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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | While driving down the interstate a trim piece fllew off of my vehicle.. It was on the driver's side windshield support. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | STRUCTURE | Windshield trim piece came off while driving on the interstate | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structurer) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while approaching a stop light, the vehicle started to vibrate without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the transmission support needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure continued. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the transmission might have malfunctioned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that there was no recall for the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 78,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 78,000 |
| Mar 2023 | ENGINE | Water pump leaking on 2018 Explorer with only 72,365. Dealer said it should be replaced or it could fail destroying the engine. This is the 4th major problem I have had with this vehicle. Not that old to have so many problems. Ford picked up some of the cost but still cost me $850. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | TIRES | All 4 Tires Size 255/50R20 Have Cracked, Split and separated around tread. Extremely unsafe. Vehicle has near 40,000 miles. Vehicle was purchased in May 2018 with these tires already installed. There needs to be a recall, as now we will need to purchase 4 new tires at one time when this should not have happened. We can not use our vehicle until we can replace all 4. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | STRUCTURE | Driving on the highway and drivers side windshield trim blew off at highway speeds almost hitting vehicles behind me. I'm not sure if it hit anyone. I pulled over as soon as I could and no one else pulled over. It could have caused serious accidents. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The windshield trim will not stay on-I will have to take in for replacement. I have already read this was an ongoing issue and was being investigated so I wanted to get my report in as well. This should be a recall issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 70 MPH, the exterior rubber molding from the front passenger’s side windshield trim detached from the vehicle and struck a second vehicle. The contact stated that 3 of the 4 windshield trim panels had become loosened and were not properly secured to the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact referenced the NHTSA Investigation: PE23001 and stated that the vehicle had experience the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 55,000 |
| Mar 2023 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Around 4:45 , was unable to access cruise control the message rapidly flashed., loss of headlights and all lighting for a few seconds. Was going 70 mph. I exited the interstate to turn around and go to my work on southbound the wrench light came on and I lost power steering, power, acceleration in my turn on the on ramp and proceeded off the road onto the incline somehow avoiding a rollover and teetering sideways. Meanwhile no power to open my window etc. at an angle where I couldn’t open the door, took a minute to get out of the seatbelt. Suddenly got my window able to open and crawled out. The cops, and tow truck couldn’t believe I didn’t roll. The car was at a dealership the previous week for loss of power and terai. System problems/ no power steering and they replaced the throttle body 3 days before this happened. I’ve had multiple electrical/exhaust/power failures. I am terrified to drive this vehicle. It’s been to different dealerships and the ford ones and ford don’t care (only the dealership I purchased it at tries) it is at a fifth one now. We have forscan reports of the failures also. Multiple images at scene also. Car wouldn’t drive correctly and terrain management fault, unloaded itself from trailer too. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | STRUCTURE | On a trip from South Carolina to New York, both A-pillar trims blew off on the highway. I am attributing this to both the fluctuations in temperature in the prior 12 hours (over 30 degrees) and a known issue with this vehicle. It was also very windy out. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Water pump leaking | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I have had three incidents of total brake failure on this vehicle. First, about 3 months ago I could not stop while parking in my garage and hit a work bench. I chalked it up to just a weird low speed incident as the brakes worked fine the next time I drove it. Second, I was traveling on wet roads and 27 degree weather and could not stop for a yellow light. At the time I attributed it to an icey skid because, again, the brakes worked fine the next time I needed them. But in retrospect, I do not recall any feeling that the brakes were working. Lastly, today I rear ended a car in front of me when the brakes and the supposed forward collision system both failed dramatically. I was probably going 25 MPH coming to a red light and started to apply my brakes several hundred feet before the intersection. Nothing happened and I, panicked, began pumping the pedal relentlessly. Finally the dashboard crash warning light started flashing and still no drop in speed. I tried to get into low gear, but by that time it was too late and I crashed into a van in front of me. It totaled my car and pretty well wiped out the rear doors and windows of the van. Fortunately, no one was injured. I was not cited because an EMT nurse was in the lane beside me and witnessed my brake pumping, steering wheel grabbing actions and could tell what was going on. The police are going to investigate the brake problem as well as my insurance company, USAA. There have been no brake recalls issued for my vehicle and any other recalls are up to date. There are approximately 50000 miles on it and it has had meticulous care and regular maintenance and brake shoes are still listed as good condition on my last visit for an oil change. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the infotainment screen was inoperable. 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 89,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 89,000 |
| Feb 2023 | STRUCTURE | roof rail cover flew off on interstate | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | STRUCTURE | The passenger side front windshield A pillar outer trim flew off the car when we were driving on CA freeway 15 on Saturday, February 25, 2023. The entire molding flew off and we don’t know if it hit any cars behind us since we were going at least 70 mph. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the rearview camera screen was blue and inoperable. The contact stated the “Camera not Available” warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the rearview camera to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 40,000 |
| Feb 2023 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | I have a 2018 Ford Explorer. My SYNC 3 is showing a black screen due to a failed APIM. I do not have my rear camera, GPS, or hands-free capability which impedes driving safely. Ford has recalled multiple other years of my vehicle for this same reason, but not the 2018. Ford has also extended it's warranty up to 7 years/100,000 miles on some years of my vehicle, for the same reason, but not the 2018. I am reading that there are numerous other owners who a have the same problem with only an expensive resolution. The Ford dealer confirmed the need to replace the APIM today at a cost of $1,417. This is unacceptable due to the safety factor and that they know this is a problem in their vehicles. I reported it to Ford and their response was my warranty is expired and there is no recall, so I have to pay. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the driver’s side roof rail suddenly detached from the roof of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 81,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 81,000 |
| Feb 2023 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Our 2018 Ford Explorer windshield trim panel is partially detached. The detachment is on the passenger side lower corner of the windshield and continues up for 9 inches. No crash has occurred as of this time. I reported the detachment to our local Ford Dealer and they were unconcerned. We first noticed a litter detachment late Fall of 2022. The detachment had since extended up the windshield. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started overheating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a faulty water pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 131,000 |
| Feb 2023 | STRUCTURE | The passenger roof "A" pillar (lower half) blew off the vehicle at about 70 MPH. The pillar was not damaged prior to the failure and was not vibrating or making noise prior to suddenly blowing off. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | STRUCTURE | Windshield pillar driverside flew off driving up interstate. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | STRUCTURE | While driving at highway speed, both windshield trim covers flew off and away from our vehicle. Fortunately there were no cars behind us at the time but had there been that piece would have surely hit and potentially impacted their vehicle. I understand this is happening to many of the ford explorers on the road and it is extremely unsafe. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | VISIBILITY | The contact called on behalf of her daughter who owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after her daughter had placed her 8-month-old grandchild in a car seat in the second-row rear driver’s side seat, she heard a loud banging sound coming from the vehicle. The contact's daughter, was outside of the vehicle at the time the failure occurred and noticed that the center of the rear windshield had exploded, projecting shattered pieces of glass that reached her grandchild’s car seat. There was no injury sustained. The contact' daughter was able to drive the vehicle to her residence while her grandchild was transported by a family member. The dealer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |