What 710 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Explorer Gas

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence and then to an independent mechanic shop, where a full diagnostic inspection was not performed; however, the mechanic suspected that coolant bubbled internally and the contact was informed that the head gasket might need to be replaced. The mechanic was unable to disassemble the engine for further inspection. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

NHTSA ODI 11749329

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Prior to the failure, when the vehicle was started, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. After several minutes, the sound ceased. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a misfire in cylinder #3. The contact was informed that the spark plug was stuck, and the independent mechanic was unable to remove the spark plug. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #3, and the spark plug and ignition coil were replaced. The contact was unsure if the stuck spark plug was removed the second time the vehicle was repaired. Most recently, the contact noticed that while the vehicle was in park(P) and left running, the vehicle was idling roughly. The message "Engine Coolant Over Temperature" was intermittently displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, left the vehicle running, exited the vehicle, opened the hood, and there was no smoke or steam present. The contact returned to the vehicle and noticed that the temperature gauge was indicating that the engine was HOT. The contact drove back to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinders #1, #2, and #4. The contact was informed that the coolant reservoir was empty, that the spark plug in cylinder #3 was stuck, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for a second opinion, who diagnosed coolant intrusion in cylinders #1, #2, and #4, and that the spark plug was stuck in cylinder #3. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The dealer notified the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

NHTSA ODI 11718838

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated, with the warning light illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle and refilled the coolant reservoir. In addition, the contact stated that the coolant reservoir was repeatedly refilled weekly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a coolant pump failure and a slow coolant leak. The contact was informed that the coolant pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant pump failure. The contact was informed that the coolant pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11669141

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC: P0303 (Misfire in cylinder #3). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, who confirmed the failure. The dealer replaced the spark plugs and ignition coils. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, after the contact had the tires serviced, and the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinders, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the torque converter and engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure due to the cost. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.

NHTSA ODI 11667283

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was black smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the battery was faulty. The battery was replaced. The contact stated that while driving, there was black smoke coming from under the hood, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The transmission was replaced. Later, while driving again, the black smoke was again present coming from the hood of the vehicle, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine and turbo were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11654696

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, there was an abnormal odor outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,504.

NHTSA ODI 11646994

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon his mother attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the high-speed cooling fan motor relay. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N01. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11638298

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing coolant, but there was no indication of a coolant leak. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was cool air coming from the heater vents. The contact called an independent mechanic for orange coolant, who informed the contact that the coolant was on backorder. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for a routine oil change and diagnosed that the water pump was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11637319

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to shift to revere, the vehicle jerked and hesitated before shifting into reverse. The contact stated that after shifting to drive, the RPM revved; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact released the accelerator pedal, shifted to neutral and back to drive while slowly depressing the accelerator pedal for the vehicle to operate as needed. The contact stated that afterwards while driving 20 MPH or more, the vehicle sputtered and was making an abnormal grinding sound. While idling, the vehicle started shaking violently. The contact stated that the “WRENCH” and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission had failed due to failed spark plugs and filters. The mechanic also stated that there was a significant amount of rust on the engine. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact became aware of a Customer Satisfaction Program: 10181988 (Power Train) and Technical Service Bulletin 10184634 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Power Train) and linked the TSB and CSP to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall, Customer Satisfaction Program 10181988 (Power Train), and Technical Service Bulletin 10184634 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Power Train). The manufacturer opened a case for the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11627174

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the engine overheated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure was due to the water pump and fan. The water pump was replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,200.

NHTSA ODI 11575476

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

NHTSA ODI 11575226

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the crank and camshaft valve position sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 11547719

EXHAUST SAFTEY ISSUE / MY CEL CAME ON LEAVING WORK ON 9/25 , SCANED CODE AND GOT A CODE OF P0430 (CATALYTIC CONVERTER BANK 2) I FOUND A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM ISSUED ON 06/13/19 -(PROGRAM #19M01) ON THIS TO REPLACE UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE ISSUE IS WARRANTY COVERAGE IS 11 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES. THE CODE CAME UP AT 120,325 JUST OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY EXTENSION , FORD IS UNWILLING TO EXTEND THIS COVERAGE PAST THE 120 MILE MARK , tHIS CAR ALSO FALLS UNDER ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT WAS ISSUED 01/26/23 (PROGRAM# 22M06) STILL FORD REFUSES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY FOR THIS SAFTY ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11546795

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle overheated. The temperature gauge increased to the high engine temperature level. There was an abnormal beeping sound detected. The contact noticed that the coolant reservoir was empty and added coolant. The contact stated that the next day there was coolant on the garage floor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 71,699.

NHTSA ODI 11544782

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was blue smoke coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the two turbo chargers were leaking and that there was oil in the engine. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11542138

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was a message indicating that the engine was overheating. Additionally, the contact became aware of a burning odor. The contact was able to drive to the residence and parked the vehicle in the garage. The contact then noticed that coolant was leaking onto the ground. The contact stated that coolant was added to the vehicle; however, half of the coolant leaked from the vehicle. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed with water pump failure. The contact was referred to the dealer for the repair. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he would be charged a repair fee because the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11538502

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while accelerating there was an abnormal exhaust odor inside the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact then had a headache, but medical attention was not provided. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

NHTSA ODI 11532697

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that coolant was leaking from the engine and the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the water pump was replaced; however, the contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the water pump had failed again. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The failure mileage was 81,135.

NHTSA ODI 11530204

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while her husband was driving approximately 45 MPH, the check engine warning light started flashing. The contact stated that after blinking twice, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The driver coasted to the side of the roadway and had the vehicle towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The certified mechanic explained that coolant had leaked into the engine oil causing the engine to fail. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed the diagnostic result and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.

NHTSA ODI 11528121

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while pulling into a parking lot, the high engine temperature message was displayed. Additionally, the “Low Coolant – Pull Over and Check Coolant” message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 67,707.

NHTSA ODI 11527220

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started overheating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a faulty water pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

NHTSA ODI 11506685

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the low fuel warning light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who added oil in the vehicle and stated that the water pump needed to be replaced. The mechanic also mentioned an issue with the coolant however, the contact could not recall what was stated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.

NHTSA ODI 11481381

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the water pump was leaking. While driving, the vehicle overheated and stalled. The overheating message was displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

NHTSA ODI 11463623

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormally strong odor of fumes throughout the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had to roll down the wind to remove the odor from inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the odor caused her to constantly be nauseated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed an HVAC update on the vehicle however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that medical attention was not sought. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11450797

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE AND NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. THE ODOR SMELLED SIMILAR TO BURNING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COURTESY FORD (LOCATED AT 1107 BRASHEAR AVE, MORGAN CITY, LA 70380, (985) 492-7260) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ODOR EMITTED FROM THE COATING ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A SMOKE TEST WAS ALSO PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. A REPAIR WAS MADE INSIDE THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE CONTACT TEST DROVE TWO SEPARATE 2018 FORD EXPLORERS AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME ODOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11133132