I am filing a safety complaint for my 2013 Ford Explorer (VIN: [XXX] ). There is a strong raw fuel smell inside the cabin, which is a severe fire hazard. This model has a history of cracked fuel delivery modules. Additionally, my vehicle has open recalls for the Rear Suspension Toe Link (19V435/20V675) and the A-Pillar Exterior Trim (24V031). Despite these critical safety issues, the dealer (Midland Ford) claims they see no open recalls and refuses to inspect the fuel leak without a diagnostic fee. I am concerned about a potential fire and the risk of a suspension failure while driving." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2013 Ford Explorer: fuel leak
13 of the 2,239 complaints about the 2013 Ford Explorer describe fuel leak.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 95,000
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 1 service bulletin for this area of the car. See below
Fuel leak by model year
What owners say
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.
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 while driving 30 MPH, the contact loss control of the steering wheel and the vehicle drove off the road. The contact drove onto the curb where the vehicle come to a complete stop. The contact shut off the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the rack and pinion and the bushing on the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion while starting the vehicle, the contact smelled an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The contact examined the vehicle and noticed a fuel leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and stated that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and moving to the passenger seat, he smelled a strong gasoline odor. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact looked under the gasoline tank and saw gas leaking onto the floor. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V227000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) because the VIN was not included. The contact contacted a second dealer - Don's Ford (5712 Horatio St, Utica, NY 13502) who confirmed that the information of the previous dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The fuel tank has a gap between the place you fill up gas from gas leaking still.the wheels make a popping sound when you make sharp turns
My car is leaking fuel under the hood of the vehicle - so much fuel that it has soaked the cover on the engine block and the cover across the top of the interior of the hood. It is actually dripping down when I lift the hood. It is so strong on the interior of the vehicle that I can taste it in my mouth/lungs when I sat in the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. The contact stated that the fuel delivery module was cracked and fuel was leaking underneath the vehicle. Causeway ford lincoln (375 nj-72, stafford township, nj 08050, (609) 597-8083) confirmed the failure and stated that there were no recalls for the vehicle. The dealer was currently repairing the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 78,000.
Fuel leaking from under car near gas tank.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. The contact noticed a fuel leak around the fuel pump above the fuel tank. The failure was repaired by an independent mechanic. The contact called several unknown dealers and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall.the manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 95,000. *tt
Tl* the contact rented a 2013 ford explorer. The contact stated that while refueling, the fuel leaked to the ground. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 34,600.
Purchased vehicle in early 2013. While driving at various speeds noticed exhaust fumes coming from air vents. Called my local ford dealership and they advised that it was normal to smell fumes because it was a new engine. Now six months later, I continue to smell exhaust fumes through air vents while driving but it seems to be while at high RPM's over 3000. I researched the federal safety agency website just to make sure I wasn't the only one and noticed that the following the federal safety agency id complaint numbers are also associated with exhaust fumes coming through air vents. They are #10522939, 10521718, 10511749, 10503135, 10472937, 10497684 and 10493493. It seems that there definitely is a problem with exhaust fumes entering the cabin while driving. I just received safety recall notice 13s04 for a possible fuel leak but I don't think that will stop smell from coming through the air vents. Seems to be that some kind of seal or gasket is not operating as required to keep fumes from entering the cabin. I hope that ford gets serious about conducting some testing for a possible fix or recall. As others have complained, I try not to use my vehicle when transporting my family as they could be exposed to harmful exhaust fumes. This vehicle is not safe.
Service bulletins that may apply
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
Questions about the 2013 Ford Explorer fuel leak
Is fuel leak a common problem on the 2013 Ford Explorer?
13 of 2,239 owner complaints about the 2013 Ford Explorer (1%) mention fuel leak. The model year with the most reports is 2013.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 Ford Explorer?
There are 3 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2013 Ford Explorer
Power steering loss 409Fuel smell 207Loss of power 142Steering lock-up 114Engine failure 89Backup camera 62Grinding brakes 45Check engine light 45Door locks 38Stalling 38Jerking 34Water leak 34Overheating 31Steering noise 21Fire or smoke 19Headlights 16Ball joint 13Harsh shifting 12No deployment 11Fuel pump 11ABS 10Screen failure 10Wipers 10Knocking 9Battery drain 8Hesitation 8Lane assist 8Won't shift 8Shudder 7Pulling 6Brake failure 5Misfire 5Whining noise 5Won't start 5
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