Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2018 Ford Explorer has 7 recalls, 724 complaints, and a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
7
Recalls
724
Complaints
★★★★★
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated September 8, 2026
19V633000
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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 Fo...
18V807000
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...
21V316000
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 ...
24V031000
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 t...
25V685000
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 Corsai...
26V101000
SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
26V448000
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.
Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★★
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rating for: 2018 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 25, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE THAT SOME OF THE EXTERIOR A-PILLAR APPLIQUE TRI... |
| Aug 22, 2026 | SUSPENSION | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle vee... |
| Aug 1, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Failure in the adhesion of the dash cover and is available for inspection. My safety is at risk due ... |
| Jul 28, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | The transmission is actively slipping and dropping out of gear while driving causing unexpected loss... |
| Jul 22, 2026 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 2... |
| Jul 14, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Dealership is not honoring active recalls due to body damage causing car to be deemed total loss by ... |
| Jul 12, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | my transmission, like several others' I have spoken to, is about to lose reverse. The incident happe... |
| Jul 12, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | July 12, 2026 I returned home and parked about 10 ft from my garage. I put my car in park, turned of... |
| Jul 8, 2026 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | This vehicle was inspected by a certified Ford dealership (Premier Ford, Service Advisor: Harry). Fo... |
| Jul 2, 2026 | SEAT BELTS | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the driver's side front seat belt fai... |
| Jul 1, 2026 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 2... |
| Jun 29, 2026 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The windshield wiper motor failed, causing the windshield wipers to stop operating properly. At the ... |
| Jun 18, 2026 | ENGINE | While driving at highway speed on a 2-lane highway with three children under the age of [XXX] in the... |
| Jun 12, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | Less that 100k miles and my transmission already needs replaced. Last year my engine was sputtering... |
| Jun 6, 2026 | ENGINE | My vehicles transmission has been replaced 2 times already (3 years apart)- now it is overheating. A... |
| Jun 2, 2026 | SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE | Attempted to make an appointment on XXX with [XXX], 2121 W Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85023 phone 602-375... |
| Jun 1, 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE | The driver side Keyless door entry pillar has come off on the highway and hit something. The key... |
| May 29, 2026 | STRUCTURE | The exterior A-pillar applique trim piece began detaching from the vehicle while driving. The part b... |
| May 20, 2026 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The horn on my vehicle activates (blows) when I turn the steering wheel to certain positions. I bel... |
| May 18, 2026 | STRUCTURE | The driver’s side B-pillar popped off while driving on the highway at appx. 65mph. It snapped in hal... |