2013 Ford Explorer Problems

The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach. A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years.

Some vehicles may have a replacement ball joint in the rear suspension that can seize and cause a rear toe link to break. A broken toe link can cause loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will inspect for the replacement ball joint and, if found, check its tightness and replace the ball joint, knuckle, and/or toe link as needed, free of charge.

Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link. A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675.

The outer section of a rear suspension toe link can break. If it does, the driver can lose steering control, which raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: A dealer will inspect the cross-axis ball joint knuckle attached to the rear toe link and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.

The rear suspension toe links can break under normal stress. If one fractures, the vehicle's handling can change suddenly, which raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will replace the rear suspension toe links and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckles if needed, free of charge.

These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end. A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application.

The fuel delivery module can crack, letting fuel leak out. If the leaking fuel meets an ignition source, it may cause a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module free of charge, and Ford will notify owners by mail.

A spring in the interior door handle can come loose, so the handle may not return fully to its resting position. In a side-impact crash, the door could unlatch, raising the risk of injury.

Fix: A dealer will inspect all four interior door handles and repair or replace any faulty ones at no cost to you.

The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge.

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. If the child lock is deactivated, the door could be unlocked and opened from the inside which could lead to personal injury to an unrestrained child.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the safety locks. If necessary, the locks will be replaced free of charge.

The fuel delivery module may crack, letting fuel leak out. If that fuel meets an ignition source, it can cause a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module free of charge (Ford recall campaign 13S04).

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. 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. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S03.