VinSleuth

2018 Ford Explorer recall campaigns

7 model-year recall campaigns were returned for the 2018 Ford Explorer.

Methodology: recall and complaint counts are pulled from NHTSA public data by make, model, and model year during the site build. This page is not a VIN-specific open-recall status.

Data sources: NHTSA recalls retrieved: 2026-09-09 (cache). Complaints retrieved: 2026-09-09 (cache). These are automated source snapshots; confirm current VIN applicability with NHTSA and the manufacturer.

7 Recall campaigns
724 Complaints
7 Fire reports
15 Crash reports

Recall campaign details

Recall SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER #19V633000 Reported 28/08/2019

Defect

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."

Risk

A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

Recall FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE #18V807000 Reported 14/11/2018

Defect

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.

Risk

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

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.

Recall STRUCTURE:BODY #21V316000 Reported 05/05/2021

Defect

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.

Risk

A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Recall STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS #24V031000 Reported 19/01/2024

Defect

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.

Risk

A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Recall EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER #25V685000 Reported 10/10/2025

Defect

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.

Risk

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

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 September 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.

Recall SUSPENSION:REAR #26V101000 Reported 20/02/2026

Defect

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

Risk

A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Recall STRUCTURE:BODY #26V448000 Reported 14/07/2026

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.

Risk

A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Check your VIN for unrepaired recalls

Enter your VIN at NHTSA to check vehicle-specific recall repair status. This model-year list cannot confirm whether your vehicle is affected. Recent and some older recalls may not appear; contact the manufacturer when needed.

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Other Ford Explorer model years

Recalls differ by model year — check the years near yours.

What owners complain about

Top components in 724 NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Ford Explorer. Owner reports are not confirmed defect findings.

STRUCTURE 271
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 139
ENGINE 62
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 46
POWER TRAIN 45
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 26
SUSPENSION 21
STEERING 20

Frequently asked

How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Explorer have?

7 model-year recall campaigns were returned for the 2018 Ford Explorer.

Do I have to pay to fix a Ford recall?

Safety recall remedies are generally provided without charge for eligible affected vehicles. Eligibility and remedy availability depend on the campaign, including vehicle-age rules. Contact the manufacturer or an authorized dealer with your VIN to confirm coverage and next steps.

Is this recall list specific to my VIN?

This page lists campaigns for the 2018 Ford Explorer model year. It does not confirm whether your VIN is affected or whether a repair is still needed. Use the official NHTSA VIN lookup at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls or contact Ford. Recent and some older recalls may not appear in the VIN tool.

2018 Ford Explorer crash ratings All recalls

Confirm recalls for your vehicle

This site shows campaigns by make, model and year. Automatic recall alerts are not available here. Check your VIN with NHTSA and confirm applicability and repair status with the manufacturer or dealer.

Check your VIN with NHTSA