60 complaints reported

2013 Ford Explorer Power Train

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
60
Crashes
6
Fires
0
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Oct 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while shifting into the park position, the "change to parking mode" warning message was displayed. The vehicle failed to detect that the vehicle was in the park gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised to call the manufacturer. A local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2023
May 2024

See attached document for complaint

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2023
Apr 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but did not diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who added transmission fluid and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2024
Feb 2024

The power transfer unit defective and I almost lost control of my vehicle without warning The vehicle has been inspected

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2024
Aug 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the message stating that the engine was overheating was displayed. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road, where the vehicle shutoff. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but had the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 170,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2023
Aug 2023

Transmission has failed at 136,000 miles. All maintenance is up to date and has been performed by the dealership. When i pulled out on a main road the car would not accelerate almost causing an accident. I took it to our local mechanic and they had two mechanic's check it and stated the transmission failed. Check engine light show catalytic converter failure, Terraine maintenance failure and solenoid shift failure that came out of the middle of now where .

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Mar 2023
Jul 2023

2013 Ford Explorer does not appear on VIN list for 14S06 or for 15N01. The vehicle is exhibiting a dangerous loss of steering assist and I believe this VIN should be included in the recall.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2023
May 2023

Faulty water pumps causing leakage and eventually seize the engine

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2023
Apr 2023

My 2013 Ford Explorer had coolant leaking below (No check engine light present). If I didn't notice the coolant on the garage floor, I would've never known of any issue. After taking it in to the dealership, they said the issue was defective Water pump (Actual Replacement Pump Cost: $155.64) that is leaking coolant and failing to properly cool the engine. Due to the design flaw of the engine, the water pump is internally positioned in the engine requiring disassembly of the entire engine to access and replace the faulty pump. Since this is a labor intensive requirement, the $155 part required $1,814.95 in labor costs associated with the replacement. This is uncalled for. Not to mention, the parts that were removed in the engine also were required to be replaced based on manufacture requirement (additional $802 in gaskets/seals/bolts/etc. If the water pump was not replaced, it would lead to complete engine failure. I had no options other to pay $2,930.22 in total parts/labor costs to replace a $155 Water pump. Shame on Ford.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2023
Nov 2022

The PTU (Power Transfer Unit) was engineered without a drain plug and described by Ford as "Maintenance Free" for the life of the vehicle. Due to the close proximity of the PTU to hot exhaust components, small fluid capacity, and no recommendation by Ford to be serviced for the life of the vehicle, my PTU started failing within warranty under 50,000 miles. The propane smell within the cab of the vehicle is a tell tale of the PTU fluid breaking down under severe heat conditions, spewing out of the vent and flashing on the surrounding exhaust components. This was not diagnosed at that time by my local Ford dealer, so the problem continued until the PTU finally failed out of warranty at approximately 71,000 miles. Research confirmed that this PTU design failure has been recognized by Ford and that it can lead to a complete failure while the vehicle is in motion, causing loss of control and risk to lives. Recognition by Ford of this problem in the 2013 model year Explorer is self evident, as later model years incorporated air dams to direct air to flow over the PTU to help with cooling, and incorporated drain plugs and recommended service intervals to properly service the PTU. There have been thousands of premature PTU failures in Ford vehicles, but Ford has not yet issued a recall or replacement PUT's with a drain plug for serviceability for my 2013 model year. My PTU had to be replaced at my cost with another non-serviceable PTU, that will no doubt fail prematurely. I am concerned that my vehicle could pose risk to my family's safety in the future, because the repair that was done by my Ford dealer is not a long term, complete solution.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2021
Jul 2022 Crash

I pulled into a parking spot. I shifted to park, turned off my engine. My vehicle rolled backward and hit a parked car while I was still sitting in it.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2022
Jun 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound. Upon inspection underneath the vehicle, the contact noticed that the link shaft bracket and CV axle had broken in half. Additionally, the vehicle rolled away while the gear shifter was in park(P). The contact activated the parking brake to stop the vehicle from rolling away. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V692000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown. Consumer was left with loss of power and a loud metal hitting metal sound the tripod spider joint/ bearing had broke because it was not properly supported due to bracket failure the recall for this part is for models starting with 2014 Ford Explorer mine is a 2013 mine was built at the same plant as the recall for 2014 and up the exact problems the recall list is what happened even down to the roll away even through its in park it will still roll unless the parking brake is applied.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2022
Jul 2021

I was driving on the interstate and all of a sudden the vehicle lost power. It slowed down and I had to pull off the interstate. I thought it was because I broke for the speed limit change to fast. This was before July. It happened another time and I noticed the dashboard and it showed a big wrench symbol. Pryor to the mishap I saw nothing on the dashboard, no warning at all. I checked the internet and it was stating that there were a recall on this problem. I have not received any paperwork.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2021
Oct 2020

ALL TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CONTINUOUSLY FAULTS EVEN AFTER BEING IT REPAIRED IN 2016, IT WAS OKAY FOR 2 YEARS STARTED AGAIN FAULTING EVERY NOW AND THEN IN 2019. THIS YEAR THE ALL TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM STOPPED WORK COMPLETELY IN MARCH. AT FIRST THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE IN MOTION FOR IT TO FAULT BUT NOW IT HAPPENS RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE SUV. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE AS IT SEEMS TO LOOSE GRIP OF THE ROAD NO MATTER THE WEATHER.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2015
Sep 2020

MY 2013 FORD EXPLORE KEEPS CUTTING OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. A WRENCH COMES UP ON MY DASH AND ALSO TERRAIN MANAGEMENT COME UP. I PULL OVER CUT THE CAR OFF WAIT A MINUTE AND IT STARTS. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN WITH EXPLORERS. SHOULDN'T FORD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DUE TO BEING VERY DANGEROUS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS🙏 *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2020
Feb 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY THE POWER STEERING CEASED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OWATONNA FORD-LINCOLN LOCATED AT (1001 HOFFMAN DR NW, OWATONNA, MN 55060 507-451-7860 ) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING GEAR AND CAM BOLT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2020
Jan 2020

AT FIRST THE CAR WAS VIBRATING A LITTLE WHEN DOWNSHIFTING FROM 45 TO A STOP. AFTER A FEW MONTHS, THE ENGINE SPUTTERS AND THEN SEIZES UP AND DIES WHEN PUT IN DRIVE FROM PARK AND ALSO FROM PARK TO REVERSE. WHEN STOPPING THE CAR STILL FEELS LIKE THE DOWNSHIFT IS FAULTY AND WHEN AT THE COMPLETE STOP THE FEELS LIKE IT GOING TO LOSE POWER AND DIE. THE CAR HAS NO TROUBLE CODES. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC SEEM TO IMMEDIATELY KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY TROUBLESHOOTED IT AND CALLED TO TELL ME THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY ISSUES, BUT THAT IT HAS TO BE A INTERNAL TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE TRANSMISSION AND TEAR DOWN FOR INSPECTION OR REPLACE WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION ON A 8 YEAR, 64000 MILES, 1ST OWNER CAR. THIS CAR HAS LOW MILES, STORED INSIDE A GARAGE AND IS MAINTAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2020
Jan 2020

2013 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED 4WD 3.5L BECAME UNDRIVEABLE IN A MATTER OF 4 DAYS. IT STARTED AS A SQUEAL AS I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP AND QUICKLY ESCALATED TO LURCHING, PULSATING AND BUMPING AT ALL SPEEDS. MECHANIC INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS A CALIPER THAT WAS LOCKED UP BUT WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK 2 DAYS LATER AFTER THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND WORSENED HE REALIZED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS FAULTY. HE NOTED THAT FORD IS NOTORIOUS FOR FAULTY TRANSFER CASES AND HORRIBLE WARRANTIES THAT END BEFORE THE PARTS GO. I'M TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE COULD LOCK UP AT ANY MOMENT AND CAUSE ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO REACT PUTTING MY FAMILIES SAFETY AND THOSE AROUND ME IN DANGER. HELP PLEASE! I'M TOLD THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND NOT ISOLATED TO MY VEHICLE. MULTIPLE PHONE CALLS TO FORD HAVE ME ON HOLD FOR 15+ MINUTES WITH NO SOUND AND THEN PHONE CALL ENDS WITHOUT THE CHANCE TO TALK TO A REPRESENTATIVE. MY VEHICLE HAD ROUGHLY 94,000 MILES AT THE TIME. REPAIR COST WAS ESTIMATED BETWEEN $3,000 - $5,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2020
Dec 2019

MY CAR BEGAN LURCHING WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND BEGAN LEAKING OIL. WHEN I TOOK IT IN, I FOUND OUT THE PTO NEEDED REPAIRED. THE TRANSFER CASE WAS FILLED WITH METAL AND COVERED IN METAL SHARDS. MECHANIC SAID THE CAR WASN'T DRIVEABLE AND WOULD BE DANGEROUS TO HAVE ON THE ROAD.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2019
Dec 2019

CAR LOST POWER ON VERY BUSY ROAD. THROTTLE BODY ISSUE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2019
Aug 2019

TRANSFER CASE LEAK AND FAILURE AT ~76000 MILES. NO APPARENT CAUSE. LEAK CREATES BURNING SMELL IN CABIN OF VEHICLE

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2019
Aug 2019

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, THE NOT IN PARKING WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON EVEN THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION. THE PARK DETECTION SWITCH IS FAULTY. ACCORDINGLY TO OWNER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR FORD SUVS LIKE EXPLORER, EDGE AND LINCOLN MKC AND MKX.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2018
Jun 2019

ENGINE WAS REVVING AND JERKING IN TO THE NEXT GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING THE FIRST TIME AFTER STARTING THE CAR. AFTER THE FIRST CYCLE THROUGH GEARS, THE ISSUE NO LONGER HAPPENED. WHILE BEING A 2013, THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 36,500 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF VALVE BODY AND SELENOID BODY DUE TO THE SEALS IN THE DIRECT CLUTCH BEING "DESTROYED." THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE COMPLETELY TAKEN APART TO FIND THE CAUSE, COSTING NEARLY $4,000 IN REPAIRS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2019
Jun 2019

2013 FORD EXPLORER TRANSFER CASE

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2019
May 2019

POWER TRANSFER UNIT "PTU" BEGAN LEAKING SPONTANEOUSLY; LOOKS LIKE LEAKING MOTOR OIL ON THE GROUND. CAUSED GRINDING NOISE AND DANGEROUS TRANSMISSION ISSUES WHEN DRIVING. SOLUTION WAS REPLACEMENT OF THE PTU WHICH COST $1650 BY FORD SERVICE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2019

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Ford Explorer has 60 Power Train complaints on file. 6 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.