2013 Ford Explorer suspension problems
79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the suspension on the 2013 Ford Explorer — 4% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“After getting my vehicle from the dealership my steering wheel was hard to turn , took it in and they replaced the struts (The old struts were binding). 6/7 Days later the same thing happened with the steering wheel. They had said it was a switch in the power steering and there was a safety recall…”
filed Jun 24, 2026
“The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recall repair related to a possible rear suspension toe link fracture. The contact stated that while his son was driving 55 MPH, a month and half after the recall repair, the rear driver's side…”
filed Jan 15, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that…Campaign 21V746000 · Sep 22, 2021
- Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting…Campaign 21V537000 · Jul 15, 2021
- Outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fractureCampaign 20V675000 · Mar 12, 2021
- Rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspensionCampaign 19V435000 · Jun 10, 2019
Related service bulletins
Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Rear Wheel Knuckle Replacement REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT Program Terms: added 21R01 and 21R02 REASON FOR PROVIDING A NO-COST, ONE-TIME REPAIR: added 21R01 and 21R02 OWNER…
22N01 S1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 7, 2023Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year Explorer Vehicles with Rear Wheel Knuckles that have been Replaced Rear Toe Link Inspection/Replacement Under Safety Recall 21S43, some of the affected vehicles that have had one (or both)…
21R02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 4, 2022Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Rear Toe Link Replacement Under Safety Recall 21S32, some of the affected vehicles exposed to a highly corrosive environment where road salt is used extensively during…
21R01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 4, 2022This program provides a no-cost, one-time repair (if needed) to the rear wheel knuckles for six (6) months from the Repair Order (RO) opening date for field service actions 21S32 or 21S43 provided that the RO opening…
22N01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 18, 2022
Suspension problems in other Explorer years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Explorer | 3 | 3% |
| 2024 Explorer | 3 | 16% |
| 2023 Explorer | 13 | 13% |
| 2022 Explorer | 11 | 4% |
| 2021 Explorer | 15 | 4% |
| 2020 Explorer | 35 | 3% |
| 2019 Explorer | 10 | 3% |
| 2018 Explorer | 21 | 3% |
| 2017 Explorer | 56 | 3% |
| 2016 Explorer | 73 | 3% |
| 2015 Explorer | 82 | 5% |
| 2014 Explorer | 102 | 6% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2013 Ford Explorer
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.