2018 Ford Explorer Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
53/100
#8 most-complained of 16 Explorer years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2018 Ford Explorer has 731 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 53, and 7 recalls, ranking it 8th worst of 16 model years — a Caution year, not among the best or worst Explorers.
- Complaints
- 731
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 16 / 7
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 24 hwy
Top 2018 Ford Explorer problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body296 (40%)
- Other171 (23%)
- Engine129 (18%)
- Electrical System62 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain50 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires40 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras29 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers27 (4%)
- Fuel System23 (3%)
- Steering20 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report roof rail covers or A-pillar trim coming loose and detaching from the body.
- Some drivers describe a burning odor from the vents that dealers traced to engine compartment issues, in at least one case linked to a fire.
- Rear suspension toe links have fractured, causing the vehicle to pull hard to one side or fishtail at highway speed.
- Front seats have collapsed rearward in rear-end collisions, reducing seat belt effectiveness.
- Some owners report sudden unintended acceleration or airbags failing to deploy during low-speed impacts.
- A few complaints describe engine compartment fires that spread into the passenger area.
2018 Ford Explorer recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V448000Jul 14, 2026Structure & Body288,314 vehicles
Structure:body
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
- NHTSA 26V101000Feb 20, 2026Suspension, Wheels & Tires412,774 vehicles
Suspension:rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.
- NHTSA 25V685000Oct 10, 2025Other59,006 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
2018 Ford Explorer fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Ford Explorer reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 Explorer carries a Complaint Index of 53 and ranks 8th worst out of 16 model years, giving it a Caution rating relative to other Explorer years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Explorer?
- Structure & Body complaints make up 40% of all reports (296 complaints), followed by Engine issues at 18% (129 complaints) and Electrical System issues at 8% (62 complaints).
- Does the 2018 Ford Explorer have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2018 Explorer, including roof rail covers detaching, A-pillar trim clips failing, rear suspension toe link fractures, and a fuel pressure sensor leak.
- What year Ford Explorer should I avoid?
- Among Explorer model years, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2020 are rated Avoid, with 2016 having the highest Complaint Index at 100; the 2018 model, with an index of 53, is milder but still rated Caution.
- At what mileage do 2018 Explorer problems usually appear?
- Structure & Body complaints have a median mileage at failure of 60,349 miles, while Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints show a median of 28,000 miles.