2013 Ford Explorer Ford Explorer 2013

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2013 Ford Explorer repairs by problem area

Engine (23%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (14%)

Brakes and Traction Control (6%)

Suspension and Steering (9%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (21%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (18%)

Other (9%)

Chart based on 66 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2013 Ford Explorer.

2013 Ford Explorer repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (10%)

$500 - $999 (12%)

$100 - $499 (27%)

< $100 (51%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 49 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2013 Ford Explorer

Engine not specified

Ford Explorer in Wisconsin, United States
Jan 2018 - Jun 2018
Jun 2018

97000 mi

US $61
Replaced hub assembly with a new one because the original was grinding. Replaced spark plugs due to misfire. Also replaced intake gasket and pcv valve. Had to remove the upper intake to get to rear plugs so decided to replace the gasket and pcv valve as a preventative measure.  

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2013 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV

turbocharged 365hp 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Ford Explorer in Oregon, United States
Apr 2013 - Dec 2013
May 2013

1000 mi
Engine began misfiring. Dealer determined one fuel rail was defective due to manufacturing defect. 
Dec 2013

8000 mi
Transmission shifting erratically. 
Ford Explorer in Arizona, United States
Nov 2012 - Sep 2018
Aug 2016

62700 mi

US $100
The electrical button on the shifter goes bad and will not register being in park. The shifter was replaced under my extended warranty. 
Sep 2018

91000 mi

US $130
Rear air was [not] blowing cold. It was found that the A/C Compressor was leaking. Evacuated system, flushed system, replaced A/C compressor, replaced A/C condenser, refilled system. Shifter button acting up again. When putting in park, would not always read in park, causing other issues. Shifter was replaced. 
Ford Explorer in Virginia, United States
Nov 2012 - May 2017
Dec 2015

59000 mi

US $100
Updated APIM firmware and replaced shifter and linkage for parking shift position issue 
Jun 2016

66000 mi

US $100
Experienced driveline jolts when accelerating. Dealer said the jolts were due to driveline slack at the hub. Added a shim kit due to a TSB about the problem. 
Ford Explorer in Texas, United States
Feb 2013 - Jun 2018
Dec 2017

103000 mi

US $2300
Electric steering needed steering column replaced. 
Mar 2018

103997 mi

US $2198
Timing chain 

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2013 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV

turbocharged 240hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automatic FWD

Ford Explorer in Ontario, Canada
Apr 2013 - Jun 2018
Jun 2017

71300 mi

C $550
Exhaust 
Jul 2017

71300 mi

C $600
Wheel bearing 
Ford Explorer in Florida, United States
May 2014 - Mar 2018
Aug 2014

19900 mi
Dead cell battery, battery replaced 
Ford Explorer in Ontario, Canada
Apr 2013 - Jul 2015
Oct 2013

14560 mi
Air conditioning compressor failed. To be replaced, part on back order. Compressor Clutch and pulley worn out causing clutch to smoke when AC on. Evac recharge AC system. Replaced AC compressor and AC lines O-rings at the compressor. 
Jul 2015

22940 mi
Gear selector sensor not reporting that the vehicle was placed in park. 

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2013 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV

290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Ford Explorer in Minnesota, United States
Jun 2012 - Sep 2012
Sep 2012

3655 mi
Traction Contrel System engaged while on dry pavement. I was unable to disengage TCS. Engine reving high as a result of TCR. Brought to dealer to see RCA. Results inconclusive. Dealer updated ECU and Antilock firware to latest rev. Traction Contrel System engaged while on dry pavement. I was unable to disengage TCS. Engine reving high as a result of TCR. Brought to dealer to see RCA. Results inconclusive. Dealer updated ECU and Antilock firware to latest rev. 
Ford Explorer in California, United States
Aug 2014 - Nov 2016
May 2015

59000 mi

US $100
Rear deck did not open fully 
Aug 2016

69000 mi

US $245
Replaced EVAP Purge valve 
Ford Explorer in Wisconsin, United States
Mar 2017 - Mar 2017
Mar 2017

33000 mi

US $350
Tires replaced under warranty. Standard Equipment Michelin's dry rotted over the past 3 years in storage. 
Ford Explorer in Florida, United States
Aug 2015 - May 2017
Mar 2016

75000 mi

US $570
Car wouldn't recognize when it was in Park, so it wouldn't fully shut off. Dealer replaced shifter assembly, 100% out of pocket expense. Well known problem among ford auto shifters. Really should be a recall issue, honestly. 
Ford Explorer in Texas, United States
Dec 2016 - Dec 2017
Sep 2017

66000 mi
dealer broke bug deflecter-replaced 
Ford Explorer in Texas, United States
Nov 2012 - Nov 2014
Feb 2014

22000 mi
This was a recall that we had addressed - a coupler on a fuel line at the fuel tank had to be replaced due to leakage. 
Ford Explorer in Texas, United States
Aug 2015 - Jun 2016
Sep 2015

48000 mi
Stabilizer bar became lose and had to be replaced. Faint burning smell in car if engine exceeds 4000 RPM. Dealer are unable to find the cause. Replaced cabin filters. Problem ongoing. 
Ford Explorer in Florida, United States
Feb 2013 - Sep 2018
Oct 2013

5200 mi
Door ajar light on 
Apr 2016

22500 mi

US $665
Moon roof stopped working 1 month after warranty expired.Replaced 1 of the motors and switch. The shade had still worked. Labor was $430. Job took less than 3 hours. 
Apr 2017

30000 mi
Moonroof again stopped working, but dealer fixed at no cost because previous repair on moonroof had 2 year warranty. 
Ford Explorer in Oklahoma, United States
Jun 2013 - Oct 2013
Oct 2013

38000 mi
Vehicle was sucking exhaust into the cabin. Some places were sealed up but did not work. 
Ford Explorer in California, United States
Jan 2014 - Feb 2014
Jan 2014

20000 mi
Defect in arm, replaced Headliner rattle Seat belt not locking Clip loose in passenger door - removed and replaced Rubber door seals worn through. Noise while steering - Clock spring ordered but not yet replaced Rattle above the third row rear speaker. 

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2013 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV

290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Ford Explorer in Arizona, United States
Feb 2016 - Feb 2018
Jul 2016

53238 mi

US $83
Replaced tensioner. 99$ Belt 33.88$ Found SERP belt tensioner making noise 
Jan 2017

58011 mi

US $1666
Check engine light Code p1450 Defective purge valve Diagnosis of check engine light Labor fee for check engine light 3 part complete fuel system service 
Ford Explorer in United Arab Emirates
Dec 2016 - Jun 2018
Dec 2016

41540 mi
LH A-pillar outer trim came loose 
Jun 2018

55180 mi
Battery died under warranty. Shop I bought the battery from agreed to replace free of charge. Battery was 11 months old. But after jump starting the car just to get home and had the new battery delivered and installed. Upon starting there were multiple warning related to brake and traction control system. Shop does not want to claim responsibility. I was forced to buy an OBD2 cable and FORscan in an attempt to clear the faults but as of today 15/07/2018, fault lights are still on. 
Ford Explorer in Minnesota, United States
Jun 2014 - Jul 2018
Aug 2015

84100 mi

US $800
The AC compressor failed and needed to be replaced. 
Jun 2018

116000 mi

US $1200
Passenger side CV and axle assembly including inner bearing. 
Ford Explorer in Alberta, Canada
Mar 2013 - Jun 2014
Nov 2013

6820 mi
HEADLIGHTS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT 
Ford Explorer in Texas, United States
Sep 2012 - Jan 2013
Jan 2013

5000 mi
replaced clip in glove box. did not fix. then said plastic on fender well rubbing. claimed to fix it. still rattles 
Ford Explorer in Arizona, United States
Sep 2012 - Sep 2014
Jun 2014

30000 mi
Buzzing behind the dash 
Ford Explorer in Rhode Island, United States
Apr 2013 - Jun 2018
Jul 2013

1500 mi
Brand new vehicle and air conditioner was't cooling the vehicle appropriately. Dealer evaluated and determined below standard. Evacuated and recharged coolant. 
Jun 2017

48000 mi

US $160
Replaced rear brake rotors and pads. 
Jun 2018

57000 mi

US $350
Replaced front and rear brake rotors and pads. 
Ford Explorer in Iowa, United States
Jul 2014 - Mar 2018
Oct 2014

36500 mi
Mirror door wasn't closing completely 
May 2017

80000 mi

US $500
Shocks were making a squeaking noise when turning. 
Ford Explorer in Ontario, Canada
May 2014 - Jun 2018
Jun 2014

32240 mi
Front and rear brakes serviced. Vehicle was making high pitched whining noise when releasing brakes. Pads determined to be sticking in 2 of 4 wheels. All brakes serviced and lubed under warranty. 
Sep 2014

36580 mi
Third row seatback cracked right through. Leather separated from one third row headrest. Driver's side door panel replaced (2cm crack on leather). All covered under warranty. 
Jun 2015

47740 mi

C $100
AC compressor clutch disintegrated and was nowhere to be found in engine bay. AC compressor replaced using Ford Extended Warranty. $100 is for deductible. Car had less than 75000km when this occurred. Ford not sure why part failed. 
Jul 2015

48360 mi
Transfer case seal started leaking less than 2 weeks after car had its AC compressor replaced by the dealer. Covered by vehicle powertrain warranty. Cabin was filling with smoke as fluid dripped on the hot cat below the transfer case!!!!! 
Dec 2016

66340 mi

C $150
Vehicle started overheating out of nowhere. After a short drive (30 minutes), even in cold December weather the temperature gauge climbed to the red zone. Had to be towed to Ford, who ended up replacing the water pump. Covered under extended Ford ESP with only deductible paid. 
Jun 2017

71920 mi

C $40
P1450 code. Manually tested EVAP purge valve and noticed it was stuck open. Replaced EVAP purge valve at home. 
Ford Explorer in New Jersey, United States
Sep 2013 - Sep 2014
Sep 2014

31000 mi
Windows wouldn't go down smooth on driver or passenger side, they would jump down 
Ford Explorer in New Jersey, United States
Jun 2015 - Jun 2018
Aug 2015

42900 mi

US $1800
Air conditioning compressor clutch seized 
Oct 2016

58300 mi

US $160
Dead battery 
Jun 2017

72000 mi

US $490
Wiring harness failure, caused an erroneous battery warning light. 
May 2018

77000 mi

US $1800
2nd air conditioner compressor replacement required ugh!!!!’ Also required a new condenser 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Ford models.

2013 Ford Explorer Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2013 Ford Explorer problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.