The 2013 Ford Explorer is amongst the best seven-passenger vehicles one can own. The reason is that the Ford Explorer Limited goes to great lengths to offer continued affordable, comfortable, and, most importantly, safe cars. It comes with the functions and features of a minivan but has the sports and rugged look of an SUV.

The Ford Explorer 2013 is an excellent choice for most weathers, including winter, where most roads have deep snow and ice levels. Its comfortability also makes it an ideal choice for long trips because it doesn’t take too much energy from you during the drive.

A standard Explorer’s essential features include three-row seating with seven seats; however, some models with a console fitted in the second-row center only have six seats. It has a comfortable leg-room for the first row while the second and third rows have average room for a car in this segment.

Ford Explorer 2013 includes four trims, Limited, XLT, Base, and Sports. This model boasts features like a 12volt outlet, control mounted steering wheel, stability control, a great stereo system with six speakers, and air conditioning with rear controls. Some of the Explorer models have a voice-activated connectivity system and a USB port and automatic headlights. Other higher features of the Explorer include third-row power-folding and leather seats.

Unfortunately for Ford Explorer owners, the common issues afflicting this vehicle involve some of the car’s complex part, the power train. The Ford motor company started using EcoBoost turbocharged engine for the major of its 5th generation Explorer models. The aim was to ensure an affordable performance. However, these engines turned out to be one of the most disliked features of this model, where it has received numerous complaints from customers.

2013 Ford Explorer Common Problems

Among some of the common defects noted in the 2013 Explorer include, loss of power, fluid and oil leakage, fan noises, difficulty starting, and squealing noise. Below is a discussion of some of these problems:

* Transmission Failure

Transmission is probably the worst problem associated with the Ford Explorer 2013. Some owners claim that even with just a low 40k miles, they experience shifting, hard jolts, and lunges. The average cost for repairing this is a whopping $1,600.

The transmission failure can cause sudden slamming of gear, which causes unstable shifts and shake. When the change in the transmission is too quick, your car may increase its speed too fast, which in some cases is due to low fluid levels. You can identify transmission failure in your Ford when your car jumps gears suddenly, shifting gears while driving, or inability to go into any gear while driving.

If you experience these signs, then your transmission is on its way to failure or, worse, it has already failed. In addition to this, the radiator often fails at around 60 miles. The repair bill for a repair for a radiator runs from $500 to $1,000.

* Forward Visibility

Ford Explorer 2013 car owners claim that they can’t see outside their windows. The pillars windows are a significant concern for users because they are substantial, making it challenging to see when turning. It’s also challenging to see behind without the backup camera.

* Problem entering and getting out of the vehicle

The doors on the Ford Explorer 2013 are another problematic area for most of the car owners. The interior doors are light and flimsy with a costly paint job. The problem is that they won’t unlock when you go out, so you will need to open the door from the inside. Additionally, if you scratch your door accidentally, the cost of repair is hefty.

* The look and feel of interior controls

Another significant problem noted on the Ford Explorer 2013 is the exterior body issues. These include cracked panels, which have seen several Explorer buyers ask for manufacturer to recall. To deal with these issues, some owners have undertaken the cost of replacing panels, while others have resulted in forming a lawsuit.

* Paint bubbling on the Ford models

Premature corrosion on the Ford model causes unsightly paint blistering and bubbling. This is because some models use aluminum panels instead of the recommended steel ones. Upon investigating this problem, it was acknowledged that the blistering was due to aluminum corrosion resulting from iron particles that got into the aluminum body before it’s painted. Luckily there are legal remedies for this problem.

Conclusion

The Ford Explorer 2013 has a compelling love affair with the SUV owners. Thankfully, the Ford Explorer’s design continues to grow in scale in terms of efficiency and advanced technology use. However, it has some problems, including transmission failure, problem entering and getting out of the car, Jeep Renegade PCM and forward visibility. Some of these problems can be controlled by installing a genuine Engine Control Module (ECM)

FAQs

1. Is the 2013 Ford Explorer reliable?

Yes. It boasts of 3.5 out of 5.0 rating, which ranks in a good position for the midsize SUVs. Its regular maintenance and repair costs per year are around $732 per year.

2. Are there any recalls on the 2013 Ford Explorer?

The Ford Explorer 2013 has some recalls, which the manufacturer try to deal with. Among those recalls are:

* Recall 13SO4- The Explorer fuel delivery is prone to cracking, which may lead to fuel leakage.

* Recall 15S1, the door handle in the Explorer interior may fall out of line, causing the door to unlatch upon impact. These increase the chances of injury upon an accident. It also causes water to leak.

* Recall 14S06- the 2013 Ford Explorer may have electrical connection problems in the power steering wheel, which may cause the shutting down of power on the steering wheel.

3. What problems do Ford Explorers have?

The major problem is in the vehicle’s powertrain, where common issues include loss of power, squealing problems, fan noises, power loss, fan noise, and delayed shifting of gears.

4. How many miles does a Ford Explorer usually last?

The Ford Explorer model vehicle is the right choice as it runs at 140000 miles currently. It averages to around 12000 miles per year.