KnownCarProblems2018 Ford Explorer Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 734 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Explorer, most often about the body and structure (39% of complaints, typically around 61,000 miles). It is 13th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2018 Ford Explorer problems
Body and structure
288 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, interior panels.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the passengerâs side dashboard. Over time, the sound spread to the middle and driverâs side of the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the weather stripping…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v031000 (structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made…
Other or unspecified
168 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 3,500 miles.
Full accessory power active, next vehicle shut off to save energy this happen first time on december 23,2017 on december 24, 2017 had to have it jump, on december 25, 2017 would not start at all, december 26, 2017 towed to classic Ford the stated battery was bad replace it until february 14, 2018 the same stated again…
Electric shortages, smell burning wires, stalls vehicle was repurchased by Ford and I want to make sure its reported as a lemon and not resold for safety of others
Engine
121 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine, cooling system.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was parked on an incline, the vehicle failed to restart without warning. Once the contact arrived at the scene, the vehicle restarted and resumed normal operation. The failure recurred four additional times after the initial failure. After…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the crank and camshaft valve position sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified…
Electrical
58 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel, 12v/24v/48v battery, alternator/generator/regulator, horn.
I have been experiencing acceleration/transmission concerns, where the vehicle essential stalls and will not accelerate. After approximately 5 seconds, the computer and transmission appear to 'sync' and the vehicle will accelerate, but the issue will continue to happen until the vehicle is turned off and back on…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was black smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the battery was faulty. The battery was replaced. The contact stated that while driving, there was black smoke…
Transmission
50 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started vibrating excessively and the vehicle hesitated with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while driving uphill the message "hill start assist not available" was…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while approaching a stop sign, the vehicle started shuddering while depressing the brake pedal. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The…
Visibility and wipers
27 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, glass, side/rear, sun/moon roof assembly.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear windshield trim separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear windshield trim needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that he…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the rear hatch glass shattered without impact. The vehicle was taken to safelite auto glass and repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the repair was not covered under the vehicle warranty. The…
Backup camera
26 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensing system, rearview system braking, warnings.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was reversing from the garage, the rearview camera was inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear backup camera would display a blue image on the infotainment screen. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and was given the…
Fuel system
23 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 22,500 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system.
When starting vehicle, the inside of my vehicle fills with a strong smell of gas. This is an ongoing and reoccurring issue. I believe it may be the cause of my 6 year olds child's frequent headaches and bouts with nausea that began at the same time I started noticing the gas smell issue.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a strong, gas odor would emit through the vehicle without warning. Due to the fuel odor, he began to suffer from blurred vision, nausea, and headaches. The contact had sought medical attention for his symptoms. The contact…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Ford Explorer recalls
Body and structure: body
Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed august 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in january 2027. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26s54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21v316. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on july 16, 2026.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on march 16, 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26s08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21v537. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning february 25, 2026.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
Equipment: engine block heater
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed december 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated september 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25sa4. Vehicle identification
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 lincoln mkc, 2016-2023 explorer, 2019-2020 fusion, 2019-2024 ranger, 2020-2022 lincoln corsair, escape, 2021-2024 bronco, bronco sport, and 2022-2024 maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Body and structure: roof and pillars
Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the a-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between july 18, 2024 and december 16, 2025. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24s02.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 explorer vehicles. The a-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Body and structure: body
Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on june 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on october 1, 2021. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21s22.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and ford and lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began october 21, 2019. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19c07.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 f-150 and 2019-2020 f-250, f-350, f-450, and f-550 super duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 ford explorer, 2019-2020 expedition, and 2020 escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 ford explorer and lincoln aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) numbers 202, "head restraints" and 207, "seating systems."
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line assembly, free of charge. The recall began december 7, 2018. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18s35.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2018 ford explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3l or 3.5l gtdi engine. Due to an assembly error, the fuel pressure sensor may leak fuel.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Windshield trim molding item detachment
Summary
On january 27, 2023, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe23-001 to investigate allegations of a-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (my) 2011-2019 ford explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) reporting this failure. Odi has received 671 voqs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring the driver of the following vehicle to take evasive action. It is noteworthy that motorists who experi
Hertz/vehicles rented with open recalls
Summary
Nhtsa is opening this audit query to investigate whether the hertz corporation (hertz) has complied with the requirements of the national traffic and motor vehicle safety act (safety act). The safety act requires, among other things, that a rental company shall not rent a vehicle subject to a safety recall unless the recall remedy has been performed. 49 u.s.c. ⧠30120(I).NHTSA is in receipt of information that indicates hertz rented vehicles to customers without having performed required recall repairs. Accordingly, we are opening this audit query to seek additional information concerning this issue.
Questions about the 2018 Ford Explorer
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Explorer?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (288 complaints, typically around 61,000 miles); other or unspecified (168 complaints, typically around 3,500 miles); engine (121 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Explorer have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 14, 2026 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Ford Explorer?
- It is 13th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints, with 734 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.