If your 2013 Ford Explorer is bouncing over bumps and feeling loose in the corners, you're probably hunting for the best struts for 2013 ford explorer in 2027. I've combed through buyer feedback on complete strut assemblies, compared mount designs, and looked at how each kit handles the Explorer's curb weight.
Our research points to the ECCPP Complete Struts Spring Ford Explorer as the strongest all-around choice. It balances spring rate, mount quality, and price better than most assemblies we compared. Here's the full breakdown, starting with the winner.
Comparison Chart of Best Struts for 2013 Ford Explorer in 2027
| Product | Details | Rating | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
Editor’s Choice  | ECCPP Complete Struts Spring Ford Explorer | ★★★★☆4.1/5 | |
Top Pick  | ECCPP Complete Struts Spring Assembly Front | ★★★★☆4.1/5 | |
Best Budget  | OCPTY Front Complete Strut Assembly Ford | ★★★★☆4.6/5 | |
| ★★★★☆4/5 | ||
| ★★★★☆4.3/5 |
List of Top 5 Best Struts for 2013 Ford Explorer in 2027
We compared five complete strut assemblies sold for the 2011 to 2019 Explorer platform, focusing on fitment accuracy, spring quality, and verified buyer reports. Each pick below suits a different budget and driving style. You'll see what works, what doesn't, and who each kit really fits.
Below are the list of products:
1. ECCPP Complete Struts Spring Ford Explorer
This is the assembly our research kept circling back to. It's a full strut-and-spring unit for 2013 to 2019 Explorers, so you skip the spring compressor work entirely. Buyer reports on mount and ride quality were the most consistent of the group.
Why I picked it
Complete assemblies cut install time roughly in half because the coil spring, upper mount, and bearing arrive already compressed and seated. This ECCPP kit covers the widest model-year span on our list. Multiple buyer reports describe steering feeling tighter within the first few miles.
Key specs
- Complete strut with coil spring, upper mount, and bearing included
- Fits Ford Explorer model years 2013 through 2019
- Sold as a front pair (driver and passenger side)
- Direct bolt-on replacement, no spring compressor required
- Rated 4.1 out of 5 across verified buyer reviews
Real-world experience
Think about a 2013 Explorer with 130,000 miles doing school runs and highway commuting. That's the profile most reviewers describe. They mention the floaty feeling over expansion joints disappearing and the nose staying planted under braking.
A few note an initial settling period of roughly a week before the ride height evens out.
- Arrives fully assembled, so you avoid renting a spring compressor and cut install time
- Covers 2013 through 2019, the broadest year range here, which makes part sourcing simpler
- Buyer reports describe noticeably tighter steering within the first few miles
- Front pair pricing lands in the mid-range, well below dealership assemblies
- Some buyers report a one to two week settling period before ride height stabilizes
- Not a performance-tuned spring rate, so it won’t satisfy anyone chasing sportier handling
- A small number of reviews mention needing an alignment immediately after install
- ✔ You drive a 2013 to 2019 Explorer and want a straight bolt-on replacement
- ✔ You’re doing the job in a home garage without a wall-mounted spring compressor
- ✔ Ride comfort matters more to you than cornering sharpness
- ✖ You own a 2011 or 2012 model, since the fitment years don’t line up
- ✖ You want a lowered or sport-tuned stance
2. ECCPP Complete Struts Spring Assembly Front
If you drive an earlier 2013 build or a leftover 2011 to 2012 Explorer, this version is the one to check first. It's built for that narrower year window rather than stretched across the whole generation. The trade-off is less flexibility, but the fitment notes are cleaner.
Why I picked it
Ford revised several front-end components across the Explorer's fifth generation, so a kit built tight around 2011 to 2013 avoids guesswork. Aggregate buyer feedback shows fewer "doesn't fit" complaints on this version than on wide-range assemblies. For early-build five-gens, that specificity matters.
Key specs
- Complete front strut assembly with spring and upper mount
- Positioned specifically for 2011, 2012, and 2013 Explorer models
- Coil spring pre-seated, no compressor needed at install
- Sold as a matched front pair
- Rated 4.1 out of 5 from verified buyers
Real-world experience
Picture a 2013 Explorer that's had one owner and around 100,000 highway miles. Reviewers with that exact profile describe the front end feeling vague over bridge seams and then tightening up after the swap. One recurring note is that the hardware bag includes the essential mounting nuts, though a couple of buyers used their old ones anyway.
- Fitment notes target 2011 to 2013 specifically, cutting down on install surprises
- Spring and mount come pre-seated, so the job stays a bolt-on swap
- Front pair configuration means you replace both sides in one session
- Won’t fit 2014 and newer Explorers, so verify your build year first
- Ride is firm for the first few hundred miles before the springs break in
- Some buyers report the included hardware is minimal
- ✔ Your Explorer is a 2011, 2012, or 2013 build
- ✔ You’ve already checked your door-jamb build date and want a tight fit
- ✔ You’re replacing both fronts at once rather than one side
- ✖ You drive a 2014 or newer Explorer
- ✖ You need a complete front and rear kit in one purchase
3. OCPTY Front Complete Strut Assembly Ford
Here's the outlier in the group. This OCPTY assembly carries a 4.6 out of 5 buyer rating, the highest we saw by a clear margin. It's built for the AWD 2011 to 2013 Explorer, which is a common configuration in snowy states.
Why I picked it
A 4.6 average across verified buyers is hard to argue with when most competitors sit near 4.1. Our analysis of the review text found fewer complaints about clunking and premature leaks. For the money, the consistency is what earns it the budget crown.
Key specs
- Complete front strut assembly with coil spring and mount
- Built for AWD 2011, 2012, and 2013 Ford Explorer models
- Matched front pair for both driver and passenger sides
- Pre-assembled, installs without a spring compressor
- Rated 4.6 out of 5, the highest on this list
Real-world experience
Consider an AWD Explorer in a northern state hauling kids through slush and potholes from November to March. Buyers in that setting report the front end staying composed over frost heaves. A handful mention the ride feeling slightly stiffer than the factory setup on the first few drives, then settling in.
- Highest buyer rating here at 4.6 out of 5, backed by more consistent long-term reports
- Built specifically for AWD Explorers, a common config in cold-weather states
- Budget-tier price without the usual early-leak complaints
- Pre-assembled front pair keeps the job to a straightforward swap
- Fitment is limited to AWD 2011 through 2013, so FWD owners are out
- Ride skews firm compared to the factory setup for the first few drives
- Fewer reviews overall than the ECCPP pick, so the sample is smaller
- ✔ You own an AWD Explorer from 2011 to 2013
- ✔ You want the best review score at a lower price point
- ✔ You deal with rough roads and want consistent damping
- ✖ Your Explorer is front-wheel drive
- ✖ You want a soft, floaty factory ride feel
4. Front Shock Absorber Strut Fit 2013-2019
This one narrows the field to front-wheel-drive Explorers built from 2013 to 2019. That's a big group of family haulers, and FWD-specific valving matters more than people realize. The 4.0 out of 5 rating puts it mid-pack, but the fitment clarity is a real plus.
Why I picked it
FWD Explorers carry less weight over the rear axle, so front valving tuned for that layout behaves differently. This kit targets it directly. In our research, buyers who ordered it for FWD trucks reported fewer mismatched-feel issues than those who used AWD-intended parts.
Key specs
- Front shock absorber strut assembly with integrated spring
- Fits FWD Ford Explorer models from 2013 through 2019
- Supplied as a matched front pair
- Pre-built assembly, no separate spring compression step
- Rated 4 out of 5 from verified buyer feedback
Real-world experience
Picture a 2016 FWD Explorer used mostly for errands and the occasional road trip. Reviewers with that routine mention that highway lane changes feel less wallowy and the steering returns to center more predictably. One buyer noted a slight clunk in the first week that faded after a re-torque of the top nut.
- Tuned for FWD layout, which reduces the mismatched feel some AWD parts create
- Covers the full 2013 to 2019 range for front-wheel-drive models
- Highway stability improvements are the most commonly cited benefit
- 4.0 rating is the lowest here, with a few durability notes in the review pool
- Not compatible with AWD Explorers at all
- Some buyers needed to re-torque the top nut after the first week
- ✔ You drive a front-wheel-drive 2013 to 2019 Explorer
- ✔ Most of your miles are highway and suburban streets
- ✔ You want a straightforward front pair swap
- ✖ Your Explorer is all-wheel drive
- ✖ You want the highest-rated option on this list
5. Front Pair struts Shock Absorber Ford
You can think of this one as the quiet alternative for 2011 to 2013 FWD Explorers. It scores 4.3 out of 5, sits between the top and budget picks, and gets praised for a factory-like feel. Buyers who want their truck to stop feeling like a truck tend to land here.
Why I picked it
This assembly targets the FWD 2011 to 2013 Explorer, the same window as our runner-up but with a softer, closer-to-factory damping curve. Verified buyer feedback keeps repeating one phrase: it drives like it did new. In a category full of stiff aftermarket springs, that matters.
Key specs
- Front pair of complete strut assemblies with coil springs
- Fits FWD Ford Explorer models from 2011 through 2013
- Upper mount and bearing arrive installed on the assembly
- Bolt-on design, so no coil spring compressor is required
- Rated 4.3 out of 5 across verified buyer reviews
Real-world experience
Imagine a 2012 Explorer with 120,000 miles that's been in the family since new. Reviewers with that history say the jarring thump over driveway lips softens noticeably. A few mention pairing the swap with new stabilizer links, since worn sway bar end links can mimic bad struts.
- 4.3 out of 5 rating with repeated praise for a factory-like ride quality
- Upper mount and bearing come installed, so nothing extra to press in
- FWD fitment for 2011 through 2013 keeps the part number match simple
- Softer spring rate means body roll stays closer to stock, not tighter
- Front-only kit, so rear wear still needs a separate purchase
- Worn sway bar links can mask the improvement if you skip replacing them
- ✔ You want the ride to feel close to how it did off the lot
- ✔ You own a FWD Explorer from 2011 to 2013
- ✔ You’re replacing fronts now and rears later
- ✖ You want firmer, sportier body control
- ✖ You drive a 2014 or newer Explorer
How I picked
I didn't bolt these onto a vehicle. Our team's research process pulled together manufacturer fitment data, verified buyer review text, and how each assembly is built. Then I compared what the specs promise against what owners report after 6 to 24 months.
Here's what I scored each strut on:
- Fitment accuracy for the 2011 to 2019 Explorer platform, including year-split notes and drive-type coverage
- Assembly completeness, meaning whether the coil spring, upper mount, and bearing ship attached
- Buyer sentiment trends, sorted by complaint type rather than raw star averages
- Ride character, judged by repeated phrases like "floaty," "harsh," or "like new"
- Install realities, including hardware included and alignment needs after the job
A MacPherson strut is a suspension unit that combines the damper, coil spring, and steering pivot into one assembly. On your Explorer, the front end uses exactly that layout, so a complete assembly is a straight swap once the old unit is unbolted from the knuckle and tower.
I deliberately didn't test long-term durability past the first couple of seasons, because reviewer reports only stretch so far. I also didn't run instrumented ride or noise measurements. What I did do is cross-check part numbers against model years, since the 2013 Explorer straddles an awkward build split.
One thing worth knowing: NHTSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, tracks recall and safety complaint data by model year. Before buying any suspension part, run your VIN there to confirm nothing unusual applies to your truck.
Buying guide — what actually matters for best struts for 2013 ford explorer in 2027
Does a complete assembly beat a bare strut?
For most home mechanics, yes. A complete strut assembly is a pre-built unit that arrives with the coil spring already compressed and seated. That single fact removes the most dangerous step of the job, since compressing a coil spring by hand can seriously hurt you if a clamp slips.
Bare struts cost less upfront, but you'll need a compressor, a new upper mount, a new bearing, and often new boots. Add it up and the gap shrinks fast. Complete assemblies also cut the job to roughly two to three hours per side for a careful DIYer.
Will it fit your exact build year?
Ford built the fifth-generation Explorer across 2011 to 2019, and parts catalogs treat 2013 as a split point in several listings. Some assemblies cover 2011 to 2013, others 2013 to 2019. Always confirm with your VIN, not just the model year on your registration.
You also need to match drive type. An AWD assembly on a FWD truck can sit differently and damp differently. If you're unsure which you have, look for a rear driveshaft or check the axle code on the door jamb sticker.
FWD or AWD: why it changes the part
Weight distribution differs between front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive Explorers, and spring rates are chosen with that in mind. Getting this wrong usually shows up as a nose that sits higher or lower than the rear, or a ride that feels harsh on one axle.
What about alignment after install?
Budget for a four-wheel alignment immediately after the swap. Replacing struts disturbs camber and toe, and driving thousands of miles out of spec will chew through tires faster than worn struts ever did. Most shops want the job done within 50 to 100 miles of the install.
If your dashboard is throwing unrelated warnings while you're sorting suspension work, tracking down a fault code list for household appliances follows the same logic: isolate the system, then confirm with a specific reading. Same habit, different machine.
How long should struts last on an Explorer?
Factory struts commonly start fading somewhere between 50,000 and 80,000 miles, and the decline is gradual enough that owners stop noticing. Common clues include nose dive under braking, a floaty feel over dips, cupped tire wear, and fluid weeping on the strut body.
At 100,000 miles or more, replacing the fronts as a pair is the practical move. Doing one side only creates mismatched damping, which feels worse than the worn parts you started with. KYB and Monroe both publish replacement intervals in the same range, and SAE International, the standards body for automotive engineering, defines the damping test procedures manufacturers use to validate them.
Springs, mounts, and the parts people forget
Three small items sink more installs than anything else. The upper mount bearing seizes and causes a popping noise when you turn the wheel. The bump stop crumbles and leaves you with a harsh bottom-out.
Sway bar end links wear and mimic strut clunk.
Complete assemblies solve the first two. End links you usually buy separately, and they're cheap insurance. If a heating element in your home appliances quits mid-project, the diagnostic approach for a unit that won't heat is a decent reminder that intermittent failures need confirmation, not guesswork.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it worth replacing struts on a 2013 Explorer in 2027?
Yes, if you plan to keep the vehicle. A 2013 Explorer with a healthy drivetrain can run well past 200,000 miles, and tired struts are one of the cheapest fixes that changes how the truck feels daily. If the frame or transmission is already failing, spend the money elsewhere.
Do I need new springs, or can I reuse the originals?
Complete assemblies ship with new springs, which is the safer route. Reusing 12-year-old springs on new dampers usually means the ride height stays sagged. Rust-belt trucks often have springs with visible corrosion at the coil seats, and that's a replacement signal on its own.
How much of this job can I do myself?
The unbolting is straightforward with hand tools and penetrating oil. The risk sits in the spring, which stores serious energy. If you buy a complete assembly, you never touch a compressor.
If you buy bare struts, have a shop swap the springs unless you own a proper wall-mounted unit.
Will new struts fix a clunking noise?
Sometimes. Strut mounts and worn sway bar links cause most front-end clunks, so replacing the assembly often cures it. If the noise survives, check the tie rod ends and control arm bushings before assuming the new parts are defective.
A quick system reset mindset applies here too: clear the obvious cause, then retest.
How do these compare to OEM Motorcraft parts?
OEM assemblies carry exact factory valving and a dealer part number, which some buyers prefer for resale paperwork. Aftermarket kits land well below dealer pricing and often ride close to stock. Neither is automatically better.
It comes down to whether you value documentation or budget.
What if my Explorer's front end still feels loose afterward?
Check tire pressure, then alignment specs, then the rear. A worn rear axle makes the front feel vague no matter how new the front parts are. If you're chasing noises around the house at the same time, a motor that won't turn is a useful parallel: the symptom rarely sits where you first expect it.
Final verdict
The ECCPP Complete Struts Spring Ford Explorer remains our top pick because it covers 2013 through 2019, arrives fully assembled, and keeps buyer satisfaction steady at 4.1 out of 5. For AWD owners in that earlier window, the OCPTY front assembly edges ahead on raw review score.
If you want a softer, closer-to-factory feel and drive a FWD early-build truck, the Front Pair struts Shock Absorber is the sleeper choice. Check your build year and drive type first. That single step prevents most returns.
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes my recommendation, I only suggest gear I'd actually buy myself.