Model year
2018 Ford Explorer
NHTSA lists 7 recalls and 734 complaints for the 2018 Ford Explorer (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 3 complaints under EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPT. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are STRUCTURE (177), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (168), STRUCTURE:BODY (100). NHTSA lists 2 investigations, including 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 18–22 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,050–$3,700, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 952 complaints
- 2001 375 complaints
- 2002 3,295 complaints
- 2003 1,131 complaints
- 2004 1,304 complaints
- 2005 497 complaints
- 2006 630 complaints
- 2007 208 complaints
- 2008 148 complaints
- 2009 33 complaints
- 2010 115 complaints
- 2011 1,197 complaints
- 2012 829 complaints
- 2013 2,237 complaints
- 2014 1,684 complaints
- 2015 1,810 complaints
- 2016 2,462 complaints
- 2017 1,703 complaints
- 2018 734 complaints
- 2019 299 complaints
- 2020 1,241 complaints
- 2021 447 complaints
- 2022 271 complaints
- 2023 111 complaints
- 2024 21 complaints
- 2025 107 complaints
- 2026 42 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
26V448000 · Jul 14, 2026
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.
26V101000 · Feb 20, 2026
SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
25V685000 · Oct 10, 2025
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…
24V031000 · Jan 19, 2024
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.
21V316000 · May 5, 2021
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.
19V633000 · Aug 28, 2019
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY; SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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…
18V807000 · Nov 14, 2018
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L or 3.5L GTDI engine. Due to an assembly error, the fuel pressure sensor may leak fuel.
Complaints
734 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 16, fire flag on 7, injury field 13, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPT | 0 | 3 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQ22003 | Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | Dec 16, 2022 | No close date in the file |
| PE23001 | Windshield trim molding Item detachment · STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS | Jan 27, 2023 | Feb 8, 2024 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR SUV AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.174 | NHTSA photo |
| 4 DR SUV FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.164 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 2WD FFV · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 17 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Explorer FWD · 2.3L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Explorer FWD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Explorer AWD FFV · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 16 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Explorer AWD · 2.3L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Explorer AWD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Explorer AWD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2018 Ford Explorer at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.