2018 Ford Explorer Reliability & Recall Report

Based on 7 NHTSA recalls and 733 owner complaints. All data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — free, no signup required.

20/100

Very High Reported Activity — 2018 Ford Explorer

The 2018 Ford Explorer shows very high recall and complaint activity in NHTSA data. Counts are raw and are higher for popular models, so see how we score this below. Review the issues and recalls carefully, and have the vehicle inspected before buying.

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NHTSA Recalls

7 recalls on record

733

Owner Complaints

Filed with NHTSA

Crash Reports

7 fire reports

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NHTSA Recalls — 2018 Ford Explorer (7)

All recalls listed below must be repaired by an authorized Ford dealer at no charge to the owner.

🔧 Seats: Front Assembly: Recliner

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…

NHTSA #19V633000

🔧 Fuel System, Gasoline

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…

NHTSA #18V807000

🔧 Structure: Body

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….

NHTSA #21V316000

🔧 Structure: Body: Roof And Pillars

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…

NHTSA #24V031000

🔧 Equipment: Electrical: Engine Block Heater

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…

NHTSA #25V685000

🔧 Suspension: Rear

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…

NHTSA #26V101000

🔧 Structure: Body

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…

NHTSA #26V448000

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Most Common Problems — 2018 Ford Explorer

Based on 733 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Bars show relative complaint frequency.

Structure

272

Unknown Or Other

141

Engine

Power Train

Electrical System

Engine And Engine Cooling

Steering

Suspension

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Ford Explorer — Complaints by Year

A spike means more owner complaints were filed for that model year. The 2018 model year is highlighted.

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⚠ Higher-complaint years: 2016, 2013 — These model years have more owner complaints in NHTSA data than the other years compared.

✅ Best model years: 2019, 2021, 2022 — Lowest complaint rates for this model.

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Frequently Asked Questions — 2018 Ford Explorer

Is the 2018 Ford Explorer reliable?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 Ford Explorer has 7 recall campaigns and 733 owner complaints. This model year shows elevated recall or complaint activity — review the details and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Explorer have?

The 2018 Ford Explorer has 7 NHTSA recalls. Affected systems include: see recall details above. All recalls are repaired free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Explorer?

The most commonly reported problems for the 2018 Ford Explorer are: Structure, Unknown Or Other, Engine, Power Train. See the complaint breakdown above for full details.

Is the 2018 Ford Explorer safe to buy?

The 2018 Ford Explorer has some safety and reliability items to review before buying. Ensure all 7 recalls are completed at a dealer. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is strongly recommended.

What year Ford Explorer should I buy?

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the best years for the Ford Explorer are: 2019, 2021, 2022. These show the lowest complaint rates. Years with higher complaint counts: 2016, 2013.

How we score this: The score starts at 100 and subtracts points for the number of NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints filed for this model year, and for complaints that report crashes or fires. Newer model years get a small bonus because they have had less time to collect reports. These are raw counts and are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so popular models tend to have more recalls and complaints. Complaints are unverified owner reports. This grade is not a prediction about any individual vehicle and is not an inspection: check a specific car’s VIN for open recalls and get an independent pre-purchase inspection.

Data source: All recall and complaint data is sourced directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public API. Data is cached and refreshed every 7 days. Recall and complaint counts reflect data available at the time of last cache update. For the most current recall status on a specific vehicle, enter the VIN above or visit NHTSA.gov/recalls.