general problems of the 2018 Ford Explorer - part 1

Vehicle is equipped with operational red and blue lights that are prohibited under the color of law, and facilitates criminal activity upon a purchase agreement. Seller has actual knowledge and can be liable under the color of law. Vehicle has open recalls.

On March 26, 2026, my vehicle received the rear suspension toe link replacement under Ford/NHTSA recall 26s08 (26v101000). Within approximately 5 weeks, all four rear tires were completely destroyed by misalignment caused by Ford’s non-adjustable replacement parts. On approximately may 2, 2026 — during the first rain after the recall service — my vehicle hydroplaned and skidded uncontrollably, creating a serious risk of collision and injury. On may 4, 2026, mavis tire & brake [xxx] ) confirmed the cause: Ford’s non-adjustable recall toe link replacement had left my rear wheels severely out of alignment (rear total toe measured 2. 09° — over 4x outside the acceptable range of 0. 10°–0. 50°). The mavis service manager documented in writing on invoice #21381: “replaced rear arms with adjustable arms to correct alignment. ” the mavis technician noted I was the second Ford Explorer customer within the same few weeks to present with this identical defect. I paid $1,507. 93 out of pocket for four replacement tires, two new adjustable control arms to replace Ford’s defective recall parts, and alignment service. Key evidence in my possession: • mavis invoice #xxx ($1,507. 93) with service manager’s written admission • pre- and post-repair alignment reports showing extreme misalignment and full correction • photographs of destroyed bridgestone alenza 255/50r20 tires (severe inner-edge wear) • Ford dealership video from March 26, 2026 showing tires in good condition before recall service • VIN door sticker confirming vehicle specs • complete case overview document prepared for submission information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

A-pillar trim flew off on the highway and almost caused a accident. The second one is also coming off. There was a recall for certain vins but somehow mine wasn't included in the recall.

I received a recall for 2018 Ford Explorer for the rear suspension toe links NHTSA recall 26v101. I've tried to schedule an appointment to have this fixed, however, the dealer cannot fix this recall as they have no parts and said they do not know when any parts will be available to fix this issue. I've called the Ford recall assistance center and the Ford customer service group and neither one of these groups have any information pertaining to this recall. If this is a safety recall, how can Ford send a recall notice and not be able fix it. Any additional information would be greatly appreciate. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

My 2018 Ford Explorer continues to have issues with the rear back up camera. It makes it difficult to see while backing, especially at night. I have noticed recalls concerning this very problem on Ford Explorers with a recall on this very issue beginning with 2020 models. My vehicle is experiencing the sale malfunction. We called Ford a couple of times about the issue, and their response was, summarized, “sorry, it is not under the recall and there is nothing for us (Ford) to do. ” I feel sure that I am not the only pre-2020 Ford Explorer owner to have this wide spread problem. It should be included in the recall. Thank you.

Horn stopped working. Airbag indicator will not reset. Took to local dealership but their service department doesn’t seem to find an active recall for this, even though I can see them listed, just not for my particular VIN number.

My 2018 Ford Explorer sport had a recall on the luggage rack. The railing on top it was repaired. In twenty one, but the repairer didn't hold the relling, flew off on the passenger side and driver's side is about to fly off. And my local four dealer has changed hands. So they're refusing to repair it again. So recall clips felled, so what do I do.

The manufacturer has not remedied the repair of a recall within a timely manner. I am scheduled to ship my vehicle overseas, which requires all recalls to be addressed. Manufacturer recall number24s02 (NHTSA recall number24v031).

It has been 1. 5 years since this recall and Ford has not remedied the problem in a timely manner.

I do not no at this time.

These parts are still unavailable. This should be a class action lawsuit.

Nothing has happened yet, but I want to make dure nothing does happen as a result of not taking care of this potential problem.

In 2025 the dashboard leather on our 2018 Ford Explorer platinum began to come unglued and rolled apart creating a very distracting white strip. This is very distracting and reflects into our line of sight. We have taken to the Ford dealership for repair. And the only answer from them is go to an upholstery shop or replace the full dashboard… very expensive!! we have researched and discovered that this is a regularly reported problem on reddit and other sites for Ford Explorers and expeditions from 2018-2020. These suvs are not cheap! we paid a lot of money for a luxury SUV and this is not acceptable. But Ford isn’t interested because they don't see it as the safety danger it really is. The exposure of the white matting underneath the leather creates a vision safety problem looking out the windshield. Pictures attached. We are asking for assistance in getting Ford to address and repair this problem. At the very least it is a quality control problem on their luxury suvs that Ford should be fixing.

The plastic covers on the roof rails are both loose and constantly pop out. I'm nervous that they are going to fly off when driving, causing an issue for other drivers.

I previously reported a battery 'explosion' in this 2018 Ford Explorer with odi 11678705 due to my concern for a potentially highly dangerous situation for my grandchildren who were riding with me. And myself. An unpleasant smell intermittently followed this car that morning July 10 upon opening the hood it was evident that battery acid had leaked out of the battery and 'exploded' covering most visible engine parts. Entire time of drive there was no 'alert' showing up on my dashboard July 11 car would not start to take to Ford dealership. Aaa towed car with aaa driver remarking 'looks like your battery exploded!' engine compartment cleaned by service, battery replaced July 12 July 18 engine light came on. Ford dealership contacted, no service appointment available until Aug 20. Advised by Ford service to take short trips only, and stop driving if engine light started flashing. I restricted my driving. July 27 started car for trip to church. Loud banging coming from under hood. Stopped driving. Car towed July 28 to Ford dealership repair. Car was not into service dept until Aug. 5. Aug 6, Ford service decided to get input from a more experienced technician to diagnose the problem with 2018 Ford Explorer Aug 7, Ford service escalated case to Ford corporate for engineering help with identifying 'electrical' problem with my car. Ford service rep stated 'you car is throwing a code not typically seen with Explorers) how can be safe if these my car had a battery issues mechanics freely admit they have not seen before. And now trained Ford mechanics cannot even find or fix the broken link that truly may be responsible for back to back engine failures? dealer has finally been able to provide a rental. This car has been maintained according to factory recommendations at sunset Ford and bommarito Ford st. Loui.

The displayed view by the back up camera flickers, or shows a blue screen when the car is placed in reverse. This places the safety of pedestrians at risk of being hit by the vehicle when backing up. This places the safety of other drivers and myself at risk of collision when backing up. The component (back up camera) was inspected by a Ford dealer (sunrise Ford in fort pierce FL. ). I was charged $199 to run diagnostics on the camera. They found that the camera had an internal fault, vision blurry and suggest replacing camera at a charge of $1145. I was told that the existing recalls do not cover my VIN. I contacted Ford customer care to see if my VIN was covered under the announced 15 year warranty for backup camera replacement. Although 2016 - 2025 Ford Explorers was listed as being eligible for replacement, I was told my VIN was not included. Ford customer care opened up case number cxh-06550938-r6d9q3 to investigate the problem. The problem started about 6 months ago and only happened once in a while then the camera would work as intended. Now the problem occurs 90% of the time the car is placed in reverse.

2018 leather on dashboard shrinks pulled away from the glue. Causes a safety hazard while driving.

Rear view camera not functioning since March 2025.

The radio flickers on & off when started for about 10 minutes. It’s very distracting. The windshield makes a whistling noise when going above 50mph.

The dash cover came unglued and is rolling up exposing a white cloth that reflects on the windshield makingit hard to see.

The dashboard is string to come up the glue is no longer holding and it cause the leather to shrink and come up cause a white glare on the windshield and making it hard to see.

I can hear air coming from the windshield on the drivers side at the top.

As you drive you can hear air coming from around the windshield on the drivers side.

Horn failure. Does not work at all. This in now the third time my horn has failed and requires replacement (again). In addition, Ford still does not have replacement parts for the a-frame recall. It is unsafe to be driving this vehicle.

I believe the apim has malfunctioned. I have a black screen. No backup camera, no controls for the functions on the screen, no radio and no hands free telephone. The safety of being able to see what is behind me while backing up is gone. The screen started malfunctioning about 8 months ago. It would work sporadically, now it doesn't work at all. I did the soft reset and the hard reset, plus Ford walked me through the update but it never worked.

The a-pillar appliques on my vehicle are detaching and my windshield vibrates while I drive, putting my family at risk, and others as well. The rubber seal around windshield is coming off on the outside of car. I have reached out to Ford on multiple occasions with no course of action. I have done my research and have let them know since they can not fix the problem, I have contacted a lawyer. Still nothing. When driving my car any speed the windshield vibrates, idling and the windshield vibrates. This is a safety concern for my family. Please help us.

Body control module has went out in the vehicle multiple times. Which causes the battery to die and the vehicle not to start. Part has been replaced multiple times.

I first contacted the dealership on July 29, 2024 to set up an appointment and again on oct. 8, 2024. I took my vehicle to the dealership on 11/22/24 to have the recalls on my vehicle corrected. On pickup I was informed that the pillars had not been fixed became there were no parts available. The following day while driving on the highway something hit the side of my vehicle. When I arrived at my destination I noticed on the passenger side windshield pillar was missing and the passenger doors were scratched. I’m concerned because the drivers side pillar may fall of and hurt someone. In addition I’m concerned about the windshield falling due to the cracking of the sealant. I need to use my vehicle to go to work.

While driving down the interstate, parts on both sides of my windsheild came flying off, leaving the sides of my windshield exposed and debris flying behind me into oncoming traffic. I got notice of the recall, called Ford, they indicated it would be fine, its not dangerous, and parts were on back order until February. This happened, I called Ford again, and now the parts are not available until March. Meanwhile I'm drivng around with missing pieces on either side of my windwhield, a whistling wind noise in the interior of my car and possibly damaged someone behind me on the interstate. This is unacceptable on behalf of Ford. Please advise.

Doesn’t want to run right.

The Ford dealer inspected the trunk lip's rust but refused to submit it to Ford consumer support for a corrosion warranty extension claim. The rust must have existed long before the corrosion warranty expired and was not detected for a month after. In 2023, the hood had rust bubbles around the edge and was repaired. I would like to have the rust of the Ford Explorer reviewed for a manufacturer recall.

The dash on my 2018 Ford Explorer platinum is rolling up from the front of the dash. It is made out of some sort of leather or vinyl. But with it rolling up towards the driver, it causes a glare onto the windshield which causes visibility issues. I know I'm not the only one experiencing these problems with the platinum trim on the 2018 Ford Explorer. But this really needs to be looked into and recalled. You can also look up the Explorer platinum on a vehicle search website and visibly see that every platinum edition Explorer has this issue. It's unsafe and should be addressed immediately.

I took this vehicle for a recall on September 2024 mire than 9 months ago & as of today, there has been no solucion from customer service. I have send text messages to get an update & on January 2025 I was told that 3 of the 4 parts missing have arrived & they were just waiting for the last one. This recall have affected my business because I can't sell this vehicle due to the recall on it. I am really desperate to get the recall done so I can sell it. Carrillo's auto sales.

Check engine light showing. Diagnostic testing shows misfire in cylinder #3. Ford dealership ran diagnostic testing ($169. 95) and verified concern and found coolant intrusion cylinder #3. Advised, due to mileage (75,976 miles), replacement of long block. Replacement cost estimated at $11k. No repairs have been performed at this point due to excessive cost. Second diagnostic test ($89. 95) with independent mechanic - confirmed original verification and found evidence of wear on long block. Mechanic stated that he currently had a Ford edge in the shop with the same issues. There is currently a class action law suit against Ford for same the issue. .

The front seal of windshield seems to be letting quite a bit of air flow through window into vehile when driving 35+ miles/hr. There is a recall on the particualar part that needs to be replaced. The vihicle has yet to be inspected by professional.