2013 Ford Explorer Other / unspecified Problems

While driving a 2013 Ford Explorer, the vehicle experienced an electrical issue that caused the power steering system to malfunction. The power steering assist suddenly failed, making the steering wheel extremely difficult to turn. The failure occurred suddenly and at the time of the incident the vehicle was traveling 2 miles and I parked it immediately.This created a serious safety hazard, especially when attempting to turn or maneuver the vehicle. A warning message stating “Power Steering Assist Fault” did appear on the dashboard .Prior to the failure, there were no warning signs. Due to the sudden loss of power steering assist, the driver’s ability to safely control the vehicle was significantly reduced, increasing the risk of a crash. The issue has not yet been inspected. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ID

11726189

Incident

Mar 20, 2026

The POWER STEERING has failed. The steering is tight, cumbersome, difficult to manage. The vehicle had a recall for REAR TOW LINK for which it is in service center currently. Ford issued a recall for THE STEERING issue as well. However, allegedly, my car does not qualify for the recall. Please advise. The steering issue is dangerous. I have read that over 600,000 vehicles have been recalled for this issue. I live in Ohio which has the “highly corrosive SALT factor”, which is a noted issue for this recall item.

NHTSA ID

11642349

Incident

Feb 7, 2025

I took my car into Alpine Ford in Pueblo, Co to fix the recall for the toe links. They left my alignment extremely off. They refuse to fix it and no other shop in town can fix it. I’ve gotten multiple alignments done. A mechanic told me there was no fixing it unless Alpine redid with their tools or I replaced the toe links with adjustable toe links. Yes. It is available for inspection. There isn’t a light that comes on. This causes a major safety concern. My alignment is off which causes the vehicle to not drive properly. I went through a brand new pair of tires in a year. Those tires got worn down to the wire, even with regular rotation and alignments done all year long. My tire could have blown at any time while I was driving.

NHTSA ID

11625782

Incident

Sep 4, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS, traction control, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed. The contact stated that the brake lines were flushed, and brake fluid was added to the vehicle; however, the failure returned several days after the repair. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic where an ABS pump fault code was retrieved. The contact was then informed that the part needed to repair the vehicle was on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ID

11616172

Incident

Sep 10, 2024

Mileage

65,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the "Traction Control" and "Power Steering" warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was very difficult to turn, and the vehicle was pulled over off the roadway. The contact stopped and turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had not fully regained power steering functionality. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed but was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.

NHTSA ID

11595100

Incident

May 27, 2024

Mileage

167,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH from a parking spot and turning the wheel to the left, the steering wheel seized. The steering wheel failed to turn left or right. The contact was able to reverse into a parking spot. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under recall. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 105,000.

NHTSA ID

11565976

Incident

Jan 16, 2024

Mileage

105,000 mi

2013 Ford Explorer: Power Steering service now red light came on as problem occured it did ding, but not in time for reaction. While driving the wheel will lock no matter how fast or slow you are going. Put myself, my children and husband in danger, as well as others. This has occurred now 4 times in the last month. It is being sent to dealership for a current Recall. No police or insurance has inspected.

NHTSA ID

11554857

Incident

Nov 10, 2023

Power steering issues light came on right before it happened

NHTSA ID

11533357

Incident

Jul 7, 2023

My suspension was damaged and my car froze and stalled during winter storm and caused my car to go to several shops and I spent lots money on repairs

NHTSA ID

11514735

Incident

Feb 14, 2021

The individual has a 2013 Ford Explorer with two active recalls for rear toe link fracture and reached out to Alton Blakely dealership in Somerset, Kentucky, to have it repaired. However, the dealership refused to repair the vehicle and directed the individual to find another dealership. The reason given was that in the past, they have conducted the repair and left the vehicle in worse shape than before, with the vehicle unable to be appropriately aligned, leading to uneven wear on the tires. The individual is looking to draft a complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the dealership's refusal to repair the vehicle, despite it being a recall repair.

NHTSA ID

11506064

Incident

Feb 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while pulling out a parking lot, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. On another occasion, the contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the wheel hub needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering) or 17E048000 (Wheels, Suspension). The failure mileage was 155,000.

NHTSA ID

11505799

Incident

Feb 3, 2023

Mileage

155,000 mi

I’ve had this recall for awhile now. I’m tired of constantly replacing tires due to this recall and improper wearing. When reaching out to dealership I’m told Covid stopped the production of the part and I need to just “deal with it and replace tires frequently /rotate them” I can’t afford 2 new tires every 6 months

NHTSA ID

11449508

Incident

Jan 31, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the power assist steering fault message displayed on the instrument panel and the power steering malfunctioned, causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The traction control message was also displayed and the vehicle loss functionality. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 177,000.

NHTSA ID

11432926

Incident

Sep 4, 2021

Mileage

177,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE REAR END. WITHIN 30 SECONDS I LOST CONTROL OF MY STEERING. MY CAR BEGAN FISHTAILING AND THE REAR TIRES WERE SQUAWKING. THE ONLY WAY I COULD STRAIGHTEN OUT THE VEHICLE WAS TO TURN WHEEL COMPLETELY TO THE LEFT. I WAS DOING 35 MPH AND DROPPED DOWN TO 15 MPH UNTIL I COULD PULL OVER TO SAFETY.

NHTSA ID

11408437

Incident

Apr 15, 2021

Mileage

98,000 mi

I MOTHER OF 3 (15, 13 & 11) & WIFE GOT INTO A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT ON NOVEMBER 17TH, 2020 AT ABOUT 8:10AM DRIVING SOUTH ON THE WHITESTONE EXPRESSWAY SOUTH A HIGHLY TRAFFICKED HIGHWAY WITH 4 DRIVING LANES. POLICE REPORT NO. 2020-109-2709. I EXPLAINED TO ALL INSTANCES INCLUDING POLICE, PARAMEDICS, TOW COMPANY, CAR INSURANCE, FORD AUTO DEALER, REPAIRING SHOP, ETC. THAT MY CAR SIMPLY FAILED ME. I SUDDENLY LOST 100% CONTROL OF THE DIRECTION OF THE CAR AND I WAS FORCED INTO INVADING ALL THE LANES TO MY LEFT AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FAR-RIGHT SIDE. I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER FOR OVER 30 YEARS I WAS TOTALLY AWARE AND FOCUSED ON REGAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS SIMPLY NOT POSSIBLE, THE CAR SPUN OUT AND I GOT EVENTUALLY HIT ON THE BACK REALLY STRONG. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ISSUED SEVERAL RECALLS RELATED TO THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE REAR TOE LINKS THAT INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. THIS REPAIR WAS PERFORMED TO MY CAR AN EXPLORER BY THE STAMFORD FORD LINCOLN SFL ON AUGUST 11TH, 2020 BUT THE MOST RECENT RECALL I FOUND OUT JUST YESTERDAY NOV 23RD THAT WAS ISSUED ON OCTOBER 30TH, 2020 (NO COMMUNICATION WAS SENT TO ME BY EITHER THE AGENCY OR THE FORD MOTOR CORPORATION). IT IS MY CIVIL DUTY TO COMMUNICATE THIS TO THE COMMUNITY TO AVOID THIS FROM HAPPENING TO OTHERS, ANYONE THAT OWNS A FORD EXPLORER 2013-2017 COULD DIE AT ANY TIME FOR THIS ONGOING UNRESOLVED ISSUE BY FORD. EVERY FAMILY DESERVES TO DRIVE A SAFE CAR. PRESENTLY, I AM RUNNING THE RISK THAT MY CAR GETS TOTALED BY THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE STAMFORD BODY REPAIR SHOP THAT WORKS ALONG WITH THE SFL IN WHICH CASE I SIMPLY MIGHT NEVER GET THE EXPLANATIONS THAT I DESERVE FOR THE MECHANICAL FAILURE AND I WILL BE ALSO LOSING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN THE NEED TO GET A SAFE CAR TO DRIVE FOR MY FAMILY. REQUESTING KINDLY YOUR HELP TO INVESTIGATE THIS FURTHER. DMV CT MENTIONED I SHOULD SEEK YOUR HELP ON THE MATTER.

NHTSA ID

11376441

Incident

Nov 17, 2020

Mileage

62,000 mi

MY CAR STARTED MAKING A POPPING NOTICE EVERY TIME I TURNED MY WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE RACK N PINION AND ALSO SUSPENSION ON MY FORD.

NHTSA ID

11372795

Incident

May 1, 2020

HAD JUST PICKED UP MY MAIL FROM MAILBOX AND STARTED CROSSING ROAD TO ENTER MY LANE/PRIVATE DRIVEWAY WHEN HEARD A LOUD CLUNK AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER CAR. KEPT PUSHING GAS PEDAL TO TRY TO MOVE FORWARD AND GET ACROSS THE ROAD AND BARELY DID BUT COULDN'T CONTROL DIRECTION THE CAR WAS MOVING. WHEN FELT WAS SAFE I GOT OUT AND WALKED AROUND CAR TO SEE IF I COULD SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. NOTICED FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER WHEEL WAS TURNED IN WHILE OTHERS WERE STRAIGHT. I GOT BACK IN CAR TO TURN STEERING WHEEL AND SEE IF IT WOULD MOVE BUT IT DID NOT. I CALLED FAMILY TO COME HELP AND UPON FURTHER LOOKING DISCOVERED WHEEL HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE TIE ROD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE AND UPON THEIR INSPECTION I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD AND THAT THE AXLE CENTRE BRACKET HAD BROKEN. I GOOGLED THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND FOUND A WEBSITE CARPROBLEMZOO.COM WHERE 29 REPORTS WERE LISTED OF SIMILAR INSTANCES WITH A MOST RECENT DATE OF 7/12/2019. THIS DRIVER DID CONTACT FORD CUSTOMER CARE AS DID I BUT HAD NO ASSISTANCE OR RESOLUTION FROM THEM. IN FACT FORD TOLD ME THEY CAN'T MONITOR EVERY WEBSITE AND I TOLD THEM THIS WASN'T ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE ONE COMPLAINT SAID A MOTHER'S NECK WAS BROKEN. THESE PROBLEMS MUST BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED.

NHTSA ID

11310287

Incident

Feb 14, 2020

Mileage

116,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING AND CAR MADE THIS SOUND LIKE THE TIRE GOING FLAT SO I QENT TO COUNTRY FAIR AND PUMPED UP MY TIRES,MY TIRE LIGHT AND WORNING NEVER CAME ON THAT IT THE FORST THING ,ANYWAY I CONTINUED TO GO HOME WHEN A MILE FROM MY HOME THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT I STOPPED GOT OUT TO LOOK AND HALF THE RUBBER WAS OFF THE RIM .I DID NOT HIT MO POT HOLES OR NO CURB.

NHTSA ID

11174600

Incident

Feb 5, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

IN 2013 THE DEALER REFUSE TO WORK ON THE ISSUE WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. EITHER THE WHEEL HUB AND BEARINGS ARE OUT OR THE STRUTS ARE DEFECTIVE.THE SOUND HAPPENS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY IF MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. I HAVE CALLED AND COMPLAINED AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS RECALLS FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL BUT NOT WITH MY VIN NUMBER. WAS TOLD THAT A BASE MODEL ISN'T THAT IMPORTANT. CALLED AGAIN TO REPORT IT TO FORD 2/4/2019 AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE ISSUES WITH YOUR MAKE AND MODEL AND THERE WASN'T ANY THING THEY COULD DO UNTIL NHTSA STEPS IN AND DIRECT ME TO THIS WEBSITE.

NHTSA ID

11174395

Incident

Mar 5, 2013

Mileage

300 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND INTO SOME BUSHES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER (AL PIEMONTE FORD, 2500 W NORTH AVE, MELROSE PARK, IL 60160) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PAD, ROTORS, AND ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ID

11101500

Incident

Apr 29, 2018

Mileage

108,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER SIDE STARTED 'CLUNKING' WHILE TURNING. THE NOISE HAPPENED IF THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. WE HAD THE STRUT REPLACED AND IT FIXED THE ISSUE FOR A LITTLE UNDER 6 WEEKS. ALL REPLACEMENT PETS CAME STRAIGHT FROM FORD. WITHIN 6 WEEKS OF REPLACEMENT THE FORD REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE NOW GONE BAD AGAIN AND DAMAGED THE CV AXLE CAUSING A TERRIFYING SHAKE WHEN ACCELERATING.

NHTSA ID

11096531

Incident

Mar 1, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

WHEN TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE THE VEHICLE STARTED PULLING MY STEERING TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT WHEN NOT DRIVING STRAIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD POP TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN MY LANE ON THE INTERSTATE. DASHBOARD LIGHTS APPEARED INDICATING TRAC CONTROL AND TRAC SYSTEM MAINTANENCE. AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POPPING AND SCREECHING NOISE WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN, THE WHEEL BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN AND WAS PHYSICALLY CHALLENGING. REALIZING THE SEVERITY OF THE SITUATION AND FEELING THE LOSS OF CONTROL BEHIND THE WHEEL I ATTEMPTED TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. THE WHEEL WOULDN'T BUDGE AND I WAS LEFT STRANDED WITH THE CAR JACKNIFED ON A SIDE STREET. A TOW TRUCK WAS REQUIRED TO REMOVE THE CAR FROM THE STREET AND I HAD TO REMOVE MYSELF AND MY 4 WEEK OLD BABY FROM THE CAR AND TO SAFETY WHILE WAITING FOR AN ALTERNATE RIDE. VERY SCARY AND UPSETTING. THANKFULLY IT DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE INTERSTATE OR IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11024987

Incident

Sep 21, 2017

Mileage

69,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS WATER WHERE THE SPARE TIRE WAS LOCATED. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS MOISTURE ON THE CARPET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ID

10871892

Incident

Jun 1, 2016

Mileage

57,000 mi

EXHAUST IS ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE FRONT AND REAR AIR CONDITIONING VENTS WHEN THE ENGINE IS ACCELERATED TO 3500 RPM OR ABOVE. I NOTICED THIS CONDITION WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN,WHEN PASSING ANOTHER CAR OR ACCELERATING TO ENTER THE FREEWAY, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS REALLY EVIDENT ON A RECENT DRIVING VACATION FROM KANSAS CITY TO SEATTLE WA. WE WENT THROUGH SEVERAL MOUNTAINOUS STATES AND IT WAS TERRIBLE, THE CAR WAS CONSTANTLY ACCELERATING ABOVE 3500 RPM TO MAINTAIN SPEED ON UP HILL GRADES,THE CAR CONSTANTLY REEKED OF EXHAUST. WE HAD TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN TO KEEP IT AIRED OUT. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY FORD DEALER WHEN I RETURNED FROM THE TRIP,THEY SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I AM NOT GOING TO ARGUE WITH FORD OVER THIS,I HAVE PURCHASED A CARBON MONOXIDE METER WHICH I KEEP IN THE CAR AND HAVE RECORDED CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE CABIN AS HIGH AS 15 PPM DURING ACCELERATION. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED,I HAVE READ THAT I AM NOT ALONE,THIS PROBLEM EXISTS ON FORD EXPLORERS MANUFACTURED FROM 2011 - 2015. WHY ?

NHTSA ID

10760932

Incident

Jun 20, 2015

Mileage

16,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. MA 08/11/15 UPDATED 10/20/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10724944

Incident

Jun 7, 2015

Mileage

53,000 mi