Model year guide

2018 Ford Explorer

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2018 Ford Explorer is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 132 on record.

2018 Ford Explorer — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2018 Ford Explorer at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints702
Combined20 mpg
Typical price$31,557

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2018 Ford Explorer recalls 6

Seats:front Assembly:recliner NHTSA Campaign #19V633000 · 28/08/2019

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 …

Fix: 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #18V807000 · 14/11/2018

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.

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 is 18S35.

Structure:body NHTSA Campaign #21V316000 · 05/05/2021

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.

Fix: 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 …

Structure:body:roof And Pillars NHTSA Campaign #24V031000 · 19/01/2024

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.

Fix: 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.

Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater NHTSA Campaign #25V685000 · 10/10/2025

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.

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 element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. In…

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #26V101000 · 20/02/2026

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.

Fix: 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 Identificatio…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2018 Ford Explorer common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 702 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
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.
Air Bags
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.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

2018 Ford Explorer MPG & running costs

Combined20 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,143

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2018 Ford Explorer worth?

Low
$23,881
Typical price
$31,557
High
$38,995

From 96 comparable 2018 Ford Explorer listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2018 Ford Explorer costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,715
Depreciation (5 yrs)$7,050
Total$22,765
Per mile$0.30

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($31,557) with the same model 5 model-years older ($24,512), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2018 Ford Explorer trims & engines on record

Trims
XLT · Sport · Platinum · Limited · Base · Police
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl 290 hp · 3.5L 6-cyl 365 hp · 2.3L 4-cyl 280 hp · 3.7L 6-cyl 304 hp

2018 Ford Explorer vehicles on record

Other Ford Explorer model years

2018 Ford Explorer — frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Ford Explorer have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2018 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Explorer?

Based on 702 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are structure, power train, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Ford Explorer get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2018 Ford Explorer at about 20 mpg combined (17 city / 24 highway).

How much is a 2018 Ford Explorer worth?

Comparable 2018 Ford Explorer listings run roughly $23,881–$38,995, typically around $31,557 (from 96 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.