NHTSA vehicle safety data

2018 Ford Explorer Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2018 Ford Explorer has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 733 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2018 Ford Explorer, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2018 Ford Explorer owner complaints

Owners have filed 733 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Explorer, describing incidents dated February 2, 2018 to October 11, 2026.

Most-cited components

Structure 288 complaints
Unknown or Other 168 complaints
Engine 120 complaints
Electrical System 57 complaints
Power Train 50 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 27 complaints

Of the 733 complaints on file, 15 report a crash and 7 a fire; across all 733 complaints, owners report 12 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11771891 · Filed October 18, 2026
My steering wheel is turning 360 degrees. My tires are not always turning with the steering wheel. This may become dangerous and would like to know if the 23S63/2023-678 recall is affected with my 2018 Ford Explorer? If it is not affected with the recall above could this be considered a recall?…
ODI #11770605 · Filed October 12, 2026
The water pump has failed
ODI #11768940 · Filed October 5, 2026
MY VEHHICLE HAS BEEN TESTED BY FORD SERVICE CENTER AND FOUND TO BE AFFECTED BY THE FACTORY DEFECT THAT ALLOWS COOLANT TO LEAK CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WHERE THE ONLY REMEDY IS A NEW ENGINE BLOCK. MY VEHICLE HAS 69919 MILES. THE PROBLEM WAS RECOGNIZED WHEN THE VEHICLE BAGAN TO MISFIRE…

Read all 733 complaints

Owner-reported

2018 Ford Explorer mileage at failure

289 of the 733 complaints on file for the 2018 Ford Explorer give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Structure	Median 70,000 miles	Middle half 45,000–90,000 miles	Based on 123 complaints
Engine	Median 75,000 miles	Middle half 40,000–110,000 miles	Based on 51 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2018 Ford Explorer in 2 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Audit Query AQ22-003: Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls
Open since December 16, 2022
Preliminary Evaluation PE23-001: Windshield trim molding Item detachment
Closed February 8, 2024
- Recall 24V-031

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Roof Rail Covers May Detach

NHTSA #26V448000 · Structure — Body · NHTSA notice

Reported July 14, 2026 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 288,314 vehicles

Completion not yet reported (dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 26S54 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.

Safety consequence

A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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. 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.

Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture

NHTSA #26V101000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice

Reported February 20, 2026 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 412,774 vehicles

Repair completion: 37.88% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 26S08 · Owners notified March 16, 2026 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.

Safety consequence

A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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. 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.

Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire

NHTSA #25V685000 · Equipment — Electrical — Engine Block Heater · NHTSA notice

Reported October 10, 2025 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 59,006 vehicles

Completion not yet reported (dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 25SA4 · Vehicles built through September 15, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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. 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 December 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.

Exterior A-Pillar Trim May Detach

NHTSA #24V031000 · Structure — Body — Roof and Pillars · NHTSA notice

Reported January 19, 2024 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 1,889,110 vehicles

Repair completion: 20.84% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 24S02 · Owners notified July 18, 2024 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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. 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Roof Rail Covers May Detach

NHTSA #21V316000 · Structure — Body · NHTSA notice

Reported May 5, 2021 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 616,967 vehicles

Repair completion: 74.82% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 21S22 · Owners notified October 1, 2021

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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. 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Reduced Seat Back Strength/FMVSS 202 & 207

NHTSA #19V633000 · Seats — Front Assembly — Recliner · NHTSA notice

Reported August 28, 2019 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 639,137 vehicles

Repair completion: 77.79% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 19C07 · Owners notified October 21, 2019 · Vehicles built September 9, 2018 – March 3, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Pressure Sensor may Leak Fuel

NHTSA #18V807000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported November 14, 2018 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 144 vehicles

Repair completion: 77.78% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 18S35 · Owners notified December 7, 2018 · Vehicles built July 29, 2018 – July 31, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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. Ford's number for this recall is 18S35.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov

2018 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

16% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning (Optional) Lane Departure Warning (Optional)

2 investigations

2018 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

17% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning (Optional) Lane Departure Warning (Optional)

2 investigations

733 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Ford Explorer.

Steering

ODI #11771891

Incident: May 20, 2026 · Filed: October 18, 2026

My steering wheel is turning 360 degrees. My tires are not always turning with the steering wheel. This may become dangerous and would like to know if the 23S63/2023-678 recall is affected with my 2018 Ford Explorer? If it is not affected with the recall above could this be considered a recall? Thank you.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11770605

Incident: October 11, 2026 · Filed: October 12, 2026

The water pump has failed

Engine

ODI #11768940

Incident: September 9, 2026 · Filed: October 5, 2026

MY VEHHICLE HAS BEEN TESTED BY FORD SERVICE CENTER AND FOUND TO BE AFFECTED BY THE FACTORY DEFECT THAT ALLOWS COOLANT TO LEAK CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WHERE THE ONLY REMEDY IS A NEW ENGINE BLOCK. MY VEHICLE HAS 69919 MILES. THE PROBLEM WAS RECOGNIZED WHEN THE VEHICLE BAGAN TO MISFIRE CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON RESULTING IN EXPENSIVE DIAGNOSTICS. FORD HAS PUT MY SAFETY AS WELL AS THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS IN JEOPARDY BY KNOWING BUT NOT DISCLOSING THIS FACTORY DEFECT THAT CAN BECOME CATASTROPHIC AT ANY GIVEN TIME. SERVICE ADVISORIES WERE SENT OUT TO EMPLOYEES BUT NO NOTIFICATION TO CUSTOMERS.

Power Train

ODI #11766098

Incident: September 11, 2026 · Filed: September 22, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle jerked. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed torque converter. The contact was informed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under Customer Satisfaction Program: 20N07. The failure mileage was approximately 107,300.

Structure

ODI #11766068

Incident: September 11, 2026 · Filed: September 22, 2026

Exterior B-Pillar Applique / Door Trim Panel with keypad: The exterior B-pillar trim piece on the driver side front door frame has experienced catastrophic adhesive failure and clip breakage, detaching at the top portion while driving. This plastic trim is flapping at highway speeds and is at imminent risk of completely flying off the vehicle. I'm sure this will be issue with other 3 doors at some point soon. This creates an immediate road hazard for trailing vehicles, motorcyclists, and pedestrians who could be struck by flying debris. It also distracts the driver due to severe wind noise and vibration. This identical structural failure is currently under active safety recall for 2016–2017 Ford Explorers under NHTSA Campaign Number 25S53 / Ford Recall 25S53. My 2018 model utilizes the exact same door frame and exterior trim engineering design, and is suffering from the identical defect. The manufacturing window for this known defect needs to be expanded by Ford to encompass 2018 model years, as the original adhesive/retention clip specifications clearly fail under normal vehicle aging. Thank you in advance.

Seat Belts

ODI #11765220

Incident: June 20, 2026 · Filed: September 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at higher speeds, the front driver’s side seat belt might not prevent him from hitting the steering wheel in the event of a crash or while depressing the brake pedal to come to a sudden stop. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11762772

Incident: October 4, 2024 · Filed: September 8, 2026

A pillar has not been fixed by local Ford dealership. A pillars are cracked and loose

Engine

ODI #11762305

Incident: August 21, 2026 · Filed: September 5, 2026

My 2018 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5L that we bought brand new from Bob Bell Ford/Glen Burnie Maryland had a water pump failure at only 72,344 miles, this was a safety concern when driving down the road that put us & others at risk. The only indication was dashboard warning that said (Engine coolant over temperature)This failure happened while taking daughter to college on 8/21/26 We had to get towed to independent service center 175 miles away & repaired at the cost of 2900.00.

Power Train; Unknown or Other

ODI #11762086

Incident: August 1, 2026 · Filed: September 4, 2026

At 30 to 40 mph, there is a shuttering or stutter in the transmission during acceleration. This is a problem when trying to enter traffic on the expressway (Interstate or other lanes of traffic). I have taken this to the dealer and they indicate that the transmission needs to be replaced. They indicate that there is metal shavings in the trans fluid. This is in line with similar Ford SUV and transmission problems. At this point in time there is no recall, but this matter should be address as it is in line with similar Ford transmission failures.

Power Train

ODI #11761954

Incident: July 12, 2026 · Filed: September 3, 2026

my transmission, like several others' I have spoken to, is about to lose reverse. The incident happened when i encountered a problem on the road and was UNABLE to put my car in reverse. I have taken it to several dealerships and nothing is ever done, it's been going on for years. Well now it's become more of a safety hazard since I do transport my children in the car.

Other Ford Explorer model years

Check your 2018 Ford Explorer VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Explorer at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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