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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2021 | STEERING | The steering stopped working. This happened a couple times and I stopped the suv and turned it off and when I turned it on it worked. This last time it completely stopped steering. The repair shop said it was a steering rack or something and the part had to come from Ford. This part was $1500.00. Now they say my rear suspension bushing need replacing along with a toe part causing excessive wear on my rear left tire. This part will cost me $600.00 plus. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Noticed smoke coming from vehicle as started driving vehicle, a short distance from WTS. A short time later flames were coming from behind the glove box. Driver was driving. The vehicle has not been inspected. It is unknown at this time if their were warning lamps. | Crash: No Fire: Yes | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Vehicle emits a mold smell through the cooling system. Entire system was replaced under warranty and problem returned within a year. The presence of mold can cause serious health issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, she became aware that the front passenger’s side windshield rubber trim and the weather protector plastic piece were flapping back and forth on the windshield and then flew off the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and placed the rubber trim piece back in the molding of the windshield and drove back to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 55,000 |
| Aug 2021 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the passenger’s side window frame detached without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 35,872 | Crash: No Fire: No | 35,872 |
| Aug 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | When accelerating there is an exhaust smell that seeps into the cabin of the car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION | According to Ford The APIM failed and needs to be replaced. The entire counsel is black and will not come on I can not control the heat in air in the back of my vehicle as well as the rear cameras, radio, navigation, car chargers, car play and other features. Before it went completely black and didn’t work it would disconnect the phone and turn off and on for about a week. This car is less than 3 years old. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | STRUCTURE | The failed component is the Roof Rail Caps. One of mine came off on the car wash. The other Roof Rail Cap keeps coming loose just driving around, I have to check the second Roof Rail Cap so it too does not fly off on the highway or come off in the car wash. I now have just the one Roof Rail Cap and it looks terrible. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that moisture had been entering the vehicle from an unknown place. The moisture had acuminated on the front driver’s side floor and later spread throughout the entire floor of the vehicle. The contact also stated that a strong mold odor was inside the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they informed her that the failure was not related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) for which the Vin was included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 55,000 |
| Jul 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2018 eXPLOERE AND EVERYTIME WE BACK UP THERE IS A LOUD CLUNK NOISE, i SEE THER IS A RECALL ON 2013-2017 BUT 2018 ALS O NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL THIS PROBELM NEEDS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Strong exhaust smell in the front cabin while driving 40+ mph. Resulting dizziness and nausea symptoms. Vehicle taken to dealer for diagnosis. Odometer reading 10560 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | STRUCTURE | Roof Rail cap flew off on Highway. Complained of issue was told its under investigation but no fix is available | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | STRUCTURE | Roofrack became detached while driving on freeway. Almost flew off in traffic and had to hold onto it while driving until I was able to pull over and tape it down. Almost flew off road while holding it down. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | air conditioning failed. dealer says its compressor, but they have had it for a month and cannot fix it. last excuse was a bolt fracture. bolt fracture? my previous 2013 explorer had a fire in the ac unit at 9 thousand miles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | On June 18, 2021 while driving we noticed a particular smell inside the vehicle while driving and stationary. When we exited the vehicle the smell was exact same smell as the exhaust coming from the car. All doors were closed to include rear hatch as it was 110 plus outside. We had the A/C on recirculating mode and wife complained of a headache and mentioned she had been getting headaches several times while in the vehicle and I too had a headache. I searched the web and came across the same in issue with this generation Explorer and people had stated the 2018 models had the same complaint but were not recalled. For the remainder of the trip we rolled windows down and used fresh air to clear to vehicle of the exhaust smell. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer as we have been driving another vehicle due to the safety risk of CO2 poisoning. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | TIRES | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer equipped with four Hankook tires, Tire line: Ventus S1 Noble S2, Tire Size 255/50/R20. DOT Number: 5mnb1ah1218. The contact stated while having a routine inspection was informed that the rear driver and passenger tires needed to be replaced due to unusual wear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they were unable to determine the failure cause. The manufacturer was not notified. The tire mileage was 50,000. The failure mileage was 14,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 14,000 |
| Jun 2021 | TIRES | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer equipped with Hankook Ventus S1 Noble 2 tires. Size: 255/50R20 105H, dot number: 5mnc 1ah 1218. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the 2 rear tires were prematurely worn out or will get a rejected sticker if not replaced. Owner went to Baystate Ford dealer in Easton MA where the failure was confirmed, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The contact was told by this dealer service that neither they or the manufacturer would offer any assistance for this failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | STRUCTURE | 2018 Ford Explorer. Consumer writes in regards to roof rail covers safety recall. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONSMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAR. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | WINDSHIELD TRIM PIECE CAME OFF WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY. | Crash: No Fire: No | 57,021 |
| Mar 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | TODAY I NOTICED THAT THE TRIM ON MY WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED, BROKEN AND FALLING OFF. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 40K MILES ON IT AND WOULD NOT HAVE EXPECTED THIS TO FALL APART ALREADY. THIS PAST YEAR I MAY HAVE DRIVEN MY CAR 5000 MILES. IT HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY STORMS OR EIGHT WIND SITUATIONS. I HAVE BEEN HEARING A STRANGE NOISE IN THE FRONT BUT DID NOT CONNECT THIS TO A TRIM MOLDING ISSUE. IT IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT COULD FLY OFF AND HIT A PEDESTRIAN,MOTORCYCLE RIDER OR BICYCLE RIDER OR EVEN ANOTHER VEHICLE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 44,000 |
| Mar 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | UNDER ACCELERATION WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SET TO RECIRCULATE THE CABIN FILLS WITH EXHAUST FUMES. | Crash: No Fire: No | 30,000 |
| Mar 2021 | STEERING | POWER STEERING WENT OUT TWICE. DEALERSHIP SAID NO PROBLEMS. NOW MAKE NOISE. DEALERSHIP STILL SAYS NO PROBLEM. BLAMED IT ON AGE. IT IS A 2018 SUV. SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. | Crash: No Fire: No | 35,000 |
| Feb 2021 | STRUCTURE | ON JANUARY 24, 2021 I BOUGHT MY CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2018 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE FOLLOWING WEEK I HEARD AN INTERMITTENT BANGING SOUND WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROX. 60 MPH. WHEN I GOT HOME I SAW THAT THE PLASTIC COVERINGS OF THE ROOF RACK RAILS WERE COMING OFF AND WERE WHAT WAS MAKING THE BANGING SOUND. FROM RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE IT APPEARS IF LEFT UNADDRESSED THE COVERS CAN FLY OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE ON THE ROAD. UNFORTUNATELY FORD HAS YET TO PROVIDE A FIX. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE ONLINE SHOW THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND FORD HAS YET TO PROVIDE A ADEQUATE SOLUTION FOR. SOME PEOPLE HAVE STATED THAT FORD'S FIX IS TO APPLY SILICONE TO THE CLIPS THAT COME LOOSE. UPON INSPECTION I SEE THAT SILICONE HAD BEEN APPLIED TO MINE PREVIOUSLY (NOT BY ME) AND THAT, LIKE MANY OTHER REPORT, THIS DOES NOT HOLD/ RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. MANY MORE USER COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE CAN BE FOUND HERE HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T73385_DS991660 | Crash: No Fire: No | 22,000 |
| Feb 2021 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | THIS CAR HAS A LEAK ISSUE. MULTIPLE POINTS OF ENTRY FOR WATER LEAVE THE CAR SOAKING WET AFTER RAIN. THIS ISSUE WAS UNKNOWN AS ALL-WEATHER LINERS WERE PLACED INTO THE CAR BLOCKING OCCUPANTS FROM BEING ABLE TO FEEL LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER ACCUMULATED ON THE FLOOR. MOLD GREW IN CAR AS OCCUPANTS DID NOT KNOW THAT THEIR WAS AN ISSUE POSING AN EXTREME HEALTH HAZARD TO ADULTS AND CHILDREN. THIS IS NOT SAFE. FORD KNOWS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND HAS NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CAR LEAKS WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. CARS ARE LEAKING FROM SUNROOFS, BOLTS, AND FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THIS IS MAKING PEOPLE SICK AND THEY DO NOT CARE. A CLASS ACTION SUIT NEEDS TO BE FILED AGAINST FORD. MY CAR HAD TO BE REPAIRED TWICE AT HAWKS PRAIRIE AUTOMOTIVE IN LACEY, WA IN DECEMBER 2020 AND JANUARY 2021. RECEIPTS CAN BE PROVIDED. I AM UNSURE IF THIS ACTUALLY REPAIRED THE ISSUE COMPLETELY. | Crash: No Fire: No | 42,000 |
| Jan 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | ROOF RACK CONTINUALLY POPS LOOSE WHILE DRIVING. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |