Is the 2018 Ford Explorer a bad year?
735 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Explorer years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2018 Ford Explorer are in line with other Explorer years. Body structure stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2018 Explorer owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 62,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 288 (39%) | 40k–87k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 112 (15%) | 18k–90k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 58 (8%) | 19k–75k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 50 (7%) | 34k–97k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Visibility and wipers | 27 (4%) | 18k–76k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 23 (3%) | 33k–106k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Fuel system | 23 (3%) | 9k–44k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 21 (3%) | 28k–58k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 11 (1%) | 12k–57k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 10 (1%) | 15k–27k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exhaust | 8 (1%) | 4k–18k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Wheels | 8 (1%) | 13k–24k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Backup camera | 26 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 11 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 62,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 735 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 13 report an injury · 33 say the car was towed.
122 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Carbon monoxide in the passenger compartment of a 2018 Ford interceptor utility (A honeywell BWC2R-M carbon monoxide alarm had been installed in the vehicle due to the history of carbon monoxide issues with these vehicles).
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 62,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2018 Ford Explorer: 7
The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle. A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The rear suspension toe links may fracture. A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach. A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle. A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. 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.
Due to an assembly error, the fuel pressure sensor may leak fuel. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 172
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2018 Ford Explorer. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: Customer concern of a vibration or rough idle…
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM)…
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Windshield trim molding Item detachment
Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls
Neighbouring years
2017 Explorer: 1,706 complaints, keep it · 2019 Explorer: 303 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford Explorer year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Explorer years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2018 Ford Explorer a bad year?
735 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Explorer years. At 62,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Explorer?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (288), engine (112), electrical system (58), transmission and drivetrain (50), visibility and wipers (27).
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Explorer have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Body structure (NHTSA 26V-448), Suspension (NHTSA 26V-101), Equipment (NHTSA 25V-685), Body structure (NHTSA 24V-031) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.