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: structure
288 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Feb 9, 2023
The passenger roof "A" pillar (lower half) blew off the vehicle at about 70 MPH. The pillar was not damaged prior to the failure and was not vibrating or making noise prior to suddenly blowing off.
Structure, Feb 9, 2023
Windshield pillar driverside flew off driving up interstate.
Structure, Feb 6, 2023
While driving at highway speed, both windshield trim covers flew off and away from our vehicle. Fortunately there were no cars behind us at the time but had there been that piece would have surely hit and potentially impacted their vehicle. I understand this is happening to many of the ford explorers on the road and it is extremely unsafe.
Structure, Feb 5, 2023
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WITHOUT WARNING, IN 8/2022 AND AGAIN IN 12/2022, THE VERTICAL WINDSHIELD PANELS FLEW OFF MY 2018 FORD EXPLORER SUV WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED ON US RT. 495 IN HAVERHILL MA., POTENTIALLY POSING A HAZARD TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES.
Structure, Feb 4, 2023
The passenger side windshield panel dislodged and flew off the car while driving on the highway at highway speeds. It was sudden event and I had no warning or noise before it happened.
Structure, Visibility, Feb 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70-75 MPH, the exterior driver’s side trim piece along the windshield detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle part was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was not available.
Structure, Jan 31, 2023
On or about January 4, 2023, while travelling on Hwy 22 in Texas at approximately 65 mph the right (passenger) side window trim unexpectedly flew off, landing in the road behind me. There was no previous indication of the trim being loose. The safety of others is a concern because the trim could have hit, or cause a diversion from, traffic in either direction. When I called the dealer to schedule the repair, the Parts person explained that this was a "routine" occurrence for this Make/Model of vehicle (they knew the part number), but the vehicle was safe to drive until the part was replaced. The part was replaced on Jan 16 at a cost of $438. There has been no subsequent inspection of the replacement trim/parts, but there are no indications of an issue since replacing the trim/parts.
Structure, Visibility, Nov 2, 2022
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 needed to pay for the repair because the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
Visibility, Structure, Oct 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the weather stripping around the windshield and the rubber seal around all doors had started to deteriorate on the passenger’s and driver’s side rear doors. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the windshield molding and the rubber stripping on the doors needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 27,632.
Structure, May 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon inspection it was discovered that approximately three quarters of the driver’s side roof rail covers had fractured and dislodged from the vehicle. The cause of the failure was unknown. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 31,000.
Structure, Apr 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at 70 MPH on a windy day, the driver's side windshield A-Pillar trim bracket fractured inadvertently and continually struck the windshield. The contact veered to the side of the road and the remove the broken windshield A-Pillar trim bracket. The contact then continued to drive to his residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that the trim bracket needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included a recall associated to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 6, 2022
i SEEN WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ROOF RACK COVERS ON EXPLORERS. MINE ON MY PASSENGER SIDE BLEW OFF IN THE WIND. SHOULD MY VEHICLE HAVE BEEN IN THIS RECALL. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Other or unspecified, Structure, Mar 28, 2022
Roof rack cover blew off while driving and snapped 3/4 of the cover off. Part was not recovered. Research shows this was an issue on the vehicle and there was a recall. When entering the vin # it shows no recalls?
Structure, Dec 20, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the roof rail cover had detached from the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the issue but informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Structure, Dec 16, 2021
Roof rack rail cover came off on highway, almost caused an accident. The other roof rack rail cover is lose but I have yet to receive the recall for the roof rack rail cover.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 3, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, she became aware that the front passenger’s side windshield rubber trim and the weather protector plastic piece were flapping back and forth on the windshield and then flew off the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and placed the rubber trim piece back in the molding of the windshield and drove back to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Structure, Aug 17, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the passenger’s side window frame detached without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 35,872
Structure, Aug 6, 2021
The failed component is the Roof Rail Caps. One of mine came off on the car wash. The other Roof Rail Cap keeps coming loose just driving around, I have to check the second Roof Rail Cap so it too does not fly off on the highway or come off in the car wash. I now have just the one Roof Rail Cap and it looks terrible.
Structure, Jul 29, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that moisture had been entering the vehicle from an unknown place. The moisture had acuminated on the front driver’s side floor and later spread throughout the entire floor of the vehicle. The contact also stated that a strong mold odor was inside the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they informed her that the failure was not related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) for which the Vin was included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Structure, Jul 7, 2021
Roof Rail cap flew off on Highway. Complained of issue was told its under investigation but no fix is available
Structure, Jul 4, 2021
Roofrack became detached while driving on freeway. Almost flew off in traffic and had to hold onto it while driving until I was able to pull over and tape it down. Almost flew off road while holding it down.
Structure, May 27, 2021
2018 Ford Explorer. Consumer writes in regards to roof rail covers safety recall. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONSMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAR.
Structure, Feb 11, 2021
ON JANUARY 24, 2021 I BOUGHT MY CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2018 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE FOLLOWING WEEK I HEARD AN INTERMITTENT BANGING SOUND WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROX. 60 MPH. WHEN I GOT HOME I SAW THAT THE PLASTIC COVERINGS OF THE ROOF RACK RAILS WERE COMING OFF AND WERE WHAT WAS MAKING THE BANGING SOUND. FROM RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE IT APPEARS IF LEFT UNADDRESSED THE COVERS CAN FLY OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE ON THE ROAD. UNFORTUNATELY FORD HAS YET TO PROVIDE A FIX. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE ONLINE SHOW THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND FORD HAS YET TO PROVIDE A ADEQUATE SOLUTION FOR. SOME PEOPLE HAVE STATED THAT FORD'S FIX IS TO APPLY SILICONE TO THE CLIPS THAT COME LOOSE. UPON INSPECTION I SEE THAT SILICONE HAD BEEN APPLIED TO MINE PREVIOUSLY (NOT BY ME) AND THAT, LIKE MANY OTHER REPORT, THIS DOES NOT HOLD/ RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. MANY MORE USER COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE CAN BE FOUND HERE HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T73385_DS991660
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 2, 2021
THIS CAR HAS A LEAK ISSUE. MULTIPLE POINTS OF ENTRY FOR WATER LEAVE THE CAR SOAKING WET AFTER RAIN. THIS ISSUE WAS UNKNOWN AS ALL-WEATHER LINERS WERE PLACED INTO THE CAR BLOCKING OCCUPANTS FROM BEING ABLE TO FEEL LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER ACCUMULATED ON THE FLOOR. MOLD GREW IN CAR AS OCCUPANTS DID NOT KNOW THAT THEIR WAS AN ISSUE POSING AN EXTREME HEALTH HAZARD TO ADULTS AND CHILDREN. THIS IS NOT SAFE. FORD KNOWS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND HAS NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CAR LEAKS WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. CARS ARE LEAKING FROM SUNROOFS, BOLTS, AND FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THIS IS MAKING PEOPLE SICK AND THEY DO NOT CARE. A CLASS ACTION SUIT NEEDS TO BE FILED AGAINST FORD. MY CAR HAD TO BE REPAIRED TWICE AT HAWKS PRAIRIE AUTOMOTIVE IN LACEY, WA IN DECEMBER 2020 AND JANUARY 2021. RECEIPTS CAN BE PROVIDED. I AM UNSURE IF THIS ACTUALLY REPAIRED THE ISSUE COMPLETELY.
Structure, Jan 4, 2021
WATER LEAK, PASSENGER SIDE 3RD ROW FIXED POSITION WINDOW EVERY TIME IT RAINS, WATER ACCUMULATES IN REAR OF VEHICLE