2018 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 730 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 15 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 12 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, bodyJul 14, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 26V448000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearFeb 20, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 26V101000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterOct 10, 2025
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.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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 Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
Campaign 25V685000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, roof and pillarsJan 19, 2024
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.
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 24V031000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, bodyMay 5, 2021
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.
A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V316000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, reclinerAug 28, 2019
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."
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.
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.
Campaign 19V633000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineNov 14, 2018
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.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 18V807000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
57 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 24, 2020
I HAVE A FORD EXPLORER LIMITED 2018 WITH ROTTEN EGG AND SULFUR SMELL WHEN REMOTE START AT IDLE AND HARD ACCELERATION. I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR THE 3RD TIME AND GOT IT BACK AFTER 14 DAYS. I WAS HOPING THEY WOULD REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BUT THEY DECLINED IT. THE REPORT STATED THERE WERE NO CAT CONVERTER CODE AND THAT BY DESIGN THE FORD EXPLORER'S CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS NORMAL SULFUR AND ROTTEN EGG SMELL. THIS WAS TAKEN FROM THE VEHICLE REPORT " SOME SULFUR OR ROTTEN EGG TYPE SMELLS FROM THE EXHAUST ARE NORMAL BECAUSE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DESIGN. PLEASE CONFIRM THE SOURCE OF THIS STENCH BECAUSE AFTER HARD ACCELERATION AND OR REMOTE STARTS THE EXHAUST FUMES COULD SMELL LIKE SULFUR AND IT'S NORMAL" . HOW CAN I CLAIM THE 8YRS/80,000 MILES CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHEN THEY CALL SULFUR AND ROTTEN EGG NORMAL? WILL I JUST EXPOSE MY FAMILY TO CANCER CAUSING FUMES? IF I TRADE THIS VEHICLE I WILL BE $5000 NEGATIVE AND THE PERSON WHO WILL BUY THIS VEHICLE WILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. I CAN PROVIDE A COPY OF THE SERVICE REPORT IF NEEDED. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 29, 2020
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
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 20, 2020
FOR WEEKS NOW THE CAR HAS BEEN DECIDING WHAT TO DO. THE AIR CONDITIONER RANDOMLY TURNS OFF OR WON'T TURN ON. THE WINDOW WON'T ROLL UP OR DOWN. LIGHTS IN THE DASHBOARD RANDOMLY GO ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME. SOMETIMES THERE IS JUST A LOUD NOISE BUT NO LIGHTS. THEN RECENTLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 55 MPH WITH MY 3 CHILDREN THE CAR SHUT ITS SELF OFF. THE LIGHTS WENT CRAZY THEN SHUT OFF. THERE WAS NO GAS OR BRAKES AS I WAS GOING 55 MPH. ONCE THE CAR CAME TO A ROLLING STOP. IT DID NOT TURN BACK ON. ONCE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.
Electrical system, Jul 30, 2019
THE CAR SAT FOR 7 DAYS (WE ARE RETIRED) AND THE STARTER BUTTON DID NOT RESPOND ON THE FIRST TWO TRIES TO START ENGINE. IT HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS. IF LEFT AT AN AIRPORT, WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN STRANDED. I BELIEVE THE CAUSE IS THE HIGH CURRENT DRAIN FOR THE WIFI AND OTHER ELECTRONICS GOING ON. THE DEALER SAID TO CHECK BATTERY. THE PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR UNLESS THE CAR IS UNUSED FOR A NUMBER OF DAYS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 6, 2019
THE EXPLORER WILL RANDOMLY NOT START LIKE A DEAD BATTERY, BUT THEN STARTS OTHER TIMES. BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER. SIDE MIRRORS WILL FOLD IN WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT FOLD BACK OUT UNTIL THE CAR IS STOPPED, TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED. WHEN THESE ISSUES ARE PRESENT THE SYNC 3 SYSTEM WILL COMPLETELY TURN OFF. THIS IS RANDOM AT THE TIMES IT HAPPENS AND THE DEALER HAS NOT EXPERIENCED IT WHILE ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP. WE PURCHASED THE EXPLORER WITH 500 MILES IT AS A NEW CAR JANUARY 13TH 2019. IT HAS 4200 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERS SHOP A TOTAL OF 23 DAYS. THE LARGEST PROBLEM WE HAVE AND WHY THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE AND DOES NOT GET DRIVEN IS THE EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN. ITS SO STRONG THAT IF YOU DRIVE IT ANY LENGTH OF TIME YOU GET A SEVERE HEADACHE. MY ENTIRE FAMILY GOT SICK ALL AT ONCE ON THE ONE AND ONLY TRIP WE TOOK IN THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS WHEN THE TECHNICIAN GOT SICK DRIVING THE CAR. THEY PREFORMED THE RECALL PROTOCOL FOR PREVIOUS YEAR EXPLORERS AND MADE US TAKE IT BUT THE PROBLEM IS MORE PREVALENT THAN EVER NOW. IVE HIRED AN ATTORNEY AND THE DEALERSHIP WILL BE GETTING A FORMAL DEMAND LETTER TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE BACK FOR WHAT WE PAID. IVE TRIED TO TALK TO THE GM OF THE DEALERSHIP AND WHILE HE AGREES THERE IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR THEY WILL NOT BUY IT BACK UNLESS WE AGREE TO LOOSE MONEY. FORD DENIED A CLAIM WE MADE FOR THEM TO REACQUIRE THE VEHICLE, AND THEY DENIED IT BEFORE THE THE DEALERSHIP WAS EVEN DONE WITH THEIR EVALUATION. IT'S BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT EXPERIENCE AND SEEMS UNLESS MY ATTORNEY GETS INVOLVED THERE WILL NOT BE A RESOLUTION.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 15, 2018
EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE CABIN DURING ACCELERATION AND WHEN THE AC IS ON. SEVERAL FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SMELL WITHIN THE CABIN. I PERSONALLY HAVE EXPERIENCED HEADACHES AND BURNING EYES BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE. IT SMELLS LIKE BURNT HAIR. THIS IS A FAMILY VEHICLE USED TO TRANSPORT MY ENTIRE FAMILY INCLUDING MY 5 MONTH OLD BABY. THIS SMELL IS MAKING EVERYONE NAUSEOUS.
Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakes, Apr 10, 2018
DURING STARTUP ON COLD MORNINGS (NOT ALWAYS) I HAVE RECEIVED MULTIPLE FAILURE WARNINGS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE HAS NO POWER STEERING, TURN SIGNALS, OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE WARNINGS ARE: 4WD OFF, CHECK PARKING AID, SEE MANUAL, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC, STEERING ASSIST FAULT, ABS LIGHT, AIRBAG LIGHT, PARKING BRAKE LIGHT IS ON EVEN THOUGH PARKING BRAKE IS NOT ON. ALSO THE CLIMATE CONTROL STILL SEES THE TEMPERATURE AS THE LAST TEMPERATURE FROM THE PREVIOUS DRIVE. SO IF IT WAS 80 OUT AND NOW 40, THE A/C BLOWS COLD AIR EVEN THOUGH IT IS COLD OUT. THIS HAPPENED TWICE, ONCE AT 749.3 MILES (3/12/2018) AND THE SECOND TIME AT 1440 MILES (4/2/2018). FIRST TIME DEALER DID NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE FOR OVER A WEEK AND STILL CAN NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM.