Before buying a used 2018 Ford Explorer, check whether recall repairs were completed, how it scored in crash tests and what owners report most often. Ask the seller for service records covering any recall listed below.
A 0–100 grade from public NHTSA data — higher means fewer reported problems. How it's calculated
731 complaints filed with NHTSA (15 involving a crash, 7 a fire). Most-reported areas:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints. Complaints are unverified reports, not confirmed defects.
| Version | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 2WD FFV — Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 13.8 L/100 km (17 mpg) | 9.8 L/100 km (24 mpg) | 11.8 L/100 km (20 mpg) |
| Explorer AWD — Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo | 13.1 L/100 km (18 mpg) | 9.4 L/100 km (25 mpg) | 11.2 L/100 km (21 mpg) |
| Explorer AWD — Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 14.7 L/100 km (16 mpg) | 10.7 L/100 km (22 mpg) | 12.4 L/100 km (19 mpg) |
| Explorer AWD — Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 14.7 L/100 km (16 mpg) | 10.7 L/100 km (22 mpg) | 13.1 L/100 km (18 mpg) |
| Explorer AWD FFV — Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 14.7 L/100 km (16 mpg) | 10.7 L/100 km (22 mpg) | 13.1 L/100 km (18 mpg) |
| Explorer FWD — Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo | 12.4 L/100 km (19 mpg) | 8.7 L/100 km (27 mpg) | 10.7 L/100 km (22 mpg) |
Source: U.S. EPA / fueleconomy.gov. Converted to L/100 km for Canadian buyers.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
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…
Source: U.S. NHTSA. Canadian-market vehicles can have different recalls — check Transport Canada's recall database. Always confirm recall status for a specific VIN with a dealer.
2018 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD
2018 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
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