Body problems of the 2013 Ford Explorer - part 1

This is a complaint regarding the handling of safety recall 20s62 (also referenced as 20s32) by Ford motors and the dealership that performed the recall repairs, hallada motors. The vehicle was taken by the previous owner to hallada 3 separate times to address the same recall related to the rear suspension toe link/ball joint issue. Documentation indicates the most recent repair occurring in 2022. This recall specifically involves components connected to the rear suspension that, if not properly addressed, can lead to corrosion and structural damage affecting the frame. Based on the history of repeated recall repairs and the current condition of the vehicle, we believe that the repair approach taken was insufficient. By the time of the third recall service in 2022, the frame should have been thoroughly inspected and potentially replaced due to corrosion risk identified in the recall guidance. The vehicle is currently being inspected and serviced at ewald Ford. Their technicians documented significant corrosion and unusual frame damage, which they photographed and submitted to Ford corporate while requesting that the recall case be reopened. Despite this documentation, Ford has refused to reopen the recall or authorize a frame replacement. Ewald Ford technicians noticed irregularities in the documentation from hallada motors. 2 separate entries list the mileage as exactly 87,600 miles and exactly 95,000 miles, both ending in multiple zeros. The technicians indicated this is unusual and raised concerns whether the recall work was properly completed. The vehicle now has severe frame corrosion and structural damage and is unsafe and unusable. We are without a vehicle and have incurred financial loss. We believe the current condition is the result of improper/incomplete recall repairs. We request a look at the recall repairs performed were completed in compliance & Ford's refusal to reopen is consistent with safety obligations. Ford should be held accountable.

Pillar molding driver side.

Why is it taking Ford years to fix body molding for a recall. It would appear they are not going to comply with the recall and hope they wait long enough they can age out the vehicles and there won’t be any left. I don’t understand why n. H. T. S. A is night having Ford comply with the recall.

Manufacturer recall number24s02 NHTSA recall number24v031 recall statusrecall incomplete, remedy not yet available recall is over 15 months old and manufacture still hasn't developed a resolution.

The passenger side door trim that goes alongside the window broke off while driving down the highway. This is a safety hazard for other drivers. The a pillar trim did the same thing a few months ago which is under recall. Not sure why this trim would not also be under recall.

Bought the car 07/03/23 from private party and its been leaking water since. Found the cracks 02/28/25. Body is cracking on top rear roof of vehicle close to the rear hatch hinges on driver and passenger side which causes water to come inside the rear interior part of the vehicle. 3rd row seatbelts are soaking wet when it rains. Water also leaks in the trunk and spare tire space. Originally, thought it was from clogged sunroof drains, but found the cracks after further investigation. Pictures have been attached.

Water leaking from ceiling.

Ford issued a recall notice in Feb 2024 concerning the exterior a-pillar applique trim clip. This large piece of hard plastic separated from my windshield on an interstate while the vehicle was driving at a high rate of speed and the loose trim was a hazard to the vehicles behind me. It is unacceptable that I cannot have this replaced and the other side repaired more than one year after the recall. This is a safety issue to other vehicles on the road.

The exterior a-pillar trim part detached and hit another vehicle on the freeway. The dealership replaced the part and I paid for it. I received a recall notice January 2024 stating that Ford would replace the defect and or reimburse me for the previous replacement. In February 2025 the driver side a-pillar trim part detached while driving on the freeway. When I contacted my dealership at kearny pearson Ford they told me that they still did not have the parts as described in the safety recall notice 24s02 / NHTSA recall 24v031. I am driving around with an open side along the windshield/body of my car and it does not feel safe.

The a-pillar trim pieces on both sides of the windshield began coming apart while driving on the highway, luckily, a piece did not impact other vehicles behind me. I went to the dealer and they removed both trim pieces several months ago and they have not followed up to install the new parts. They say they are not available. The first notification I received from Ford by mail is dated February 2024 (more than 1. 5 years ago). The vehicle looks like crap and Ford is not fulfilling their obligation. Perhaps NHTSA can exert enough pressure to force them to accomplish the repairs. Are they waiting for someone to get hurt or die from flying trim debris before they act? Ford can and has to make the parts and make them available to address their flawed product. Thank you.

Driving 65 mph. 4 passengers. Pillar trim came off and slammed into window. Caused us to veer into another lane almost hitting another vehicle. Passenger side did this in 2023. My husband had to order part and fix it. Right after fix, a recall was issued. Called 5 times in 2024 for recall fix. Was told parts not available. While going to fort lauderdale cruise port January 25, 2025, the driver’s side came off almost causing a crash collision that would have killed us all. Cannot get any shop to fix and was told to keep driving the vehicle. The rubber/part hanging from Explorer.

I am writing to express concern about the ongoing delay in receiving the remedy for Ford recall 24v031 / 24s02 involving the 2011–2019 Ford Explorer (“exterior a-pillar trim may detach”). My vehicle, 2013 Ford Explorer (VIN: [xxx] ), was inspected by my local Ford dealer, who confirmed that the part is needed but still unavailable. I have been waiting for some time without any clear timeline or communication from Ford about when the repair can be completed. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Right side windshield trim flew off while driving down the highway.

The a-pillar to my vehicle flew off on the highway and hit another car.

A-pillar trim recall. I took my car to dealer in July 2024. Ford has yet to produce parts for my vehicle. One trim piece detached after the recall inspection and flew off. Both sides should be replaced now. I have contacted Ford dealer and Ford customer service multiple times, they do not know when parts are going to be made. This is now January 2025 parts should have already been made and received.

Due to trim panel recall, trim came off and while driving and now water leaks in windshield when it rains. Leaking water dripped on to climate control panel and caused it to stop working. Now I can’t control heat or ac in car and it continues to leak when it rains.

See attached document for complaint.

The Ford company put a recall out over a year ago on parts that were defective for windshield paneling and weather proofing. They have no eta on recall parts to fix the issue - it’s been over 12 months and there are weather issues associated with the vehicle because of the missing parts. This is unacceptable.

Every time it rains, water comes inside the vehicle on the back side, noticed water coming from the third row seat belts, that cause a bad smell inside the vehicle and cost a lot of money to get that fix, unknow how to fix, I called the dealer the stated that is a known problem with this vehicles .

The windshield makes a loud cracking sound (for the last 4 months- this is how ong ive owned it) and a few weeks ago, the sound happened and the window cracked from the frame toward the center (about 7").

While driving down a major highway, the trim/molding on the passenger side of the windshield flew off. The underlying bracket is still attached to the vehicle. The flying debris could cause other drivers to swerve to avoid the debris and potentially causing an accident. A local Ford dealership said there is not a recall for this issue. I found an article in USA today that states several others who own 2011-2019 Explorers have had this same issue. There were no warnings that this piece was going to fail. Since there is not a recall I will be forced to purchase and repair my own vehicle.

While driving on highway, I started hearing a humming/vibration sound on the right side around the windshield. When we stopped, I noticed the trim molding around my windshield (passenger side) had flown off while driving. When we got back on the road we no longer heard the humming/vibration sound so it seems that the sound was coming from windshield trim molding. As of now, I have not received any notification of it hitting another vehicle so hopefully it did not.

The windshield trim panel on my 2013 Ford Explorer detached and flew off the vehicle without warning while I was driving on the highway . If the detached piece hit another motorist it could cause harm. This vehicle is up to date on it's regular maintenance and no warning was given for the part.

I bought the car from auction. The car was represent like "run and drive". But the car come with a lot of rust into the frame and this problem means a structural damage. The car it is not good for driving and it is not possible to be registered.

The passenger side front windshield molding blew off during highway driving and almost hit the car traveling behind.

Was driving on the highway at normal speed and the windshield trim on the drivers side flew off.

My 2013 white four door Ford Explorer incidents occurred twice on the highway. The end pieces of the front windshield came off while driving on hwy. 70 in durham/raleigh nc and on hwy somewhere in raleigh! there was a sherriff behind me the first time. My concern is the wind noise in my vehicle while driving and safety of the windshield for safety inspection. Crossroads Ford in wake forest nc service told me that it can take up to 30-60 days to get the parts for my 2013 Ford. I am disabled and I need my vehicle to be safe for doctor visits. Can the new parts be expedited or no?.

Driver-side a-pillar trim piece broke and partially detached from vehicle while driving on an interstate (appx 70mph). Initially, one small and quick pop noise was heard, but the sound came from outside and it was assumed it was road debris. Approximately 15 seconds later, the left a-pillar trim piece suddenly partially detached from the body of the car in such a fashion that the bottom clip was broken, but still attached only by a weak bond to the rubber seal beneath the trim piece and the top of the trim piece was sticking away from the vehicle by approximately six to eight inches. We immediately pulled off to the side of the interstate and the a-pillar trim piece was debonded from the rubber seal by a gentle pull. Had this weak bond with the rubber seal not been there, the entire a-pillar trim piece could have easily completely detached and become a hazard to other vehicles traveling on the interstate, potentially flying off and hitting another vehicle or puncturing a tire. There were no previous signs of wear, damage, or malfunction to the a-pillar trim piece. This incident is not reproducible, and was not inspected by any outside party. The broken a-pillar trim piece and pictures of the failed attachments are available for inspection upon request.

The trim on the front windshield blows off constantly at highway speeds. I’ve had this car for a little over a year now and we’ve already replaced it four different times. Every time, it stays on about a month before it detaches and blows off again. The last time, it just barely missed the car behind me. I haven’t replaced it since then because I am terrified the next time it happens, a motorcyclist will be behind me and it could hit them and cause a fatal accident. This is a serious issue that needs addressed! I should not be scared to drive my car over 45 mph for fear of causing a serious accident! on top of that, not replacing it means it now leaks into my car when it rains. I love my Explorer but the trim on it is absolute garbage. .

Over several months at highway speeds the windshield trim on left and right of the windshield flew off. Appeared to be meagerly attached with clips and velcro strips. These two strips are connected to the forward roof pylons, exposing the weather seals and allowing water to leak into the interior.

The driver side windshield panel flew off/broke off while driving at 55-60 mph.

The driver-side outer windshield trim moulding panel flew off of my vehicle while I was driving at highway speed. Upon inspection, I discovered the passenger-side panel is loose, as well, and could detach at any time.

Windshield trim on right side passenger came off while driving on the freeway luckily no was behind at the time to avoid further collision.

Vehicle a pillar flew off while driving on the highway and almost hit a vehicle behind me.

Drivers side windshield trim panel detached and flew off which driving.