2013 Ford Explorer driver assistance & safety tech problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 4, 2026NCDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / Unknown

   The backup camera has stopped working, the beeping sensor still alarms when to close but the camera does not work at all.

   NHTSA complaint #11762154 · source
2. Filed Jun 5, 2026190,000 miKYTowedDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera intermittently displayed a blank image. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer due to the front axle fracturing after the vehicle struck a curb while driving in inclement weather. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11742321 · source
3. Filed May 15, 2026FLDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

   Power steering assist fault while driving with total loss of power steering. Caused difficult steering, particularly at low speed and made for a dangerous driving situation with what seemed like complete loss of steering ability. Power steering fault and lane keeping assist failure warnings lit on display at the same time. Vehicle was towed to dealership and problem was isolated to steering module/gear failure after paying for battery replacement to verify that it was not a…

   NHTSA complaint #11738002 · source
4. Filed Mar 25, 2026WADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   The rear reverse camera malfunctions and glitches. Often the screen turning green when reversing, sometimes screen is black or no color view and most times the camera if reversing to left or appear as to the right or vise versa and sometimes it’s normal but rarely. The control buttons for windows has a malfunction where it sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. The seatbelts are not clicking and I have kids in the rear seats.

   NHTSA complaint #11726948 · source
5. Filed Jan 7, 202675,000 miNVDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased in late 2024, and approximately six months later, the rearview camera failed. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The message "Rear Camera Unavailable - Contact your Dealer" was…

   NHTSA complaint #11709491 · source
6. Filed Nov 13, 2025101,000 miGADriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The contact owns 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting into reverse(R), the image on the screen was fuzzy. The message “Rearview Camera not Available” was displayed. Neither the dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION);…

   NHTSA complaint #11699145 · source
7. Filed Oct 16, 2025FLBody & StructureDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, preventing the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent…

   NHTSA complaint #11693839 · source
8. Filed Aug 18, 202578,000 miCADriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while in reverse(R), the camera image fluctuation on and off, and the image then froze intended and the back over prevention camera became inoperable. Additionally, the message to "Contact the Dealer" was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11681291 · source
9. Filed Aug 4, 2025OKDriver Assistance & Safety TechTransmission & Drivetrain

   My water pump started having a small leak about 2 weeks ago to where I had to put water in to get to work and then again to get home. I contacted Ford to inquire about a cost for this repair and was told they had to diagnose first. Then on Friday Aug 1st my children and I were driving on the interstate and had just gotten off at our exit and the car died in the middle of busy traffic. After waiting for the car to cool, the water was added and I took the car to a Ford…

   NHTSA complaint #11678224 · source
10. Filed Jul 21, 2025GADriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

    My power steering went out within 5 minutes of the "service power steering now" and the "lane keeping system malfunction service required" lights came on while I was driving on the interstate at 75 mph. When I turned off the explorer and turned it back on the power steering was completely gone. I checked on Ford's recall website and they show that there is a "Customer Service Program" for the Epas Steering Efforts and for "Rear toe link inspection replacement", nothing…

    NHTSA complaint #11675093 · source
11. Filed Jul 7, 2025144,000 miOHDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while in reverse(R), the back over prevention camera went black and remained black. The contact stated that occasionally while driving the message “Camera Unavailable - Please Contact Dealer" message was displayed. The contact stated that on several other occasions, while driving at various speeds or while in reverse(R), there was a beeping notification was heard and a message that a "Vehicle…

    NHTSA complaint #11671549 · source
12. Filed Jun 18, 2025108,000 miNYDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while attempting to reverse, the contact noticed the rearview camera displayed a blank screen. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified, opened a case, and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The contact related the failure to NHTSA…

    NHTSA complaint #11667765 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology