Complaint volume
694 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
694 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Ford Explorer, grouped by component category.
694 Total complaints
12 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 12 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 281 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 53,203 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?
12 Crash
7 Fire
12 Injury
0 Fatality
29 Towed
5 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Ford Explorer complaint categories?
STRUCTURE 248
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 113
ENGINE 55
POWER TRAIN 25
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 20
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18
SUSPENSION 14
BACK OVER PREVENTION 12
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 11
STEERING 10
694 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that coolant was leaking from the engine and the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the water pump was replaced; however, the contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the water pump had failed again. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The failure mileage was 81,135. | Crash: No Fire: No | 81,135 |
| Jun 2023 | POWER TRAIN | The vehicle had a premature water pump failure that leaked antifreeze into the engine compartment and caused the engine to seize up while traveling at a higher rate of speed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Leaking exhuast fumes into the cab. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Have had the vehicle for less than a year have had nothing but lil problems but recently have gotten a cranking noise, transmission / coolant leaking under the vehicle. Also have water leaking from the exhaust line when car is in park. Driving back from work early in the morning a sounded like a big pop not sure what it have may been took it to the mechanic ass well twice an got it diagnosed an they’re response was they couldn’t find the problem. The area I’ve seen an heard the clunking the most would be under the vehicle at the center by the catalyst converter. Transmission jerks as well I’ve had this vehicle for 8 months a don’t seem to be what a vehicle should be doing. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | STRUCTURE | Windshield allows wind noise to come through. components loose scare it might fly off | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | Dealer refuses to repair vehicle without issues being present. States They will only fix it once the problem has arisen. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | I’ve taken my vehicle multiple times to the Ford dealership due to continuing issues. Every time I’m told nothing is wrong and now I can’t even drive my car 5 feet. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while her husband was driving approximately 45 MPH, the check engine warning light started flashing. The contact stated that after blinking twice, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The driver coasted to the side of the roadway and had the vehicle towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The certified mechanic explained that coolant had leaked into the engine oil causing the engine to fail. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed the diagnostic result and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 73,000 |
| Jun 2023 | STRUCTURE | A Piller trim came flying off on the highway. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while pulling into a parking lot, the high engine temperature message was displayed. Additionally, the “Low Coolant – Pull Over and Check Coolant” message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 67,707. | Crash: No Fire: No | 67,707 |
| Jun 2023 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side windshield trim detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the windshield trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but did not provide any assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 72,000. The VIN was not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 72,000 |
| Jun 2023 | STRUCTURE | Paint bubbling on hood near grill | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the passenger’s side dashboard. Over time, the sound spread to the middle and driver’s side of the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the weather stripping on the dashboard had started to detach from the panel, and that the cowl panel needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 60,000 |
| May 2023 | STRUCTURE | While driving on the highway the right windshield trim piece on the pillar completely ripped off. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the leather on the dashboard was peeling, and the contact was concerned that the passenger's side air bag might deploy. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 15,000 |
| May 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The driver side trim piece near the windshield blew off while driving down the highway. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | WINDSHIELD TRIM CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS DIRECTLY BEHIND ME , BUT ANOTHER DRIVER ON THE RIGHT OF ME SAW THE PIECE FLAGGED ME DOWN TO LET ME KNOW. AND INFORMED THAT THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION ABOUT THIS PIECE | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | STRUCTURE | While driving 75 mph on I-80 in Nebraska, the passenger side windshield trim flew off my 2018 Ford Explorer with no warning. This is the second time it has happened, although we heard something hitting the car before it flew off the first time. This was in 2020. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | On 2018 ford explorer, the windshield trim on passenger side came off during a road trip. Vehicle was going 70mph and the trim piece flew off. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | STRUCTURE | I was driving on the interstate, traveling about 70 MPH, when my windshield trim piece of my car just detached and flew off the car. There was no initial impact or causing factor when this occurred. I was confused and looked back when it happened not knowing that a piece of my car had flown off in the moment. I do not know if it struck another car or caused any damage to other vehicles. The car behind me was still behind me and did not crash at least. There was no warning lights or prior accidents or damage to the car when this occurred. The vehicle other than this is still in good shape and has not had any other problems. I called my dealership about getting the piece to be replaced and the dealership said that this was a very common occurrence on Ford Explorers. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Both of the front window panels/trim on the outside flew off on the highway. Two different incidents. As if they are not properly installed because why are they so loose and flying off. Ford needs to fix this with a recall this is ridiculous | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I was driving on Interstate 75 Sunday April 30 , when the Windshield A-Pillar molding trim ,passenger side blew off and flew into the traffic behind me. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | STRUCTURE | The windshield trim is dethatching from the vehicle. The detached item can cause damage to other vehicles or injury to other motorist. The problem has been confirmed by a service center but not inspected. There is no warning lamp, discovered after hearing a noise while driving. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Water pump failing, has leak | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | STRUCTURE | The contact’s wife owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the dashboard had started to peel. The contact also noticed that bubbles had started to form on the passenger’s side dashboard to the driver’s side dashboard above the air bag housing. The contact also stated that he noticed that the leather had started to peel. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he was concerned that the failure could cause the air bag to deploy erroneously. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage approximately 50,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 50,000 |