Seven problems related to service brakes have been reported for the 2018 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2018 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2018 Explorer.
July 12, 2026 I returned home and parked about 10 ft from my garage. I put my car in park, turned off the motor, and went to get out, when my husband started yelling at me that the car was moving. I pumped the brake, and heard a clicking sound. The car wouldn't stop, it ran into my house. Cracking my left headlight and denting my bumper. The car was in park, and I was unable to move the steering wheel. I had no control of the car. Thank goodness no one was standing in front of me. If it had happened just a short time before when I was at a splash pad full of children, it could have killed people. I contacted Ford motor company on Monday and the customer service representative did not offer any comfort, but simply stated that "she spoke for Ford motor CO. , and there was no financial compensation programs at this time. " I never asked for money. I just want to know if my car is going to act possessed again, if there is a recall, if Ford would stand by their product (my 3-4th Ford car). She was rude, and not helpful at all. I took it to my dealership, and they said that they ran multiple tests on it, and it showed nothing. However, when my husband took it into the shop, he ran the black box, 2 days before and after, and it showed several erratic messages. None of which were mentioned today, when they announced that my car was available for pick up. Mind you, my headlight is cracked and bumper is dented. It looks like there might be a similar recall: NHTSA campaign number: 23v675. Ford’s own number for this recall is 23s55 - I don't know what to do about this. The dealership seemed interested in getting to the bottom of it, but may be dropping the ball. Is it possible that this recall would be on my car?? please advise. I wanted Ford to take care of it, however it looks like I will need to file a report with my insurance company. I would say that there was a problem with the parking system, the brake system?.
Right front caliber went out at 47,186 miles in 11/14/2025. No abs sensor went on alerting me to the problem. Had it fixed. Two months later, 1/05/2026, at 47,620 miles later, the control hcu and module abs went out. Again, no sensor alerting me to a problem. I could hardly drive it. Had Ford look at it, assess the problem, and had to drive home due to another cost. Could have been on the highway when this occurred. Was in town, but was an awful experience! brakes locked up on me!.
Purchased 5 years ago aprox 100k miles. Kept oil changed regularly. Of course parts kept coming off, monk safety clips etc. It's a dime store matcbox wannabe. Then the abs and engine light came on. The computer was acting up and it would do crazy things. Lock and unlock, go into that slow drive as I was pulling into a road. Etc. These would self correct, all but the abs in a matter of minutes. Oh I did have it checked. All that came up was right wheel speed sensor. I paid to have it fixed. Ford dealer told me his news, new sensor bad news still says it's bad. I was moving to another state. Stranger things kept happening. None could find out what was wrong. It started back firing so new plugs and coils. The shop told me after that it still had issues and while no code it was the transmission. It started to violently shake going 70mph. Scared me to death. I sold it and now car shopping. Never Ford again! I have always trusted them but they have compromised on quality, safety and customer loyalty.
My vehicle has defect in the electronic power brake assist system that lead to extended stopping distances and cause me to hit someone from behind.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact started while driving at approximately 20 mph, the check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The electrical system shut down and the engine stalled. The instrument panel became inoperable. Additionally, the power steering became inoperable and the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to respond, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle drove off the road and violently crashed into a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a significant whiplash and a stiff neck. The contact had not yet received medical assistance. The contact was able to exit the vehicle through the front driver's side door. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. There was no police report filed. The contact stated that the front passenger's side and the front undercarriage of the vehicle were significantly damaged. Additionally, the contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle emitted smoke. The contact immediately turned off the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing, and to call back to file a report once the VIN was available. The manufacturer also referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
I have had three incidents of total brake failure on this vehicle. First, about 3 months ago I could not stop while parking in my garage and hit a work bench. I chalked it up to just a weird low speed incident as the brakes worked fine the next time I drove it. Second, I was traveling on wet roads and 27 degree weather and could not stop for a yellow light. At the time I attributed it to an icey skid because, again, the brakes worked fine the next time I needed them. But in retrospect, I do not recall any feeling that the brakes were working. Lastly, today I rear ended a car in front of me when the brakes and the supposed forward collision system both failed dramatically. I was probably going 25 mph coming to a red light and started to apply my brakes several hundred feet before the intersection. Nothing happened and I, panicked, began pumping the pedal relentlessly. Finally the dashboard crash warning light started flashing and still no drop in speed. I tried to get into low gear, but by that time it was too late and I crashed into a van in front of me. It totaled my car and pretty well wiped out the rear doors and windows of the van. Fortunately, no one was injured. I was not cited because an emt nurse was in the lane beside me and witnessed my brake pumping, steering wheel grabbing actions and could tell what was going on. The police are going to investigate the brake problem as well as my insurance company, usaa. There have been no brake recalls issued for my vehicle and any other recalls are up to date. There are approximately 50000 miles on it and it has had meticulous care and regular maintenance and brake shoes are still listed as good condition on my last visit for an oil change.
Starting whit a noise problem on engine we bring the vehicle to service department them said was not a problem 2 months later we are here on service department for steering wheel problem, brake noise, to much problems. We buy a new car to avoid this problems and issues wasting our time. And money.
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