2018 Ford Explorer Structure & Body Problems
NHTSA lists 296 Structure & Body complaints for the 2018 Ford Explorer, 40% of its 731 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 60,349. Four related recalls cover roof rail covers, A-pillar trim, and seat structure, though none require parking outside or stopping driving.
- Structure & Body complaints
- 296
- 40% of 731
- Crashes reported
- 5
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 3
- Median mileage
- 60,349 mi
- Related recalls
- 4
Typical body and structure symptoms owners report
- Roof rail covers detach or pop loose at highway speed, sometimes striking the roof or flying off the vehicle.
- A-pillar trim pieces come loose and detach while driving, in one case striking a following vehicle.
- Windshield molding has separated from the windshield at highway speed and flown off.
- Doors have flown open while driving, and some owners report doors leaking after being twisted or warped.
- Keyless entry door pillar panels have come off while driving, with one owner noting the panel is held on with a small clip and double-sided tape.
When 2018 Ford Explorer body and structure complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 13, 2018, latest Sep 22, 2026.
Structure & Body recalls for the 2018 Ford Explorer
- 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 24V031000Jan 19, 2024Structure & Body1,889,110 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
- NHTSA 21V316000May 5, 2021Structure & Body616,967 vehicles
Structure:body
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.
- NHTSA 19V633000Aug 28, 2019Structure & Body639,137 vehicles
Seats:mid/rear assembly
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
Structure & Body complaints by Explorer model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are structure and body complaints on the 2018 Ford Explorer?
- NHTSA records 296 Structure & Body complaints for this year, which is 40% of all 731 complaints filed for the 2018 Explorer.
- Is there a recall for the 2018 Ford Explorer's roof rails or body panels?
- Yes. NHTSA lists recall campaigns 26V448000 and 21V316000 for roof rail covers detaching, plus 24V031000 for A-pillar trim clips, and 19V633000 for seat structure.
- At what mileage do these structure and body problems tend to show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 60,349 miles.
- Have there been crashes or injuries linked to these body issues?
- NHTSA data tied to this problem area on the 2018 Explorer shows 5 crashes and 3 injuries, with no fires reported.
- Do I need to stop driving or park outside because of these recalls?
- No. None of the four related recalls carry a do-not-drive or park-outside warning from NHTSA.