NHTSA has 737 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Ford Explorer[1]. The biggest group names the structure of the vehicle, with 290 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA file, biggest first.
- Structure. 290 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe windshields that crack, trim that comes loose at speed, water found on the floor, and roof rails that keep coming off after dealer repairs.
- Unknown or other. 169 complaints[6]. NHTSA files these without a clear component group.
- Engine. 121 complaints[7]. Owners describe exhaust smell inside the cabin, power that fades while driving, and trouble starting.
- Electrical system. 58 complaints[8]. Owners describe warning lights that appear together, a car that will not start at times, mirrors that fold on their own, and a smell like burning wires.
- Power train. 50 complaints[9]. Owners describe rough or delayed shifting, a sudden limp mode, and a car that hesitates or jerks when asked to accelerate.
- Back over prevention. 26 complaints[10].
- Suspension. 23 complaints[11].
- Steering. 21 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2018 Explorer is necessarily included.
- Structure › Body (26V448), July 2026. About 288,314 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Suspension › Rear (26V101), February 2026. About 412,774 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of steering, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater (25V685), October 2025. About 59,006 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars (24V031), January 2024. About 1,889,110 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- Structure › Body (21V316), May 2021. About 616,967 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
- Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly (19V633), August 2019. About 639,137 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[18]
- Fuel System, Gasoline (18V807), November 2018. About 144 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[19]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Explorer 2WD FFV, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive[20] | 17 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 |
| Explorer FWD, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 19 / 27 / 22 | $3,050 |
| Explorer FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[21] | 17 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 |
| Explorer AWD FFV, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive[22] | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 |
| Explorer AWD, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[23] | 18 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 |
| Explorer AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[24] | 16 / 22 / 19 | $3,550 |
| Explorer AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[25] | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
How 2018 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 843 | 5 |
| 1996 | 1,450 | 6 |
| 1997 | 1,773 | 7 |
| 1998 | 2,085 | 9 |
| 1999 | 1,441 | 9 |
| 2000 | 1,026 | 10 |
| 2001 | 730 | 8 |
| 2002 | 3,572 | 7 |
| 2003 | 1,274 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1,408 | 0 |
| 2005 | 568 | 0 |
| 2006 | 635 | 1 |
| 2007 | 308 | 1 |
| 2008 | 171 | 1 |
| 2009 | 39 | 0 |
| 2010 | 146 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1,197 | 6 |
| 2012 | 829 | 5 |
| 2013 | 2,237 | 11 |
| 2014 | 1,682 | 6 |
| 2015 | 1,815 | 8 |
| 2016 | 2,483 | 14 |
| 2017 | 1,712 | 14 |
| 2018 | 737 | 7 |
| 2019 | 299 | 6 |
| 2020 | 1,245 | 35 |
| 2021 | 455 | 27 |
| 2022 | 272 | 25 |
| 2023 | 113 | 15 |
| 2024 | 21 | 10 |
| 2025 | 108 | 22 |
| 2026 | 42 | 15 |
NHTSA's counts for the Explorer show 737 complaints and 7 recalls for 2018[3]. Among the 33 model years listed, 15 have fewer complaints than 2018 and 17 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2002 (3,572)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2018 Explorer?
The 2018 Ford Explorer has 737 complaints on file, so it is worth a careful look before you buy[1]. Structure leads the list with 290 complaints[2], followed by engine with 121[7]. The file also shows 16 complaints that mention a crash and 7 that mention a fire[1]. These are owner reports that NHTSA has not verified, and one complaint can name several parts. Check that the open recalls on a specific car were done, and have a mechanic look closely at the roof rails, the cabin air and the shifting.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Explorer?
- Structure has the most complaints, with 290[2]. Engine follows with 121[7] and electrical system has 58[8]. The total on file is 737[1].
- Does the 2018 Ford Explorer have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year data lists 7 recalls for 2018[3]. See the Recalls section of this page for each one.
- How many complaints name the engine on the 2018 Ford Explorer?
- 121 complaints name the engine group[7]. Owners describe exhaust smell in the cabin and power that fades while driving.
- How is the gas mileage of the 2018 Ford Explorer?
- See the Fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures and annual fuel cost.
- Is 2018 a good year for the Ford Explorer?
- The 2018 model year has 737 complaints and 7 recalls[3]. See the year comparison section of this page to line it up against other years.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Ford Explorer
Compare all model years of the Ford Explorer
Other Ford models from 2018
Similar cars from 2018: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 737 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Ford Explorer (16 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 13 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 290 complaints name the structure component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,349). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Explorer model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Explorer FWD, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 169 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 3,400). NHTSA vehicle records
- 121 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 58 complaints name the electrical system component group (4 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 50 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 26 complaints name the back over prevention component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,800). NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the suspension component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 26V448, filed July 14, 2026: Structure › Body. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V101, filed February 20, 2026: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V685, filed October 10, 2025: Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V031, filed January 19, 2024: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V316, filed May 5, 2021: Structure › Body. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V633, filed August 28, 2019: Seats › Mid / Rear Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V807, filed November 14, 2018: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Explorer 2WD FFV, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Explorer FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Explorer AWD FFV, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Explorer AWD, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Explorer AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Explorer AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2018 Ford Explorer with 2.3L 4-cylinder: rated 275 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2018 Ford Explorer with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 290 to 355 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov