Recall 13V270 covers 12,569 2013 Ford Explorer, Mks, and Taurus vehicles with child safety locks that deactivate. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 12,569 2013 Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln Mks vehicles under recall 13V270 because child safety locks can move from activated to deactivated after repeated door openings and closings. That allows a rear door to unlock and open from inside, which increases the risk of injury to an unrestrained child; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The child safety lock is the rear-door lock setting that keeps a rear door from being opened from inside the vehicle. On the 2013 Explorer, Mks, and Taurus, it is meant to stay in the position selected by the driver or caregiver. When the lock is activated, a child in the rear seat cannot open that door from the inside handle.
In affected vehicles, repeated door openings and closings can move the child safety lock from activated to deactivated without the owner knowing. That means the lock can look set during normal use, then stop doing its job after the rear door has been used enough times. The concern is simple: a rear-seat child can open the door from inside when the adult expects the lock to hold.
There is no warning sign before failure. The change happens without notice, so owners should not rely on the lock position by memory alone.
Who's affected?
Covers three 2013 nameplates: Explorer, Mks, and Taurus, all tied to the same latches/locks/linkages component.
| 2013 Ford Explorer | Latches/locks/linkages |
|---|---|
| 2013 Lincoln Mks | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2013 Ford Taurus | Latches/locks/linkages |
| Units affected | 12,569 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
A deactivated child lock can leave the door able to unlock and open from inside, which can lead to injury for an unrestrained child. If your VIN is included, keep children restrained and check the rear door locks before carrying them in the back seat. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Ford Explorer, Lincoln Mks, or Ford Taurus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask about the child-safety-lock test for recall number 13V270.
- Schedule the free lock replacement if the dealer test shows the child safety locks need replacement.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference Ford recall 13S07 when you call.
- Keep children restrained and do not rely on the rear child safety locks until the dealer has tested the vehicle.
What happens at the repair
Once Ford opens the dealer repair, a Ford technician will test the child safety locks on the affected doors. Locks that fail the test will be replaced, with parts and labor covered under the recall once the remedy is available. Tell the service desk the visit is for recall 13V270 and Ford recall 13S07 so they can match the correct repair procedure for your VIN.
Timeline
| June 26, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 2, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V270?
Recall 13V270 covers 12,569 2013 Ford Explorer, Mks, and Taurus vehicles with child safety locks that can shift from activated to deactivated without notice after repeated door use. Ford dealers will test the safety locks and replace them for free if needed.
What should I do if my 2013 Ford Explorer, Mks, or Taurus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 13V270. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the child safety lock inspection. Reference recall number 13V270 or Ford recall number 13S07 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ford dealers will test the child safety locks for free. If replacement is needed, parts and labor are covered.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that a child safety lock can deactivate without notice. If that happens, a rear door can be unlocked and opened from inside the vehicle, which can lead to injury to an unrestrained child. The dealer repair path is the free safety lock test and replacement if needed.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no warning sign before the child safety lock changes position. The source recall says the lock can move from activated to deactivated without notice after enough door openings and closings. Use the VIN check to confirm coverage, then have a Ford dealer test the locks.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V270000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V270 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V270000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →