2013 Ford Explorer, Weak acceleration that suddenly kicks into full power.

40

Asked by Shaide Feb 14, 2020 at 05:02 AM about the 2013 Ford Explorer XLT

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I've had a car do this before and I never found the answer on it either.

My 2013 Ford Explorer will bog down when you initially put it under heavy acceleration from low speed. The engine will rev up and sound normal, except that it feels severely restricted until it hits around 40mph, and then while still in the same gear, the car will suddenly surge to full power and accelerate properly, feeling a very distinct shift in inertia and the engine very noticably picks up.

A second symptom is when this happens, it is usually accompanied by a distinct gunpowder smell, like you get when going through several AR mags.

2 Answers

26,835

Check to see if your catalytic converter is not clogging. This would reduce power, potentially cause a smell, and then potentially clear itself but it would be beginning to move toward complete failure. May need to be diagnosed by a shop to confirm before spending money on a new converter.

1 people found this helpful.
40

Thank you. I was afraid of that and I suspected myself that might be the case, but I didn't want to jump to conclusions. The car does in fact have an exhaust leak and a dent in the underside of the tailpipe like the first owner bottomed out or ran over something, which I suppose could have damaged the cats.

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    OJ
    Reputation
    31,070
  • #2
    TransAm77
    Reputation
    7,890
  • #3
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    7,340
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford Expedition
31 Great Deals out of 822 listings starting at $7,888
Used Ford F-150
338 Great Deals out of 15,288 listings starting at $1,712
Used Chevrolet Tahoe
22 Great Deals out of 922 listings starting at $11,900
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee
107 Great Deals out of 3,230 listings starting at $4,995
Used Dodge Durango
40 Great Deals out of 2,254 listings starting at $5,500
Used Chevrolet Traverse
33 Great Deals out of 581 listings starting at $3,995
Used Ford Edge
95 Great Deals out of 2,229 listings starting at $2,950
Used Toyota Highlander
29 Great Deals out of 737 listings starting at $2,495
Used Honda Pilot
38 Great Deals out of 1,264 listings starting at $4,495
Used Toyota 4Runner
13 Great Deals out of 302 listings starting at $9,700
Used GMC Acadia
25 Great Deals out of 656 listings starting at $3,949
Used GMC Yukon
11 Great Deals out of 947 listings starting at $1,225
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
210 Great Deals out of 5,957 listings starting at $2,975
Used Dodge Charger
35 Great Deals out of 643 listings starting at $4,888

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.