Overview & Reviews

The 2013 Ford Explorer receives a new performance-oriented Sport trim level that features a turbocharged engine and sport-tuned suspension. All Explorers this year have a new front passenger knee airbag, while a heated steering wheel, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column and lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist are offered for the Limited trim level. The available xenon headlights now feature automatic high-beam control.

• Available fuel-efficient turbocharged four-cylinder.
• Abundant high-tech features
• Upscale cabin
• Excellent ride/handling balance
• Excellent crash test safety scores

• Feels bigger than it is behind the wheel
• MyFord Touch is slow to respond and can be difficult to use.
• Less third-row and cargo room than some rivals

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 68.00

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  bad headlights - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By dan watts - November 20 - 8:56 pm

  test drive it at night the headlights are horrible . had i test drove it at night it would of been a deal braker.i can only drive it in the day time.

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  Would not do it again - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By brewbaby - April 21 - 7:07 am

  I leased my 2013 brand new. After lease was up I bought it. From the beginning Ive had many electrical issues, the headlight switch buzzes, my rear dome light stays on no matter what draining my battery. The radio continues to play even after Ive exited the vehicle. The transmission has failed on me a couple times not making it past 2nd gear in automatic. The slope of the hood makes it easy for any little thing to chip the paint. Visibility is poor. Gas mileage is ridiculous for a 3.5L. Ive had 2 recalls on it, Ford had it for a whole month. The computer failed and had to be reconfigured. Its a pos and Id take my money back in a heart beat.

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  Looks great, but it ends there. - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By wasteofmoney - October 7 - 11:22 am

  My wife loved the looks of the new explorer so..she got a 2013. From day one I thought it a slug, noisy on the highway and just plain mediocre. AT 30,000 mi the paint started bubbling on the aluminum hood, I brought it to ford at 36000 so it would be covered by warranty.The dealer said it was obviously a defect but Ford wont cover it.They dont have to, read your warranty it is only covered if it perforates the body panel. Besides the leaking gas tank that was pouring out all over my garage my other complaints are mpg like a v8 with 4 cyl performance. Terrible slushbox tranny

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  Never again will I buy a Ford - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By voltguy - January 28 - 12:56 pm

  Much to my frustration the Explorer has been an epic fail on both. Even with the EcoBoost it averages under 17 mpg, and as for snow it is one of the worst vehicles I have ever driven in snow. I get stuck in my driveway with as little as 1” of snow. I can’t make it up an incline without the wheels spinning even though all my neighbors can get up the street with no problems. Even with the traction control off the car makes grinding noises when the wheels spin. And to turn the traction control off you have to go 4 menus deep. I also have issues will it hesitating when pressing the gas and the GPS. Half the time is doesnt remember settings.

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  Review after 9 months of ownership - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By missfc - January 9 - 5:59 pm

  My 1st Ford ever, Im a 40 yr old woman, driving all my life. What I hate about the Explorer: the harsh ride on bumps when youre going over 20mph. Its a soft ride at very low speeds. Also the insulation is insufficient and you hear every pothole very loudly inside the cabin almost like a wheel fell off or something. I also HATE the rattling, squeaking, noises it makes from the dashboard and console area at only 8,000 miles. I only drive on roads, cant imagine how it will fall apart if I actually went off roading. Also, on a cold day, the ignition refused to turn on when leaving from a grocery store one day. Called roadside assistance. Car hates cold, makes weird noises till it warms up.

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  rent first - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By nomorevan2 - May 11 - 8:17 am

  I wish I had rented this car for a while before I purchased it. I was looking for a car that had capacity similar to a minivan without being one. For storage, it is better than most SUVs. On the down side, the visiblity from all perspectives is poor due to the design of the small windows. This is just dangerous. The hood of the car also sits high and is more difficult to see over compared to other, even larger, SUVs. And I dont what they were thinking when it came to the drink holders. They are few in # and quite nonfunctional, ie, no mug handles and too deep so you cant pick up your drink. The rear holders are at your feet. Yuk. They forgot comfort, convenience and even safety.

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  headlights are very poor - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By starter352 - November 20 - 9:29 am

  I recently purchased a 203 ford explorer. This was my very first ford and will be my last. Do not buy this car if you plan on driving at night on anything but a very well lit road. It has been back to dealership several times, everyone that drives it concurs that the lighting is an issue, but since Ford says it is a character of the car nothing can be done, even though they have received numerous complaints. The lights perform so poorly that my wife will not drive it at night. I am hoping this posting keeps someone else from making the mistake I did.

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  Two weeks old and already water damage - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By ces42 - August 1 - 10:17 pm

  I must admit, I really love this car. This is my third new car purchase. My last car was a 2005 Honda CRV, and the 2013 Explorer is a great upgrade providing plenty of space for my family. However, after owning the car for only two weeks, following a heavy rain, I was hearing what sounded like water sloshing around in the car doors and dashboard. I also discoverd that the carpet underneath the driver door was saturated. I took the car back to the dealer today and was told its unusual to happen in a new car, and that I must have parked it under a tree to cause a clog?!? In any event, after indicating it was fixed, its not. I dont know if this is a model defect, or just my bad luck.