Two problems related to automatic transmission torque converter have been reported for the 2013 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2013 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2013 Explorer.
I have had the vehicle for about three months and have had more problems from it then anyone can imagine from the wrench light ( transmission) to the torque converter to camshaft codes to converters to sensors , ac condenser went out, brake issues after replacing new pads and rotors , this has been a nightmare . The truck only has 84k miles and I have experienced more issues from it then any vehicle I have ever had . Ford really made junk this time.
Transmission failed badly at 50,982 miles (under warranty still). Brought in for repairs on 1/31/17 and picked up on evening of 2/8. Dealership overhauled transmission replacing front pump/torque converter/center support and seals/gaskets. On 2/9, at 75 mph on interstate with semi-truck behind me, transmission suddenly dropped gears and red-lined to 6500 rpms, before I was able to re-engage it by manually dropping to the m setting and then up to neutral and back to drive. Lost horsepower and if I had not thought to try the above or panicked like a lot of folks would do, I would have been run over by the semi-truck as I was quickly losing speed. Called dealership that night and brought back to them the next morning (2/10/17). They could find nothing wrong, refused to replace the transmission and gave back to me in the same condition on evening of 2/27/17 (though receipt is dated 2/25) advising me to monitor it and contact them if it happens again (provided I am still alive to do so)!! I am now deathly afraid to drive this vehicle for fear it will happen again, and this time I would not be able to get it back in gear before something bad occurs. And a transmission should not go out at 50,000 miles to begin with!!.