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2013 Ford Explorer Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs)

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TSB Date Problem Area TSB Text
05/21/18 Other NHTSA ID: 10137131
TSB ID: SSM 47230

Some 2007-2016 edge/mkx/flex/mkt/mkz/mks/taurus/police interceptor sedan/explorer/police interceptor utility vehicles equipped with awd and built on or before 30-jun-2016 may exhibit a propane or natural gas odor during idle or low speed dr
05/14/18 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10136597
TSB ID: SSM 47080

2010-2018 various vehicles equipped with sync or sync 3 may not function when attempting to find or use the spotify app via applink. as of an update released on 1/15/2018 spotify will no longer be supporting their applink integration. no re
01/29/18 NHTSA ID: 10127430
TSB ID: 17B25-S4

Certain 2013-2017 model year police interceptor utility vehicles - exhaust odor and carbon monoxide complaints
01/29/18 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10127405
TSB ID: SSM 46900

Some vehicles may exhibit a no start condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (mil) and a dtc p161a after pcm replacement. this may be due to the parameter reset procedure not being properly completed. to clear this dtc, use
01/29/18 Other NHTSA ID: 10127396
TSB ID: 17-2222

Some 2013-2016 explorer/police interceptor utility vehicles may exhibit delamination of the top edge of the front door trim panels. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition.
12/14/17 NHTSA ID: 10125095
TSB ID: 17N03-S1

Certain 2011-2017 model year explorer vehicles - carbon monoxide concerns
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12/14/17 NHTSA ID: 10125094
TSB ID: 17B25-S3

Certain 2013-2017 model year police interceptor utility vehicles - exhaust odor and carbon monoxide complaints
12/14/17 NHTSA ID: 10125093
TSB ID: 17N03-AW

Certain 2011-2017 model year explorer retail vehicles - carbon monoxide complaints
10/21/17 NHTSA ID: 10119687
TSB ID: 17B25-S1

Certain 2013-2017 model year police interceptor utility vehicles - exhaust odor and carbon monoxide complaints
10/21/17 NHTSA ID: 10119685
TSB ID: 17B25

Certain 2013-2017 model year police interceptor utility vehicles - exhaust odor and carbon monoxide complaints
08/01/17 NHTSA ID: 10109070
TSB ID: SSM 46085

The powertrain control/emissions diagnosis (pc/ed) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (etbs). the etc_act and etc_dsd pids should not used to diagnose possible etb concerns. the ids has a limited refresh rate
08/01/17 Other NHTSA ID: 10109012
TSB ID: SSM 46522

2013-2017 edge/mkx/flex/mkt/mkz/mks/taurus/taurus police/explorer/explorer police/continental vehicles equipped with a 3.5l or 3.7l engine, all wheel drive (awd) and a power transfer unit (ptu) that is being repaired or replaced for an inte
08/01/17 Other NHTSA ID: 10109079
TSB ID: SSM 46102

Some vehicles may have a concern where the safety belt retractor webbing does not extract from the stowed position or exhibits excessive pressure on the occupant during use. this may be due to a normal condition which happens when the seatb
05/15/17 NHTSA ID: 10099076
TSB ID: TSB 17-0029

Some 2011-2015 explorer vehicles may exhibit an exhaust odor in the vehicle with the auxiliary climate control system on. customers may indicate the odor smells like sulfur, or that exhaust odors are entering the vehicle cabin. this condit
03/20/17 NHTSA ID: 10095995
TSB ID: SSM 46210

Some 2010-2016 epas equipped vehicles may exhibit steering related noises. the workshop manual (wsm) diagnostic procedures have been updated in section 211-02. when diagnosing and repairing epas steering noises use the updated procedures.
03/20/17 Other NHTSA ID: 10095849
TSB ID: SSM 46400

2011-2015 explorer and mkt vehicles requiring replacement of right front axle shaft no longer require installation of the center support bearing heat shield(7f469). the heat shield can be discarded.
03/20/17 Other NHTSA ID: 10095858
TSB ID: SSM 46412

Some 2007-2016 edge/mkx/flex/mkt/mkz/mks/taurus/taurus police/explorer/explorer police equipped with all wheel drive (awd) and built on or before 30-jun-2016 may exhibit a ticking and/or knocking noise coming from the driveline area. to ide
03/15/17 NHTSA ID: 10095154
TSB ID: SSM 46295

To help differentiate engine oil leaks from other possible sources, a new white-colored fluorescent engine oil dye is available. workshop manual (wsm), section 303-00 has been revised to reference the new white-colored dye. the new white fl
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03/10/17 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10094586
TSB ID: TSB 16-0166

Supercedes tsb 16-0165: some 2011-2015 explorer vehicles may exhibit an exhaust odor in the vehicle with the auxiliary climate control system on. customers may indicate the odor smells like sulfur, or that exhaust odors are entering the veh
02/10/17 Other NHTSA ID: 10091204
TSB ID: TSB16-0097

Some 2009-2010 f-150 and 2011-2016 explorer vehicles may have a seat cushion cover that appears loose near the front of the seat. this may be caused by the seat cushion cover j-retainer becoming disengaged from the seat cushion pan flange.
02/09/17 NHTSA ID: 10091151
TSB ID: SSM 46132

Some 2008-2017 ford/mercury/lincoln vehicles equipped with sync may generate a vhr that identifies a concern with the brakes and suspension category indicating service is required due to a brake system warning lamp being illuminated. if the
02/09/17 NHTSA ID: 10091140
TSB ID: SSM 45880

2013-2017 explorer, taurus, mks exhaust studs not missing
02/06/17 NHTSA ID: 10090681
TSB ID: SSM 46132

Some 2008-2017 ford/mercury/lincoln vehicles equipped with sync may generate a vhr that identifies a concern with the brakes and suspension category indicating service is required due to a brake system warning lamp being illuminated. if the
08/29/16 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10078990
TSB ID: SSM-45821

Siri eyes free functional issues using bluetooth and apple ios 9.2 and 9.2.1
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06/22/16 NHTSA ID: 10075275
TSB ID: 16-0045

2.0l ecoboost - fuel odor issue some 2013-2016 escape, 2015-2016 mkc vehicles built on or before 12/15/2015, 2013-2016 fusion, mkz, 2013-2015 explorer, 2013-2014 focus st and edge vehicles equipped with 2.0l ecoboost engines may exh
06/22/16 Transmission and Drivetrain NHTSA ID: 10075277
TSB ID: 16-0047

Harsh engagement during elevated idle - ambient temperature below -9 ?c issue some 2013-2015 explorer vehicles located in russia and equipped with a 3.5l twin independent variable camshaft timing (ti-vct) engine, may exhibit a harsh eng
06/22/16 Transmission and Drivetrain NHTSA ID: 10075273
TSB ID: 16-0043

6f35 transmission - fluid leak at left side halfshaft seal built on or before 10/14/2013 issue some 2009-2014 escape, 2009-2011 mariner, 2010-2014 fusion, 2010-2011 milan, 2012-2014 edge/explorer, and 2013-2014 taurus/mkt/mkz vehicles b
06/22/16 Other NHTSA ID: 10074660
TSB ID: 15-0156

Summary to be provided on a future date.
01/20/16 NHTSA ID: 10059062
TSB ID: ASI-45212

Ford: some vehicles and trucks are experiencing a malfunction with the heated steering wheel becoming inoperative and on demand test failure. model 2014-15 fusion, 2011-15 mkx, 2013-15 super duty, explorer, taurus, mks, mkt, 2015 f-150, m
10/22/15 Transmission and Drivetrain NHTSA ID: 10058625
TSB ID: ASI-45239

Ford: some vehicles transmission will experience, after a cold soak or an extended period with engine off, a 2-3 shift hesitation due to possible hydraulic circuit drain. model 2013-16 various vehicles.
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10/21/15 Transmission and Drivetrain NHTSA ID: 10058616
TSB ID: SB45277

Ford: transmission fluid leak from converter housing area on police utility equipped with 6f50/6f55 transmission
10/20/15 NHTSA ID: 10058601
TSB ID: ASI-45211

Lincoln/ford: once procedure for heated steering wheel module program completed, heated steering wheel fails to operate properly and passes network test but fails on demand self test. model 2011-15 fusion f-150, explorer, taurus, super du
08/17/15 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10058219
TSB ID: 44985

Ford explorer 2011-2015: bulletin information regarding the front glass window chattering up/down while traveling. the front window regulator motor needs to be replaced. *lj
08/06/15 NHTSA ID: 10058153
TSB ID: 14-0223

Ford explorer 2012-2015, ford taurus 2013-2015: some vehicles equipped with 2.0l gasoline turbocharged direct injection engines built before 10/05/2014 may have lack of power and malfunction illuminated lamp code due to ambient temperatur
07/31/15 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10058106
TSB ID: TSB-14-0169

Lincoln/ford: due to abnormally low voltage battery or cold ambient temperatures, intermittently, the audio output would fail, after vehicle has been started. model 2013-14 edge, explorer, f150, mkx.
07/31/15 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10058110
TSB ID: TSB-14-0175

Ford/lincoln: the ambient lighting on lincoln (mylincoln touch) vehicles will default to white and on ford (myford touch) vehicles will default to ice blue after the ignition switch cycle.
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07/01/15 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10057831
TSB ID: 44856

Ford: certain 2013-2015 ford fusion and taurus, 2011-2015 ford explorer, 2013-2014 ford edge and flex, 2013-2015 lincoln mks, mkx, and 2013-2014 lincoln mkt vehicles may experience problems with the cruise control speed that doesn't match t
07/01/15 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10057834
TSB ID: 44863

Ford: no service action is recommended for this condition. please use at your discretion. various 2010-2015 vehicles may experience a turbulence noise, similar to an helicopter noise, at highway speeds when the rear door window(s) or sunroo
05/26/15 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10057395
TSB ID: ASI-44713

Lincoln/ford: on some vehicles, the moon roof sunshade binding is experiencing issues such as retaining clips/tabs are broken and its hard to open or close. model 2009-14 mks, 2011-15 explorer, 2013-14 escape.
03/17/15 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10056924
TSB ID: TSB-14-0130

Ford: there is an exhaust odor in vehicles when auxiliary climate control system is on and it smells like sulfur. model 2011-15 explorer.
03/10/15 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10056901
TSB ID: TSB-14-0130

Ford: when auxiliary climate control system is on, an exhaust odor, like sulfur, can be smelled. model 2011-15 explorer.
02/03/15 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10056702
TSB ID: TSB-14-0154

Lincoln/ford: when all doors, on some vehicles, are closed, lamp illuminates door is ajar. model 2011-13 edge, explorer, flex, mkx, mkt.
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10/24/14 Other NHTSA ID: 10056292
TSB ID: TSB-14-0083

Lincoln/ford: when all the doors are closed, the lamp for door ajar, is illuminated. model 2011-2013 edge, flex, explorer, mkx, mkt.
10/01/14 NHTSA ID: 10056207
TSB ID: ASI-44564

Ford/lincoln: due to corrosion buildup between brake pad and anchor bracket, vehicle experience a rear brake drag condition and need to be checked for debris and/or corrosion. model 2011-2014 explorer, flex, taurus, edge, mkx, mkt, mks.
09/24/14 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10056170
TSB ID: ASI-44531

Lincoln/ford: on some vehicles and trucks, there is a popping, squealing, binding or grinding noise come from power seats when moving backwards or forward. model 2009-2015 f-150, taurus, flex, mkt, mks, f-super duty, explorer.
09/17/14 NHTSA ID: 10056147
TSB ID: TSB-14-0113

Ford/lincoln: some vehicles, with aluminum valve cover, will experience an excessive condition of smoking engine oil and/or consumption of oil, from tail pipe, during normal engine temperature operation. model 2010-2014 flex, taurus, exp
09/17/14 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10056149
TSB ID: TSB-14-0115

Ford: in the instrument panel cluster (ipc) there is a terrain management pop up warning, without diagnostic trouble code (dtc) accompanying it, in the anti-lock brake system (abs) module or terrain control module. model 2011-2014 explore
09/15/14 NHTSA ID: 10056139
TSB ID: TSB-14-0105

Ford/lincoln: some vehicles may experience a rough idle, in gasoline turbocharged direct injection (gtdi) engine, may occur after hot start. model 2012-2014 flex, taurus, explorer, mkt.
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09/15/14 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10056136
TSB ID: TSB-14-0102

Ford/lincoln: diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0420 and/or p0430, the malfunction indicator lamp (mil), on some vehicles, will be illuminated and the powertrain control module (pcm) would be reprogram with latest calibration. model 2013-201
06/24/14 Transmission and Drivetrain NHTSA ID: 10055640
TSB ID: ASI-44400

Lincoln/ford: on some vehicles, there are no upshift, only reverse and first gear available, which is due to a software discrepancy. model 2013-2014 escape, fusion, edge, explorer, taurus, mkt, mkz.
05/07/14 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10055322
TSB ID: TSB-14-0060

Ford: interceptor vehicles will have erratic operation with climate control blower motor and with heating ventilation air conditioning (hvac) module, an inability to communicate, during repair diagnosis. model 2013-2014 explorer, taurus
05/07/14 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10055312
TSB ID: ASI-44451

Ford: some model vehicles manual for powertrain control/emission diagnostic (pc/ed) has been updated regarding improved cooling fan circuit due to a lack of air conditioning, a malfunctioning indicator lamp (mil) and overheating.
04/23/14 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10055224
TSB ID: SB-14-0042

Taurus police interceptor & explorer has defects with the operation of climate control blower motor. *lj
03/28/14 NHTSA ID: 10055042
TSB ID: ASI-44354

Ford/lincoln: an accumulation of oil, in left hand valve cover baffle, migrating through fresh air intake of positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) system, may have engine oil in intake air system components. model 2011-2013 edge, explorer
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03/24/14 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10055020
TSB ID: ASI-44384

Ford: the low to high beam or high to low beam is an intermittent transition and would need the affected hid 13008 headlamp housing replaced. model 2013-2014 escape, 2013 explorer, f150.
03/19/14 NHTSA ID: 10054975
TSB ID: ASI-44315

Ford: due to fuel vapor line not being connected properly (fully seated) to underside of fuel deliver module (fdm), which leads to carbon canister saturated with liquid fuel and a fuel odor, slow fill, or hesitation or stumble, occurs whil
03/18/14 Other NHTSA ID: 10054961
TSB ID: ASI-44333

Ford: due to excessive lube loss from ptu, or internal ptu failure, some trucks, will experience contamination or sludging of ptu lube, resulting in an increased internal lube temperature. model 2011-2014 explorer, taurus sho.
03/12/14 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10054930
TSB ID: TSB-14-0011

Ford/lincoln: when all doors are closed, the door ajar lamp will illuminate. model 2011-2013 edge, explorer, flex, mkx, mkt.
02/03/14 Transmission and Drivetrain NHTSA ID: 10054557
TSB ID: ASI-44301

Ford/lincoln: due to wear on case bushing, some vehicles will have a fluid leak from the half shaft seal on the left hand side. model 2013 escape, fusion, edge, taurus, explorer, mkt, mkz.
01/13/14 NHTSA ID: 10054355
TSB ID: ASI-44171

Ford: in the cavities of a and h, of connector c3053, there is a possible damaged or loose female terminal that causes the fuel pump to be inoperative. model 2013 explorer.
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01/10/14 NHTSA ID: 10054323
TSB ID: TSB-13-9-8

Lincoln/ford: due to diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p0106, p0236, engine on some vehicles experience hesitation, loss of idle rpm, difficult in starting, lack of power, running rough and crank no start situation. model 2013-2014 taurus, e
01/10/14 Transmission and Drivetrain NHTSA ID: 10054326
TSB ID: TSB-13-9-16

Ford/lincoln: due to ptu vent hose being disconnected or missing, some vehicles may experience fluid leaking from ptu vent. model 2013 taurus, explorer, mks.
10/30/13 Other NHTSA ID: 10053471
TSB ID: TSB-13-6-17

Ford:lincoln: on some vehicles, there are various related concerns about the sync features, such as sync features inoperative, lack of or slow response to phone and voice button operation. models 2012-2013 focus, e-series, edge, expeditio
10/30/13 Other NHTSA ID: 10053467
TSB ID: TSB-13-6-13

Ford: when front window glass, on some vehicles, are being opening or closing, there is a chattering or jumping movement. models 2011-2013 explorer.
10/30/13 Other NHTSA ID: 10053465
TSB ID: TSB-13-6-11

Ford: on the left or right front door, on some vehicles, the ballistic door panels may exhibit a sticking or binding of door window glass. models 2013 taurus, explorer.
10/28/13 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10053457
TSB ID: ASI-32275

Ford: on some vehicles, with mytouch, my experience displayed time jumping or audio popping during initial ignition on cycle, or slow navigation calculations, due to amount of data, within size of contact list, creating processing problem
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10/25/13 Transmission and Drivetrain NHTSA ID: 10053427
TSB ID: ASI-32271

Lincoln/ford: on certain vehicles, the diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0741 and p1744 malfunction indication lamp (mil) will illuminate without any other symptoms present and may be caused by torn inner torque converter seal. model 2013
10/25/13 Other NHTSA ID: 10053422
TSB ID: ASI-32251

Ford/lincoln: on certain vehicles, the intelligent access or push button start may have an intermittent ikt, similar symptoms as discharged ikt battery. models 2012-2013 f-150, f super duty, expedition, navigator, flex, edge, explorer, ta
10/24/13 Transmission and Drivetrain NHTSA ID: 10053415
TSB ID: ASI-32216

Lincoln/ford: due to seal and/or bushing wearing caused by halfshaft surface finish, on some vehicles, transmission may experience a leakage of fluid from left hand (lh) halfshaft seal. model 2013 escape, fusion, edge, explorer, taurus, m
10/24/13 Other NHTSA ID: 10053408
TSB ID: AS1-32241

Ford: on various vehicles with my touch,after any apim programming, replacement or disconnect from front display interface module (fdim), touchscreen calibration must be performed. model years 2011-2013. no models listed.
10/22/13 NHTSA ID: 10053358
TSB ID: ASI-32211

Ford: on some vehicles, the intake air system components may have engine oil accumulation, in left hand valve cover baffle migrating through fresh air intake of positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) system. models 2011-2013 edge, explore
10/21/13 NHTSA ID: 10053331
TSB ID: TSB-13-5-31

Ford: a delayed/harsh downshift and long crank to start times commanded in middle of 4-5 or 3-5 upshift and delayed upshifts from 3rd, 4th or 5th gear when temperature is below 21 degrees celsius (70 degrees fahrenheit) for transmission f
NHTSA's feed only includes summaries. For the full text of TSBs:

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09/20/13 Other NHTSA ID: 10052834
TSB ID: ASI-44146

Ford: on various vehicles, the mytouch screen would go blank while in transport mode, and instrument cluster will display a message upon initial key cycle. model years 2013-2014. no models listed.
09/16/13 Other NHTSA ID: 10052787
TSB ID: TSB-13-5-14

Ford/lincoln: on some vehicles, when accelerating from stop or shifting between drive/reverse and/or reverse/drive, a noise is heard like pop, ting, click, coming from front wheel area. models 2011-2013 taurus, explorer, flex, mks, mkt.
05/10/13 Other NHTSA ID: 10052069
TSB ID: CSP-12M02

Ford/lincoln: see document search button for owner letter. information regarding extended warranty for covering accessory protocol interface module regardless of mileage. models 2011-2013 edge, explorer, mkx, focus, escape, flex, fusion
04/09/13 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10051743
TSB ID: APU-12A04

Ford: see document search button for owner letter. a software upgrade is available for certain vehicles. models 2012-2013 edge, explorer, mkx, focus, escape, flex, fusion, taurus, mks, mkt, f-150. updated 5/10/13.

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Ford Explorer TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins)

Some things are often misunderstood about recalls and technical service bulletins (TSBs). Plus a disclaimer.

  1. Recalls do not have to be issued only because something is prone to failure. NHTSA (a government agency) can only require a recall if a failure will affect safety, emissions, fuel economy, or compliance with some other regulation or law. Manufacturers can voluntarily recall cars for problems that do not affect these, though.
  2. Recalls often apply to only some cars of a specific model year, rather than all of them. You should receive a letter from the manufacturer if your car has been recalled. You can also check with the dealer, which will know which (if any) recalls pertain to your car.
  3. The primary purpose of TSBs is to inform dealers about known problems with a car and how to fix them. They are not the same as recalls. As with recalls, TSBs often only apply to some cars, not the entire model year.
  4. Dealers often will not provide a preventive repair just because a problem described in a TSB might happen to your car. They'll usually want to observe symptoms that the problem is already affecting your car.
  5. Even if there are symptoms, a manufacturer doesn't have to pick up the cost of a TSB repair if the car is out of warranty, though sometimes they do.

We provide the text of recalls and TSBs as provided by NHTSA. There can be errors in the text. If you sign up for notifications in My Garage, we will try to get these to do, but for various reasons (some beyond our control) cannot guarantee you will receive them. When in doubt about a recall or TSB, contact the dealer.