IllustrationTHE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR ALARM
2018 Ford Explorer
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Explorer do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 609.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Explorer years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
920–25K
5125–50K
5550–75K
4475–100K
40100–150K
6150K+
288 reports with mileage · 440 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 287 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports7 fire reports13 injury reports
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
19 reportsStrong exhaust smell in the front cabin while driving 40+ mph. Resulting dizziness and nausea symptoms. Vehicle taken to dealer for diagnosis. Odometer reading 10560
WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 FORD EXPLORER IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018. AROUND OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 I STARTED HAVING A LOT OF DIZZY SPELLS AND PANICKED ATTACKS WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE EXPLORER. I WAS IN AND OUT OF DRS WEEKLY SOMETIMES MORE THAN WEEKLY FOR THESE EPISODES. DRS THOUGHT IT WAS ANXIETY SO WOULD INCREASE MEDICATIONS, OR CH…
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WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 FORD EXPLORER IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018. AROUND OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 I STARTED HAVING A LOT OF DIZZY SPELLS AND PANICKED ATTACKS WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE EXPLORER. I WAS IN AND OUT OF DRS WEEKLY SOMETIMES MORE THAN WEEKLY FOR THESE EPISODES. DRS THOUGHT IT WAS ANXIETY SO WOULD INCREASE MEDICATIONS, OR CHANGE MEDICATIONS AND I CONTINUED WITH SAME SYMPTOMS. I DROVE THE EXPLORER NUMEROUS TIMES A DAY AS I HAVE KIDS AND WOULD FEEL THIS WAY 90% OF MY DAY EVERY DAY. I WENT THRU PHYSICAL THERAPY, MENTAL THERAPY AND ALSO SENT TO A HEART DOCTOR UP UNTIL 2 MONTHS AGO WHEN WE PURCHASED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND I NEVER HAD A ISSUE WHILE DRIVING THAT. MY FIANC DROVE THE EXPLORER ONE DAY WHICH HE NEVER DID AS IT WAS MY VEHICLE AND HE HAD HIS VEHICLE AND HE SMELLED A GAS SMELL AND QUESTIONED ME ABOUT IT BUT I HAD BEEN SUFFERING RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES DURING THIS TIME AND COULD NEVER SMELL ANYTHING SO I NEVER NOTICED THE SMELL. MY SON WAS HAVING VOMITING SPELLS NUMEROUS TIMES A WEEK AND DRS SAID IT WAS A GENERALIZED VOMITING ISSUE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED THE EXPLORER AT AND THEY CAME AND PICKED IT UP. ONCE THEY CHECKED IT OVER THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THEY HAD TO ORDER A WHOLE NEW MUFFLER SYSTEM AS IT WAS LEAKING CARBON MONOXIDE INTO THE CABIN OF MY EXPLORER. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT IN WHICH THEY DID BUT THE DAMAGE WAS DONE I HAD BEEN SUFFERING PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY FOR A YEAR AND DUE TO THE PAN NICK ATTACKS WHILE DRIVING I COULD BARELY DRIVE MOST DAYS AND STILL STRUGGLE DUE TO THE FEAR I'VE ENCOUNTER BEHIND THE WHEEL. FORD BASICALLY SAID I COULD TRADE IT OR KEEP IT THAT'S ALL THEY WOULD OFFER ME. I WANTED THEM TO BUY IT BACK AS I COULDN'T GET BACK IN IT. I'VE HAD NO ISSUES SINCE I STOPPED DRIVING IT NEITHER HAS MY SON. I DIDN'T GET ANY PAPERWORK WHEN IT WAS FIXED SO I CAN'T GIVE U THAT.
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, THE INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE FILLS WITH A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. THIS IS AN ONGOING AND REOCCURRING ISSUE. I BELIEVE IT MAY BE THE CAUSE OF MY 6 YEAR OLDS CHILD'S FREQUENT HEADACHES AND BOUTS WITH NAUSEA THAT BEGAN AT THE SAME TIME I STARTED NOTICING THE GAS SMELL ISSUE.
STRONG SMELL OF EXHAUST AND ROTTEN EGGS ENTERED THE CABIN 5 TIMES DURING A 4 HOUR ROAD TRIP DURING ACCELERATION AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE SMELL CAUSED HEADACHES AND NAUSEA. THE WINDOWS HAD TO BE OPENED TO RELIEVE THE SMELL. THE ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP ON THE NEXT POSSIBLE BUSINESS DAY AFTER OCCURRING FOR REV…
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STRONG SMELL OF EXHAUST AND ROTTEN EGGS ENTERED THE CABIN 5 TIMES DURING A 4 HOUR ROAD TRIP DURING ACCELERATION AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE SMELL CAUSED HEADACHES AND NAUSEA. THE WINDOWS HAD TO BE OPENED TO RELIEVE THE SMELL. THE ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP ON THE NEXT POSSIBLE BUSINESS DAY AFTER OCCURRING FOR REVIEW IN A SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF THAT DATE. NUMEROUS TSB (FOR PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS 2011-2017) AND COMPLAINTS (FOR MODEL YEARS INCLUDING 2018) FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM CAN BE FOUND IN ONLINE SEARCHES. AT THE TIME OF RECORDING THIS COMPLAINT, MY TRUCK IS STILL WITH THE DEALERSHIP UNDER REVIEW.
FORD EXPLORER 2018 GOING FROM 50 MPH. AND TO DO FORCE, ENTERS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS CABIN IT SHOULD SLOW DOWN AND OPEN THE CRYSTALS TO LEAVE THE STRONG ODOR.
I HAVE BEEN SMELLING EXHAUST FUMES/ROTTEN EGG SMELL IN MY CAR WHEN ACCELERATING UP TO 60MPH. 1ST TIME IN SHOP THEY SAID BOLTS WERE MISSING ON ENGINE AND SOME WERE LOOSE.; THEY 'FIXED' IT. STILL SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES/ROTTEN EGGS, SO TOOK CAR BACK. THEY SAID FUEL GOT IN THE FUEL FILTER BUT THEY 'FIXED' THE PROBLEM. NO STILL SMELL …
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I HAVE BEEN SMELLING EXHAUST FUMES/ROTTEN EGG SMELL IN MY CAR WHEN ACCELERATING UP TO 60MPH. 1ST TIME IN SHOP THEY SAID BOLTS WERE MISSING ON ENGINE AND SOME WERE LOOSE.; THEY 'FIXED' IT. STILL SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES/ROTTEN EGGS, SO TOOK CAR BACK. THEY SAID FUEL GOT IN THE FUEL FILTER BUT THEY 'FIXED' THE PROBLEM. NO STILL SMELL EXHAUST/ROTTEN EGGS. TOOK BACK FOR 3RD TIME THEY HAD MY CAR FOR A MONTH AND THEY REPLACED THE WHOLE EXHAUST. NOW HAVE HAD CAR A WEEK AND A HALF AND I SMELL THE EXHAUST. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, I HAVE THIS BRAND NEW CAR COSTING ME $37000.
TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT WAS SO STRONG, SHE COULD TASTE FUEL. TOWNE AUTO GROUP (3535 SOUTHWESTERN BLVD, ORCHARD PARK, NY 14127, (716) 662-6500) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE, DIAGNOSE, AND PROVIDE A REMEDY AFTER SEVE…
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TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT WAS SO STRONG, SHE COULD TASTE FUEL. TOWNE AUTO GROUP (3535 SOUTHWESTERN BLVD, ORCHARD PARK, NY 14127, (716) 662-6500) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE, DIAGNOSE, AND PROVIDE A REMEDY AFTER SEVERAL VISITS. THE DEALER LATER REPLACED THE DOOR SEALS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V807000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PASSENGER INSIDE THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED NAUSEA AND HEADACHES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA17002 (STRUCTURE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATING, AND HAD TO CLOSE THE VENTS DUE TO AN ASTHMA CONDITION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,278.
AFTER 4,000 REVOLUTION THE SUV COMES TO STOP THE ENGINE AND RUN QUICKLY AGAIN
Official recalls
726V448000 · Structure:body
Jul 14, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
26V101000 · Suspension:rear
Feb 20, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
25V685000 · Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater
Oct 10, 2025
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
24V031000 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars
Jan 19, 2024
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
21V316000 · Structure:body
May 5, 2021
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
19V633000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner; Seats:mid/rear Assembly
Aug 28, 2019
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
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."
Consequence: 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.
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 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."
Consequence: 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.
18V807000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Nov 14, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line assembly, free of charge. The recall began December 7, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S35.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE23001 · Windshield Trim Molding Item Detachment
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Feb 8, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:roof And Pillars
On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting this failure. ODI has received 671 VOQs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring the driver of the following vehicle to take evasive action. It is noteworthy that motorists who experience this type of road hazard are less likely to accurately identify the subject vehicle the item detached from and report the event to the NHTSA. In its April 17, 2023 response to ODI’s information request, Ford provided 175 consumer complaints (including field reports) and 14,162 warranty claims related to A-pillar trim panel detachment. Ford relayed that the subject vehicles utilize a plastic A-pillar bracket, which is bolted to the vehicle structure during assembly. The A-pillar trim panel is attached to the bracket utilizing 7 plastic clips. Contributory factors which have been identified by Ford as leading to the subject defect include incomplete installation at the assembly plant, inadequate part stack up, damage to fasteners during installation, and failure to follow proper repair procedure during windshield replacements or other services. On January 19, 2024, Ford filed safety recall 24V-031 for MY 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles to address the subject defect. In the Part 573 Safety Recall Report, Ford identified that a detached A-pillar trim panel can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall remedy includes an inspection of the existing A-pillar trim panel and, if necessary, the replacement of the component. The remedy A-pillar trim panels will be installed with an additional adhesive for robustness and utilize an inspection procedure to ensure full engagement of all the retention clips during installation. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
AQ22003 · Hertz/vehicles Rented With Open Recalls
Opened Dec 16, 2022 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
NHTSA is opening this audit query to investigate whether The Hertz Corporation (Hertz) has complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act). The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a rental company shall not rent a vehicle subject to a safety recall unless the recall remedy has been performed. 49 U.S.C. § 30120(i).NHTSA is in receipt of information that indicates Hertz rented vehicles to customers without having performed required recall repairs. Accordingly, we are opening this audit query to seek additional information concerning this issue.