2018 Ford Explorer XLT
1FM5K7D81JGB54004
Vehicle history report for the 2018 Ford Explorer XLT (VIN 1FM5K7D81JGB54004). Black, sport utility vehicle (suv)/multi-purpose vehicle (mpv), 3.5L 6-cyl 290 hp, gasoline. 31,698 mi reported. Registered in Il. 6 open safety recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
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Vehicle identity & specifications
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What a full report checks for VIN 1FM5K7D81JGB54004
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 6
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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 sea…
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.
NHTSA Campaign #19V633000 · 28/08/2019FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA Campaign #18V807000 · 14/11/2018STRUCTURE:BODY
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 s
NHTSA Campaign #21V316000 · 05/05/2021STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
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. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 18, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
NHTSA Campaign #24V031000 · 19/01/2024EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
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. Int
NHTSA Campaign #25V685000 · 10/10/2025SUSPENSION:REAR
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
NHTSA Campaign #26V101000 · 20/02/2026We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 702 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Ford Explorer, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 1 involved a crash
🔍 Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 702
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2018 Ford Explorer.
POWER TRAIN
Less that 100k miles and my transmission already needs replaced. Last year my engine was sputtering making my car jerk while driving went to shop they did a total transmission fluid changed but said my transmission is likely going bad it helped mostly and I had high hopes the problem was solved it was not fast forward to now my transmission went then caused…
NHTSA ODI #11745795POWER TRAIN
Vehicle: 2018 Ford Explorer Mileage at Failure: 62,212 miles On [XXX] while driving my 2018 Ford Explorer, the wrench warning light suddenly illuminated on the dashboard. At the same time, the vehicle experienced a significant loss of power and became extremely sluggish in acceleration. When I pressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond no…
NHTSA ODI #11745317STRUCTURE
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 65 MPH, the front Driver-side A-pillar trim detached and struck a nearby vehicle. The contact pulled over to check on the vehicle that …
NHTSA ODI #11744994ENGINE
My vehicles transmission has been replaced 2 times already (3 years apart)- now it is overheating. Absolutely no warning lights have came on at any time in regards to any of my situations - My vehicle is available for inspection at any time. When the transmission went in my vehicle, I was traveling on an interstate with my child. The dealer has confirmed rep…
NHTSA ODI #11744514AIR BAGS
The airbag light shown in the attached photo came on at an unknown period of time. We did not know when this came on that it was not a normal light. This is a safety issue as there are many causes for this light to come on, and with this light being on the airbag may not deploy properly or at all during a collision. We did take the vehicle to the Ford dealer…
NHTSA ODI #11743561SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Attempted to make an appointment on XXX with [XXX], 2121 W Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85023 phone 602-375-7400 to have the two open safety recalls completed( 26V101 & 24v031). Could not make a service appointment because the service writer said that parts were not available and had no idea of when they would be available to fix the safety recalls. Service write…
NHTSA ODI #11743026POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
The driver side Keyless door entry pillar has come off on the highway and hit something. The keyless door entry panel came off in 2023 and Koons Ford of Annapolis charged me $ 523.00 to fix the panel. The panel has a small clip and double stick tape. Sorry, double stick tape is not going to hold up to weather variations throughout the year, wind sp…
Crash · NHTSA ODI #11741782STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The horn on my vehicle activates (blows) when I turn the steering wheel to certain positions. I believe this to be a road hazard. Especially since I had to remove the horn relay to prevent the horn from blowing in traffic until I can get it repaired. Several other Ford vehicles have been recalled for this exact problem. Just to diagnose this problem at t…
NHTSA ODI #11741587+ 694 more complaints on record.
