2013 Ford Explorer Structure Problems

NHTSA component category: STRUCTURE · data through 09/08/2026

200Structure complaints

9%Of all 2,232 complaints

#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How structure ranks on this vehicle

STEERING808 · 36.2%

Unspecified / other344 · 15.4%

ENGINE224 · 10%

STRUCTURE:BODY224 · 10%

STRUCTURE200 · 9%

Share of the 2,232 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2013 Ford Explorer overview page.

What owners report

“2013 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE KEYPAD ENTRY SYSTEM ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEYPAD IS ENCLOSED IN A PLASTIC CASING…”NHTSA complaint 10550213 — filed 11/04/2013

“WATER COMING IN THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE THIRD ROW PASSENGER SEATBELT..IT THEN DRIPS ON THE SEAT ..HAD IT AT THE DEALER THREE TIMES ALREADY..THEY DO…”NHTSA complaint 10535838 — filed 08/17/2013

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Structure complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Ford Explorer have structure problems?

Structure is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2013 Ford Explorer: 200 of 2,232 complaints on file (9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2013 Ford Explorer have in total?

2,232 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 09/08/2026. Across all categories, 44 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, 61 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's structure category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the STRUCTURE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 09/08/2026.