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Service bulletins for the 2013 Ford Explorer

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

142 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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Bulletins, newest first
17N03-S22019-03-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles - Carbon Monoxide Concerns
SSM 477492019-03-04. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. Some 2012-2019 Vehicles may require repairs to the Smartlink system. Smartlink is a Ford Licensed Accessory which has a warranty provided by the accessory manufacturer. Warranty replacement parts for Smartlink that are ordered through Ford are not reimbursable through the Ford Motor Company warranty system. Please see the Warranty and Policy Manual for further information on Ford Licensed Accessories.
SSM 476622019-01-07. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER. For 2010-2019 vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines, when diagnosing and/or replacing turbo related concerns, all steps within the Workshop Manual (WSM) procedure must be followed including replacement of all mandatory discarded parts. For all turbocharged engine applications, the turbocharger oil supply filter (6C683 gas engine/6L625 connector style or 6A968 diesel engine) must be replaced whenever the turbocharger or the turbocharger oil supply tube are replaced. Turbocharger bearing failure may occur if oil starvation occurs due to a restricted filter.
SSM 476382019-01-07. Service bulletin. STEERING; STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR. 2013-2019 vehicles equipped with a LKS system with customer complaints of steering wheel vibration, steering pull or vehicle drift may be due to an alert and/or steering aid input from the LKS. The LKS system detects unintentional drifting toward the outside of the lane and alerts and/or aids vehicle to stay in the lane. Be sure the customer understands how the lane departure warning feature settings work for Alert (steering wheel vibration) and Aid (steering input toward lane center). Further information on the LKS can be found in the owners manual. If the customers concern is due to the LKS functioning as intended, do not attempt to repair.
17B25-S52018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Certain 2013-2017 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles - Exhaust Odor and Carbon Monoxide Complaints
SSM 475472018-12-03. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. Some 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Sedan and Utility vehicles may exhibit a reduced top speed after a transmission fluid service with unapproved fluid. The use of unapproved fluid or improper transmission fluid level can lead to reduced vehicle performance and transmission damage that is not covered under warranty. Use only Mercon LV Automatic Transmission Fluid, XT-10-QLVC (US), CXT-10-LV12 (Canada). Use only the Transmission Fluid Exchanger process when performing service intervals. Check and adjust transmission fluid level only at normal operating temperatures of 82?C-93?C (180?F-200?F). The fluid adjustment procedure requires using the appropriate Ford scan tool or equivalent to verify fluid temperature. For optimum performance at high speeds, adjust fluid level to the top of the "MIN" mark on the dipstick.
18B19-S12018-11-19. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR. Certain 2013-2017 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles - Exhaust Odor and Carbon Monoxide Complaints. Certain 2017 Model Year Continental Livery Vehicles - Exterior Door Handle Replacement
17G01-S22018-09-24. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. Certain 2013-2017 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles - Rear Suspension Toe Link Replacement
SSM 473482018-07-23. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ENGINE. Some 2013-2018 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a 3.7L twin independent variable camshaft timing (TiVCT) engine may exhibit an engine vibration and/or the engine mount leaking fluid. A revised engine mount (GB5Z-6038-A) has been released to address this condition. For claiming, use causal part 6038 and applicable labor operations in Section 06 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
17G01-S12018-06-11. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION; SUSPENSION:REAR. Certain 2013-2016 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles - Rear Suspension Toe Link Replacement
SSM 470092018-06-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT. The Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE). The master code for the Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can be retrieved from FMCDealer - Parts and Service - Parts Product Line Information - Keys/Entry Devices - Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Access to this site is granted through Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES) and Dealer Principal, General Manager or Parts and Service Director can authorize users. Once authorized the retrieval process for master code can be obtained. The master code for the Accessory Keyless Entry Keypad cannot be retrieved from the body control module(BCM) with a diagnostic tool.
TSB18-20132018-06-11. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE. Some 2011-2013 Edge/MKX, 2013 Flex/MKT vehicles built on or before 15-Jul-2013 and 2013-2014 Explorer vehicles built on or before 15-Aug-2013 may exhibit a door ajar lamp illuminated with all doors closed. This may be due to the door ajar sensor within the door latch. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
17G01-S12018-05-29. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. Certain 2013-2016 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles - Rear Suspension Toe Link Replacement
SSM 470092018-05-29. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. The Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE). The master code for the Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can be retrieved from FMCDealer - Parts and Service - Parts Product Line Information - Keys/Entry Devices - Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Access to this site is granted through Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES) and Dealer Principal, General Manager or Parts and Service Director can authorize users. Once authorized the retrieval process for master code can be obtained. The master code for the Accessory Keyless Entry Keypad cannot be retrieved from the body control module(BCM) with a diagnostic tool.
TSB18-20132018-05-29. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR. Some 2011-2013 Edge/MKX, 2013 Flex/MKT vehicles built on or before 15-Jul-2013 and 2013-2014 Explorer vehicles built on or before 15-Aug-2013 may exhibit a door ajar lamp illuminated with all doors closed. This may be due to the door ajar sensor within the door latch. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
SSM 472302018-05-21. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Some 2007-2016 Edge/MKX/Flex/MKT/MKZ/MKS/Taurus/Police Interceptor Sedan/Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with AWD and built on or before 30-Jun-2016 may exhibit a propane or natural gas odor during idle or low speed driving. This may be due to break down of the power transfer unit (PTU) fluid caused by excessive heat. If the source of the odor is identified as originating from the PTU, an idler bearing repair kit is available to repair the PTU. Refer to the Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 308-07. If the PTU is determined to be repairable, utilize kit GB5Z-7P258-A and the included instruction sheet. For claiming use causal part 7P258 and applicable labor operations in section 07 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
SSM 472012018-05-21. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. Replacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket SYNC/Navigation kit or modifying original SYNC/Navigation parts to provide additional features is not recommended nor supported on any Ford, Mercury or Lincoln vehicle. Only approved Genuine Ford accessories or originally installed systems are supported and certified to function correctly with other vehicle systems. If you suspect a system has been modified, the following resources can be used to verify original equipment: Monroney Label (Window Sticker), Professional Technician Society (PTS) OASIS tab select SYNC or HVBOM. For Genuine Ford accessories use: PTS Workshop Tab select Dealer Installed Accessory or Accessory Installation.
SSM 470802018-05-14. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. 2010-2018 various vehicles equipped with SYNC or SYNC 3 may not function when attempting to find or use the Spotify app via AppLink. As of an update released on 1/15/2018 Spotify will no longer be supporting their AppLink integration. No repair attempts should be attempted to correct this concern.
17B25-S42018-01-29. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. Certain 2013-2017 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles - Exhaust Odor and Carbon Monoxide Complaints
SSM 469002018-01-29. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Some vehicles may exhibit a no start condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a DTC P161A after PCM replacement. This may be due to the parameter reset procedure not being properly completed. To clear this DTC, use the Ford Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) service tool or Ford J2534 Diagnostic Software, select - Toolbox - Body - Security - PATS Functions - Parameter Reset. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the procedure. This procedure will transfer the existing Key ID information between the modules without the need of having 2 programmed PATS keys present. There is no need to program keys when the PCM is going to be replaced. Additional information can be found in the Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 419-01. Missing or lost keys are not warrantable.
17-22222018-01-29. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE. Some 2013-2016 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit delamination of the top edge of the front door trim panels. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
17N03-S12017-12-14. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles - Carbon Monoxide Concerns
17B25-S32017-12-14. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. Certain 2013-2017 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles - Exhaust Odor and Carbon Monoxide Complaints
17N03-AW2017-12-14. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL. Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Retail Vehicles - Carbon Monoxide Complaints
17B25-S12017-10-21. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. Certain 2013-2017 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles - Exhaust Odor and Carbon Monoxide Complaints

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.