IllustrationDriver's side heated seat coil burnt out. Many complaints about this.
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
Seats complaints
7 reportsAir bag style seat belt has broken twice and won’t allow seat belt to latch after it breaks. Broke while seat belt was in use and driving down the highway. When replacing the buckle I found that the frame piece on the seat was broke and moved when trying to tighten the buckle. The buckle has been unavailable online through multi…
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Air bag style seat belt has broken twice and won’t allow seat belt to latch after it breaks. Broke while seat belt was in use and driving down the highway. When replacing the buckle I found that the frame piece on the seat was broke and moved when trying to tighten the buckle. The buckle has been unavailable online through multiple vendors and finally found one in stock.
REACHING UNDER DRIVER SEAT AND CONTACTED SEAT FRAME SHARP AND CUT FINGER.
VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A PICK-UP TRUCK DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. UPON IMPACT MY VEHICLE'S FRONT SEATS COLLAPSED INTO THE BACK SEATS CAUSING THE SEAT BELTS TO BE INEFFECTIVE. AS A RESULT THE PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AS THE TRAFFIC WAS AT A STANDSTILL. TH…
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VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A PICK-UP TRUCK DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. UPON IMPACT MY VEHICLE'S FRONT SEATS COLLAPSED INTO THE BACK SEATS CAUSING THE SEAT BELTS TO BE INEFFECTIVE. AS A RESULT THE PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AS THE TRAFFIC WAS AT A STANDSTILL. THE VEHICLE THAT STRUCK MY VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 70 MILES PER HOUR.
WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH BALTIMORE FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. I WAS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY FRIENDS 2018 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. I HAD THE HEATED SEAT SET TO 2. I HAD FALLEN ASLEEP DURING THE TRIP. WHEN I WOKE UP I HAD A SEVERE DISCOMFORT. UPON ARRIVING AT OUR DESTINATION MY FRIEND LOOKED TO SE…
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WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH BALTIMORE FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. I WAS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY FRIENDS 2018 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. I HAD THE HEATED SEAT SET TO 2. I HAD FALLEN ASLEEP DURING THE TRIP. WHEN I WOKE UP I HAD A SEVERE DISCOMFORT. UPON ARRIVING AT OUR DESTINATION MY FRIEND LOOKED TO SEE WHY I WAS IN SUCH PAIN. ON MY LEFT BUTTOCK WAS A LARGE BURN. I HAVE ENCLOSED A PICTURE OF THE BURN I RECEIVED. THE BURN HAS BLISTERED AND IS NOW AN OPEN WOUND. THIS OCCURRED ON CHRISTMAS EVE. I HAVE BEEN TREATING THE AREA WITH BURN OINTMENT.
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2018 FORD EXPLORER ON AUGUST 30 FROM HAMMONASSET FORD IN MADISON, CT. I PAID SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS EXTRA FOR A SAFETY PACKAGE WHICH INCLUDES REAR SEAT BELT AIRBAGS. WE WERE DISAPPOINTED TO DISCOVER AN ISSUE IN THE SECOND ROW OF SEATS THAT HINDERS US FROM USING ONE OF THE SEATS BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAG C…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2018 FORD EXPLORER ON AUGUST 30 FROM HAMMONASSET FORD IN MADISON, CT. I PAID SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS EXTRA FOR A SAFETY PACKAGE WHICH INCLUDES REAR SEAT BELT AIRBAGS. WE WERE DISAPPOINTED TO DISCOVER AN ISSUE IN THE SECOND ROW OF SEATS THAT HINDERS US FROM USING ONE OF THE SEATS BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAG CONFIGURATION. THE MIDDLE SEAT WHERE THERE ARE SEAT BELTS FOR THREE ONLY FITS TWO PEOPLE. THE DESIGN OF THE SEAT BELT LATCHES IS A FLAWED ONE. THE SEAT BELTS OVERLAP WHICH IS A SAFETY CONCERN NOT TO MENTION A HUMAN BODY CANNOT FIT IN THE SPACE THEY ALLOTTED. THIS CAR IS ADVERTISED FOR SEVEN PEOPLE BUT ONLY CAN SEAT SIX. I HAVE SEVEN PEOPLE IN MY FAMILY INCLUDING A BABY IN A CAR SEAT AND WE ALL CAN'T GO IN THE CAR TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE OF IT. I REACHED OUT TO THE DEALERSHIP AS SOON AS WE GOT THE CAR HOME AND THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO FORD. THE PERSON I TALKLED TO TOLD ME NO NEED TO TALK TO THE OWNER OR BOTHER HER. THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE THEY SAID IT IS A DESIGN ISSUE NOT ANYTHING THEY CAN REPAIR. I REACHED OUT TO FORD WHO SAID THE SAME THING. I CONTINUED TO REACH OUT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO HAD SERVICE REACH OUT TO FORD TO SEE IF THEY CAN CHANGE THE SEAT BELTS IN THE CAR BUT DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES THEY WERE TOLD THEY CANNOT AND AGAIN THEY SAID IT IS A DESIGN ISSUE NOT A MANUFACTURING ISSUE THEREFORE I SHOULD GO TO THE BBB.IN ADDITION TO HAMMONASSET FORD, I ALSO WENT TO HOFFMAN FORD IN EAST HARTFORD TO SHOW THE SALES MANAGER THE CAR. HE WAS SHOCKED ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THIS CAR. WE LOOKED AT THE SAME EXACT CAR WITHOUT THE SAFETY PACKAGE AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT FLAWED. THE SALES MANAGER AT HOFFMAN FORD SAID HE CANT HELP ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T BUY THE CAR THERE BUT IF FORD REACHED OUT TO HIM HE COULD HELP. I CONTACTED THE BBB BUT THEY DECLINED MY APPLICATION DUE FOR THE SAME REASON SAYING IT IS NOT AN MANUFACTURING ISSUE.
ON 2, 2018 FORD EXPLORER BASIC MODEL VEHICLES, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR HAS COME ON AND THEN GONE OFF AND STAYED OFF WITH MY 14 YEAR OLD 118 LB, 5' 9" CHILD IN THE FRONT SEAT. FIRST INCIDENT: MARCH 23, 2018. IN THE FIRST VEHICLE THE JOURNEY WAS APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES ON A 4 LANE ROAD. NO TURNING OR BRAKING AFFECTE…
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ON 2, 2018 FORD EXPLORER BASIC MODEL VEHICLES, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR HAS COME ON AND THEN GONE OFF AND STAYED OFF WITH MY 14 YEAR OLD 118 LB, 5' 9" CHILD IN THE FRONT SEAT. FIRST INCIDENT: MARCH 23, 2018. IN THE FIRST VEHICLE THE JOURNEY WAS APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES ON A 4 LANE ROAD. NO TURNING OR BRAKING AFFECTED THE CONDITION. SECOND INCIDENT: APRIL 4, 2018. IN THE SECOND VEHICLE, VIN [XXX], ON A HOUR AND THIRTY MINUTE JOURNEY, ON I-75 BETWEEN NAPLES, FL AND FT. MYERS, FL, MY CHILD SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIRBAG INDICATOR SHOWED THE AIRBAG WAS "ON". ON THE RETURN RIDE, WITH SITTING IN THE SAME POSITION, THE AIRBAG INDICATOR SHOWED THE AIRBAG WAS "OFF". BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE STRAIGHT LINE DRIVING, NO BRAKING OR TURNING AFFECTED THE INCIDENT. WE BROUGHT BOTH VEHICLES BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH WE LEASED THEM AND SHOWED THEM THE ACCOMPANYING PICTURE. THEY TOLD US THAT IT COULD BE THAT MY CHILD IS TOO LIGHT FOR THE SEAT SENSOR, BUT THEY WERE NOT POSITIVE. THE HEAD OF THE SERVICE DEPT AND HIS LEAD TECHNICIAN WITNESSED THE AIRBAG INDICATOR IN THE "OFF" POSITION WITH MY CHILD SITTING IN THE SEAT. THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. THEY ADVISED THEY CONTACTED FORD WITH THE FIRST VEHICLE VIN AND WERE DOING THE SAME WITH THIS SECOND VEHICLE AS WELL. I FEEL THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AS THERE IS NO CERTAINTY, SHOULD WE GET INTO A VEHICLE CRASH AND NEED THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG TO DEPLOY, THAT THE AIRBAG WILL ACTUALLY DEPLOY GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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.