2013 Ford Explorer acceleration problems

Filed Jul 26, 2025 · Acceleration, Suspension · NC

When Driving I started noticing that my steering wheel what getting harder to turn and it felt like it was lagging control. I could still turn and maneuver the steering wheel but the control overall was defiantly not safe. I stopped in at our mechanic and they test drove it. He stated that yes something was definably wrong with the steering system and he said it was hopefully the u-joint for control arm. We made any appointment for the next following week. I drove my explorer with extreme caution and the steering issue just got worse. I noticed that I now have a griding noise coming from my steering when I turn. This is a safety issue because it just going to seize up and I will not have any control over my vehicle. When I did finally did get my explorer into the mechanic the next following week he stated that I needed a new rack and pinion. I only have 140000 miles on my explorer. The cost was astronomical!!! $1700 for the rack and Pinon $600 in labor and a wheel alignment. and don't forget tax. That was a shocker!! I cant afford that kind of out of pocket expense. My vehicle vin does not fall into the recalled safety notice however this seems to be a big issues with the 2013 Ford Explores. My safely overall is the main issued!! I expect ford to follow through in how they manufacture its vehicles and maintenance products. Please include all explorers in the recall!!!!

Filed Nov 26, 2024 · Acceleration, Steering · IL

Our steering wheel locked when we were about to leave our destination and drive back an hour to go home.

Filed Sep 3, 2024 · Acceleration, Electrical · GA

When I was driving suddenly vehicle shakes and gas/acceleration paddle stopped working middle of the road. I pulled my car side of the road, put it in park and turn off vehicle and start it back on gas/acceleration paddle work again. Problem is this happened several times last few weeks.

Filed Jan 23, 2024 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · IL

Driving on a two lane highway with the cruise control set, tapped brake to eliminate the cruise as a truck had pulled onto highway ahead of us. Accelerated to pass the truck and resumed the cruise control to maintain previous speed. The vehicle began increasing speed as if the gas pedal was floored. Tapping brakes didn’t stop it nor did shutting the cruise off on the steering wheel, car was going 80-90 mph. Had to ride the brakes while the throttle seemed to be wide open until we could get it in neutral and pull of on the shoulder. Restarted the vehicle after it was shut off and the throttle was wide open again. The third time I started it, it appeared to be running normal. I did not engage the cruise control after that. At the time there was no engine light or warning light on. About a week later the engine light came on then a couple days later it was not on. Then it randomly would come on. I had scheduled an appt and it was determined the throttle body, gasket and purge valve needed replaced. This was an extremely scary situation and I would like to know if this has been an issue and could it possibly happen again? This could’ve caused a serious accident when you have zero control of the speed and it’s approaching 90mph on a highway. I did get repairs that were an expense over $500. Is there an explanation as to why this happened and can it randomly occur again??

Filed Nov 26, 2020 · Acceleration, Suspension · 62,000 miles · CT · crash

I mother of 3 (15, 13 & 11) & wife got into a major car accident on november 17th, 2020 at about 8:10am driving south on the whitestone expressway south a highly trafficked highway with 4 driving lanes. Police report no. 2020-109-2709. I explained to all instances including police, paramedics, tow company, car insurance, ford auto dealer, repairing shop, etc. That my car simply failed me. I suddenly lost 100% control of the direction of the car and I was forced into invading all the lanes to my left as I was driving on the far-right side. I am an experienced driver for over 30 years I was totally aware and focused on regaining control of the vehicle, but it was simply not possible, the car spun out and I got eventually hit on the back really strong. The ford motor company has issued several recalls related to the mechanical failure of the rear toe links that increase the risk of a crash. This repair was performed to my car an explorer by the stamford ford lincoln sfl on august 11th, 2020 but the most recent recall I found out just yesterday nov 23rd that was issued on october 30th, 2020 (no communication was sent to me by either the agency or the ford motor corporation). It is my civil duty to communicate this to the community to avoid this from happening to others, anyone that owns a ford explorer 2013-2017 could die at any time for this ongoing unresolved issue by ford. Every family deserves to drive a safe car. Presently, I am running the risk that my car gets totaled by the conclusions of the stamford body repair shop that works along with the sfl in which case I simply might never get the explanations that I deserve for the mechanical failure and I will be also losing thousands of dollars in the need to get a safe car to drive for my family. Requesting kindly your help to investigate this further. Dmv ct mentioned I should seek your help on the matter.

Filed Nov 5, 2020 · Acceleration, Steering · 144,000 miles · CA

I was on the street turning left and I left my vehicle slow the speed and the whee got really hard. I was about to be in a car accident. I was not able to drive it home anymore. The vehicle will not go anymore.

Filed Jul 20, 2020 · Acceleration, Engine · IL

I have had the vehicle for about three months and have had more problems from it then anyone can imagine from the wrench light ( transmission) to the torque converter to camshaft codes to converters to sensors , AC condenser went out, brake issues after replacing new pads and rotors , this has been a nightmare . The truck only has 84k miles and I have experienced more issues from it then any vehicle I have ever had . Ford really made junk this time.

Filed Jan 7, 2020 · Acceleration, Transmission · 49,000 miles · GU

It occurs 1 to 4 times while I'm driving. All of a suddenly the the gas pedal doesn't work and the terrain management system is off. I have to turn off the engine in the middle of the road in order for it to work again. Also, there's a weird smell coming coming out when all windows are closed and the AC is on.

Filed Oct 26, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 84,211 miles · TX

When driving (various speeds high was 70 MPH - low was 25 MPH - various roadways) vehicle loses power goes down to about 5 miles per hour - check engine lights comes on-- message "see manual". Happened intermittently for 5 months initially one time- may go a month before happens again . Finally it started occurring 3 times within and hour then ok - did for that for two consecutive days before taking it to be fixed. Called ford dealer they claimed they had heard of this - said it could be many things - I mentioned the reports of this on 2016 explored. Took it to a local shop. Replaced throttle body and throttle body gasket on 2 oct 2019- issue has not occurred since.

Filed Aug 15, 2019 · Acceleration, Suspension · 65,000 miles · IN

Front sway bar links have been knocking over 1 year ago. At the time my car was only 5 years old. At first the ford dealership they thought it was valve body in the suspension the first time they checked. Explorer was jerking when I slowed down to a stop. The second time I took it in they said it was the throttle body. They replaced that because I complained that I have had so many problems with a 5 to 6 year old car. Only has 77,000 miles on it.