Check a VIN

2013 Ford Explorer body problems

439 complaints (20% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 70,000. 4 crashes reported.

owner complaints
439
of this car's complaints
20%
typical mileage
70,000
crashes
4
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Body
    224
  • Body: door
    8
  • Body: roof and pillars
    3
  • Body: hatchback/liftgate
    2
  • Frame and members: underbody shields
    1
  • Body: trunk lid
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Explorer body problems in other years

19911995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Ford Explorer body

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Water leak 34

Related recalls

Structure: body: roof and pillarsReported January 19, 2024 · 1,889,110 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Risk
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.

Recall number 24V031000 · Recall details

Structure: body: doorReported March 24, 2015 · 194,484 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
Risk
If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S11.

Recall number 15V171000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Windshield trim molding Item detachmentOpened January 27, 2023, closed February 8, 2024

On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting this failure. ODI has received 671 VOQs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring the driver of the following vehicle to take evasive action. It is noteworthy that motorists who experience this type of road hazard are less likely to accurately identify the subject vehicle the item detached from and report the event to the federal safety agency. In its April 17, 2023 response to ODI’s information request, Ford provided 175 consumer complaints (including field reports) and 14,162 warranty claims related to A-pillar trim panel detachment. Ford relayed that the subject vehicles utilize a plastic A-pillar bracket, which is bolted to the vehicle structure during assembly. The A-pillar trim panel is attached to the bracket utilizing 7 plastic clips. Contributory factors which have been identified by Ford as leading to the subject defect include incomplete installation at the assembly plant, inadequate part stack up, damage to fasteners during installation, and failure to follow proper repair procedure during windshield replacements or other services. On January 19, 2024, Ford filed safety recall 24V‑031 for MY 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles to address the subject defect. In the Part 573 Safety Recall Report, Ford identified that a detached A-pillar trim panel can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall remedy includes an inspection of the existing A-pillar trim panel and, if necessary, the replacement of the component. The remedy A-pillar trim panels will be installed with an additional adhesive for robustness and utilize an inspection procedure to ensure full engagement of all the retention clips during installation. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to

PE23001

What 2013 Ford Explorer owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 8, 2026 · Body · 200,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s side A-pillar trim had detached. The local dealer confirmed the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Body · 130,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the parts to complete the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that both windshield exterior A-pillar trims had dry-rotted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was inspected. The dealer confirmed that parts were unavailable and placed the vehicle on a waiting list. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Jul 15, 2026 · Body · 152,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH in snowy and stormy weather, the driver’s side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to several dealers, where it was inspected, and it was confirmed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

Filed Jun 30, 2026 · Body · VA

See attached document for complaint.

Filed Jun 30, 2026 · Body · MD

See attached document for complaint.

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · Body · WI

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed May 13, 2026 · Body · 130,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on the driver’s side windshield started to detach. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part required for the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that the remedy parts were not yet available and were on backorder. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed May 11, 2026 · Body · VA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side A-pillar trim detached. The failure distracted the contact while driving, nearly causing a collision. The contact drove over gravel on the road, causing damage to the front windshield. The contact stated that Safelite AutoGlass repaired the front windshield. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the front passenger's side A-pillar trim had also detached. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 24, 2026 · Body · SC

I am writing to complain about Recall 24S02. The A-Pillar Trim has become loose on my car and the rubber mold underneath it now is loose and flaps aggressively in the wind creating damage to my windshield and driver side front window. I am afraid the whole piece will come off at any moment and cause a road hazard. I have called multiple dealers in my area over the past two years and were told that the parts for this recall is on "universal backorder. One dealer told me in 2025 verbatim, I'd "...have a better chance of seeing Jesus come back than to get that part fixed." I have tried getting in touch with corporate but have had not luck either. I am not sure what to do.

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Body · TN

After more than two years with an open recall, Ford has not been able to repair my 2013 Ford Explorer due to an inability to source the replacement parts. On Sunday, April 12th the defective A-pillar trim on the driver’s side detached while driving at highway speeds on the interstate. My Ford dealer states that there is a backorder of over 80,000 A-pillar covers. It doesn’t seem that they are very interested in addressing this recall. What recourse do I have?

Questions about the 2013 Ford Explorer body

Does the 2013 Ford Explorer have body problems?

Owners have filed 439 complaints about the body of the 2013 Ford Explorer, 20% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2013 Ford Explorer body problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 70,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Ford Explorer body?

Yes, 2 recalls: 24V031000, 15V171000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Explorer have the most body problems?

The Ford Explorer model years with the most body complaints are 2017 (661 complaints), 2016 (593 complaints) and 2002 (486 complaints).

Other 2013 Ford Explorer problems

Steering 837Engine 291Electrical 163Fuel system 153Transmission 119Driver assistance 105Suspension 79Visibility 63Brakes 40Acceleration 38Lights 25Seat belts 20Wheels 20Airbags 18Locks 16Seats 10Tires 2

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2013 Ford Explorer?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history