In September I started to notice a strong fuel odor coming from my 2013 Ford Explorer. I had the exterior of the vehicle cleaned thoroughly to ensure no gasoline was spilled on the vehicle while refuelling. The smell did go away temporarily, until I refuelled the vehicle. The odor has returned, and will not go away. On 10/6/2025 I took my vehicle to a local mechanic that works on my vehicles. A visual inspection was performed and they informed me that there is a leak and it appears to be coming from the top of the tank or an area above the tank. It is hard to identify the exact source without lowering the tank. They mechanic also informed me that Ford has a safety recall issue for something similar, 13S04. I checked with Ford and while there is a recall for the same model and year of my vehicle, my 2013 Explorer is not a part of the recall. I have contacted a local Ford Service Center and am waiting for a response from them.
2013 Ford Explorer fuel system problems
153 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 50,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 153
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- typical mileage
- 50,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
- Delivery: fuel pump3
- Fuel injection system: throttlebody/manifold1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford Explorer fuel system problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Ford Explorer fuel system
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.
Recall number 15V812000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.
Recall number 13V227000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and model year 2013 Explorer vehicles manufactured July 19, 2011, through March 15, 2012. 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.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tanks and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S03. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 13V109000 · Recall details
What 2013 Ford Explorer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel injectors were leaking, but the vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the purge valve was replaced as a temporary repair. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated intermittently after the repair. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle after the vehicle had been refueled, the vehicle failed to start and shuddered. The vehicle was able to be restarted after several attempts. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failures to the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 13V227000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 15V812000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that his daughter smelled a strong odor of fuel around the vehicle and in the residence while the vehicle was parked in the garage. There was fuel on top of the tank. The contact stated that after raising the vehicle up on a lift, it was determined that there was a leak coming from the fuel tank. There was no indication of fuel on the ground. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V812000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact called the dealer and was informed that a diagnostic test was needed. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon reaching arriving to the destination, there was an abnormal gasoline odor coming from the rear of the vehicle. After a visual inspection, the contact observed gasoline leaking from the fuel tank. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel tank filler neck. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V812000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 200,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that there was fuel leaking from the driver's rear end of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not able to be started. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 172,582.
Service advancetrac light came on while driving. Lost all propulsion and power steering. Almost went off road around a curve due to no power steering. Ford dealership diagnosed it as faulty steering sensor. Had that replaced about 18 months ago, now this near accident just happened. Service trac light traction control light are both on with no propulsion or power steering. I’ve been doing research on this and this seems to happen to a lot of ford owners as ford is the only manufacturer to produce vehicles with advancetrac system. How has this not been a recall yet?
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle she smelled a strong odor of gasoline inside her inclosed garage, after which, she overserved gasoline leaking from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel delivery module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V812000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 55,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware of fuel leaking from the rear wheel well from a place near the fuel tank. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V812000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to immediately start, and over time, the failure occurred more frequently before the vehicle stalled and would fail to restart. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who determined that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 79,000.
Fail emissions dealership not complying refuse fix a car that shouldn't be finances to me seatbelt don't work got car 5/14/2024 the heat resistance wasn't replaced correctly and they won't trade or give my money back or fix it I emissions test reports as well what wrong what need be fix car stop yesterday I'm paying out pocket for repair that wasn't cause by me and car not of 458.81 plus 17 dollars charged with it they want keep paying cash but I won't so they said they wouldn't accept it if not in cash.
Questions about the 2013 Ford Explorer fuel system
Does the 2013 Ford Explorer have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 153 complaints about the fuel system of the 2013 Ford Explorer, 7% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Explorer fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 50,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Ford Explorer fuel system?
Yes, 3 recalls: 15V812000, 13V227000, 13V109000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Explorer have the most fuel system problems?
The Ford Explorer model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2013 (153 complaints), 2016 (112 complaints) and 2015 (94 complaints).
Other 2013 Ford Explorer problems
Steering 837Body 439Engine 291Electrical 163Transmission 119Driver assistance 105Suspension 79Visibility 63Brakes 40Acceleration 38Lights 25Seat belts 20Wheels 20Airbags 18Locks 16Seats 10Tires 2
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