Radiator problems of the 2013 Ford Explorer

Five problems related to radiator 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.

1 Radiator problem

Failure Date: 09/20/2022

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 5 mph and parking the vehicle, she heard a loud noise coming from the engine fan and the temperature gauge was rising. The contact stated that while her brother was inspecting the vehicle, he noticed a leak underneath the vehicle, and the radiator fluid was low. The contact called two local dealers: fort mill Ford (801 gold hill rd, fort mill, SC 29708: (803) 948-8202) and rock hill Ford (1884 canterbury glen ln, rock hill, SC 29730: (803) 573-4302) and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,650.

2 Radiator problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2022

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the high engine temperature warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to inspect the vehicle and became aware that all the coolant had leaked out of the radiator. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

3 Radiator problem

Failure Date: 06/30/2015

Radiator hose breached, decompressing radiator. Radiator hose was rubbed open by nearby metal compressor line running perpendicular. Hole was 1" by 1/2". Radiator immediately emptied, engine overheated and shuddered. Repair made by Ford dealership only replaced hose and flushed coolant. Ford did not remedy situation where metal compressor line is adjacent and sometimes in contact with radiator hose. I have photo and video proving the ac line rubbed the hose open.

4 Radiator problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2012

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. After attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The contact heard a whining noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the engine computer was flashed, but the failure continued. While driving, an egg like odor was present inside the vehicle. The contact was informed by the dealer that the odor was due to a failed overflow jar for the radiator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 813.

5 Radiator problem

Failure Date: 07/20/2012

When accelerating the vehicle quickly with the air conditioner on (does not matter if it's on fresh air intake or recirculating), there is a definite odor of gasoline exhaust in the cabin of the vehicle. The problem can be duplicated at any speed, from a dead stop or accelerating during a passing maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the local dealership and two technical bulletins were addressed (one for a vibration sound coming from under the hood which was repaired and the other for the exhaust odor in the cabin). Upon completion of the factory warrantied technical bulletins, the odor remained. Upon further review of the documentation, the wrong odor was addressed (radiator fluid, not gasoline exhaust). The odor is present regardless of burning 87 octane or e-85 fuel.




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