2013 Ford Explorer: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
2,231 NHTSA owner complaints · 12 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Explorer is the clearest example on this site of a nameplate whose reputation depends entirely on the year. The fifth generation (2011–2019) opens well, then the 2013 and 2016 model years carry more than 2,000 complaints each, concentrated in the powertrain (the 2.0 and 2.3-litre EcoBoost engines and the six-speed automatic), power-steering assist loss, and the exhaust-odour issue that prompted a federal investigation into Police Interceptor and civilian Explorers. Read the full note on the model page. 2013 specifically: this is one of the years the note above says to approach with care — 2,231 complaints on record, verdict AVOID.
Read the guide
Used Ford Explorer: the three model years that ruin the average, including 2013 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 2,231 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 171.62
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
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…
Coughlin Ford of Heath ohio committed recall fraud on my vehicle by falsifying federal safety recall 24S02. Their invoice claims the repair was Completed,' but my original panels are still loose and dangerously reliant on my own tape to stay attached to the vehicle. How can a safety recall be completed if the original hazardous parts were never replaced?
Backup camera only works sometimes which is a safety risk when backing up. Other year models have had a recall for this same reason. It has been doing it for at least 6 months now.
Recalls: 12 campaigns (4 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 15V812000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak. |
| 19V435000 | Suspension:Rear | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension. |
| 20V675000 | Suspension:Rear | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia,… |
| 21V537000 | Suspension:Rear | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the… |
| 24V031000 | Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach. |
| 21V746000 | Suspension:Rear | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia,… |
| 15V171000 | 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. |
| 13V270000 | 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. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 18 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $3,400
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Steering834 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Structure438 complaints · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,070–$2,920
- Unknown Or Other343 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Engine224 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Electrical System163 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Fuel/Propulsion System120 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
Other Ford Explorer years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Ford Explorer?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Steering (834 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2013 Ford Explorer a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 38/100, computed from 2,231 NHTSA complaints and 12 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2013 Ford Explorer's most common problem?
834 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2013 Ford Explorer sit in the Steering group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement: about 5.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,020–$2,500 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2013 Ford Explorer cost to run per year?
About $9,010 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $45,052 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2013 Ford Explorer have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for the 2013 Ford Explorer, 4 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 02/12/2015. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsize suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2013 Ford Explorer really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 2,231 complaints, 12 recalls on record
- 2231 NHTSA complaints on record (171.6/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (90.5/yr)
- 12 recall campaigns, 4 touching safety-critical systems