Complaint volume
711 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
711 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Ford Explorer, grouped by component category.
711 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
711 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Apr 2023 | STRUCTURE | The windshield trim flew off of my car as we were driving down the highway and behind us into traffic. The whole chunk is missing. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | ENGINE | This complaint is regarding faulty water pumps in certain Ford vehicles. This is a known issue that Ford refuses to acknowledge. There are several class action lawsuits filed against Ford as well. The water pump is positioned in the engine’s center section, coolant leaks straight into the oil bucket. The coolant leak causes the engine to overheat and seize, prompting a new purchase. An overheated engine results in a blown head gasket, which causes the engine to underperform, worsening the heating condition. Engine failure can happen anywhere and cause danger to occupants or other drivers on the road. I had the best Ford warranty on my 2018 Ford Explorer. It expired when I reached 101,000 miles. At 103,0870 miles, I was in our Ford Dealership for an oil change. That is when they found coolant leaking. They said I needed a new water pump. The repair was to cost $3,613.98. I paid for the repair but also called Ford to see if they had a program to help with the cost of this repair. They said no. I filed a complaint and, of course, nobody contacted me. Luckily, this was found before I lost the engine like a lot of people are experiencing. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The trim around my windshield on my driver's side blew off of the car. It is totally missing. Upon research, this appears to be a pretty common problem and it is very dangerous. Parts coming loose while driving could injure other drivers. No warning that the piece was loose. I am not sure who to report the problem to, I am going to call the dealership tomorrow and my warranty company. My concern is that the replacement piece may not stay on the car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | ENGINE | Water pump is inside engine and apparently known to be faulty. After being stranded in traffic behind an accident in winter in Maine It was well below zero and I could not move from the backed up traffic. Had to shut off car and weather was dangerously cold. I brought to dealership I bought it at. Note there was no warning before the car was fully overheated and coolant was empty. They said water pump and told me to go to specifically ford dealership as I bought used from same family of dealerships but not specifically ford. After a month of adding fluid daily ford dealership tells me that water pump is inside engine and costs nearly as much as new engine to repair. They cannot get in for a month quoted two days and 2800 dollars. The delays from both dealerships could result in new engine needed. This is known issue that can destroy the engine as well and should be a recall. Class action lawsuit filed and I believe canada is forcing the repairs to be covered. It is available for inspection and I have to date paid 600 dollars so far for two dealerships to inspect it and not fix the issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | STRUCTURE | Passenger side A Pillar outside trim became loose starting at the top. Clips failed to hold it secure. Broke off in rain storm while driving on expressway. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The Sync infotainment screen is inoperable and black. My backup camera is no longer operational. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the application programming interface module (APIM) needed to be replaced; however, the part for the repair was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | While traveling at highway speed, the driver's side windshield pillar trim detached itself from the vehicle and flew into the roadway resulting in the following vehicle needing to take evasive maneuvers to avoid collision. In June of 2021 the passenger side piece also detached at highway speed and collided with the following vehicle. Ford does not offer a more robust replacement part, so there is no way for drivers to remedy this hazard. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | STRUCTURE | Driving on interstate and driver's side panel trim of windshield come off over the weekend. There were no known symptoms or problems prior to the failure. The passenger side looks like it's loose. Have been by the dealer but they have no recall information. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |