Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Driving on a two lane highway with the cruise control set, tapped brake to eliminate the cruise as a truck had pulled onto highway ahead of us. Accelerated to pass the truck and resumed the cruise control to maintain previous speed. The vehicle began increasing speed as if the gas pedal was floored. Tapping brakes didn't stop it nor did shutting the cruise off on the steering wheel, car was going 80-90 mph. Had to ride the brakes while the throttle seemed to be wide open until we could get it in neutral and pull of on the shoulder. Restarted the vehicle after it was shut off and the throttle was wide open again. The third time I started it, it appeared to be running normal. I did not engage the cruise control after that. At the time there was no engine light or warning light on. About a week later the engine light came on then a couple days later it was not on. …
When Driving I started noticing that my steering wheel what getting harder to turn and it felt like it was lagging control. I could still turn and maneuver the steering wheel but the control overall was defiantly not safe. I stopped in at our mechanic and they test drove it. He stated that yes something was definably wrong with the steering system and he said it was hopefully the u-joint for control arm. We made any appointment for the next following week. I drove my explorer with extreme caution and the steering issue just got worse. I noticed that I now have a griding noise coming from my steering when I turn. This is a safety issue because it just going to seize up and I will not have any control over my vehicle. When I did finally did get my explorer into the mechanic the next following week he stated that I needed a new rack and pinion. I only have 140000 miles on my explorer. …
When I was driving suddenly vehicle shakes and gas/acceleration paddle stopped working middle of the road. I pulled my car side of the road, put it in park and turn off vehicle and start it back on gas/acceleration paddle work again. Problem is this happened several times last few weeks.
I mother of 3 (15, 13 & 11) & wife got into a major car accident on November 17th, 2020 at about 8:10 am driving south on the whitestone expressway south a highly trafficked highway with 4 driving lanes. Police report no. 2020-109-2709. I explained to all instances including police, paramedics, tow company, car insurance, Ford auto dealer, repairing shop, etc. That my car simply failed me. I suddenly lost 100% control of the direction of the car and I was forced into invading all the lanes to my left as I was driving on the far-right side. I am an experienced driver for over 30 years I was totally aware and focused on regaining control of the vehicle, but it was simply not possible, the car spun out and I got eventually hit on the back really strong. …
My wife was driving and I was in the passenger seat. We were driving on the freeway in the number 1 lane at about 65 MPH. We felt a jolt, the wrench warning light immediately came on stating "see owner's manual". The vehicle lost acceleration, the gas pedal was not working and the vehicle would not accelerate. While the vehicle still had foward momentum, my wife had to quickly cross several lanes to avoid being hit from other vehicles so that we would not get stuck in the middle of the freeway. We were able to coast off the freeway and stop. The vehice was placed in park and she shut the engine off. After approx 5 minutes, we restarted the vehicle, the warning light was gone, the vehicle operated as normal and we were able to drive home. According to the Ford dealership, the electronic throttle box has to be replaced. This vehicle is only 3 1/2 years old with 29,000 miles. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. While driving 50 MPH on the expressway, the vehicle accelerated independently to 60 MPH. The contact depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. Also, the wrench warning icon illuminated. The contact was close to her residence and was able to drive home. The vehicle was taken to beach Ford (2717 virginia beach blvd, virginia beach, va 23452, [phone]) where the contact was advised to bring the vehicle back when the wrench warning icon illuminated again. In addition, while driving on the expressway, the vehicle slowed down, failed to accelerate, and shook. The wrench warning icon illuminated again. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to beach Ford, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred four times. …
The incident occurred for the first time on 09/25/2014. When coming to a stop, the car accelerates suddenly when the brakes are applied. The problem occurred at irregular intervals in the past (approximately 4 times) and again yesterday afternoon when I was parking the car. I nearly ran over a parking attendant. I immediately took the car to kemp Ford in thousand oaks, ca. Where the service manager ([redacted]) ran a diagnostic on one of the module that regulates the car speed - without success. He was unable to locate the problem which is unpredictable. We are afraid to drive the car and wonder what recourse we May have at this point in time.
I have a 2013 Ford Explorer and have been recently experiencing random, dangerous stalls due to a faulty throttle body. I have had the throttle body cleaned twice and it continues to fail, leaving our car in a "limp-home mode" in dangerous road conditions. It usually stalls when accelerating from a low idle position, such as sitting at a stoplight and then accelerating. However, it had also stalled while traveling higher speeds and then accelerating. Once I pull off the road, the car engine shakes violently until I'm able to put in park and then turn the ignition off. After a few seconds the engine will usually restart at normal idle and proper engine function is restored until the next throttle body failure.
When driving (various speeds high was 70 MPH - low was 25 MPH - various roadways) vehicle loses power goes down to about 5 miles per hour - check engine lights comes on-- message "see manual". Happened intermittently for 5 months initially one time- May go a month before happens again . Finally it started occurring 3 times within and hour then OK - did for that for two consecutive days before taking it to be fixed. Called Ford dealer they claimed they had heard of this - said it could be many things - I mentioned the reports of this on 2016 explored. Took it to a local shop. Replaced throttle body and throttle body gasket on 2 oct 2019- issue has not occurred since.
The throttle body fails causing my vehicle to enter "limp" mode regardless of location or current speed. Will go 70 on a highway then all of the sudden lose speed and speed control. This issue can also happen when accelerating, slowing down, etc. The biggest worry is losing speed control regardless of location. This issue has been identified in other Ford models and is being voluntarily repaired (by Ford). However, for some reason the 2013 Ford Explorer was not included in this. Obviously losing throttle control while driving, hence fords voluntary repair of the issue. The issue started two weeks ago and randomly happens. Last happened on 05 aug 2016.
Acceleration complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2013 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2013 Ford Explorer, 2% of the model year's 2,237 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Explorer acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2013 Ford Explorer, though it has 11 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Explorer acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.