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Recalls, inspection results and owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Explorer, from official sources in the US, Canada and Europe. To check one specific car, enter its VIN or plate.
We checked recall campaigns for this vehicle, or for its model where the register works by model.
Source: NHTSA (US Department of Transportation) · US public domain
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems." Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
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. Remedy: 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 is 18S35.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle. Remedy: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
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. Remedy: 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 element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture. Remedy: Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle. Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
We checked Transport Canada's recall database for this make, model and year.
Source: Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Open Government Licence – Canada
Issue: On certain vehicles, the repairs completed by a Ford dealer during customer satisfaction program 20N11 may not be effective. As a result, a second repair is required. On certain vehicles, the roof rail covers could become loose and detach while driving. Note: This recall is an expansion of Transport Canada recall no. 2021-267. Vehicles repaired under that recall don't require this repair. Safety Risk: A roof rail cover that detaches while driving could create a hazard for other road users and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, secure the roof rail covers.
Issue: On certain vehicles, the outer ball joint for the rear suspension toe link(s) may seize. If this happens, the toe link(s) could break while driving. This could cause a sudden loss of vehicle stability. Safety Risk: A loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the rear suspension toe links.
Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine block heater could leak coolant. If this happens, the block heater could short circuit when it's plugged in. Note: This recall replaces Transport Canada recall no. 2025-554. Vehicles that were repaired under that recall don't require this repair. Safety Risk: A short circuit can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: To reduce the safety risk, Ford advises you not to use the engine block heater until the recall repairs have been completed. Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the block heater. Alternatively, owners can choose to have the dealership permanently disable the engine block heater.
We checked the EU Safety Gate for recall alerts naming this model and its production years.
Source: EU Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC BY 4.0, © European Union
The seat belt's retraction mechanism does not work properly. This may result in a loose roll and insufficient tension of the seatbelt, increasing the risk of an injury in the event of an accident. Production: 19.10.2018 - 11.07.2020. Types: e13*2007/46*2217*00-*01 (WUJ).
The A-pillar trim may not be fastened correctly. it may come loose and fall onto the road, posing a risk to the following traffic. Production: 17.05.2010 - 3.03.2019. Types: Individual approval.
Corrosion of the bearing pin in the bearing bush can increase the frictional resistance of the bearing to such an extent that the vertical forces occurring are absorbed by the track rod itself. As a result, the track rod of the rear suspension system may break reducing the steering control of the vehicle and increasing the risk of an accident. Production: 9.4.2012 - 30.9.2017. Types: -.
Problems owners of this model reported to NHTSA, grouped by component.
Source: NHTSA (US Department of Transportation) · US public domain
Crash-test ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program.
Source: NHTSA (US Department of Transportation) · US public domain
This recall was replaced by Transport Canada recall no. 2026-005. Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine block heater could leak coolant. If this happens, the block heater could short circuit when it's plugged in. Safety Risk: A short circuit can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: To reduce the safety risk, Ford advises you not to use the engine block heater until the recall repairs have been completed. Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the block heater.
Issue: On certain vehicles, the exterior A-pillar trim on either side of the windshield may not be properly attached. As a result, the trim(s) could loosen and separate from the vehicle. Safety Risk: Trim that detaches from the vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the A-pillar trim.
Issue: On certain vehicles, the roof rail covers could detach. If this happens while driving, the roof rail cover could separate from the vehicle. Note: This recall only affects vehicles with painted roof rail covers. Safety Risk: A roof rail cover that detaches while driving could create a hazard for other drivers and nearby people, and could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to secure the roof rail covers.
Issue: On certain vehicles, seats with a manual recliner may not meet the strength requirements of Canadian regulations. A seatback with reduced strength may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash. Safety Risk: A seatback that moves in a crash could increase the risk of injury. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer for an inspection of the driver and front passenger seat recliners. For 2020 model year Explorer and Aviator, dealers will inspect the rear outboard seats. The seat structures will be replaced as required.
Issue: On certain MXV wheelchair accessible vehicles, if the switch for the "tilt & go" front seats is held in the "on" position too long, the wires could overheat and melt. This could cause a short circuit. Safety Risk: An electrical short circuit could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners in writing and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to have this problem fixed. The circuit will be modified to add a solenoid timer to reduce the chance of overheating the wires.