Paint/Trim
Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.
What Owners Say
"Bottom wrap around bumper has come unlocked over and over - tired of having it repeatedly fixed"
Sandy L., TX (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"Poor design on the pillar covers to either side of the windshield. When changing the windshield the covers break and you have to replace both of them: a $350 repair. Dumb design."
Anonymous, MS (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"Rubber seal around window disintegrated, came loose on driver's side. Was able to order parts and replace the A pillar myself at minimal cost."
Anonymous, TX (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"There is a round cover for something. It falls off"
Marshall H., IL (2013 Ford Explorer Sport 3.5-L V6 turbo)"molding around windshield was not seated"
Anonymous, MS (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"front quarter panel pops off, due to broken fasteners"
Anonymous, WA (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Front spoiler came loose. Also happened on a 2015 rental car of same model"
Jody E., CA (2013 Ford Explorer Sport 3.5-L V6 turbo)"Trim on the windshield on on passenger side blew off. Trim cost twice as much as the wind shield. To replace the trim and windshield will cost close to a $1000.00. Ford engineers had a brain freeze!!!!!"
Michael B., MS (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"Trim that runs beside windshield fell off"
John M., MA (2013 Ford Explorer Base 3.5-L V6)"The vinyl surface of the driver's interior door panel is is splitting at a seam near the door handle. Also, on the same door, the vinyl surface is separating from the mounting surface below at the rear of the armrest. This vehicle is babied and actively maintained in terms of both mechanical/electrical systems and appearance. The condition of the interior trim and exterior paint is abysmal, IMO, given the care invested in the car. Unlikely to select a Ford product again, after owning a Ford continuously for the last 22 years."
Glen P., IL (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Cheap plastic door air rest looks like sewn leather, it's molded plastic that cracks along seam."
Anonymous, IN (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"drivers seat was not secured, nor was the back seat. both had to be replaced"
Anonymous, WA (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Ford clearly doesn't know how to properly prepare aluminium surfaces for paint application. The aluminum hood has electrolytic corrosion, which results primarily from improper surface preparation. There is bubbling from corrosion beneath the finish paint. The hood was repainted once by the Ford dealer and the corrosion has returned. In addition, a paint bubble has recently appeared on the tail gate. My 2009 Volvo (with an aluminium hood) is in better shape in terms of paint integrity and quality than the 2013 Explorer."
Glen P., IL (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"paint flaking off of the hood. FORD deny that this is a warranty problem yet most owners have experienced the same issues."
Glen L., GA (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Leading edge of aluminum hood has bubbling paint. I suspect this defect occurred as the hood was being painted in the factory. Perhaps a dip cleaning operation was incorrectly done"
Richard H., OH (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Front of the hood starting to bubble."
Anonymous, MN (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"Paint bubbled on front of hood. Covered under warranty. Later discovered paint rusting on bottom edge of door. Ford would not repair. Said car was 6 months over warranty."
Karen C., NY (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"paint flaked off aluminum hood."
Daniel P., OH (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"The paint along the edge of the hood where aluminum and steel meet chalking, breaking, and pealing. Taking it to the dealership four different times and Ford refuses to fix it at their cost even though it is clearly a manufacturing defect. Frustrating."
Anonymous, MS (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"FRONT EDGE OF HOOD - PAINT PEELING"
Anonymous, ON (2013 Ford Explorer Sport 3.5-L V6 turbo)"The paint on the hood began to bubble up along the front edges. I looked it up and seems there was a defect in the paint used in 2013 models. Ford said nothing they could do about it."
Anonymous, IL (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"some bubbling of the paint on the front hood."
Anonymous, WI (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"The paint on the aluminum hood flaking off. Took my car to the dealer who submitted it to Ford and was told there was no help since I'm out of warranty. The ford motor company is aware of this problem."
Sandy H., IL (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"bubbling paint on hood edge"
Anonymous, PA (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Hood paint chipping and peeling off the edges. Ford keeps insisting it is stone chips but not on all four edges. Body shop has had a lot of Explorers with same problem which is poor priming of the metal and corrosion is happening under the paint."
Gregory K., VA (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"At 24000 miles I noticed the paint bubbleing on the front crease of the hood. They repaired it once. At 42,000 miles had the same problem at crease/bottom of door. Sorry - you're out of warranty."
Anonymous, IN (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Paint peeling of front hood. Had to pay to get re-painted. Dealer and Ford would do nothing."
Daniel P., OH (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"aluminum hood has paint peeling at the front"
Rebecca L., WA (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Very upset with the paint on the hood. I took it to a professional body shop and was told Ford should fix this. I took it to a Ford dealership but the company refused to fix it. The paint is bubbling and peeling. I am being extra careful not to go through car washes to preserve the paint but I am not happy with the situation."
Anonymous, NE (2013 Ford Explorer)"The paint on the very front of the hood looks blistered and is peeling. Its 2 areas about the size of a quarter."
Anonymous, KY (2013 Ford Explorer)"Paint on the hood began bubbling and chipping off with just 11k miles on the vehicle. I noticed other newer explorers with this same problem"
Chad T., FL (2013 Ford Explorer Sport 3.5-L V6 turbo)"Paint around front hood edge started to bubble and rust. Luckily I noticed it and brought to dealer within 36k warrenty expired. Had to get APPROVAL from Ford to repaint and NOT replace hood. Warrented for only 12 months"
John H., MD (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Hood was bubbling the paint around the front seam of the vehicle. Dealer stripped, repainted the whole hood under warranty and gave me a rental while in the shop"
Anonymous, NC (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Paint on my hood began to peel and chip last year. It looked as if it was bubbling and blistering under the paint on the edges of the hood. Ford did repair it at no cost to me but it took them almost two months to complete the repair"
Anonymous, MS (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"front of hood paint cracking bubbling"
Nicholas P., NY (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"aluminum hood corrosion-reworked-started again-bubbles under paint-still under warrenty"
Edwin M., TX (2013 Ford Explorer Limited)"Just founding bubbling of paint on hood. Setting up appointment to have looked at by dealer"
Anonymous, MO (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"Pain bubbling on the front edge of the hood, just out of warranty. Took to dealer, and they paid part of the repair. Research shows this is an extremely common problem with Ford vehicles with aluminum hoods"
Robert M., NY (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"paint "blistering" at leading edge of the hood"
Anonymous, NY (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Paint on edge of hood is cracking in different places on the hood and Ford won't do anything about it, what can I do?"
John M., IL (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"Paint on front of hood is bubbling. Car has always been in a garage"
Anonymous, NY (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"the paint is peeling off of the hood. The explorer is not even 5 years old yet. I get it washed every month so in my opinion I am taking care of the vehicle"
Scott S., WI (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"It was a known manufacturer's defect with the application of the paint on the hood. Ford paid to have the hood repainted"
Anonymous, SC (2013 Ford Explorer Limited)"After purchasing vehicle, I noticed peeling paint across hood and underside of hood, and other areas at back of vehicle"
Barbara T., PA (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Paint is peeling all across and underside of hood"
Barbara T., PA (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"paint peeling off aluminum hood"
Daniel P., OH (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"oxidation on the hood"
Anonymous, NE (2013 Ford Explorer XLT)"I added this one on because of the corrosion. Paint is OK until I get a hole in the hood!"
Jean T., MD (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"There were small bubbles in the front edge of the hood. The dealer took photos and before I had left the dealership, he had gotten approval from Ford to have it replaced and I had made an appointment for that work"
Nancy C., MI (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"I have noticed a small area on the front of the hood that seems to be blistering or bubbling"
Anonymous, MN (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"Frame crack described earlier affected paint"
Anonymous, TX (2013 Ford Explorer)"Paint on hood bubbles, apparently because of a mix of metals used. While I was told by the dealer that this is a common issue, Ford takes no responsibility for the problem. As a result, Ford lost a sale on our most recent car"
Jeff G., CT (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"I love my explorer, but the trunk started rusting out along the edges, just as soon as the warnity ran out, my husband took it to the dealer nothing they could warnity is out two months ago. So he then took it to the garage we had it under coated, they did fix it but not without a fight and two trips back, they said it was a bad finish from FORD. I walked my vehicle in the sun this May, and oh my the hood is chipping, rusting and all bubbled up, so my husband starts investing the proble and find"
Debra S., OH (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Improper paint prep on aluminum hood resulted I electrolysis and failing paint coverage"
Glen P., IL (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Bottom edges of doors are starting to rust"
Richard H., OH (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Experienced a number of rust spots and some paint erosion on hood and tailgate. Body shop did very nice restoration and Ford covered 80% of the cost."
John D., NY (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"The bottom of the doors on the interior got surface rust because of the door design"
Anonymous, MI (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Had to get hood repaired for excessive rust"
Anonymous, MI (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"LEFT REAR DOOR INSIDE LOWER SEAM"
Anonymous, ON (2013 Ford Explorer Sport 3.5-L V6 turbo)"Rust started to appear under chrome trim on tail gate"
Anonymous, WI (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Rust along the front edge of the hood. Had to get it fixed at a body shop. Cost $800. Ford paid $400 and I paid $400."
Anonymous, VA (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Rust developed under the paint on the edge of the hood. The rust does not show through but the paint I bubbled. The bubbles are spreading slowly. Repairs have NOT been made."
Anonymous, ON (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"24000 miles and I have rust UNDER the real liftgate trim. It is running a rust streak down the liftgate"
Kent H., PA (2013 Ford Explorer Base 3.5-L V6)"Rust and paint blisters on the leading edge of the hood"
Anonymous, MI (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"Rust on front hood"
Maria M., NC (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"I believe the correct term for my rust problem will be oxidation as the metal is aluminum. The leading edge of my hood oxidized underneath the paint bubbling it outward. Was repaired by ford under warranty. I learned from the body man they had several Explorers and Mustangs in for the same repair"
Anonymous, FL (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Oxidation on the aluminum hood leading edge. Ford finally repaired outside of warranty for $100 deductible. A fair resolution"
Anonymous, MI (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Rust spot (bubbling)starting on hatch. Dealer contacting Ford in the matter"
Anonymous, WI (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"The hood has corrosion at the seams. Ford would only pay for half the cost of the repairs"
Anonymous, VA (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Hood had pitting along edge. Upon inspection, Ford determined there was a hole in the hood and replaced it. They said it was due to the protective coating on the paint being inferior"
Scott L., PA (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"The seam on the Front of the hood. It has paint that is "bubbling" due to two dissimilar metals being used to form the top of the hood with the underside of the hood"
William K., MD (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)"Ford won't admit that the paint bubbles at creases. We had our hood repainted due to bubbles at front crease. (Noticed in rear view mirror while my wife was driving behind me.) Repaired under warranty @20000 mi. Now won't look ar bottom of door panels unless it trusts through"
Anonymous, IN (2013 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5-L V6)"Hood paint bubbling on front of hood-would guess that rust underneath"
John M., MA (2013 Ford Explorer Base 3.5-L V6)
"Windshield pillar molding became loose. Tried to replace and repair myself but had to take to the shop. I learned that the original trim was not designed to be replaced after replacing the windshield. The top clip breaks and the trim must be replaced."
Paul G., MS (2013 Ford Explorer Limited 3.5-L V6)