2013 Ford Explorer cruise control problems
moderate 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Among the 18 model years of Ford Explorer in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2013 Ford Explorer owners report erratic cruise control behavior linked to throttle faults—unintended acceleration, sudden deceleration, and stalling—that have forced emergency maneuvers on highways. Throttle body and electronic throttle control replacement are common fixes, but some dealerships cannot diagnose intermittent failures, and owners fear the issue will recur.
Owners of 2013 Ford Explorers report the cruise-control system experiencing unpredictable behavior tied to throttle control. The most common complaint is unintended acceleration: vehicles suddenly speed up after cruise is resumed, with throttle behaving as if floored despite brake input or steering-wheel controls failing to disengage cruise. Several owners describe the opposite—sudden deceleration or complete loss of acceleration while driving, sometimes with the vehicle dropping to 5 mph or near-stall conditions. One owner reports the cruise control acting engaged on snowy downhill road even though it was off, causing unexpected downshift and skidding.
Owners also report intermittent stalling related to throttle body deposits, rough idle, and violent engine shaking before restart. The wrench warning light and check-engine light often appear during these events. Several dealerships have replaced throttle bodies, throttle body gaskets, purge valves, and electronic throttle control modules in response. A few owners note the dealer was unable to replicate the failure. Secondary complaints involve cabin exhaust odor under acceleration—described as burning or sulfur smell—particularly at high RPMs, which some owners say makes passengers sick. Cost estimates cited include repairs over $500; one owner had the entire engine replaced after turbo failure diagnosis.
Same Ford Explorer cruise control reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended Acceleration via Cruise Control
Vehicle accelerates rapidly after cruise control is resumed, with throttle appearing fully engaged regardless of brake pedal input or steering-wheel cruise controls. Owner reports RPMs climbing to 80–90 mph on highway with zero speed response to braking or cruise disengagement.
When: During highway driving after cruise resumption; varies from immediately to intermittently over months
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid acceleration to 80–90 mph despite brake input; Throttle appears floored or stuck wide open; Steering-wheel cruise-control buttons do not disengage cruise; No engine light or warning light initially; check engine light later appears intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body, gasket, and purge valve replaced ($500+); another owner's entire engine replacement after turbo-boost failure diagnosis
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB mentioned by owners for this specific failure
Sudden Deceleration and Loss of Acceleration
Vehicle unexpectedly slows or loses power and refuses to accelerate even with accelerator pedal fully depressed. Occurs while driving at various speeds (25–70 mph) on expressways and city roads. Vehicle may drop to 5 mph or near-stall, forcing owners to coast to safety or pull to shoulder.
When: Intermittently over 5 months initially, then 3 times within one hour; also at low mileage (800–50,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle decelerates without driver input; Accelerator pedal unresponsive; Check engine light and wrench warning light illuminate; Engine shakes violently; steering becomes difficult to turn during event
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body and throttle body gasket replaced; one dealer unable to diagnose or repair; electronic throttle box replacement advised at 29,000 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Electronic throttle control module/box replacement recommended but not covered under Ford Customer Satisfaction Program according to one owner
Throttle Body Deposits and Stalling
Engine stalls intermittently during acceleration from idle or at low speeds (stoplight, merging), leaving vehicle in limp-home mode. Stalling also occurs at higher speeds. Throttle body found to have excess deposits during diagnosis.
When: Intermittent over multiple years; at 61,900 miles and 62,000 miles in reported cases
Symptoms owners cite: Random stalling when accelerating from low idle; Stalling at low or high speeds; Engine shakes violently after stall; Vehicle enters limp-home mode
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body cleaned twice in one case but failure recurred; throttle body and throttle body motor assembly replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSB or recall cited
Accelerator Pedal Stuck or Non-Responsive
Accelerator pedal becomes unresponsive to driver input or physically stuck at floor position. Owner had to manually wedge foot under pedal to physically release it during highway merge.
When: During highway on-ramp merge
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal fully engaged to floor; No response to tapping or pressing pedal multiple times; High RPMs; rapid acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Owner manually released pedal; no repair mentioned
Cruise Control Engages Unexpectedly on Snow/Downhill
Cruise control acts as if engaged (downshifts and accelerates) when explicitly off. Occurs on snowy downhill road, causing vehicle to skid.
When: Downhill on snowy road
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control behaves as engaged despite being off; Unexpected downshift; Tachometer spikes to 4000 RPM; Vehicle skids
Cabin Exhaust Odor Under Acceleration
Foul sulfur or burning exhaust odor fills cabin during moderate-to-hard acceleration or climbing hills, particularly when engine RPMs exceed 3500. Owners report this is widespread on Explorer forums and TSB remedy did not resolve it. Odor makes passengers sick.
When: Under hard acceleration, highway merging, or climbing hills; becomes more frequent over time
Symptoms owners cite: Burning or sulfur exhaust smell in cabin; Smell intensifies at RPMs above 3500; Smell dissipates after RPMs lower; Passengers become ill from odor
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB issued but reported by owners as ineffective
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2013 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 21 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 20,833 and 84,211 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,833; a quarter make it past 84,211. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.