Body problems of the 2013 Ford Explorer - part 2

Windshield trim panel detachment. Driver side panel detached while driving app 60 mph on the highway. Began with rubber underneath plastic panel breaking off and flying away followed by the panel flying off in two pieces and hitting the vehicle behind me before shattering on the roadway.

Rubber weatherstripping around windshield glass is coming off and hitting the windshield. I had the car inspected by safelite auto glass and they said the windshield needs to come out so they can replace all the surrounding parts that are coming off and they will also have to replace the windshield, since it will probably break when they take it out. It will cost $759. 67 to repair. Insurance will only cover it if there is a chip in the windshield the size of a dollar bill. I understand you are already investigating this problem and I need to know if you are going to recall my car before something worse happens. I don't want to have an accident because windshield parts are flying off my car and hitting others.

Windshield trim broke off on right side at highway speed on interstate 78 in PA. I'm not aware of it had hit another vehicle or not, heard the noise when it flew off but didn't know what it was until I got home and seen the missing piece.

Side pillar flew off while driving.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side windshield trim detached. Additionally, the driver's side door handle had also detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, she heard a popping sound on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated that when she arrived at her residence, she became aware that the windshield trim panel had detached from the rear windshield and cut the rubber seal around the window. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the driver’s side windshield trim panel was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Both pilars flew off, right and left. There is a recall and I went to Ford in san bruno and fullerton, both were giving me the run around and supposedly in late 2024 parts were available and its now 2026 and I am still waiting for both to be replaced. I need this case to be expedited from Ford. Thank you.

On September 2, 2021, I was driving with my young son in the car. I had to pick him up from daycare due to severe weather(high winds and tornado warning in effect). I heard something hit my window, then my sons window, while driving 55 mph on the highway. I looked in the rearview and could'nt tell what it was. I dropped my son off at home with my mother and then noticed the entire a pilar was missing on my 2013 Ford Explorer. I was shocked to say the least. I waited a few months to get this repair complete due to money restraints. Within those few months I noticed many other vehicles similar to mine by make and model were missing the same piece. Which I thought could no way be just a coincidence. I finally decided to get this eye sore fixed before it caused any more damage to my vehicle. I called my local body shop and they said that piece needs to be replaced by an auto glass shop. So then I thought, this is going to be expensive. I called my local auto body shop. Found out it would be $300 to replace both a pillars because you cant just have one. You need the pair. So I paid that and now that I know this is a known issue with my model vehicle I would expect more investigation or some sort of reimbursement for this.

Driving down the road and the driver's side windshield trim detached and flew off into traffic at highway speed. The shock of it flying off and into traffic makes it a safety risk. Repair shop person informed me it was a common issue. There was no message indication it was going to detach. Replacement was $200.

The trim piece on the windshield post along the side of the windshield fell off while traveling on a highway. It flew into the air and may have struck another vehicle. We replaced that piece on the drivers side of our car but a few months ago the trim on the passenger side flew off while traveling. This causes a safety problem to other drivers and could cause an accident. The first piece of trim was replaced. The problem has not been reviewed by the manufacturer, police or a insurance representative. There was no warning that this problem was about to occur.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, there was a loud sound outside the vehicle, and an airborne object was seen on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated it was later discovered that the driver’s side front windshield trim panel had detached from the vehicle. The contact purchased the replacement part form the dealer and the dealer replaced the part. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

While driving on the highway, the windshield driver's side upper pillar molding detached and flew off hitting the side of the rear of my vehicle. I was unaware of what had happened in the moment but was just knew there was a loud bang as if some type of debris hit my vehicle. I later noticed the lower molding had been damaged as well but was still attached to the vehicle. My safety was at risk in that I was startled by the bang and others could have been harmed by the flying trim. A call to the dealer confirmed there were issues with the trim piece but it was not under warranty and no recalls had been issued at the time. It was not physically inspected by anyone at the time. Due to cost, I ordered and installed a replacement upper trim piece but the lower trim remains damaged. No warnings or symptoms were present. It appears the passenger side remains in tact however does not seem as secure as it should.

I recently had a deeply concerning issue occur with my 2013 Ford Explorer. While I was driving on the freeway my passenger side windshield trim flew off my car (no previous damage to the trim, it was not lifting before the incident). . . . Almost hitting the vehicle behind me. In my eyes this should be a safety concern for the company and replaced by the manufacturer for the safety of their consumers (I reached out to Ford corporate, but they said nothing could be done). This is dangerous for the people driving around vehicles having this issue as a large piece of windshield trim can hit their windshield going 60 mph on a freeway or cause someone to swerve to not get hit by a flying object on the freeway. Upon reading up on the issue this is not uncommon so something should be done before someone is harmed.

My body seams sealer next to the lift gate hinge is cracked ans leaks water into rear of car and mold grew on carpet. Call all local dealers and body shops. None know how to fix.

When I first purchased vehicle noticed passenger side windshield frame cracked, so I asked dealer to repair which they did. 2 weeks later driving on the freeway at 70 mph the piece flew off. Luckily I was in the lane next to exit and no cars were hit. I then purchased the kit to replace the one lost and same thing happened again but this time on a side road going 45-50 mph. I hope this gets taken care of by Ford because it is getting to be costly!!.

Driver side windshield a-pillar molding flew off, I believe we were on the highway, but no true way to know when. The inner pillar molding appears to be cracked on a few places as well.

The seals for the interior of the car fail causing water to leak inside the vehicle and down the back seat belts and pooling in the spare tire area of the trunk. This also causes mildew and mold in the carpeting.

My Explorer has been parked for a few days, after opening the passenger side, I noticed that there was a large puddle of water sitting there on the floor linear and on the flooring itself. I checked the moon roof, it was closed, no visible water so that is not possible. I checked the side door and seals, no issues. I noticed that water was from the top part of the passenger side inner footing area coming down so I checked the windshield area. And as assumed, water was creeping in from the windshield area due to bad caulking job/defective engineering causing water (rain/snow, etc) to creep in and soil the electrical area and the flooring.

Water leaking in through 3rd row driver side seatbelt, leaks down to powerfold electrical wiring, and accumulates under seat/carpet and into spare tire well. The water coming into contact with the electrical wiring can cause great harm to NY children who sit back there. The water on carpet causes mold and mildew which is a hazard to out health. The water in spare tire well can cause rust and subsequent exhaust fumes to enter into cabin.

Have leak at 3rd row seat belt at roof on left hand side. Seat belt getting wet leaking down on seat and floor. First noticed when tilting 3rd row seat on sept. 29/2020. Vehicle was parked and not moving . Had rain the night ofsept. 28/2020.

The driver car door latch broke off and driver door doesn't close properly. The door flys open while in motion especially on turns and I have to hold it closed with one hand while trying to drive with my only other hand. Cannot get in or out of the vehicle! I have to climb in through the passenger or back seat to push the door fully open so I can get in to drive. The door ajar light stays on and the door can open while in motion. Ford said the recall has expired 7/2020 and refuses to fix my car door handle, very dangerous situation I want to sell this vehicle and the new owner will then be in danger however Ford refuses to cover this defect with their door handles that already had a recall on it. Please help me make others aware of this dangerous situation and any new car owners who will have the same issue. This is a known issue with this year Ford Explorer and they refuse to fix it and cover the expense to fix when it was part of a recall that �expired�. I'm scared I may fly out of the door while driving and get hurt or run over by another vehicle because this door won't close securely.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated she noticed a small leak entering through the seat belt and ending into the wheel well. The contact stated approximately 6 months later, she started to smell a moldy odor and the leak was much larger. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

My windshield trim on both sides of my windshield keep flying off!!!! Ford dealers say they've never seen this but yet I drive around town and see plenty of Ford Explorers with them missing!!! this is ridiculous. Ive bought replacement parts that will not even stay on!!.

Interior driver door handle does not return to the recessed (parked) position. This same defect is a recall on Ford fusions and some other similar vehicles; why not on this Ford Explorer? cost to repair at dealer around $150. 00. Worked fine for 7 years. (spring inside door is either broken or off its anchor(s).

Water leaking into rear and into the spare tire wheel well. About an inch of water found in the spare tire wheel well. Unsure when this is happening.

Tl- the contact's son owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated her son noticed water leaking from the center of the frame. The contact also stated her son noticed a roof separating from the frame. The vehicle was taken to body collusion shop and was informed the vehicle was not safe to drive. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired as of yet. A dealer a dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Dp.

I've had to replace the windshield trim panel piece three times because they keep flying off.

Both driver and passenger door lock/latch mechanisms failed showing car door is ajar when door is actually shut. Driver door lock actuator failed around 30,000 miles and passenger lock actuator failed around 135000 miles. When driving at night, the interior lights of car cannot be turned off until speed reaches approximately 10 mph. This leads to unsafe driving conditions and limits driver visibility outside of car due to glare.

We have just become aware that exhaust gasses are leaking into the passenger compartment and apparently have been for some time, causing headaches, dizziness and eye irritation. We located a TSB from Ford (TSB 16-0166) relating to the issue and became aware that Ford had offered to fix the issue. Both the center for auto safety and the NHTSA investigated this issue resulting in Ford notifying owners of potentially affected vehicles offering to fix the issue for free. I never received a letter, and when I called the Ford customer service line I was told that my vehicle's VIN was not affected. With the leakage of the exhaust into the cabin I've earned the right to call bs. This is not the type of defect that will repair itself and presents a clear and present risk of serious injury or death, as evidenced by the multiple reports of crashes. This should never have been allowed to be swept under the rug and warrants a recall and inspection/repair of every vehicle in the category. Date below is the date that we took it in to the Ford dealership for diagnosis and repair, but the effects have been noticed for several weeks.

Water entering the body of the vehicle through the third row seatbelt opening. Fills spare tire wheel.

Smell of smoke, and tapping noise prior to fire. Smoke came from near the center console between driver and passenger seat. Fire started. Made a complaint prior about smell of smoke and noise.

Windshield inner and outer trim seals have failed on both sides of windshield . Vehicle only has 72000 miles. Rubber has disintegrated. Trim coming loose on vehicle while driving.

Front windshield trim has flown off on the highway on three separate occasions.

Three times, we have had to replace the front windshield pillar trim…twice is flew off during driving on the interstate. It seems the weatherstripping peels back first and started flapping in the wind, and then the pillar trim rips off.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that water leaked from the sunroof into the interior headliner eventually causing electrical failures to the 3rd row seat controls preventing the seat to not be able to be adjusted. Additionally, the water damage caused the carpet to mold and rusting of the wheel well. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.