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: other or unspecified
167 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jan 1, 2019
WATER LEAKING INTO REAR OF VEHICLE AND SITTING IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL WHILE STATIONARY AND MOVING. WATER IS COMING FROM BEHIND PLASTIC PILLAR COVERINGS AND DRIPPING THROUGH BOTTOM ONTO THE CARPET AND INTO THE WELL. ELECTRONICS BEHIND PLASTIC ARE ALSO WET INCLUDING WATER LEAKING THROUGH CIGARRETTE LIGHTER. WATER SITTING HAS CAUSED MOLD ON CARPETED AREAS AND RUST ON SPARE TIRE/JACK. VEHICLE IS LESS THAN A WEEK OLD WITH THE PROBLEM OCCURING WITH LESS THAN 200 MILES ON ODOMETER.
Other or unspecified, Nov 2, 2018
INQUIRING ABOUT NHTSA ID 10144949. FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS SINCE AUG 2018 (SSM 47499) AND NO ONE AT MY DEALERSHIP, OR FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, IS INTERESTED IN MAKING ANY CALLS ON MY BEHALF TO SEE WHEN FORD EXPECTS THIS TO BE FIXED.
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2018
VERY STRONG EXHAUST ODOR FILLS CABIN WHEN AC SYSTEM IS ON AND ON RE CIRCULATE. I HAVE HAD 4 EXPLORES OF THIS GENERATION. THE XLT 3.5 LTR V6 ENGINE IS REALLY BAD. THE ECO BOOST 3.5 V6 DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE IT AS BAD BUT YOU CAN STILL NOTICE IT FROM TIME TO TIME. THIS NEW 2018 I HAVE IS AWFUL. IT'S ALWAS PRESENT ANYTIME YOU ACCELERATE ABOVE 2500 RPM FOR A FEW SECONDS, SUCH AS ENTERING A HIGHWAY OR DRIVING UP HILL. IT'S NAUSEATING. FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS IT COMPLETED A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE WHICH DID NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE ELEVATED. IT WAS SO BAD TODAY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM MY DRILL WEEKEND THAT I HAD TO PERIODICALLY ROLL MY WINDOW DOWN TO AIR OUT THE CABIN. IT IS ALSO NOTICEABLE AT CRUZING SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH. AFTER MY 70 MINUTE DRIVE HOME, I COULD LITERALLY TASE IT AND FEEL IT IN MY LUNGS. I'M GOING TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND BRING IT TO THEIR ATTENTION... AGAIN.
Other or unspecified, Aug 29, 2018
I TRADED IN MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIX THE EXHAUST SMELL ENTERING THE CABIN WHEN EXCELLERATING OR CLIMBING HILLS. IT CAUSES CARBON MONOXIDE TO ENTER THE CABIN WHICH CAN MAKE YOU SICK OR LIGHTHEADED . THIS OCCURS WHEN THE INTERIOR VENT BUTTON IS USED THE CIRCULATE THE AIR IN THE CABIN. WELL MY 2028 STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE WAS A LAWSUIT IN FLORIDA OVER THIS ISSUE. APPARENTLY IT IS A DESIGN FLAW IN ALL THE LATE MODEL EXPLORERS. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME. SOMETIMES IT IS VERY HEAVY.
Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2018
IT A NEW CAR THAT I BOUGHT TO AVOID THE SAME PROBLEM IN A 2016 FORD EXPLORER, BECAUSE FORD NEVER SOLVED THE ISSUE, AND THIS ONE FORD EXPLORER 2018 HAS THE SAME THINGS, A BAD SMELL IN SIDE THE CAR WHEN ACCELERATED. FORD IS PUTTING OUR LIVES IN JEOPARDY, I WONDER IF THEY ALREADY HAVE AN EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM
Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2018
BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND FOR ABOUT THE FIRST 2 MONTHS IT WAS GREAT. THEN IT STARTED TO SMELL LIKE ROTTEN EGGS OR SULFUR IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR WHEN I BEGIN TO ACCELERATE. USUALLY BETWEEN 50-75 IT CAN GET PRETTY BAD. DOESN'T DO IT EVERY TIME BUT WHEN IT DOES IT STAYS IN THE CABIN FOR SEVERAL MINS AND HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN TO GET THE SMELL OUT. I AM 8&1/2 MONTHS PREGNANT AND HAVE A 6 YR OLD THAT IS ALWAYS WITH ME. THIS IS NOT FUNNY OR COOL. I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO MY DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO THEM 2 TIMES AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIX IT BC THEY DON'T SMELL IT FOR ONE AND THE OTHER THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT. MY DAUGHTER AND I BOTH HAVE HAD HEADACHES BC OF THINS CRAP. WHAT IS IT GONNA TAKE TO GET MY CAR FIXED?? A CAR THAT IS COSTING ME 40,000 DOLLARS. IS SOMEONE GONNA HAVE TO DIE BC OF THIS BEFORE FORD PULLS THEN HEADS OUT OF THEIR BUTTS AND FIX THIS.... THE FIRST GUY THAT LOOKED AT IT TOLD ME TO TURN THE RECIRCULATE BUTTON OFF ON MY AC..!! OK??? THE SECOND GUY THAT ROAD WITH US SAID TO BUY A CARBON MONOXIDE TESTER AND TEST IT OURSELVES. I'M LIKE COME ON PPL IT'S A BRAND NEW CAR. JUST FIX THE DANG THING. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT BC THEY SEEM TO NOT CARE ABOUT ME MY UNBORN BABY MY DAUGHTER HUSBAD OR THE CAR FOR THAT MATTER
Other or unspecified, Jul 30, 2018
EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE CABIN UNDER ANYTHING MORE THAN LIGHT ACCELERATION. LESS THAN 3000MILES ON THE CAR. USED TO HAUL OUR KIDS AROUND. I THOUGHT IT WAS UNUSUAL AND THEN I DISCOVERED THE LONG HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM WITH NO RECALL. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THIS IS UNSAFE. MAKING AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. JUDGING BY THE RESPONSE FROM FORD , WE ARE NOT OPTIMISTIC THIS WILL BE FIXED. UNSAFE TO DRIVE THESE CARS IN THIS CONDITION. ANYTIME FUMES ENTER THE CABIN IT IS UNSAFE, REGARDLESS OF FORD'S POSITION. NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN IN ANY OTHER CAR.
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2018
EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE CABIN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS
Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2018
EXHAUST LEAKING INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING NAUSEA AND LIGHT HEADEDNESS. SYMPTOMS "SLIGHTLY" IMPROVE WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS CHANGED FROM RECIRCULATE TO FRESH AIR OR WHEN WINDOWS ARE OPENED. WILL SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER BUT WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN YOUR DATABASE.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 7, 2018
AFTER 4,000 REVOLUTION THE SUV COMES TO STOP THE ENGINE AND RUN QUICKLY AGAIN
Other or unspecified, May 27, 2018
TOXIC SMELL - IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKING DELIVERY ON A NEW 2018 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, I BECAME QUITE ILL DUE TO THE TOXIC SMELL IN THE CABIN. THE SMELL IS NOT AN EXHAUST SMELL. IT'S BASICALLY A SMELL FROM THE CARPETING OR SEATS, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH. HEADACHE, SORE THROAT, FUZZINESS OF THE EYES AND JUST A SICK FEELING EVERY TIME I GET IN IT. I'VE TRIED TO KEEP THE WINDOWS DOWN, THE PANARAMIC MOON ROOF OPEN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BUT THE SMELL IS SO PROFOUND. I FEEL THE IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO GET RID OF THE SMELL OR IT WILL NEVER GO AWAY. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL VEHICLE, WELL ENGINEERED WITH A GENERAL OVERALL FEELING OF SAFETY DURING IT'S PERFORMANCE. WHAT GOOD IS THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, IF I CAN'T DRIVE IT WITHOUT BECOMING SICK. I'M UNSURE OF THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION AT THIS POINT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2018
AS SOON AS WE DROVE OUR BRAND NEW FORD EXPLORER OFF THE LOT IT HAD A TERRIBLE SHAKE, WE THOUGHT IT WAS FLAT SPOTS FROM THE CAR SITTING AT THE DEALER. HOWEVER THE SHAKE GOT INCREASINGLY WORSE THE CLOSER WE GOT TO HOME TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAD TO REMOVE OUR DRINK FROM THE CUP HOLDER BECAUSE THEY WERE SHAKING SO BAD. WITHIN A WEEK WE HAD BACK AT THE DEALER TO TRY AND SOLVE THE ISSUE WITHOUT ANY LUCK. WE HAVE CAR AT THE DEALER SHIP TRYING TO GET FIXED 4 TIMES. THEY HAVE BALANCED THE TIRES 3 TIMES AND CHANGED THE DRIVE SHAFT ONCE. UNFORTUNATELY ITS STILL NOT FIXED. WE HAVE DOCUMENTS SHOWING WHAT THE DEALER HAD DONE TO ATTEMPT TO SOLVE THE ISSUE BUT SEEING HOW ITS NOT WORKED I DONT SEE THE POINT IN UPLOADING THE DOCUMENTS UNLESS SPECIFICLY ASKED TO.
Other or unspecified, Mar 19, 2018
EVERY TIME I START MY CAR AND TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER IT SMELLS LIKE SULFUR IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. IT IS SO SCARY TO THINK THAT CARBON MONOXIDE MIGHT BE SLEEPING IN THE CAR AND BE LIFE THREATENING TO MY SELF AND MY KIDS AND WIFE. THE REASON I BOUGHT THE THIS CAR IS TO BE SAFE, NOT TO POTENTIALLY BE KILLED! I'M SO DISAPPOINTED AND WISH I KNEW THIS PROBLEM BEFORE I BECAME STUCK WITH THIS DISASTER.
Other or unspecified, Feb 26, 2018
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 ON FEBRUARY 15, 2018 THREE TIMES I GOT THE SAME MESSAGE ON THE THIRD ONE A WRENCH CAME ON THE SCREEN THE DEALER CLASSIC FORD HAS HAD WITH NO RESOLVE IN SITE I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE A CASE NO CAS-14137401 HAVE A COMPLAINT MADE A REPRESENTATIVE NAME ANNETTE CALL ME TWICE LETTING ME KNOW THAT FORD HAS NO REPLACEMENT OR EXCHANGE POLICY BEING THAT THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHAT'S WRONG THEY SHOULD CANCEL THE LEASE AND LEASE ME ANOTHER VEHICLE IN GOOD FAITH THE FIRST TIME I HAD IT JUMP START I WAS LEAVING CHURCH, THE 26TH WAS TOWED FROM MY HOME, IN FEBRUARY THE FIRST TIME LEAVING THE FITNESS CENTER, SAME DAY IN DRIVEWAY, LAST IN PARKING LOT FROM THERE TO DEALER.
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2018
GO TO FORDEXPLORERNIGHTMARE.COM, READ THE 2 KEY DOCUMENTS, OTHER STORIES AND SHARE YOUR STORY. CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING FROM THESE VEHICLES.
Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2018
THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY WREAKS OF GAS FUMES (NOT CARBON MONOXIDE) ON THE INSIDE OF THE CARE. THIS PRIMARILY HAPPENS BETWEEN 1/4 TO TO A FULL GAS TANK. THE SMELL ALWAYS OCCURS AFTER A GAS FILL UP. THE GAS TANK IS NEVER OVERFILLED. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN TAKING A SHARP TURN AFTER A STOP SIGN/LIGHT, AND WHEN BRAKING SWIFTLY. LIVING IN A NORTHERN CLIMATE, THE GAS SMELL GETS TO BE SO BAD, THAT WINDOWS NEED TO PERIODICALLY BE OPENED IN ORDER TO VENT THE VEHICLE OF GAS SMELL. THIS DOES NOT GO OVER WELL WHEN IT IS ZERO OUTSIDE. WITH OVER 3500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE GAS SMELL SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY. IT STARTED TO SMELL ON DAY 1 OF POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE FIRST GAS FILL UP.NOW, THE WHOLE GARAGE SMELLS OF GAS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME (2 HOURS). WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE ON A COLD MORNING PARKED OUTSIDE, WITH ALL BLOWERS RUNNING FULL, THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WILL WREAK OF GAS AFTER 5 MINUTES. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A FORD DEALERSHIP THIS WEEK. THEY SUPPOSEDLY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM. IT DOES APPEAR TO BE DIFFERENT FROM THE CARBON MONOXIDE PROBLEM AS THIS IS GAS FUME SMELLS.