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2013 Ford Explorer problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2013 Ford Explorer. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 22% of relevant complaints.
Better than 85% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Does the 2013 Ford Explorer have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 472 of 2,235 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Explorer concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (22%). For comparison, the 2012 scores 19% and the 2014 scores 23%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2013 compares with other Ford Explorer years
Of the 14 Ford Explorer years with enough complaints to score, the 2013 is the 4th-best on engine and transmission share (22%). The worst is the 2020 (53%), the best the 2011 (16%). By volume, the 2013 drew 2,235 complaints (472 drivetrain), against 829 for the 2012 and 1,679 for the 2014.
Ford Explorer years to avoid and best years →
2010 Explorer problems · 2011 Explorer problems · 2012 Explorer problems · 2013 · 2014 Explorer problems · 2015 Explorer problems · 2016 Explorer problems · 2017 Explorer problems · 2018 Explorer problems · 2019 Explorer problems · 2020 Explorer problems · 2021 Explorer problems · 2022 Explorer problems · 2023 Explorer problems
The rest of the picture on the 2013 Ford Explorer
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2013 Ford Explorer said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 472 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2013 Ford Explorer fuel system recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2013 Ford Explorer involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 12 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this…
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.…
Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and model year 2013 Explorer vehicles manufactured July 19, 2011, through March 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the fuel tanks may have a marginally sealed seam in the side of the tank. As a result, the fuel tanks may not provide the expected strength in the event of an impact. The tanks may also leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tanks and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S03. Owners may contact Ford Motor…
9 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2013 Ford Explorer? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2013 Ford Explorer
Does the 2013 Ford Explorer have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 472 of 2,235 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Explorer concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (22%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Ford Explorer?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2013 Ford Explorer is steering: 835 of 2,235 complaints (37%) name it, followed by structure (438) and engine (225). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap. Engine, transmission and fuel-system complaints together make up 22% of the relevant total.
Is the 2013 Ford Explorer reliable?
On the engine and transmission, nothing stands out: 22% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain, below the 33% line where we call a signal elevated. That is better than 85% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 14 Ford Explorer years we score, it ranks 4th-best. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2013 Ford Explorer?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2013 Ford Explorer involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 12 in total: 15V812000 (fuel system, gasoline), 13V227000 (fuel system, gasoline), 13V109000 (fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Ford Explorer years are better?
Among the Ford Explorer years we track, the 2011 (16%), the 2012 (19%) and the 2023 (19%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2013 (22%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/ford-explorer
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.