2013 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

224Engine complaints

10.1%Of all 2,222 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

STEERING805 · 36.2%

Unspecified / other341 · 15.3%

ENGINE224 · 10.1%

STRUCTURE:BODY224 · 10.1%

STRUCTURE197 · 8.9%

Share of the 2,222 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2013 Ford Explorer overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS A ODOR OF EXHAUST FUMES COMING…”NHTSA complaint 10616310 — filed 07/25/2014

“THE VEHICLES AC SYSTEM FLOODS THE INTERIOR CABIN WITH AN OVERWHELMING EXHAUST SMELL DURING HARD ACCELERATION OR ANYTIME THE ENGINE EXCEEDS 3500 RPM AS IN…”NHTSA complaint 10609975 — filed 07/11/2014

“I PURCHASED A NEW 2013 FORD EXPLORER. I OFTEN DRIVE WITH MY DOG IN THE REAR SEATS. PRIOR TO MY EXPLORER, MY DOG NEVER GOT…”NHTSA complaint 10609211 — filed 07/09/2014

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Ford Explorer have engine problems?

Engine is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2013 Ford Explorer: 224 of 2,222 complaints on file (10.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2013 Ford Explorer have in total?

2,222 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 44 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, 61 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.