Most common 2018 Ford Explorer problems
Share of the 734 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Explorer complaints by model year
Best Explorer years: 2024, 2023, 2019. Years to avoid: 2016, 2017, 2020, 2013, 2015. Compare all years →
2018 Ford Explorer recalls (7)
Structure › Body
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
Remedy: 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.
Suspension › Rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
Remedy: 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.
Equipment › Electrical › Engine block heater
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.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge.
Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
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.
Remedy: 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.
Structure › Body
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.
Remedy: 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.
Seats › Mid/rear assembly
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.
Remedy: 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.
Show 1 more recall
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2018 Ford Explorer:
Windshield trim molding Item detachment
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.
Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls
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.
What 2018 Ford Explorer owners say
Body & structure all 288 →
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front driver's side window B-pillar trim, where the keypad entry was mounted was detaching. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that there was no recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, 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 both the driver's side and the passenger's side windshield exterior A-Pillar trims were detaching. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that only the driver's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim would be replaced under the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the front windshield trim on the passenger's side detached and flew off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured exterior front windshield trim. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The contact was informed that the front exterior windshield trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall repair. In addition, the contact was informed that because the entire windshield exterior trim did not detach, the repair was not covered under the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact received NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure), however the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. …
Engine & cooling all 121 →
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact started while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The electrical system shut down and the engine stalled. The instrument panel became inoperable. Additionally, the power steering became inoperable and the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to respond, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle drove off the road and violently crashed into a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a significant whiplash and a stiff neck. The contact had not yet received medical assistance. The contact was able to exit the vehicle through the front driver's side door. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. There was no police report filed. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 80 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that she was able to coast the vehicle off the roadway safely. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be duplicated; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that a message then flashed on the instrument panel "Full Accessory Active". The contact stated that the following day, she attempted to start the vehicle, but the engine failed turnover. The contact stated that she waited approximately 30 minutes to an hour and was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, but the failure could not be duplicated. The failure recurred. …
Electrical system all 58 →
Around 4:45 , was unable to access cruise control the message rapidly flashed., loss of headlights and all lighting for a few seconds. Was going 70 mph. I exited the interstate to turn around and go to my work on southbound the wrench light came on and I lost power steering, power, acceleration in my turn on the on ramp and proceeded off the road onto the incline somehow avoiding a rollover and teetering sideways. Meanwhile no power to open my window etc. at an angle where I couldn't open the door, took a minute to get out of the seatbelt. Suddenly got my window able to open and crawled out. The cops, and tow truck couldn't believe I didn't roll. The car was at a dealership the previous week for loss of power and terai. System problems/ no power steering and they replaced the throttle body 3 days before this happened. I've had multiple electrical/exhaust/power failures. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact started while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The electrical system shut down and the engine stalled. The instrument panel became inoperable. Additionally, the power steering became inoperable and the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to respond, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle drove off the road and violently crashed into a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a significant whiplash and a stiff neck. The contact had not yet received medical assistance. The contact was able to exit the vehicle through the front driver's side door. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. There was no police report filed. …
2018 Ford Explorer engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 18 / 25 / 21 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 22 / 19 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Ford Explorer a good car?
Based on 734 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Explorer rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Explorer at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Ford Explorer?
The body & structure — 288 complaints, 39% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the engine & cooling (121) and electrical system (58).
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Explorer have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2018 Ford Explorer, the most recent from July 14, 2026 (body). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Explorer?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2024, 2023 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016, 2017, 2020, 2013 and 2015. See the full Ford Explorer years comparison.
At what mileage do 2018 Ford Explorer problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 49% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.