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: engine
119 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Oct 24, 2019
CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF A 2018 FORD INTERCEPTOR UTILITY (A HONEYWELL BWC2R-M CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE HISTORY OF CARBON MONOXIDE ISSUES WITH THESE VEHICLES). ON OCTOBER 21, 2019 TWO OFFICERS WERE PATROLLING IN THE 2018 FORD INTERCEPTOR UTILITY. THE OFFICER WERE ACCELERATING QUICKLY AS THEY ENTERED THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM ACTIVATED. THE OFFICER STOPPED ACCELERATING AND ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS. THE CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM RESET AND NO FURTHER ACTIVATIONS HAVE BEEN REPORTED.(THIS REPORT CAME A MONTH AFTER ANOTHER OF THE CITY'S FORD INTERCEPTOR UTILITY VEHICLES WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE PASSENGER CABIN. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A FOUL ODOR AND THE EGR PURGE VALVE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED BACK IN SERVICE AND WITHIN A WEEK THE CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM ACTIVATED AGAIN. FORD WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE PASSENGER CABIN SO NO REPAIRS WERE DONE.)
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 24, 2019
STARTING WHIT A NOISE PROBLEM ON ENGINE WE BRING THE VEHICLE TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEM SAID WAS NOT A PROBLEM 2 MONTHS LATER WE ARE HERE ON SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM, BRAKE NOISE, TO MUCH PROBLEMS. WE BUY A NEW CAR TO AVOID THIS PROBLEMS AND ISSUES WASTING OUR TIME. AND MONEY.
Engine, Jun 26, 2019
MY 2018 FORD EXPLORER HAS UNDER 9,000 MILES ON IT AND I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING EXHAUST SMELLS IN THE CABIN WHILE MERGING ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS HAPPENS DURING ACCELERATION. I HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO FORD SEVERAL TIMES NOW WITH NO REAL ANSWER. THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO "RECREATE" THE SMELL SO THEIR HANDS ARE TIED. THEY TOLD ME TO TURN OFF THE RECIRCULATE AC FUNCTION TO GET RID OF THE SMELL. CLEARLY, IF THAT WAS THEIR DIRECTIVE, THEY KNOW THAT EXPLORERS ARE HAVING AN ISSUE. I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT I SHOULD CONTACT FORD DIRECTLY BECAUSE THE ISSUE DOES NOT INCLUDE 2018S. I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN THAT IN MY VEHICLE WITH ME AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I OWE MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE THAT IS PUTTING MY FAMILY IN DANGER AND HAVE NO ANSWERS ON HOW TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 17, 2019
EXHAUST IS LEAKING INTO THE CABIN WHILE DRIVING. USUALLY WHILE ACCELERATING
Engine, May 9, 2019
LEAK ON TIMING COVER. IT HAS A MINOR OIL LEAK IN THE TIMING COVER
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 23, 2019
FORD EXPLORER 2018 GOING FROM 50 MPH. AND TO DO FORCE, ENTERS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS CABIN IT SHOULD SLOW DOWN AND OPEN THE CRYSTALS TO LEAVE THE STRONG ODOR.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 20, 2019
I HAVE BEEN SMELLING EXHAUST FUMES/ROTTEN EGG SMELL IN MY CAR WHEN ACCELERATING UP TO 60MPH. 1ST TIME IN SHOP THEY SAID BOLTS WERE MISSING ON ENGINE AND SOME WERE LOOSE.; THEY 'FIXED' IT. STILL SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES/ROTTEN EGGS, SO TOOK CAR BACK. THEY SAID FUEL GOT IN THE FUEL FILTER BUT THEY 'FIXED' THE PROBLEM. NO STILL SMELL EXHAUST/ROTTEN EGGS. TOOK BACK FOR 3RD TIME THEY HAD MY CAR FOR A MONTH AND THEY REPLACED THE WHOLE EXHAUST. NOW HAVE HAD CAR A WEEK AND A HALF AND I SMELL THE EXHAUST. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, I HAVE THIS BRAND NEW CAR COSTING ME $37000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT WAS SO STRONG, SHE COULD TASTE FUEL. TOWNE AUTO GROUP (3535 SOUTHWESTERN BLVD, ORCHARD PARK, NY 14127, (716) 662-6500) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE, DIAGNOSE, AND PROVIDE A REMEDY AFTER SEVERAL VISITS. THE DEALER LATER REPLACED THE DOOR SEALS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V807000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PASSENGER INSIDE THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED NAUSEA AND HEADACHES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA17002 (STRUCTURE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATING, AND HAD TO CLOSE THE VENTS DUE TO AN ASTHMA CONDITION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,278.
Engine, Oct 25, 2018
EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE VEHICLE. FORD ENGINEER INSPECTED AND FOUND 3PPM ENTERING CABIN IN LESS THAN AN HOUR. FORD STATES THIS IS NORMAL. OVER 3 HOURS IN THE CAR CAUSES PHYSICAL ILLNESS, FORD DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY. VEHICLE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY OVER 40MPH. FORD ENGINEERING REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ME WITHIN THE NEXT 48 HOURS. CAUSED PHYSICAL ILLNESS, DIZZINESS AND VOMITING.
Engine, Oct 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND AN EXHAUST ODOR IMMEDIATELY ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL FICK FORD (737 N FWY SERVICE ROAD, HUNTSVILLE, TX 77340) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DUPLICATED, BUT THERE WAS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY TIME THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CASE NUMBER: CAS-16021870 WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,100.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 3, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE AND NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. THE ODOR SMELLED SIMILAR TO BURNING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COURTESY FORD (LOCATED AT 1107 BRASHEAR AVE, MORGAN CITY, LA 70380, (985) 492-7260) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ODOR EMITTED FROM THE COATING ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A SMOKE TEST WAS ALSO PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. A REPAIR WAS MADE INSIDE THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE CONTACT TEST DROVE TWO SEPARATE 2018 FORD EXPLORERS AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME ODOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 30, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE ACCELERATING, EXHAUST FUMES EMERGED AND CAUSED A STRONG ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LAMOUREUX FORD (366 E MAIN ST, EAST BROOKFIELD, MA 01515) WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,100. *TT UPDATED 10/17/18*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 17, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS A SULFUR ODOR COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BECOME NAUSEOUS AND DIZZY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. WINNER FORD (250 HADDONFIELD-BERLIN RD, CHERRY HILL, NJ, (856) 428-4000) DIAGNOSED THAT THE SULFUR ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE EXHAUST AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500.
Steering, Engine, Aug 8, 2018
MY EXPLORE HAS FAILED TO START ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT SENT A TOW TO GET THE CAR, AND THE DRIVER GOT IT TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THEN HE SHUT IF OFF AND IT FAILED TO START AGAIN. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME HE COULDN'T GET THE ISSUE TO OCCUR SO THERE WASN'T ANYTHING FOR HIM TO DO EVEN THOUGH HE HAD A FAULT CODE. MY EXPLORE ONLY HAS LEST THAN 9000 MILES AND IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT YET THEY ARE TELLING ME THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THEY CAN DONE AFTER KEEPING MY CAR FOR 3 WEEKS. THERE SHOULD BE THINGS THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH THE FAULT CODE, BUT YET NOTHING WAS DONE. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF ISSUE? IF SO, WHAT WAS DONE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 31, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF EXHAUST FUMES WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (KENDALL FORD, 250 E. OVERLAND RD, MERIDIAN, ID), BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,143. *TT CONSUMER IS SMELLING A EXHAUST ODOR IN CAB INTER./ POSSIBLE ANOTHER TYPE OF SMELL... CUSTOMER STATES THAT HE JUST GETS A BAD ODOR INTERMITTENTLY THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE EXHAUST. UPDATED 10/23/18*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 19, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXHAUST FUMES SEEPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE CABIN WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HEALEY FORD LINCOLN (2528 NY-17M, GOSHEN, NY 10924, (877) 706-3640) AND WAS REPAIRED AT LEAST TWICE FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE DIAGNOSIS. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
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.
Engine, May 29, 2018
WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY ACCELERATION WILL BEGIN TO REDUCE CONTINUELY UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPS ALTOGETHER. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING. THIS HAPPENED ON THE EXPRESSWAY EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE IS ONE MONTH OLD. DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM.
Engine, Apr 17, 2018
WHEN ACCELERATING, THE SMELL OF EXHAUST FILLS THE CAR. WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS ALL YOU CAN SMELL IS EXHAUST. IT'S BEEN THIS WAY FROM DAY ONE. FORD TRIED TO FIX IT UNDER RECALL BUT IT DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. YOU CAN STILL SMELL IT JUST THE SAME. NO DIFFERENCE AFTER THEIR ATTEMPT TO FIX IT.