear reverse camera malfunctions and glitches. Often the screen turning green when reversing, sometimes screen is black or no color view and most times the camera if reversing to left or appear as to the right or vise versa and sometimes it’s normal but rarely. The control buttons for windows has a malfunction where it sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. The seatbelts are not clicking and I have kids in the rear seats.

NHTSA ID

11726948

Incident

Mar 25, 2026

Review camera unavailable, image flashing, or image reversed.

NHTSA ID

11725732

Incident

Nov 21, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased in late 2024, and approximately six months later, the rearview camera failed. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The message "Rear Camera Unavailable - Contact your Dealer" was displayed. The local dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ID

11709491

Incident

May 7, 2025

Mileage

75,000 mi

The contact owns 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting into reverse(R), the image on the screen was fuzzy. The message “Rearview Camera not Available” was displayed. Neither the dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 101,000.

NHTSA ID

11699145

Incident

Nov 15, 2024

Mileage

101,000 mi

Backup camera doesn't always work. It displays a black screen alot of times.

NHTSA ID

11698304

Incident

Oct 16, 2025

Backup camera failed and almost hit another car.

NHTSA ID

11694741

Incident

Aug 15, 2025

Backup camera failed and almost hit another car.

NHTSA ID

11694740

Incident

Aug 15, 2025

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 the rearview camera displayed a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, preventing the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the driver's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle and was loose. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. 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 failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11693839

Incident

Oct 2, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while in reverse(R), the camera image fluctuation on and off, and the image then froze intended and the back over prevention camera became inoperable. Additionally, the message to "Contact the Dealer" was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ID

11681291

Incident

Mar 31, 2025

Mileage

78,000 mi

My water pump started having a small leak about 2 weeks ago to where I had to put water in to get to work and then again to get home. I contacted Ford to inquire about a cost for this repair and was told they had to diagnose first. Then on Friday Aug 1st my children and I were driving on the interstate and had just gotten off at our exit and the car died in the middle of busy traffic. After waiting for the car to cool, the water was added and I took the car to a Ford dealership. If I had been on the interstate when this happened we would’ve been in a serious if not deadly accident. The leak needs looked into to see if it’s a faulty pump. I’m now looking at a complete engine repair over a leak. Also the back passenger door frame is a blind spot for us who are 5’5.

NHTSA ID

11678224

Incident

Aug 1, 2025

When Driving I started noticing that my steering wheel what getting harder to turn and it felt like it was lagging control. I could still turn and maneuver the steering wheel but the control overall was defiantly not safe. I stopped in at our mechanic and they test drove it. He stated that yes something was definably wrong with the steering system and he said it was hopefully the u-joint for control arm. We made any appointment for the next following week. I drove my explorer with extreme caution and the steering issue just got worse. I noticed that I now have a griding noise coming from my steering when I turn. This is a safety issue because it just going to seize up and I will not have any control over my vehicle. When I did finally did get my explorer into the mechanic the next following week he stated that I needed a new rack and pinion. I only have 140000 miles on my explorer. The cost was astronomical!!! $1700 for the rack and Pinon $600 in labor and a wheel alignment. and don't forget tax. That was a shocker!! I cant afford that kind of out of pocket expense. My vehicle vin does not fall into the recalled safety notice however this seems to be a big issues with the 2013 Ford Explores. My safely overall is the main issued!! I expect ford to follow through in how they manufacture its vehicles and maintenance products. Please include all explorers in the recall!!!!

NHTSA ID

11676345

Incident

Jul 20, 2025

My power steering went out within 5 minutes of the "service power steering now" and the "lane keeping system malfunction service required" lights came on while I was driving on the interstate at 75 mph. When I turned off the explorer and turned it back on the power steering was completely gone. I checked on Ford's recall website and they show that there is a "Customer Service Program" for the Epas Steering Efforts and for "Rear toe link inspection replacement", nothing stating that these "Customer Service Programs" were restricted at 10 years or 150,000 miles anywhere online. When I call Ford to let them know that my VIN is showing that the electric power steering should be covered and asking about what can be done to get my broken down explorer to them and then I get told that my explorer doesn't qualify anymore. When I typed in my VIN it said my explorer qualifies, why would it show that if the program ended at 10 years which would have been 2023. This makes the owners of these Ford's believe that Ford will take care of their vehicles when there is a know safety issue but then that is not the case. I could've wrecked going 75 mph if I wouldn't have gotten off the interstate. This KNOWN issue for the 2013 Ford Explorers should be taken care of if they are still coming up under recalls on Ford's website when the VIN is entered.

NHTSA ID

11675093

Incident

Jul 18, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while in reverse(R), the back over prevention camera went black and remained black. The contact stated that occasionally while driving the message “Camera Unavailable - Please Contact Dealer" message was displayed. The contact stated that on several other occasions, while driving at various speeds or while in reverse(R), there was a beeping notification was heard and a message that a "Vehicle was coming from the left or right side" was displayed without a vehicle being nearby. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

NHTSA ID

11671549

Incident

Jun 16, 2025

Mileage

144,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while attempting to reverse, the contact noticed the rearview camera displayed a blank screen. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified, opened a case, and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V315000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 108,000.

NHTSA ID

11667765

Incident

Nov 15, 2024

Mileage

108,000 mi

Check engine light goes on and off. May stay on a day or 2 but goes back off. When I get it checked no mechanic seems to know why. Same with the check charging system light that comes on. Also, the trim on the outside kept coming out, hitting my passenger side window and cracking it. It has completely come off 2 days ago. Rain is getting in my car. Back tires keep losing air. There was an issue with getting an alignment due to incorrect hardware and wiring. There is a safety recall for this.

NHTSA ID

11665449

Incident

Oct 1, 2024

Driving vehicle along highway, two alerts came on from the computer. Power steering warning, System advancetrac warning. Could hardly steer the vehicle appropriately. My vehicle does not fit in the May 17, 2010, and February 28, 2012, recall as it was manufactured in 08/12 so I cannot fix this issue. The vehicle is unsafe for travel and is just 6 months after the recall making me believe it is apart of the affected vehcile

NHTSA ID

11663839

Incident

May 29, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear camera was intermittently inoperable while reversing. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V159000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN and the model year were not included. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

NHTSA ID

11663477

Incident

May 27, 2023

Mileage

99,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the back-up camera was turning on and off independently. The contact stated that while reversing, the screen went black and then turned on. The message to contact the dealer was displayed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The manufacturer confirmed that there was no recall coverage for the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11636289

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

Mileage

100,000 mi

Our steering wheel locked when we were about to leave our destination and drive back an hour to go home.

NHTSA ID

11627583

Incident

Nov 26, 2024

The steering wheel locked at a 45degree angle while I was driving. It locked and I was unable to turn the wheels in any direction. (Diagnosed by dealership as power steering failure steering wheel locked) My safety was absolutely compromised. Imagine losing the ability to turn the steering wheel or steer in any direction while going around a corner, without any warning. Luckily I wasn't on the freeway when the steering wheel locked without warning. Yes, this problem has been reproduced by the dealership at Elk Grove Ford CA, and reported to the Ford Motor corporate office, who refused to look into the safety issue or pay for the repair. The vehicle or component has been inspected by the Ford dealership. There were not any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and the problem appeared on 11/10/24.

NHTSA ID

11626229

Incident

Nov 10, 2024

When I was driving suddenly vehicle shakes and gas/acceleration paddle stopped working middle of the road. I pulled my car side of the road, put it in park and turn off vehicle and start it back on gas/acceleration paddle work again. Problem is this happened several times last few weeks.

NHTSA ID

11612194

Incident

Sep 2, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the steering column was stiff to turn and had seized. The Lane Keep and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 200,013.

NHTSA ID

11605618

Incident

Jul 1, 2024

Mileage

200,013 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 - 12 MPH and turning and or veering to the right or the left, the steering wheel failed to redirect to center. The contact had to use an excessive amount of force to maneuver the steering wheel. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that most recently while pulling into a parking lot at approximately 5 MPH, the steering wheel became firm. The contact pulled into a parking space and the steering wheel seized with the "Service Power Steering Now" and "Lane Keeping System Malfunction Service Required," illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that due to the amount of sensors, the vehicle needed to be serviced by the dealer. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, immediately referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but a case was not opened. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 130,200.

NHTSA ID

11590994

Incident

May 7, 2024

Mileage

130,200 mi