2018 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Trim or a body panel comes off while driving
- 139owner reports
- 70,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 29, 2026 · checked Sep 29, 2026
466 of the 731 complaints on this car are about the structure. 139 of those describe trim coming off, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2018 Explorer.
Tick what matches of 139 reports
Trim coming off 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: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Owners in this group describe a piece of trim or body cladding that came off the car in motion: a pillar cover, a windshield molding, a grille, a roof rail or a bumper cover. Most say it flew off on the highway.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the pillar trim (80 reports) and the roof rail or rack (17 reports).
Recalls and investigations
4 recalls on the structure cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
All 7 recalls on the 2018 Ford Explorer, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the structure on the Explorer
Underbody shields detachment. Closed apr 9, 2026.
Windshield trim molding item detachment. Closed feb 8, 2024, led to recall 24V-031.
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit. Closed dec 28, 2015.
Rear liftgate glass hatch failure. Closed oct 24, 2008.
Rear liftgate glass assembly. Closed sep 28, 2004, led to recall 04V-442.
Spare tire winch cable. Closed oct 20, 2000.
Spare tire winch cable. Closed apr 14, 2000.
Liftgate support bracket failure. Open, led to recall 99V-310.
Windshield wiper malfunction. Closed apr 24, 2000, led to recall 00V-072.
Blower assembly fires. Closed apr 18, 2000.
Heater blower assembly fire. Closed sep 11, 1998.
Blower assembly fires. Closed jan 15, 1999.
Heavy lateral vibration. Closed feb 4, 1998.
Sunroof shattering and separation. Closed jan 20, 1998, led to recall 97V-235.
Sunroof (air roof) shatter. Closed may 23, 1997.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 50,000 and 84,000 miles, from the 73 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 5 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Ford Explorer that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Certain 2016 - 2019 Model Year Explorer Vehicles equipped with a Roof Rail Roof Rail Cover Detachment On some of the affected vehicles, the roof rail covers can become loose, which can lead to a visible gap between the cover and roof rail base assembly, ...
On some of the affected vehicles, the roof rail covers can become loose, which can lead to a visible gap between the cover and roof rail base assembly, rattling, and potential detachment.
Some 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles may exhibit roof rail covers that become loose or partially detached. This may be caused by a lack of retention of the clips securing the roof rail covers.
SSM 47914 2016-2019 Explorer roof rack cap trim clips now available. 2016-2019 Explorer roof rack cap clips are now available as a separate part. It is no longer necessary to order a complete roof rack rail to obtain the cap retainer clips.
1 more on the 2018 Ford Explorer page.
What owners wrote
“The windshield trim flew off of my car as we were driving down the highway and behind us into traffic. The whole chunk is missing.”
Filed Apr 15, 2023
“Passenger side A Pillar outside trim became loose starting at the top. Clips failed to hold it secure. Broke off in rain storm while driving on expressway.”
Filed Apr 5, 2023
“The passenger side front windshield A pillar outer trim flew off the car when we were driving on CA freeway 15 on Saturday, February 25, 2023. The entire molding flew off and we donât know if it hit any cars behind us since we were going at least 70 mph.”
Filed Feb 25, 2023
“Our 2018 Ford Explorer windshield trim panel is partially detached. The detachment is on the passenger side lower corner of the windshield and continues up for 9 inches. No crash has occurred as of this time. I reported the detachment to our local Ford Dealer and they were unconcerned. We first noticed a litter detachment late Fall of 2022. The detachment had since extended up the windshield.”
Filed Feb 14, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 139 reports involved a crash. 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
- Windshield cracks or distorts 99 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 51 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 51 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 32 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 29 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 27 reports