2018 Ford Explorer · recalls
2018 Ford Explorer recalls
NHTSA lists 7 recalls that include the 2018 Ford Explorer. The newest, 26V-448, was filed Jul 14, 2026 for the structure. 3 of them are on the structure.
- 7recalls
- 5systems
- 728owner complaints
Newest recall or investigation Jul 14, 2026 · checked Sep 22, 2026
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN, and a finished repair drops it off the list. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Every recall, newest first
Structure:Body
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
Risk: 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.
287 of the 728 owner complaints on this car cite the structure, 99 of them the same part of it (Structure:Body). Symptom sheets that include this system: Windshield cracks or distorts (99).
What owners wrote about body
“The paint is bubbling and peeling on front hood and looks like trash. I have 50,000 miles on my car it isnât used that frequently”
Filed Oct 1, 2025 · 50,000 miles
“Cowl is rotting and pieces are coming off. Car has less than 50k miles. Also causing windshield to rattle.”
Filed Aug 12, 2024 · 50,000 miles
A complaint on the same system is not proof of the recalled defect.
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 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.
23 of the 728 owner complaints on this car cite the suspension system.
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 it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
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. 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.
4 of the 728 owner complaints on this car cite the equipment. Symptom sheets that include this system: Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails (51) · Engine overheats or leaks coolant (51) · Engine stalls or loses power while driving (32) · Check engine light or misfire (29).
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. 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.
287 of the 728 owner complaints on this car cite the structure, 106 of them the same part of it (Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars). Symptom sheets that include this system: Windshield cracks or distorts (99).
What owners wrote about roof and pillars
“The paint is bubbling and peeling on front hood and looks like trash. I have 50,000 miles on my car it isnât used that frequently”
Filed Oct 1, 2025 · 50,000 miles
“Cowl is rotting and pieces are coming off. Car has less than 50k miles. Also causing windshield to rattle.”
Filed Aug 12, 2024 · 50,000 miles
A complaint on the same system is not proof of the recalled defect.
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 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.
287 of the 728 owner complaints on this car cite the structure, 99 of them the same part of it (Structure:Body). Symptom sheets that include this system: Windshield cracks or distorts (99).
What owners wrote about body
“The paint is bubbling and peeling on front hood and looks like trash. I have 50,000 miles on my car it isnât used that frequently”
Filed Oct 1, 2025 · 50,000 miles
“Cowl is rotting and pieces are coming off. Car has less than 50k miles. Also causing windshield to rattle.”
Filed Aug 12, 2024 · 50,000 miles
A complaint on the same system is not proof of the recalled defect.
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
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."
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 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.
7 of the 728 owner complaints on this car cite the seats.
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 Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S35.
4 of the 728 owner complaints on this car cite the fuel system. Symptom sheets that include this system: Engine stalls or loses power while driving (32) · Check engine light or misfire (29).
Complaints with no recall behind them
The systems owners of the 2018 Ford Explorer complain about most that none of these recalls covers, as of Sep 22, 2026. A problem can be widespread without being a safety defect NHTSA can order fixed.
- Engine: 95 complaints, no recalloverheating · stalling
- Electrical: 58 complaints, no recallinfotainment · stalling
- Transmission and drivetrain: 49 complaints, no recallstalling
- Engine And Engine Cooling: 29 complaints, no recalloverheating · stalling
- Backup camera: 26 complaints, no recallinfotainment
NHTSA investigations
Windshield trim molding item detachment. Closed feb 8, 2024, led to recall 24V-031.
NHTSA summary
Hertz/vehicles rented with open recalls. Open.
NHTSA summary
More on the 2018 Ford Explorer
Problems by mileage on the 2018 Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer years to avoid