2013 Ford Explorer: recalls and problems
12 recalls and 2,234 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering.
Most common problems
What owners report
The steering rack limiter on the passenger side dislodged itself and got caught on the rack and pinion teeth causing my wheel to get stuck
The water pump on these explorers are internal and if not caught by a professional in time, the water pump will fail and cause catastrophic engine failure
The backup camera has stopped working, the beeping sensor still alarms when to close but the camera does not work at all.
The contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. the contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 24v031000 (structure); however, the parts to complete the recall repair were not yet available. the contact stated that both windshield exterior a-pillar trims had dry-rotted. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was inspected. the dealer confirmed that parts were unavailable and placed the vehicle on a
Crash-test ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD | ||||
| 2013 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD |
Source: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP APIs, covering Explorer. Last refreshed 2026-09-29.