Complaint volume
710 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2018 Ford Explorer Complaints
710 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Ford Explorer, grouped by component category.
710 Total complaints
14 Crash reports
7 Fire reports
12 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are structure, unknown or other, engine. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 14 crash reports, 7 fire reports, 12 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 284 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 53,609 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to structure, unknown or other, engine?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2018 Ford Explorer?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2018 Ford Explorer
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2018 Ford Explorer complaints?
14 Crash
7 Fire
12 Injury
0 Fatality
30 Towed
5 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Ford Explorer complaint categories?
STRUCTURE 250
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 114
ENGINE 57
POWER TRAIN 27
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18
SUSPENSION 15
BACK OVER PREVENTION 12
STEERING 11
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 11
710 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2025 | STRUCTURE | 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the A-pillar trim on the passenger’s side of the vehicle was raised up by the slipstream and was blown off the vehicle. The contact stated that the driver's side A-pillar trim was also rising up but had not been blown off the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 130,000 |
| Feb 2025 | STRUCTURE | 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the driver's side A-pillar trim had detached. The failure mileage was 150,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 150,000 |
| Feb 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Torque converter failed at 60k miles. Engine failure at 110k miles while driving causing risk of serious injury due to being stranded in the road. Transmission failure at 127k miles causing risk of serious injury or death due to failing while driving. Driver was unable to accelerate vehicle in automatic (rpms would increase to unsafe levels but no speed was gained). Driver able to switch to Sporty mode and manually switch between gears enough to safely exit the highway. This particular model of the Explorer has been a mess and a headache from day one! Attempted to request a buyback from Ford, which was denied. Ford did provide partial assistance with the replacement of the engine, but refuse to provide any assistance with the transmission failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | STRUCTURE | 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 contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | POWER TRAIN | I bought my 2018 Explorer in July of 2024, End of November 2024 it was completely dead no power what so ever, got it jumped and replaced the battery. Things had been going well until the middle of January I had to jump it every day took it to my dealership they tested the battery and said it had a bad cell, I took the battery back to where I bought it and had it replaced everything went fine again for a week and back to jumping it every single day except this time it would even jump with a jumper pack. There is no lights or warnings on at all indicating at problem | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | STRUCTURE | 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 contact stated that the manufactured had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | STRUCTURE | 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the A-pillar trim on the passenger’s side was loosened at the top of the trim. Additionally, the rubber gasket around the windshield at the bottom of the windshield under the windshield wipers, was loosened and disintegrating. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 20,000 |
| Feb 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Description In some of the affected vehicles it may be possible that some of the exterior a-pillar applique trim clip attachments are not properly engaged due to improper assembly or repair. If this occurs, the a-pillar applique trim, which borders the right and left side of the windshield, may be loose, missing or become detached. Safety Risk An exterior a-pillar trim part that detaches while driving can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. I bought the car Jauary 19, 2024. The parts to fix this was supposed to be here by fall of 2024. This is affecting my job and will not be able to work soon. I do uber and they want this fixed or they will cancel me. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | The High-Speed Cooling Fan Motor Relay (Recall 21N01) and the Exterior A-Pillar Apical Molding (Recall 24V031) failed on my vehicle. The cooling fan caused the engine to overheat repeatedly, and the vehicle became undrivable. Unfortunately, I no longer have the vehicle, as it was surrendered to my bank and later sold at auction. However, service records, diagnostic reports, and recall information are available upon request. The overheating engine presented a significant safety risk while driving, as it could have caused the vehicle to stall or catch fire. A AAA roadside technician confirmed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the overheating issue. This defect left me stranded, requiring alternative transportation and creating a hazard for others on the road had I continued driving the vehicle. Yes, the problem was confirmed by a AAA roadside technician, who performed a diagnostic scan and identified that the engine overheating was due to a defective cooling fan relay. The issue aligns with Recall 21N01. The molding defect (Recall 24V031) was not specifically inspected, but it was noted as part of the recall documentation. No, the vehicle was not inspected by Ford or any other representatives after the issues arose. I checked Ford’s website in February 2024 and learned about the recalls, but I was never notified by Ford about these safety defects while I owned the vehicle. AAA provided the only diagnostic assessment before I surrendered the vehicle to my bank. Yes, there were symptoms prior to the failure. The vehicle’s engine temperature warning light came on repeatedly, and the battery required constant recharging. The overheating symptoms first appeared in February 2024, and the vehicle became completely undrivable the next day. | Crash: No Fire: Yes | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | STRUCTURE | 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | ENGINE | My 2018 Ford Explorer rolled backwards down a hill while in park and engine off. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | STRUCTURE | 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 contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | STRUCTURE | 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 were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | STRUCTURE | 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 contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | STRUCTURE | 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | STRUCTURE | 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 contact stated that the manufactured had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | STRUCTURE | 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | ENGINE | We took the car in for the recall 24V031 which is not able to be fixed at this time due to lack of parts. The Ford dealership explained to us that there were 2 other recalls on this vehicle that had not been addressed. They asked us if we wanted them fixed. We agreed to have them fixed. One being the luggage rack clips the other being high speed fan motor relay switch. The luggage rack was completed. The dealership replaced the fan not the relay switch as the recall indicated. When we brought the vehile home, the fan was super loud and would come on when ever it wanted too, whether the vehicle was running or shut off. It would also runn continuously even though it was not hot out nor had the car been running. We took the car back to the dealership. They looked into it. Ordered apart that never came. They had our car for 3 weeks and finally after arguing amongst themselves determined the relay switch should be replaced. Once we brought the car home, again the fan is super loud and runs randomly. The dealership has washed their hands of this situation. Telling us we are welcome to take it to another dealership as they believe the fan is running properly. We never had any indication that the fan was running improperly to begin with. My car was quiet and ran wonderfully. Now it is loud and actually embarrassing. Our friend was walking by and heard a loud noise like an airplane. He turned the corner and said wow that's your fan in the explorer, that isn't right. This sucks. I love my explorer but because of this I really don't. I believe it is not fixed and maybe never needed to be fixed. We followed all of the channels thru Ford to have this remedied. Now I am putting it in your hands. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | STRUCTURE | 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | STRUCTURE | 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 contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, the driver's side windshield exterior A-Pillar trim detached. The contact later applied tape to secure the trim. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was inspected; however, the dealer confirmed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 140,000 |
| Jan 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon his mother attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the high-speed cooling fan motor relay. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N01. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 90,000 |
| Jan 2025 | STRUCTURE | 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing coolant, but there was no indication of a coolant leak. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was cool air coming from the heater vents. The contact called an independent mechanic for orange coolant, who informed the contact that the coolant was on backorder. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for a routine oil change and diagnosed that the water pump was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was approximately 95,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 95,000 |
| Jan 2025 | STRUCTURE | The A-pillar appliqué trim has cracked and is pulling away from body of vehicle. There is a safety recall notice that was issued in February 2024. I have been calling regarding remedy of this issue and I have been told parts are still not available. It has almost been one year. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | While driving down the interstate, parts on both sides of my windsheild came flying off, leaving the sides of my windshield exposed and debris flying behind me into oncoming traffic. I got notice of the recall, called FORD, they indicated it would be fine, its not dangerous, and parts were on back order until February. This happened, I called FORD again, and now the parts are not available until MARCH. Meanwhile I'm drivng around with missing pieces on either side of my windwhield, a whistling wind noise in the interior of my car and possibly damaged someone behind me on the interstate. this is unacceptable on behalf of ford. please advise. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |