Home · 2018 Ford Explorer Gas · Complaints

What 710 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Explorer Gas

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (710)Crash / fire / injury (29)Body & structure (284)Engine (93)Electrical system (56)Transmission & drivetrain (46)Engine & cooling (29)Visibility & wipers (27)Backup camera & sensors (26)Fuel system (23)Steering (20)Suspension (20)

284 of 710 complaints match · Body & structure · clear filters · page 3 of 12

Oct 6, 2025Body & structureVisibility & wipers

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.

NHTSA ODI 11691529

Oct 3, 2025Body & structure

1 year ago, the exterior pillar trim detached on the 202 Highway in Mesa, Arizona while I was drivign 65 MPH. It cracked another windshield. I received the recall and went in to Robert Horne Ford Dealership. They informed me those pieces are on recall. I told them to notify me when they became available. It has been 1 1/2 years and still nothing. This week, the other side pillar trim came off, again while I was on the highway. This is dangerous. Now I feel like my windshield is not secure, as it is shaking while I am driving. The recall was announced in January of 2024. It is October of 2025. How can a company ignor the recall and simply not address explicit safety violations? NHTSA # 24V031

NHTSA ODI 11691271

Oct 1, 2025Body & structure

The paint is bubbling and peeling on front hood and looks like trash. I have 50,000 miles on my car it isn’t used that frequently

NHTSA ODI 11690833

Sep 24, 2025Body & structure

See attached document for complaint. I am writing to express my concern with the February 2024 recall from Ford (Safety Recall Notice 24S02/NHTSA Recall 24V031. This has been a known safety issue from Ford since February 2024. The recall letter (attached) advised that parts were expected later half of 2024. To date, no parts or further communication has been sent from Ford. I was driving my daughter and a friend home. While traveling on 196, the passenger side A-pillar applique trim clip attachment became detached from vehicle, hitting my windshield and then flying backwards on the expressway toward other vehicles. On this particular Sunday, 196 was rather busy. I was able to safely check my rear-view mirrors to ensure that other vehicles traveling behind me were not impacted by the detached trim. I am grateful that this incident occurred without any harm to any individual. I have no idea if the trim caused any damage to the vehicles traveling behind me. I am finding it unacceptable that Ford has sent out zero communication on this safety recall. My husband took my 2018 Ford Explorer to Tony Betten Ford & Sons to inquire about the missing trim and how we go about it getting repaired. He was simply told that Ford has not communicated any ETA for delivery of such parts and as far as they know, Ford is not making enough to meet the recall demand. It is now approximately 18 months since the initial recall notice and Ford has yet to send out any repaired parts. This is unacceptable and dangerous for those driving these recalled vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11689527

Sep 19, 2025Fuel systemBody & structure

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11688337

Sep 19, 2025Body & structure

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 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.

NHTSA ODI 11688375

Sep 18, 2025Body & structure

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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ODI 11688152

Sep 17, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE). The contact stated that a dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that parts were unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted regarding parts availability. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ODI 11687963

Sep 14, 2025Body & structure

This recall has been 1.5 years and still does t have a remedy by Ford? Part was checked by Ford dealership, they advised yep it qualifies but we don't have parts then left. That was 1 year ago.

NHTSA ODI 11687198

Sep 11, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact had been calling the local dealer to schedule an appointment for over 9-months and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the lack of parts.

NHTSA ODI 11686612

Sep 2, 2025Body & structure

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 unavailable. 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.

NHTSA ODI 11684567

Aug 21, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 65 MPH, the passenger’s side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11682195

Aug 21, 2025Body & structureLatches & locks

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 contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the A-pillar trims on the front passenger’s side and the front driver's side became loosened. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at 70 MPH, the hood unexpectedly opened. The contact stated that the hood was slightly ajar. The message "Hood Ajar" was displayed. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and pushed the hood down. The contact continued driving. Most recently, while driving 70 MPH, the failure reoccurred with the message "Hood Ajar" displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the shoulder and pushed down and closed the hood. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired after the most recent failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11682266

Aug 15, 2025Body & structure

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 contact stated that the passenger's side and driver's side windshield exterior A-pillar trims had become loose and were deteriorating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected several times, and the dealer determined that the trims needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11680891

Aug 11, 2025Body & structure

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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger side A-pillar trims detached. 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11679755

Aug 7, 2025Body & structure

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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger side A-pillar trim detached. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer however, parts were not available for several months. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11678989

Aug 7, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the driver's side A-pillar trim. The contact stated that the driver's side A-pillar trim was blown off the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); and believed that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11679096

Jul 30, 2025Body & structure

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 the failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11677276

Jul 28, 2025Body & structure

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 not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11676684

Jul 28, 2025Body & structure

We have been trying to get Safety Recall Notice 24S02/NHTSA recall 24V031 accomplished by our Ford dealership for several months and they say that the parts required are on back order from Ford. My complaint with Ford Motor Company is not having the parts needed for the dealerships to comply with the recall. Currently, the parts are on an emergency order from the dealership. The part on the right side A pillar is vibrating at highway speed and I am expecting a failure.

NHTSA ODI 11676836

Jul 25, 2025Body & structure

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 contact stated while driving at various speeds, front driver’s side and passenger’s side A-pillar trims loosened and vibrated in the wind. Several local dealers were 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11676209

Jul 24, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the roof rail covers separated from the vehicle and flew off on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the roof rail covers molding was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

NHTSA ODI 11675889

Jul 23, 2025Body & structure

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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side A-Pillar trim pieces were loose. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11675596

Jul 10, 2025Body & structure

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 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.

NHTSA ODI 11672433

Jul 9, 2025Body & structure

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 not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side A-pillar trims had detached. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11672212

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Working with the data? Download all 710 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 20, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2018 Ford Explorer Gas verdict →