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2018 Ford Explorer problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2018 Ford Explorer. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 24% of relevant complaints.
Better than 81% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Does the 2018 Ford Explorer have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 171 of 733 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Explorer concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (24%). For comparison, the 2017 scores 25% and the 2019 scores 23%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2018 compares with other Ford Explorer years
Of the 14 Ford Explorer years with enough complaints to score, the 2018 is the 7th-best on engine and transmission share (24%). The worst is the 2020 (53%), the best the 2011 (16%). By volume, the 2018 drew 733 complaints (171 drivetrain), against 1,703 for the 2017 and 298 for the 2019.
Ford Explorer years to avoid and best years →
2010 Explorer problems · 2011 Explorer problems · 2012 Explorer problems · 2013 Explorer problems · 2014 Explorer problems · 2015 Explorer problems · 2016 Explorer problems · 2017 Explorer problems · 2018 · 2019 Explorer problems · 2020 Explorer problems · 2021 Explorer problems · 2022 Explorer problems · 2023 Explorer problems
The rest of the picture on the 2018 Ford Explorer
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2018 Ford Explorer said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 171 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2018 Ford Explorer engine recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2018 Ford Explorer involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 7 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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…
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…
5 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model; one of NHTSA's listings did not answer when this page was built, so the list may be incomplete. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2018 Ford Explorer? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2018 Ford Explorer
Does the 2018 Ford Explorer have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 171 of 733 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Explorer concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (24%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Ford Explorer?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2018 Ford Explorer is structure: 290 of 733 complaints (40%) name it, followed by engine (94) and electrical system (57). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap. Engine, transmission and fuel-system complaints together make up 24% of the relevant total.
Is the 2018 Ford Explorer reliable?
On the engine and transmission, nothing stands out: 24% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain, below the 33% line where we call a signal elevated. That is better than 81% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 14 Ford Explorer years we score, it ranks 7th-best. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2018 Ford Explorer?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2018 Ford Explorer involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 7 in total: 25V685000 (equipment: electrical: engine block heater), 18V807000 (fuel system, gasoline). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Ford Explorer years are better?
Among the Ford Explorer years we track, the 2011 (16%), the 2012 (19%) and the 2023 (19%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2018 (24%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/ford-explorer
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.