Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Ford Explorer?
We pulled every documented problem pattern for the 2013 Ford Explorer from NHTSA owner complaints, scaled the repair costs by Ford's typical labor and parts pricing, and ran the math against a typical 3-year service contract. Adjust the inputs below to refine for your situation.
Refine for your situation
Coverage is likely worth it on your 2013 FORD Explorer.
Based on 14 documented failure patterns from NHTSA owner complaints, the risk-weighted repair exposure on a 2013 Ford Explorer over a 3-year ownership window at 75,000 miles is approximately $6,486. A typical 3-year service contract for a Ford runs around $2,200. The math favors coverage when one major failure plus a couple of smaller ones offset the contract cost.
The 2013 Explorer's headline issue is steering — 826 complaints. The electric power steering rack fails on this generation, similar pattern to the Fusion family. Wheel goes hard at speed, "Service Power Steering" message on dash. Replacement is $700–900 at an independent. Failures cluster around 80k–120k miles.
Body issues (381 complaints) trace to multiple causes: roof rack leaks, panel gap problems, and HVAC issues. Engine (191 complaints) is mostly the 3.5L V6 — generally durable but with valve stem seal issues that cause oil consumption past 120k.
Powertrain (95) is small but marked critical with 1 death — the 6F50 transmission had a few software-related abrupt shifts that caused crashes early in the model run. Software updates fixed it.
What to inspect: steering test at low speeds. Look for the dash warning. Check for HVAC condensation drips inside (sign of body seal failure). Listen for engine ticking on cold start.
Service contracts cover the steering rack and 6F50 transmission. A 3-year contract is $2,200–2,600. The math favors coverage given the steering risk.
**Bottom line:** A solid family SUV with a known but predictable steering risk. Not as bad as the Fusion's steering pattern. Get coverage if the original rack is still in place. Otherwise budget $800 for it.
What it would cover on YOUR 2013 Ford Explorer
Top 5 documented failure patterns ranked by risk-weighted dollar value.
How we calculated this
Pulled the 2013 Ford Explorer data
14 documented failure patterns from NHTSA owner complaints. Real complaint volumes, not marketing copy.
Scaled costs by make
Repair estimates adjusted by Ford complexity multiplier of 1.00x. Reflects typical labor rates and parts costs for the make.
Risk-weighted by ownership
Each failure mode gets a probability based on complaint volume, severity, and your ownership window. Higher-mileage vehicles weight risk higher.
Compared to contract cost
If risk-weighted exposure exceeds typical 3-year contract pricing for a Ford, coverage likely pays back. If not, we say skip.
Common questions about extended warranties on the 2013 Ford Explorer
Should I buy an extended warranty on a 2013 Ford Explorer?
Coverage is likely worth it on your 2013 FORD Explorer. Based on 14 documented failure patterns and $6,486 estimated risk-weighted exposure over 3 years, the math favors coverage. Adjust the inputs above to refine for your specific mileage and ownership window.
What are the most common problems on a 2013 Ford Explorer?
The top documented failure patterns are powertrain, engine, body. powertrain has 95 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. See the full list in the breakdown above, or visit the 2013 Ford Explorer hub for the complete problem profile.
How much do repairs typically cost on a 2013 Ford Explorer?
Adjusted for Ford parts and labor pricing, repair estimates on the most common failures range from approximately $850 to $3,100. These are independent shop estimates. Dealer pricing typically runs 30-50% higher. Local labor rates also affect actual cost.
What happens if my 2013 Ford Explorer is still under factory warranty?
If your vehicle is less than 3 years old AND under 36,000 miles, factory bumper-to-bumper coverage probably still applies on this Ford. Most extended service contracts duplicate factory coverage during this window, so the math typically says wait. Set a calendar reminder for 6-12 months before factory expiration, then shop for an extended contract.
Can I get an extended warranty on a high-mileage 2013 Ford Explorer?
Most providers including Chaiz cap coverage at 200,000 miles. Above that mileage, options narrow to specialty providers (typically more expensive per coverage dollar) or self-insurance. The calculator above flags ineligibility automatically based on the mileage you enter.