IllustrationELECTRIC SHORTAGES, SMELL BURNING WIRES, STALLS VEHICLE WAS REPURCHASED BY FORD AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE ITS REPORTED AS A LEMON AND NOT RESOLD FOR SAFETY OF OTHERS
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
167 reportsWHEN CLIMBING HILLS AND ENGINE AT HIGH RPM I CAN SMELL EXHAUST IN THE CABIN PORTION OF MY VEHICLE. I INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN I WAS TRAVELING THROUGH THE HILLS AGAIN. SAME CIRCUMSTANCES, CLIMBING HILLS AT A HIGH RPM. SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE SMELL…
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WHEN CLIMBING HILLS AND ENGINE AT HIGH RPM I CAN SMELL EXHAUST IN THE CABIN PORTION OF MY VEHICLE. I INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN I WAS TRAVELING THROUGH THE HILLS AGAIN. SAME CIRCUMSTANCES, CLIMBING HILLS AT A HIGH RPM. SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE SMELL WAS EXACTLY THE SAME AS IF I WAS WALKING BEHIND THE CAR IN THE MORNING AFTER STARING THE ENGINE.
CONSTANT SMELLS OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN MY VEHICLE ALMOST EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE ABOVE 3500 RPM. I'VE TAKEN IT TO TWO DEALERSHIPS MORE THAN THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO SOLUTION. EVERY TIME I GET IN MY VEHICLE I DREAD SMELLING THIS STUFF AND HOPE IT DOESN'T AFFECT ME OR A LOVED ONE.
CARBON MONOXIDE IS GETING INTO THE CABIN. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BUT THE CAN FOX IT. ITS BEEN 5 TIMES. TODAS I TURNER BACK TO THE DEALER. HEY BEEN VERY IRRESPONSABLE. CARBON MONOXIDE IS A VERY DANGER GAS AND I DON'T GOOGLE TO EXPOSE MY FAMILY FUE YO TOUR INRRESPOSABILITY.
THERE IS A STRONG EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE UNDER MEDIUM/HEAVY ACCELERATION. IT COMES THROUGH THE A/C VENTS AND IS WAY STRONGER IN THE REAR BACK SEATS THAN THE FRONT SEATS. I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS FOR A FEW MILES TO LET IT AIR OUT. ONCE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE SMELL WILL DISAPPEAR UNTIL YOU START CLIMBING …
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THERE IS A STRONG EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE UNDER MEDIUM/HEAVY ACCELERATION. IT COMES THROUGH THE A/C VENTS AND IS WAY STRONGER IN THE REAR BACK SEATS THAN THE FRONT SEATS. I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS FOR A FEW MILES TO LET IT AIR OUT. ONCE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE SMELL WILL DISAPPEAR UNTIL YOU START CLIMBING A HILL OR STEEP GRADE OR YOU WERE FORCED TO SLOW DOWN AND GET BACK UP TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALER HAS STATED THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE MY CONCERNS. I HAVE THREE SMALL CHILDREN THAT ALL RIDE IN THE BACK PLEASE TELL ME WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS AT THIS POINT.
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.
HANKOOK TIRES - 255/50R20 105H VENUS S1/S2 - HAD ONLY 2/32ND TREAD AFTER 21,000 MILES. THESE TIRES CAME ON MY 2018 FORD EXPLORER, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. BOTH FORD AND HANKOOK TIRES KNEW ABOUT THE ACCELERATED WEAR ISSUE WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, BUT NEITHER COMPANY MADE ME AWARE OF IT.
EXHAUST IN THE CABIN - HAPPENS DURNING AND AFTER ACCELERATION. OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS UNDER STRESS ON AN INCLINE, HILLCLIMB OR PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE.BOUGHT VEHICLE IN NOV. 2018 AND WERE TOLD THAT EXHAUST SMELL PROBLEMS DID NOT EFFECT 2018 OR 2019. SO WE BOUGHT IT.
BECOMING ILL WHILE DRIVING 2018 FORD EXPLORER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AFTER AN HOUR OR SO OF INTERSTATE DRIVING I FELT AS IF I WAS GOING TO PASS OUT, ALSO EXPERIENCED DIZZINESS, HEADACHE, NAUSEA, DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING, AND ANXIETY. SYMPTOMS BECAME MORE SEVERE AFTER EACH TRIP. FINALLY, AFTER MY DAUGHTER ALSO EXPERIENCED DIZZI…
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BECOMING ILL WHILE DRIVING 2018 FORD EXPLORER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AFTER AN HOUR OR SO OF INTERSTATE DRIVING I FELT AS IF I WAS GOING TO PASS OUT, ALSO EXPERIENCED DIZZINESS, HEADACHE, NAUSEA, DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING, AND ANXIETY. SYMPTOMS BECAME MORE SEVERE AFTER EACH TRIP. FINALLY, AFTER MY DAUGHTER ALSO EXPERIENCED DIZZINESS WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, I RESEARCHED OTHER DRIVERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND REALIZED OTHER FORD EXPLORER DRIVERS WERE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR SYMPTOMS FROM CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AND BRINGING THIS ISSUE TO THE ATTENTION OF OUR FORD DEALERSHIP, IT WAS RECOMMENDED INSTALLING A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR. IT WAS INSTALLED AND THE PRESENCE OF CARBON MONOXIDE WAS DETECTED. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR THE PAST THREE WEEKS. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALSHIP. THIS CASE IS NOW WITH THE FORD OFFICE OF COUNSEL AND I HAVEN'T HAD ANY INFORMATION OR CORRESPONDENCE FROM FORD.
THE PROBLEM IS EXHAUST IN THE CABIN... INTERMITTENT AND HAPPENS DURING ACCELERATION. OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS UNDER STRESS ON AN INCLINE OR PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE... CASE NUMBERS; CAS 22351032 CAS 15942505 CAS 22265738 I SPECIFICALLY ASKED ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL ISSUE WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD IT DIDN'T AF…
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THE PROBLEM IS EXHAUST IN THE CABIN... INTERMITTENT AND HAPPENS DURING ACCELERATION. OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS UNDER STRESS ON AN INCLINE OR PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE... CASE NUMBERS; CAS 22351032 CAS 15942505 CAS 22265738 I SPECIFICALLY ASKED ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL ISSUE WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD IT DIDN'T AFFECT THE 2018 MODELS.. SERVICE DEPT CALLED THE FORD TECH HOTLINE AND PERFORMED ALL THE PROCEDURES THE ENGINEERS REQUESTED AND DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE
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.