VIN 1FM5K8GT5JGA17377 identifies a sport utility vehicle โ the 2018 Ford Explorer Sport. This specific unit was assembled at the CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES (USA) facility, one of Ford's North American production plants. It is equipped with 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 and a 3.5L 6 Cyl engine producing 365 hp.
This vehicle carries a significant 6 open NHTSA recalls. Affected systems include seats:front assembly:recliner, fuel system, gasoline, structure:body. All recalls must be repaired by a Ford dealer at no charge to the owner. Contact a dealer with this VIN before finalizing any purchase. Verify current recall status at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The EPA rates this vehicle at 19 MPG combined (17 city / 23 highway), which represents below-average for its class fuel economy. Annual fuel cost is estimated at $3300 at national average gas prices. It scores 3/10 on the EPA greenhouse gas scale, emitting 467 g COโ/mile.
Based on vehicle class, trim, and U.S. market data, this 2018 Ford Explorer Sport falls in an estimated used-market range of $17,500โ$23,300. The high recall count may suppress resale value โ factor this into price negotiation. Verify actual market value with Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds using specific mileage and condition.
Important limitation: This free VIN report does not include odometer/mileage history, accident records, flood or fire damage, number of previous owners, or title/lien status. These require a paid vehicle history report from Carfax or AutoCheck. Use this report alongside a full history check, an independent pre-purchase inspection, and a NICB stolen vehicle check for the most complete picture before buying.
About the 2018 FORD Explorer
The Ford Explorer is one of America's best-selling midsize SUVs, in production since 1990. Known for its spacious three-row cabin, available 4WD, and up to 5,600 lbs towing capacity, it competes with the Chevrolet Traverse, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Hyundai Palisade.
๐ View all 2018 Ford known problems & year comparisons โ
๐ข
VIN Decoded
VIN Verified
Official VIN decode record located
Type: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)
Body: Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Plant: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES (USA)
โ
NHTSA Recalls
6 Open Recalls
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150...
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford...
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer...
๐ฌ
Owner Complaints
698 filed with NHTSA
The airbag light shown in the attached photo came...
Attempted to make an appointment on XXX with [XXX],...
โฝ
Fuel Economy
19 MPG Combined
City: 17 MPG
Hwy: 23 MPG
Combined: 19 MPG
Fuel: Gasoline
๐ฐ
Estimated Market Value
Based on vehicle age, class, trim & U.S. market conditions
Market estimate
$17,500โ$23,300
Based on vehicle class, age, trim, and U.S. market trends. Verify with Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds for mileage-adjusted value.
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...
Risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing...
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...
18V80700014/11/2018
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Risk: 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...
21V31600005/05/2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
Risk: 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...
24V03100019/01/2024
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
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.
Risk: 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. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 18, 2024. Owners may...
25V68500010/10/2025
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
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...
Risk: 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....
26V10100020/02/2026
SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
Risk: 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...
TSBs are manufacturer repair instructions issued to dealerships. They are not safety recalls. If you're experiencing an issue, ask your dealer if a TSB applies.
NoneNHTSA
No bulletins found
No technical service bulletin records returned for this vehicle.
This free report does not include accident records, mileage history, or title status. Get a full history from one of these trusted providers:
MOST POPULAR
Carfax
The most trusted name in vehicle history. Shows accidents, mileage rollback, flood/fire damage, number of owners, service records, and title problems.
This report covers:
Accidents & damage
Mileage history
Number of owners
Title & lien status
Service records
Flood/fire damage
BEST VALUE
AutoCheck by Experian
Powered by Experian. Includes AutoCheck Score โ a 0โ100 rating comparing this vehicle to similar ones.
This report covers:
AutoCheck Score (0-100)
Accidents & salvage
Mileage history
Auction records
Title brands
Odometer rollback
BUDGET PICK
VinAudit
Budget-friendly with NMVTIS government data. Good for older vehicles or tight budgets.
This report covers:
NMVTIS government data
Theft records
Title history
Junk/salvage records
Odometer readings
Accident indicators
INTERNATIONAL
EpicVIN
Comprehensive report with photo history and market value. Covers US and international vehicles.
Select any state to see its current emissions testing requirements and lemon law protections.
Emissions Testing
Lemon Law Protection
Select a state above to view its requirements.
OBD-II Check Engine Code Lookup
๐ง Check Engine Light Code Lookup
Enter a code from your OBD-II scanner, pick from the dropdown, or tap a common code chip below.
Common:
Owner Complaints
AIR BAGS06/11/2026
The airbag light shown in the attached photo came...
The airbag light shown in the attached photo came on at an unknown period of time. We did not know when this came on that it was not...
SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE06/09/2026
Attempted to make an appointment on XXX with [XXX],...
Attempted to make an appointment on XXX with [XXX], 2121 W Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85023 phone 602-375-7400 to have the two open safety recalls completed( 26V101 &...
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE06/03/2026
The driver side Keyless door entry pillar has come...
The driver side Keyless door entry pillar has come off on the highway and hit something. The keyless door entry panel came off in 2023 and Koons Ford...
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM06/02/2026
The horn on my vehicle activates (blows) when I...
The horn on my vehicle activates (blows) when I turn the steering wheel to certain positions. I believe this to be a road hazard. Especially since I had...
STRUCTURE06/01/2026
The exterior A-pillar applique trim piece began detaching from...
The exterior A-pillar applique trim piece began detaching from the vehicle while driving. The part became loose and was hanging from the vehicle whilst in motion, at which...
POWER TRAIN05/26/2026
The transmission completely failed without any warning lights or...
The transmission completely failed without any warning lights or any other audible or visible signs of failure. This left my stranded on the side of the road. The...
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE05/22/2026
Total engine failure in the Ford Explorer XLT 2.3L...
Total engine failure in the Ford Explorer XLT 2.3L ecoboost.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER05/19/2026
I had 2 recalls on my 2018 Ford Explorer...
I had 2 recalls on my 2018 Ford Explorer and when I was finally notified parts were available for both I took to dealer to have them both...
Negotiation tip:
This vehicle has 6 open recall(s). Use this as leverage — ask the seller to confirm all recalls are resolved or reduce the price accordingly. Unresolved recalls cost dealers time and money to fix.
Automated checks against common VIN fraud indicators. Always verify with a paid history report and independent inspection.
✓Check digit (position 9) validates
✓VIN is exactly 17 characters
✓No invalid characters (I, O, Q not present)
✓Year position (pos 10) matches decoded model year
✓Manufacturer decodes to a known brand
✓Not a repeated-character test/placeholder VIN
Manual checks to do in person: Compare the VIN on the dashboard (visible through windshield), driver door jamb sticker, engine block, and title — all must match exactly. A cloned or re-VINed vehicle will show inconsistencies.
No model-specific issue notes in our database for this year. The 698 NHTSA complaints filed provide the best available signal — review them in the Owner Complaints section above.
Estimated national average for this vehicle: $1,540/year. Your actual rate depends on your driving record, location, age, and coverage level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does VIN 1FM5K8GT5JGA17377 decode to?+
VIN 1FM5K8GT5JGA17377 decodes to a 2018 FORD Explorer Sport, assembled in CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES (USA).
How many recalls does this 2018 FORD Explorer have?+
This 2018 FORD Explorer has 6 open recalls on record with NHTSA. Recalls are safety-related and should be resolved by a dealership at no charge to the owner.
Is it safe to buy a 2018 FORD Explorer with open recalls?+
Open recalls don't necessarily mean the vehicle is unsafe to drive, but they should be addressed promptly. Contact a FORD dealer with this VIN to confirm which recalls have been completed and schedule any outstanding repairs โ they are always free of charge.
What is the estimated value of this 2018 FORD Explorer?+
Based on vehicle age, body type, trim level, and U.S. market data, this 2018 FORD Explorer Sport is estimated at $17,500โ$23,300. Verify with Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds for a precise appraisal based on mileage and condition.
Is this VIN check really free?+
Yes โ VinForFree is 100% free with no signup, no credit card, and no hidden fees. All data is sourced from public records including NHTSA, the EPA, and official government databases.
What fuel economy does a 2018 FORD Explorer get?+
According to EPA data, the 2018 FORD Explorer gets approximately 19 MPG combined (17 city / 23 highway). Estimated annual fuel cost is $3,300.