2018 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 32owner reports
- 73,000median miles
- $4,400median quote
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Aug 26, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
218 of the 731 complaints on this car are about the engine. 32 of those describe stalling.
Tick what matches of 32 reports
Stalling on other Explorer years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2019, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the engine cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Due to an assembly error, the fuel pressure sensor may leak fuel.
All 7 recalls on the 2018 Ford Explorer, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Explorer
Loss of motive power. Closed oct 31, 2024, led to recall 24V-635.
Rear axle bolt failure. Closed feb 15, 2024, led to recall 23V-675.
Exhaust odor in passenger cab. Closed jan 17, 2023.
Ford explorer exhaust odor. Closed sep 12, 2017.
Vehicle rollaway allegations. Closed feb 12, 2013.
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head. Closed jan 4, 2006.
Engine compartment fires. Closed aug 2, 2006, led to recall 05V-388.
Accelerator pedal. Closed mar 9, 2000.
Vehicle hesitation/stalling. Closed feb 22, 2000.
Fuel line damage from jump starting. Closed nov 15, 2000, led to recall 98V-060.
Parking pawl. Closed apr 1, 1999, led to recall 91V-189.
Electrical fire in center console. Closed sep 4, 1997.
Driver door electrical fire. Closed may 15, 1997, led to recall 97V-083.
Engine cooling fan cracks. Closed aug 31, 1994.
Auto trans prndl misalign. Closed jul 29, 1994.
Auto trans.prndl misalign. Closed jan 29, 1993.
Park pawl bending. Closed nov 8, 1991, led to recall 91V-189.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
What owners paid
7 of the 32 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,000 to $6,384.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 42,000 and 125,000 miles, from the 20 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
No report on this problem is short enough to quote in full.
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 32 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Trim or a body panel comes off while driving 139 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 99 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 51 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 51 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 29 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 27 reports