2018 Ford Explorer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Ford Explorer ranks 9th worst of 21 model years with a complaint index of 60 and a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 731 complaints, 7 recalls, 16 crashes, and 7 fires, with Structure & Body issues making up 40% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 Explorer years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 731
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 16
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
Top 2018 Ford Explorer problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report engine compartment fires and burning smells coming from the air conditioning vents, sometimes traced to a coolant-related odor.
- Some drivers describe unexpected sudden acceleration or the vehicle lurching forward while parking or driving at low speed, leading to collisions.
- Front seats reportedly collapsed rearward in a rear-end collision, making seat belts ineffective and contributing to passenger injuries.
- Airbags allegedly failed to deploy in frontal or side impact crashes despite noticeable vehicle damage.
- Rear suspension toe links have reportedly fractured while driving, causing the vehicle to pull hard to one side or fishtail.
- Drivers report the vehicle suddenly pulling or veering off course at highway speed, resulting in loss of control.
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?
- Compared with other Explorer model years, 2018 ranks 9th worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 60 and a Caution verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Explorer?
- Structure & Body complaints lead at 40% of all reports, followed by Engine issues at 18% and Electrical System issues at 8%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2018 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns tied to the 2018 Explorer, covering roof rail covers, rear suspension toe links, A-pillar trim clips, seat structures, a fuel pressure sensor leak, and a block heater issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Should I avoid the 2018 Ford Explorer?
- The 2018 Explorer carries a Caution verdict, not an Avoid verdict. Several other Explorer years, including 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017, have higher complaint indexes and Avoid verdicts.
- How many miles do 2018 Explorer problems typically show up at?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 50,000 miles across all reported issues for the 2018 Explorer.