FaultScore

2013 Ford Explorer stability control problems

51 of the 2,792 complaints about the 2013 Ford Explorer are about the stability control — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 84,300 miles.

A

51

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 45 88.2%
Traction Control System 6 11.8%

Stability & Traction Control across every Ford Explorer year

2006 11 6.3%
2011 33 18.9%
2012 22 12.6%
2013 51 29.1%
2014 19 10.9%
2015 19 10.9%
2016 20 11.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 65,000 miles Cypress, TX

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS, traction control, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed. The contact stated that the brake lines were flushed, and brake fluid was added to the vehicle; however, the failure returned several days after the repair. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic where an ABS pump fault code was retrieved. The contact was then informed that the part needed to repair the vehicle was on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA complaint #11616172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 167,000 miles Council Bluffs, IA

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the "Traction Control" and "Power Steering" warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was very difficult to turn, and the vehicle was pulled over off the roadway. The contact stopped and turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had not fully regained power steering functionality. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed but was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.

NHTSA complaint #11595100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Chicago, IL

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH from a parking spot and turning the wheel to the left, the steering wheel seized. The steering wheel failed to turn left or right. The contact was able to reverse into a parking spot. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under recall. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 105,000.

NHTSA complaint #11565976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 177,000 miles Navarre, FL

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the power assist steering fault message displayed on the instrument panel and the power steering malfunctioned, causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The traction control message was also displayed and the vehicle loss functionality. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 177,000.

NHTSA complaint #11432926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Petoskey, MI

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

DRIVING THE CAR AND WARNINGS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD SHOWING POWER STEERING AND STABILITY CONTROL FAILED. I COULD BARELY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THANK GOD I WAS ON A SIDE STREET NEAR HOME. IF THIS HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY OR EXPRESSWAY I WOULD LIKELY HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE STEERING RACK.

NHTSA complaint #11362250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,000 miles Loma Linda, CA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

MY POWER STEERING ASSIST WENT OUT MULTIPLE DAYS AS I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE. I TURNED IT OFF AND IT TURNED BACK ON. ON THE FOURTH DAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME IT TURNED OFF ON ME AND I LOST POWER STEERING. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE AND TURNED IT BACK ON BUT THE POWER STEERING REMAINED OFF AND MY OTHER SENSORS TURNED OFF AS WELL-STABILITY CONTROL ETC.. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY AND NEW BATTERY. IT COST ME $2770 TO FIX. THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO MY VIN FOR MY 2013 FORD EXPLORER EVEN THOUGH IT WAS FOR THE SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11351773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,610 miles Tracy, CA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

LOST OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING, COMING FROM AN OIL CHANGED AT THE DEALERSHIP. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER INTO A PARKING LOT, AND WAS ABLE TO MANAGE NOT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THIS COULD'VE BEEN FATAL, AND FORD NEED TO RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11323669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 165,000 miles Ridgely, MD

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE POWER STEERING RACK AND EPS SHUTS DOWN AND I HAVE NO POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. WE HAVE REPLACED THE STEERING RACK AND HAD THE EPS RESET TWICE AND IT STILL POPS UP THE SENSOR FOR THE EPS AND SHUTS MY POWER STEERING DOWN. I'VE ALMOST CRASHED MY VEHICLE TWICE AND HAD IT TOWED 3 TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS.

NHTSA complaint #11315336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,500 miles Beaver Falls, PA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO THE STEERING WAS GETTING TOUGH WITH LITTLE NOISE LIKE CLUNKING, TOOK THE EXPLORER TO A FORD DEALER WAS TOLD MY FRONT STRUTS NEEDED CHANGED. HAD THAT DONE, DID NOT FIX MY STEERING PROBLEM. SAID MY VIN WAS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL FORD HAD ON THE STEERING RACK. NOW JUST YESTERDAY I START MY CAR AND MY STEERING WHEEL IS STUCK NO MOVEMENT. TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON AND GOT MOVEMENT BUT NO POWER STEERING IT'S A MANUAL. WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON 1. "SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW" 2. "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC". ALSO NOTICED MY TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT STAY ENGAGED MUST HOLD IN PLACE TO SIGNAL.

NHTSA complaint #11309539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 46,600 miles Irving, TX

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

STEERING BECOME HARD CANT MOVE THE WHEEL OR MAKE ANY TURN... AND THE LIGHT OF SERVICE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC CAME ON. I ALMOST HAVE A ACCIDENT DO TO THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11307585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,000 miles Sumrall, MS

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP & THE TURN SIGNAL & WIPERS WOULDN'T WORK. AT FIRST , I COULD TURN THE VEHICLE OFF & IT WOULD RESET BUT IT STARTED HAPPENING MORE OFTEN AT A LOW SPEED OR WHEN I WOULD PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT IN AUGUST 2019. MY PARTICULAR 2013 FORD EXPLORED DIDN'T HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS & IT COST $2,300 TO FIX.

NHTSA complaint #11289283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Ayden, NC

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

UPON STARTING VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY, EXPERIENCED INTERMITTANT POWER STEERING FAILURE ALSO SHOWING STABILITY CONTROL ERROR. VEHICLE IS 2013 EXPLORER WITH 95K MILES. TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING SEEMS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE FOR NOW. RESEARCED AND SAW RECALL 14V286000 FOR SAME REPORTED ISSUES, BUT SEEMS THAT MY VIN DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE DESIGNATED VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #11286872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 116,000 miles Coral Gables, FL

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED AND IS REPORTING ERROR POWER ASSIST SYSTEM FAILURE. THE STABILITY CONTROL OS ALSO REPORTING AN ERROR. THE BEHAVIOR IS THE SAME AS IS DESCRIBED IN RECALL# 14V286000, BUT THE VIN CHECK DOESN'T INCLUDE MY VEHICLE IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF THE RECALL. I HAVE SEEN REPORTS BY OTHERS REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE AND ARE ALSO FINDING THEIR VINS ARE ALSO NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. INTERMITTENTLY I USED TO GET THE POWER ASSIST SYSTEM FAILURE MESSAGE WHEN I WOULD FIRST START THE CAR, BUT AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN EVERYTHING WOULD BE FINE. HOWEVER, A FEW DAYS AGO THE SYSTEM FAILED PERMANENTLY. FORTUNATELY IT OCCURRED WHILE TUE CAR WAS STATIONARY, IN MY DRIVEWAY. I'M TAKING CAR TO DEALER FOR REPAIR TOMORROW, HOWEVER, I'M EXPECTED THE REPAIR TO COST AROUND $2000. I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY SUCH A CRITICAL PART CAN HAVE SUCH CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHEN THE CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAS 116,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE OWNED CARS WITH OVER 200,000 MILES THAT DID REQUIRE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #11280949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,000 miles Miami, FL

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

PAINT BUBBLING ON ALUMINUM SURFACES HOOD AND DOOR SKINS, REFERRED BACK TO DEALER WHO REPAINTS AND REOCCURS UNTIL OUT OF WARRANTEE. STEERING FAILURE INTERMITTENT ACCUTRAC CONTROL REQUIRING TOWING AND COMPUTER RESET. CAN FAIL WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN NO OR DIFFICULT STEERING. MULTIPLE TIMES RESET NO CHARGE. ESTIMATE TO REPAIR $2500

NHTSA complaint #11271351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Indian Head, MD

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WHILE DRIVING (SECOND INCIDENT, IT WAS REPAIRED BY FORD MOTOR VEHICLE FOR THE SAME THING LAST YEAR) MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE VEHICLE KEPT PULLING ME TO THE LEFT, I ALMOST HAD A HEAD ON WITH THE ONCOMING VEHICLE. I WAS SO SHOOK UP, I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND WAITED FOR HELP. MY HUSBAND TESTED IT SINCE AND THE PULL IS QUITE NOTICEABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11269855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 640,000 miles Port Charlotte, FL

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THROTTLEBODY P2111 CODE. LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. NOT COVERED BY FACTORY SERVICE BULLETIN 13N03. WHY NOT?

NHTSA complaint #11251954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150 miles Houston, TX

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WHEN TRAVELING LONG DISTANCES, USUALLY OVER AN HOUR, THE WARNING FOR POWER STEERING AND SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC COMES ON. THE POWER STEERING WILL LOCK UP AND WILL BE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED AND ONCE ITS STARTED BACK UP AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11241701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130 miles Walllkill, NY

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

"TAKATA RECALL" ODOR PROBLEM WHEN ACCELERATING. MY CHILD WAS DIAGNOSE BEING ON THE SPECTRUM. MIGHT BE BECAUSE OF THE CARBON MONOXIDE WHO KNOWS. THERE IS ALSO A LEAK ON BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS MY KIDS ALWAYS GET DRETCHED WITH WATER RUNNING DOWN THEIR CAR SEAT AND CLOTHES. CATCHING COLDS AND PNEUMONIA. SO FRUSTRATING

NHTSA complaint #11229490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,300 miles ST. Martinville, LA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I WAS DIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55-60MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE JERKED TWICE THEN STARTED DECELERATING RAPIDLY. AT THAT TIME PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL HAD NO EFFECT AND I HAD TO PULL OVER ON TO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID GETTING HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. A WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES BUT IT DID NOT STOP SHAKING AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. I TURNED MY CAR OFF HALFWAY ON THE HIGHWAY AND HALF ON THE SHOULDER WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AFTER LEAVING THE CAR OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES I TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WENT OFF AND MY CAR OPERATED NORMALLY. THE SAME THING HAPPENED THE NEXT DAY. I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT TAKE MY CAR THAT DAY. I WAS LEAVING FOR VACATION THE NEXT DAY AND PLANNED ON GOING IN MY ELXPLORER BUT DID NOT FEEL SAFE SO I DROPPED IT OFF AT A LOCAL MECHANIC. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST DIDN'T SHOW ANYTHING AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR IN WHILE THE LIGHT WAS ON, WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE THE CAR WON'T ACCELERATE WHILE THE LIGHT IS ON. THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES WITHIN A WEEK. I'M AM SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS CAR WITH MY CHILDREN IN IT.

NHTSA complaint #11221593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Spokane Valley, WA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THE POWER STEELING AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON WITH A WARNING. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A CITY STREET AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE TURNING.

NHTSA complaint #11218338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,179 miles Fayetteville, NC

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

POWER STEERING LOSS FOR THE 2ND TIME, EVEN AFTER DEALERSHIP INSPECTION. CLAIMED TO NOT BE A APART OF 2013 RECALL LIST.

NHTSA complaint #11207853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,000 miles Oakland, MD

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

STEERING IS HARD TO STEER. FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE NO POWER STEERING. DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME JUST WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING SLOW. ALSO PAINT ON THE HOOD PEELING OFF. TOOK TO A GARAGE FOR THE STEERING AND THEY SAY IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE BUT NO RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11207354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 139 miles SAN Antonio, TX

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT.. WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE FAULT COMES ON STEERING GETS HARD HARD TO CONTROL CAUSING MY WIFE TO ALMOST GET TO AN ACCIDENT. IT ONLY COMES ON ONCE IN A GREAT WHILE TO RESET ITS YOU HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON IT ONLY HAPPENS IN THE MORNING WHEN SHE'S TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL IT'S RARE BUT IT'S HAPPENED FOUR TIMES ALREADY

NHTSA complaint #11205960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,000 miles Yukon, OK

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

DRIVING ON STRAIGHTAWAY DOING ABOUT 45MPH AND COMING TO A STOP. SERVICE LIGHTS & BELLS POPPED ON AND POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING.

NHTSA complaint #11202573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 106,000 miles Payson, AZ

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING ALMOST CAUSING A ACCIDENT WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS AND SOME RECALLED BUT NOT ALL. THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. CITY STREET. I CAN'T IMAGINE BEING ON A FREEWAY IN PHOENIX WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

NHTSA complaint #11196865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 106,000 miles Payson, AZ

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

POWER STEERING ASSIST CAME ON AS I WAS DRIVING AND LOST STEERING. VERY DANGEROUS

NHTSA complaint #11196831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles King George, VA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ADVANCETRAC LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE DASH STARTED FLASHING SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW AND SERVICE ADVANCETRAC NOW

NHTSA complaint #11196060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,887 miles Ridgewood, NJ

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

POWER STEERING DOWN. WARNING MASSAGE SAID 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT' 'SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC' 'TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT'. IT IS TOO HARD TO STEER. CONTROL MODULE INTERNAL FAILURE, CODES U3000-49, U3000-96, U3000-71.

NHTSA complaint #11190264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,000 miles Kingman, AZ

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

ISSUE ALREADY REPORTED.SEE NHTSA LD.NUMBER 11174395.VEHICLE IS AWD. CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT AXIL AREA ONLY. CURRENT MILAGE86644.

NHTSA complaint #11176017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,632 miles Liberty, NC

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

LIKE RECALL NUMBER 14S06, MY EXPLORERS POWER STEERING ASSIST IS INTERMITTENT AND WILL SOMETIMES WILL NOT WORK AT ALL. I'VE CHECKED WITH A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAY THAT IT IS NOT A RECALL UNDER OUR VIN. THIS VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH BOTH OF OUR YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11171082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2013 Ford Explorer problems

← Full 2013 Ford Explorer report