Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel injectors were leaking, but the vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the purge valve was replaced as a temporary repair. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated intermittently after the repair. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle after the vehicle had been refueled, the vehicle failed to start and shuddered. The vehicle was able to be restarted after several attempts. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact loss control of the steering wheel and the vehicle drove off the road. The contact drove onto the curb where the vehicle come to a complete stop. The contact shut off the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the rack and pinion and the bushing on the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion while starting the vehicle, the contact smelled an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The contact examined the vehicle and noticed a fuel leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and stated that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and moving to the passenger seat, he smelled a strong gasoline odor. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact looked under the gasoline tank and saw gas leaking onto the floor. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V227000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) because the VIN was not included. The contact contacted a second dealer - Don's Ford (5712 Horatio St, Utica, NY 13502) who confirmed that the information of the previous dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that his daughter smelled a strong odor of fuel around the vehicle and in the residence while the vehicle was parked in the garage. There was fuel on top of the tank. The contact stated that after raising the vehicle up on a lift, it was determined that there was a leak coming from the fuel tank. There was no indication of fuel on the ground. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V812000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact called the dealer and was informed that a diagnostic test was needed. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon reaching arriving to the destination, there was an abnormal gasoline odor coming from the rear of the vehicle. After a visual inspection, the contact observed gasoline leaking from the fuel tank. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel tank filler neck. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V812000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 200,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, she noticed a strong odor of gasoline outside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel delivery module was fractured, causing the fuel to leak underneath the vehicle. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V812000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was made of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware of fuel leaking from the rear wheel well from a place near the fuel tank. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V812000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the fuel delivery module was leaking. The contact stated that the "check fuel delivery system" message was displayed on the instrument panel. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V227000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was diagnosed but not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired before under the recall as a one-time free repair. The failure mileage was approximately 82,736.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, he smelled a strong gasoline odor. After a visual inspection underneath the vehicle, the contact observed a puddle of gasoline. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined there was rust on the sending unit and fuel tank, causing the fuel tank to crack and leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, an abnormally strong fuel odor was detected. The contact moved the vehicle out of the garage due to the strong fuel odor. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the fuel tank was leaking. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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.
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.
Fuel System complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2013 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 153 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2013 Ford Explorer, 7% of the model year's 2,237 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Explorer fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-812 (fuel system, gasoline, Dec 2, 2015); NHTSA recall 13V-227 (fuel system, gasoline, May 31, 2013); NHTSA recall 13V-109 (tank assembly, Mar 27, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Explorer fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.