Is my 2013 Ford Explorer affected by a recall?
NHTSA lists 12 safety recall campaigns covering this vehicle. A campaign covers a production range, so only your own VIN can answer it for your car.
NHTSA lists 12 safety recall campaigns covering the 2013 Ford Explorer, the most recent reported January 19, 2024. A campaign covers a range of vehicles rather than every one built, so the only way to know whether yours is included is to check your VIN against NHTSA's own lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, whatever the car is worth and however old it is.
- Recall campaigns
- 12
- Most recent
- January 19, 2024
- Do not drive
- None
- Park outside
- None
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, as ingested August 17, 2026
All 12 campaigns, newest first
Every summary, consequence and remedy below is NHTSA's own wording, printed unedited. The campaign number is what a dealer needs if you call to ask whether yours is covered.
- Structure:body:roof and pillarsNHTSA 24V031000 · reported January 19, 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
- The risk
- A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- The remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Potentially affected
- 1,889,110 vehicles
- Owners notified
- July 18, 2024
- Manufacturer number
- 24S02
- Suspension:rearNHTSA 21V746000 · reported September 22, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
- The risk
- A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The remedy
- Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Potentially affected
- 150,723 vehicles
- Owners notified
- March 17, 2022
- Manufacturer number
- 21S43
- Suspension:rearNHTSA 21V537000 · reported July 15, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.
- The risk
- A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 16V-245, 19V-435, and 20V-675. Certain vehicles previously repaired will need to return for the new remedy. An interim notification letter notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2022. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Potentially affected
- 631,176 vehicles
- Owners notified
- March 16, 2022
- Manufacturer number
- 21S32
- Suspension:rearNHTSA 20V675000 · reported March 12, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.
- The risk
- A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S62.
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Potentially affected
- 454,941 vehicles
- Owners notified
- November 27, 2020
- Manufacturer number
- 20S62
- Suspension:rearNHTSA 19V435000 · reported June 10, 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
- The risk
- A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
- The remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S17.
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Potentially affected
- 1,194,173 vehicles
- Owners notified
- June 26, 2019
- Manufacturer number
- 19S17
- Suspension:rearNHTSA 17E048000 · reported August 28, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
- The risk
- A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash.
- The remedy
- Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Potentially affected
- 630 vehicles
- Owners notified
- July 31, 2017
- Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 15V812000 · reported December 2, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
- The risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- The remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Potentially affected
- 868 vehicles
- Owners notified
- December 21, 2015
- Manufacturer number
- 13S04-S1
- Structure:body:door NHTSA 15V171000 · reported March 24, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
- The risk
- If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
- The remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S11.
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Potentially affected
- 194,484 vehicles
- Owners notified
- July 23, 2015
- Manufacturer number
- 15S11
- Steering:electric power assist systemNHTSA 14V286000 · reported May 29, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.
- The risk
- If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- The remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of motor position sensor signal when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, its steering rack assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S06.
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Potentially affected
- 179,027 vehicles
- Owners notified
- July 23, 2014
- Manufacturer number
- 14S06
- Latches/locks/linkagesNHTSA 13V270000 · reported June 26, 2013
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety locks may change from an activated position to a deactivated position without notice.
- The risk
- If the child lock is deactivated, the door could be unlocked and opened from the inside which could lead to personal injury to an unrestrained child.
- The remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the safety locks. If necessary, the locks will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Ford's recall number is 13S07. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Potentially affected
- 12,569 vehicles
- Owners notified
- August 2, 2013
- Manufacturer number
- 13S07
- Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 13V227000 · reported May 31, 2013
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
- The risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- The remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Potentially affected
- 390,783 vehicles
- Owners notified
- July 20, 2013
- Manufacturer number
- 13S04
- Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assemblyNHTSA 13V109000 · reported March 27, 2013
Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and model year 2013 Explorer vehicles manufactured July 19, 2011, through March 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the fuel tanks may have a marginally sealed seam in the side of the tank. As a result, the fuel tanks may not provide the expected strength in the event of an impact. The tanks may also leak.
- The risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- The remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tanks and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S03. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Potentially affected
- 3,037 vehicles
- Owners notified
- May 9, 2013
- Manufacturer number
- 13S03
How to check whether yours is one of them.
Take the VIN off the driver's-side windshield or the door jamb sticker and put it into NHTSA's own recall lookup. It answers for that exact car, which no list on a page can. Recall work is free at a franchised dealer of that make, and it stays free however old the car is.
- 1. Find the 17-character VIN, lower corner of the windshield on the driver's side, or on the door jamb sticker.
- 2. Check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls, the agency's own lookup. Our decoder will tell you what the number means, but NHTSA is the one that knows whether your car is in a campaign.
- 3. If it is, call a franchised Ford dealer and give them the campaign number. The repair is free.
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, safety recall campaigns. Summary, consequence and remedy are NHTSA's own wording, unedited. A recall is a manufacturer or agency decision that a vehicle does not meet a safety standard or contains a defect posing an unreasonable risk. It is not a complaint, and it is not an opinion about the car as a whole.
Registration counts: New York State DMV registration file, five New York City counties, August 17, 2026 snapshot. A registration is a record in a state database, not a car on the road, and the borough is where the registrant receives mail rather than where the car is driven. How we counted.
Fuel economy: EPA and DOE ratings published at FuelEconomy.gov, unaveraged, so each configuration is its own row. Recalls and complaints: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, the agency's own wording, as ingested August 17, 2026. Complaints are reports members of the public filed, not confirmed defects. The NYC registration study is the analysis these counts sit on top of.
234 vehicles in this directory, covering 520,848 registered cars. Data as of August 17, 2026.