2018 Ford Explorer recalls (7)

Every 2018 Ford Explorer recall

Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.

• Structure · NHTSA 26V448000

  Jul 14, 2026Structure:Body

  Problem

  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.

  Fix

  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.

  Full recall details for 26V448000 →

• Suspension · NHTSA 26V101000

  Feb 20, 2026Suspension:Rear

  Problem

  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.

  Fix

  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.

  Full recall details for 26V101000 →

• Equipment · NHTSA 25V685000

  Oct 10, 2025Equipment:Electrical:Engine Block Heater

  Problem

  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.

  Fix

  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.

  Full recall details for 25V685000 →

• Structure · NHTSA 24V031000

  Jan 19, 2024Structure:Body:Roof and Pillars

  Problem

  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.

  Fix

  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.

  Full recall details for 24V031000 →

• Structure · NHTSA 21V316000

  May 5, 2021Structure:Body

  Problem

  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.

  Fix

  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.

  Full recall details for 21V316000 →

• Seats · NHTSA 19V633000

  Aug 28, 2019Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner

  Problem

  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.

  Fix

  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.

  Full recall details for 19V633000 →

• Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 18V807000

  Nov 14, 2018Fuel System, Gasoline

  Problem

  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.

  Fix

  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.

  Full recall details for 18V807000 →

2018 Ford Explorer complaints and service bulletins

Owners filed 735 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Explorer, reporting 16 crashes, 7 fires, 13 injuries. Ford has issued at least 191 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.

Most-reported components

• Structure291
• Unknown Or Other168
• Engine96
• Electrical System60
• Power Train50
• Engine and Engine Cooling29

Service bulletins by component

• Electrical System (100)
• Equipment (65)
• Power Train (39)
• Engine and Engine Cooling (23)
• Seats (18)
• Structure (16)

Read Ford Explorer owner complaints and bulletins, every year

Other Ford Explorer model years

← 2017 Ford Explorer · 2019 Ford Explorer →

• 2027 (1)
• 2026 (14)
• 2025 (20)
• 2024 (10)
• 2023 (15)
• 2022 (24)
• 2021 (26)
• 2020 (34)
• 2019 (6)
• 2018 (7)
• 2017 (14)
• 2016 (15)
• 2015 (9)
• 2014 (7)
• 2013 (12)
• 2012 (7)
• 2011 (8)
• 2010 (2)
• 2009 (1)
• 2008 (1)
• 2007 (1)
• 2006 (1)

All Ford Explorer recalls, every model year