2013 Ford Explorer: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Sep 10, 2025 · Fuel system · 93,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Jun 1, 2022 · Driver assistance, Steering · KY

Upon taking off, in a busy intersection during lunch time traffic in town, a "Steering Assist Failure" and chime came on at the same time the power steering failed. While the steering was just shy of locked, I was able to avoid hitting oncoming traffic and aim the Explorer into a parking lot directly in my path. I put on my hazards (they should come on automatically in such instances) and the other motorists were kind and allowed me to do so since traffic around and behind me had to come to a stop. Even at a healthy 250 lbs and 6'4", it was a serious struggle to make even a small change in the angle of the steering wheel. The Explorer is my wife's vehicle and I just happened to be with her that day, prepping the vehicle for our son to take over as his since he starts college in the fall. I shudder to think what could've happened had either of them been driving it when this happened. There were NO prior indications, no odd noises, no roughness in the steering, no flashes of imminent failure, no notice of the possibility of this happening from FORD, just the sudden and dangerous loss of steering. We've owned this vehicle since it had ~54,000 we've loved the whole time, but this incident has caused us to lose faith in it. Even repaired, I don't see myself putting my wife OR son into it with any confidence in their safety.

Filed Apr 24, 2019 · Steering · 80,246 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shuddered. The vehicle was taken to sterling mccall ford (6445 southwest fwy, houston tx 77074, (281) 588-5000) where it was diagnosed that the steering rack assembly failed. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v286000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,246.

Filed Dec 9, 2018 · Transmission · 137,200 miles · NC

I was driving down the highway when the SUV shuddered and I heard something bouncing down the underside of the SUV, which isshudderong every badatthispoint so I stop seeif I could tell what the problem was... Indeed I did there was a large piece of my transfer case/ ptu missing I tried finding it with no luck .. I tried moving the SUV off the highway babying it jerked at 5 MPH mind then awd light flashed and went right back off got out to look again yeah whole driveshaft hanging down.... Now outside my safety thank god this happened at low speed but think about the very large chunk of metal that shot out from under my SUV thank god no one was behind me this could have been very very bad please look into this if you would email me I will take pics next time I'm around the explorer and email them back ...approximately 45mph when piece came off and 5mph when driveshaft fell down

Filed Sep 28, 2017 · Brakes, Engine · 50,000 miles · PA

This make/model/year has a known factory defect that caused the exhaust manifold to blow exhaust directly into the cabin. I had to force the dealer to fix this, as they argued exhaust is not dangerous. I have attached the instructions on how to fix this, from the factory, proving it was a known serious issue, not disclosed to me. The dealership did a horrible job in the "repair" - having broken other parts of the car in the process. After they "repaired" the car, it began randomly shuddering, while idling. I have attached a video of it. You will need to turn up the volume to the max, as youtube compressed the sound terribly. I have one witness to this happening twice. The engine starts vibrating with such ferocity that it sounds as though the vehicle is about to explode. The witness is willing to testify in court. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=johecicectk . This vehicle has completely fallen apart around me. There are 10 other major mechanical issues, which ford refuses to fix.

Filed Jul 13, 2015 · Engine · 53,000 miles · LA

Radiator hose breached, decompressing radiator. Radiator hose was rubbed open by nearby metal compressor line running perpendicular. Hole was 1" by 1/2". Radiator immediately emptied, engine overheated and shuddered. Repair made by ford dealership only replaced hose and flushed coolant. Ford did not remedy situation where metal compressor line is adjacent and sometimes in contact with radiator hose. I have photo and video proving the AC line rubbed the hose open.

Filed Jun 19, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 5,000 miles · TX

Taking a trip in my 2013 ford explorer sport (texas to florida) with the 3.5 turbocharged engine in raining conditions and vehicle began to shake violently, shudder and stall when I attempted to accelerate. Would not drive properly, check engine light came on and vehicle had to coast off highway and stay in hotel until dealership opened next day. Loss of time and very dangerous.