2018 Ford Explorer problems and recalls

Owners filed 447 complaints on the 2018 Ford Explorer in the last three full years, out of 724 on record. The most cited component is the Structure.

724
Complaints
7
Recalls
15
Crash reports
7
Fire reports
12
Injuries
31.4
Severity index

Severity index 31.4 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 31.4p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 110 of 122 by severity index among 2018 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 10% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2018 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

StructureStructure: 287 complaints (39.6%)287 40%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 165 complaints (22.8%)165 23%EngineEngine: 93 complaints (12.8%)93 13%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 57 complaints (7.9%)57 8%Power TrainPower Train: 48 complaints (6.6%)48 7%Engine And Engine Cooli…Engine And Engine Cooling: 29 complaints (4.0%)29 4%Back Over PreventionBack Over Prevention: 26 complaints (3.6%)26 4%SuspensionSuspension: 23 complaints (3.2%)23 3%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
STRUCTURE28739.6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER16522.8%
ENGINE9312.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM577.9%
POWER TRAIN486.6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING294.0%
BACK OVER PREVENTION263.6%
SUSPENSION233.2%

Complaints filed per year

0951902018: 402019: 412020: 372021: 382022: 412023: 1232024: 1342025: 1902026: 80 (partial year)181920212223242519026
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201840
201941
202037
202138
202241
2023123
2024134
2025190
2026 (year to date)80
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 3.9x those in 2020 to 2022 (447 against 116).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
19V63300028/08/2019SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINERFord 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 recline
18V80700014/11/2018FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFord 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.
21V31600005/05/2021STRUCTURE:BODYFord 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.
24V03100019/01/2024STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARSFord 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.
25V68500010/10/2025EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATERFord 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 coolan
26V10100020/02/2026SUSPENSION:REARFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
26V44800014/07/2026STRUCTURE:BODYFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.

Other Ford Explorer model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 14 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-07. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.