general problems of the 2018 Ford Explorer - part 2

The clips on my windshield are not holding windshield in properly and the black rubber on outside of windshield is deteriorating and my windshield vibrates while driving.

Car developed leaks and a mold smell. Brought car to dealer, apparently, sunroof drains were plugged up cause water to build up in the car. The mold is making my wife and I sick. This is a severe health hazard caused by a manufacturing or design defect. The service dept at the dealer tried 3 or 4 time to sanitize, all failed and now they recommend replacing all of the upholstery in the car, rugs, headliner and seats. Mold has permeated this vehicle and it is not driveable. Ford should issue a recall for this problem and cover any costs.

Unknown.

None of the parts listed above are the problem. But we can hear a weird noise coming from the sides of the windshield and can definitely tell that it's getting worse as the noise has increased significantly as time goes by. I just called a glass company and they told me that the parts needed to get this fixed are pretty expensive. That's why I am reaching out since it looks like there is a recall specifically for this issue. Can Ford take care of this issue?.

Got a letter in February from Ford about recall 24s02/NHTSA recall 24v031and have not seen any updates in the last t months ????.

Ford sent me a recall notice for my 2018 Explorer a-pillar replacement February 2024. I made an appointment and they attempted to install the new a-pillars. However they broke the new replacement part (drivers side) during the install. They gave me my Explorer back without an a-pillar and said they would expedite getting an new one. It's now been over a year, the dealership is not responsive, only saying it's a manufacture problem. I called Ford and get the same message. Meanwhile I have a very unsightly SUV, it is also very noisy to drive. Additionally, I would like to replace this vehicle, but its now worth much less. Is their anything that the nhtsb can do to hold Ford accountable for this repair? thank you in advance, mark dolle.

Description in some of the affected vehicles it may be possible that some of the exterior a-pillar applique trim clip attachments are not properly engaged due to improper assembly or repair. If this occurs, the a-pillar applique trim, which borders the right and left side of the windshield, may be loose, missing or become detached. Safety risk an exterior a-pillar trim part that detaches while driving can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. I bought the car jauary 19, 2024. The parts to fix this was supposed to be here by fall of 2024. This is affecting my job and will not be able to work soon. I do uber and they want this fixed or they will cancel me.

I purchased the 2018 Ford Explorer and it worked fine there were no issues when I bought it on 7/8/2024 as of 2/14/25 the coolant leaks and I have been adding coolant like crazy. Are there any defective parts on the 2018 Ford Explorer? I had only a 90 day warranty through carmax.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v031000 (structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

I use this car for business as part of my income. Ford has issued an advance recall notice. In January 2024. I have not been able earn money because of the recall notice. Manufacturer recall number: 24s02 NHTSA recall number: 24v031 from legal advice, the advance recall notice is for the dealers and is not an official recall notice. Since the notice, I have been unable to rent out my vehicle. That's 15 months ago with no income. Now I have another advance recall notice on my other vehicle a 2020 expedition max limited. I need to make a living. What actions can be taken. ? I've called numerous times first to times, no answer phone just rang after initial message. The following times, a human answered after message but I was disconnected or inadvertently put on hold. Then steered to this page. Looking for some assistance.

This recall was opened in Jan 2024. It’s been almost two years and parts still not available. I use my vehicle for business as part of turo and they deactivated this vehicle in 2024 and won’t let me add it back until repaired. I have loss of income around 25,000 due to this. Easy remedy still no fix.

Heat stopped working in Dec. Had it checked by local mechanic coolant very low but couldn’t find leak. Heat was working and no check engine light ever went on. About month later had car back for oil change and mechanic found leak, again no check engine or warning ever came on. Finally got appt at Ford dealer $3000 to repair and was told would take 11 hrs. Ten days later car was supposed to be fixed. Pick up car. Next day when heat was put on there was a terrible burning rubber smell and now a very load noise which wasn’t there when vehicle was dropped off.

Radio and back up screen stop working 1 month after purchase.

While driving on the interstate the piece of trim along the passenger side windshield flew off. No warnings. I am unsure if it caused any damage to anyone driving near me. It took me a moment to realize what had happened. I took the car to Ford repair where they had to replace the pillar molding, pillar molding hardware kit, and pillar molding mount bracket.

Windsheild trim is breaking into pieces on the sides and coming off. The bottom trim going across the hood is getting wavy and cracking and not laying flat on the surface anymore. It is also starting to break away. Dealer said no repairs for this are covered under warranty and if I want it fixed its very expensive.

Windshield molding is defective due to cracking and splitting. Whistling sounds while driving. Danger of molding coming off and causing an accident. I took it to the dealer and having it replaced. Very costly. I understand this is under investigation but not recalled yet. Please advise.

Cowl trim on front windshield is detaching from the windshield and flapping while vehicle in operation. Concerned this will fly off the vehicle snd possibly land on another traveling vehicle and possibly cause an accident. This just started making a buzzing noise approximately two weeks ago and after further investigation the trim is literally coming off the windshield in pieces. No warning lights just a noise from the dash. Pictures can be provided.

The windshield trim has come loose & come off on the left side while going down the road. The right side is beginning to do the same thing. I noticed pieces missing on 10/10/23 & on 10/11/23 a big piece flew off the car as I was driving down the highway.

Right side windshield trim panel detached from the car while moving. Had to purchase two different pieces at a cost of approximately $139. 00 each. Plus the cost of installation.

Windshield trim detached during highway travel. It flapped hitting the windshield and flew off almost causing collision.

My car started to make a buzzy kind of noise when I go over 30mph, with the heat I notice the cowl panel started to have some wear and tear, I google it and it seems to be an issue for this type of vehicles of Ford when it’s hot. I have read and watch many videos of people with the same car having an issue with it, I’m not sure and I would like to know if is safe to drive like that.

Apim module is bad.

Both side pieces on the windshield have flow off while traveling down the high way. The first time it happened was about 2 months ago on the passengers side and last night 7/21 on the drivers side.

The passenger side windshield panel flew off while driving 70 mph on the highway. There is now a rattling sound when I drive over 30 mph. There were no warning signs, only a loud crack. This could have been very dangerous if someone had been next to or behind the vehicle.

Recently my screen has not been working in the car. When I took it to the car dealership they said it was the apim and it is 1400. They said they have had to order about 35 of them in the past month with cars having the same issue. If this is the case then a recall should be considered due to the price that is associated with this part.

Have had the vehicle for less than a year have had nothing but lil problems but recently have gotten a cranking noise, transmission / coolant leaking under the vehicle. Also have water leaking from the exhaust line when car is in park. Driving back from work early in the morning a sounded like a big pop not sure what it have may been took it to the mechanic ass well twice an got it diagnosed an they’re response was they couldn’t find the problem. The area I’ve seen an heard the clunking the most would be under the vehicle at the center by the catalyst converter. Transmission jerks as well I’ve had this vehicle for 8 months a don’t seem to be what a vehicle should be doing.

The driver side trim piece near the windshield blew off while driving down the highway.

Windshield trim came off while driving on the highway. Luckily no one was directly behind me , but another driver on the right of me saw the piece flagged me down to let me know. And informed that there is an investigation about this piece.

About two years ago, I had the windshield replaced because I had a crack in it. A certified tech approved by my insurance replaced it. Once that happened, I noticed the right a-pillar was loose. Thinking it was something they did incorrectly, I called and they came to fix it; however, a day later, it did the same thing. The clips would not fit correctly. While going down the road, it flew off and scraped the side of my car. Now there isn't an a-pillar and I'm afraid water is getting into my car. Since that happened, my electrical system has been acting strange. I called the autonation and I was told the saw the recall, but they didn't have any fixes for it yet. That was in 2024.

Leaking exhuast fumes into the cab.

Passenger side windshield trim pieces detaching from the car's body at highway speeds.

Backup camera does not work. This has been going on for two years. We have been to the dealer about this situation. There were intermittent messages saying that the camera didn't work, then it completely stopped. This started in 2023. We went to the dealer to find out about what it would cost to have it fixed and found out that all the years around the 2018 had been recalled for this problem. We wanted you to know that the 2018 has the same problem as these other vehicles with the backup camera.

Both of the front window panels/trim on the outside flew off on the highway. Two different incidents. As if they are not properly installed because why are they so loose and flying off. Ford needs to fix this with a recall this is ridiculous.

I was driving on interstate 75 Sunday April 30 , when the windshield a-pillar molding trim ,passenger side blew off and flew into the traffic behind me.

On 2018 Ford Explorer, the windshield trim on passenger side came off during a road trip. Vehicle was going 70mph and the trim piece flew off.