2018 Ford Explorer Problems, Recalls & Reliability
875 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2018 Ford Explorer, alongside 7 recall campaigns and 2 defect investigations. It scores 20/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Body & structure leads the reports, typically around 60,950 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2018 Ford Explorer has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 2018 sits among all Explorer years
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 Explorer
“A-pillar passenger side window trim came loose, would not pop back in, and broke off while driving down the highway.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 Explorer
“Engine light turning off and on. Engine overheating light on. Told by Ford dealership that I need engine replacement.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 Explorer
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the infotainment screen was inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the application programming interface module (APIM)…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 Explorer
“Total transmission failure for no known reason with less than 3000 miles and 4 months old. Cannot be fixed, must be replaced.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 Explorer
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the rearview camera screen was blue and inoperable. The contact stated the “Camera not Available” warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the rearview camera to be…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 Explorer
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 312 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 50,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 22,000 and 81,135 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (7)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
Fix: 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, are…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 24V031.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2018 Ford Explorer reliable?
The 2018 Ford Explorer drew 875 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 20/100, scored against the model's worst year (2002).
What are the most common 2018 Ford Explorer problems?
The top reported problems for the 2018 Ford Explorer are body & structure (287 complaints), other (167), and engine (123).
At what mileage do 2018 Ford Explorer problems show up?
Owners most often report 2018 Ford Explorer problems around 50,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 22,000 and 81,135 miles.
Does the 2018 Ford Explorer have recalls?
7 recall campaigns apply to the 2018 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.