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#BS-2013-FOREXP-33C92013 Ford Explorer
Based on reports from 1,000 owners and 12 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 1,000 complaints, 41 crashes, 6 fires, and 12 recalls. Complaint rate is 2.7x the class average.
Top reported problems
paint on hood bubbling around perimeter
150 complaints • Severity 7.2/10
rust bubbles on hood
47 complaints • Severity 7/10
exhaust odor in cabin
32 complaints • Severity 8.4/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
212 owners reported steering issues — failures commonly reported around 48K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (240 reports) • Median: 48K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Steering (212 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2013 Ford Explorer: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 21% of all reports filed for the 2013 Ford Explorer, with 212 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 48,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 48K-mile mark.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 12% of all reports filed for the 2013 Ford Explorer, with 124 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Fuel System Issues
Fuel System complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2013 Ford Explorer, with 79 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to fuel system-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2013 Ford Explorer, with 71 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to drivetrain-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2013 Ford Explorer. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (12 recalls)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and model year 2013 Explorer vehicles manufactured July 19, 2011, through March 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the fuel tanks may have a marginally sealed seam in the side of the tank. As a result, the fuel tanks may not provide the expected strength in the event of an impact. The tanks may also leak.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety locks may change from an activated position to a deactivated position without notice.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
+ 7 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Ford Explorer is the 2006 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is transmission.
2013 Ford Explorer vs. Class Average (Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD)
This vehicle
1,000
Class avg
366
2.7x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical standard sport utility vehicle 2wd vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 1,000 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 12 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Ford Explorer Model Years
2013 Ford Explorer: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2013 Ford Explorer Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 1,000 owner reports. Know before you buy.