2018 Ford Explorer
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 297 of 731 complaints (41%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Engine include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 1,697 in 2017 to 731 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850–3,450 | 2,850–3,450 | 2,850–3,450 | 2,850–3,450 | 2,250–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–22 | 18–22 | 18–22 | 18–22 | 19–28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–19 / 22–27 | 16–19 / 22–27 | 16–19 / 22–27 | 16–19 / 22–27 | 16–27 / 23–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 410–490 | 408–494 | 409–486 | 409–500 | 322–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 2,469 | 1,697 | 731 | 294 | 1,208 | |
| Recalls issued | 15 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 35 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 39 | 34 | 16 | 2 | 35 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 14 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 10 | |
| Injuries reported | 59 | 51 | 13 | 6 | 38 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Explorer have?
7 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Ford Explorer?
Body, Seats & Latches: 297 of 731 NHTSA complaints (41%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Ford Explorer get?
EPA rates it 18–22 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Ford Explorer?
EPA estimates $2,850–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 455 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 19 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 409 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 453 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 483 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.3L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 429 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 480 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 486 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 120 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 49 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 23 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical | 58 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Brakes | 12 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 40 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 17 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 40 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 297 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 172 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (7)
STRUCTURE:BODY · Campaign 26V448000 · Jul 14, 2026
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
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.
SUSPENSION:REAR · Campaign 26V101000 · Feb 20, 2026
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
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.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER · Campaign 25V685000 · Oct 14, 2025
Defect: 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: 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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS · Campaign 24V031000 · Jan 19, 2024
Defect: 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: 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.
STRUCTURE:BODY · Campaign 21V316000 · May 5, 2021
Defect: 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: 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.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER; SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY · Campaign 19V633000 · Aug 29, 2019
Defect: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 18V807000 · Nov 19, 2018
Defect: 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: 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.