AI Damage2018 Ford Explorer: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Ford Explorer filed 733 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure and engine. The maker issued 88 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 733
- involving a crash
- 15
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 88
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 39% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 4% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- 7 Backover prevention 4% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 3% of all complaints
- Structure: 288 complaints (39% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Engine: 95 complaints (13% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Electrical system: 57 complaints (8% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 36.
- Powertrain: 50 complaints (7% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
- Engine and cooling: 29 complaints (4% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.3 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 6 complaints
- 3.5 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 6 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 733 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 288 | 4 | 7 |
| Engine | 95 | 2 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 57 | 3 | 36 |
| Powertrain | 50 | 1 | 20 |
| Engine and cooling | 29 | 0 | 7 |
| Visibility | 27 | 0 | 1 |
| Backover prevention | 26 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension | 23 | 2 | 1 |
| Steering | 21 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 11 | 3 | 0 |
| Tires | 10 | 0 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 10 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 2 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving approximately 25 MPH, the infotainment screen turned blank, and a large wrench warning light illuminated. The vehicle independently accelerated, became uncontrollable, and drifted out of the intended lane. The contact regained partial control as the vehicle continued accelerating toward an embankment.
Cracking my left headlight and denting my bumper. The car was in park, and I was unable to move the steering wheel. I had no control of the car. Thank goodness no one was standing in front of me. If it had happened just a short time before when I was at a splash pad full of children, it could have killed people.
My 2018 Ford Explorer rolled backwards down a hill while in park and engine off.
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…
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.
When driving the car I corrected to move further to the left on the road. In doing so it felt like I ran over something and all of a sudden the car accelerated (initially I was driving around 20-25 mph) and I struck a tree. I sustained a T Spine fracture and was hospitalized for 5 days.
My ford explorer air bags did not deploy. I was on a city street the other vehicle was just beginning to turn.
Upon impact my vehicle's front seats collapsed into the back seats causing the seat belts to be ineffective. As a result the passenger in my vehicle sustained back and neck injuries. My vehicle was stationary as the traffic was at a standstill.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 64 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 3% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Explorer has 617 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 733, above average.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- 25E10-S1 Owner letter
- NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 25E10 - Supplement #1 Certain 2018-2020 Model Year F-150…
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 25E10 - Supplement #1 Certain 2018-2020 Model Year F-150 Vehicles With 3.3L Engines and 2016-2019 Model Year Explorer, Taurus, and Flex Vehicles With 3.5L Engines Powertrain…
- Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and…
Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and Escape, 2016-2024 Model Year Explorer, 2019-2020 Model Year Fusion, 2016-2018 Model Year Focus RS, 2022-2024…
- Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines…
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless…
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated…
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns …
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
- "Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions
• Customer concern of a vibration or rough idle in D or R • Shudder while driving • Lack of engine RPM • Low performance, lack of acceleration on take off"
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some…
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019…
- Some 2018-2019 Explorer and 2018-2024 Transit/F-150/Expedition/Navigator vehicles may exhibit an…
Some 2018-2019 Explorer and 2018-2024 Transit/F-150/Expedition/Navigator vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0627, P025A, P025B, P00C6, P008A and/or U0109 stored in the…
- All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory…
NHTSA lists 88 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Explorer?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: structure, engine, electrical system. Total complaints: 733. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (14%), windows, sunroof (7%), infotainment or screen glitches (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA lists 88 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Ford Explorer from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.