2018 FORD EXPLORER Complaints

View complaints related to 2018 FORD EXPLORER. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. There are more than 690 complaints submitted for the 2018 FORD EXPLORER. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2018 FORD EXPLORER
    - Davenport, FL

    The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a popping sound coming from the roof. While at a car wash, the contact became aware that the roof rail had detached. The contact stated that the roof rail had detached several times after being reinstalled. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (STRUCTURE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2018 FORD EXPLORER
    - St. George, UT

    At 89k miles, my engine has failed, due to coolant intrusion, according to Ken Garff Ford Dealership in St. George, UT. I started having issues with rough start and timing miss and engine light came on. I immediately took it to Dealership and they did two repairs (tune-up) and subsequent gasket change because they said oil was getting into my spark plugs. It did not resolve the issue, took it straight back and now they're telling me I need a new engine. This comes 2 years after I had to pay $7k for a new transmission at only 60k miles. This is wrong and not OK that I am having to deal with this. I don't have $12k laying around for a new engine on a vehicle that shouldn't be having all these issues!

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 FORD EXPLORER
    - GASPORT, NY

    I PURCHASED A 2018 FORD EXPLORER WITH THE 2.3L 4 CYLINDER ENGINGE IN 2023. WITHIHN A YEAR OF MY ENGINE STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES HESITATING WHEN ACCELERATING. THEN IT OVERHEATED AND I REALIZED MY COOLANT WAS DISAPPEARING BUT WASNT POOLING ANYWHERE.. IT WAS EVAPORATING BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING INTO MY SPARK PLUGS. WHEN I CHANGED PLUGS I NOTICED OIL OR COOLANT ON TWO OF THEM I CALLED FORD ABOUT IT BECAUSE MY ENGINE HAS A PENDING LAWSUIT FOR THIS PROBLEM IT KEPT GETTING WORSE . I DONT HAVE THE MONEY FOR THE REPAIRS AND I ASKED THEM IF THEY COULD DO A GOOD FAITH REPAIR AND I WAS DENIED. AS OF 4/16/2026 MY ENGINE FAILED AND MY COOLANT IS FILLED WITH OIL BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT SINCE 2010

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 FORD EXPLORER
    - Colton, CA

    The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the car wash, the passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim detached. The contact manually reinstalled the trim; however, the trim flew off while driving. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that that the part was not yet available, and there was no anticipated date for parts availability. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2018 FORD EXPLORER
    - Nancy, KY

    I received a Recall for 2018 Ford Explorer for the rear suspension toe links NHTSA Recall 26V101. I've tried to schedule an appointment to have this fixed, however, the dealer cannot fix this recall as they have no parts and said they do not know when any parts will be available to fix this issue. I've called the Ford Recall Assistance Center AND the Ford Customer Service group and neither one of these groups have any information pertaining to this recall. If this is a safety recall, how can Ford send a Recall notice and not be able fix it. Any additional information would be greatly appreciate. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 FORD EXPLORER
    - Upper Marlboro, MD

    The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the roof rail detached while the vehicle was being blow-dried at an automated car wash. The roof rail was manually pressed back into place, but was no longer secure and was easily detached. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (STRUCTURE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2018 FORD EXPLORER
    - Carolina, PR

    I own a Ford Explorer 2018 bought as second hand in July 2020. For the last three years, the investment in it has been exponential. Finally working with a proper car mechanic, I understood that all the fixes I have made, have been known for a while. I have received several recalls and searching for more, I found one that **I did not receiveD*** and I'm having an issue with it. It can be seen in the attached document. Research shows that "the 2018 Ford Explorer has significant, well-documented complaints, primarily regarding catastrophic water pump failure, transmission issues, and multiple recalls. The 3.5L engine's internal water pump often fails around 125,000 miles, causing engine destruction. Other common issues include rear suspension toe link fractures, exhaust smells, and electrical problems." My water pump failed way before 125K miles, as the previous statement states.. Mine is 94K. I fixed it last year and now it's broken again. And by the say of the mechanic, it could be because of the issue of the catalyst, of a recall I didn't get and that probably got the previous owner. I have tried to reach Ford through letter and phone and no one answers. I finally spoke to someone on Tuesday from the warranty department and told me he will reach me in 3 hours. Two days have gone by. I also did a complaint on BBB and the refuse to fix and reimbursed the recall I didn't received.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 FORD EXPLORER
    - Huntington, PA

    The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim detached and blew off the vehicle. The vehicle was previously repaired for a similar failure; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 168,706.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2018 FORD EXPLORER
    - El Cajon, CA

    One of my backseat seatbelt buckles is completely broken and the other side has a crack in the plastic casing in the same spot but not as big. And the insides of the buckle where it locks in there is nothing for it to lock onto. One still works as the other one has nothing for it to lock into. Yes it can be inspected. It puts my passengers at risk if they can't buckle up. It has never been inspected or looked at by anyone

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 FORD EXPLORER
    - El Cajon, CA

    The windshield wipers do not work, the rear wiper do not work and the wiper fluid does not squirt out. It can be inspected. The safety of everyone is at risk because I can't clean my windshield to make the road visible. I have recently seen a recall involving Ford vehicles regarding the windshield wipers not working. And I think it needs to include more years because mine is affected also. It started glitching about a year ago and now doesn't work at all. No lights come on and there is fluid in the wiper tank.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE