Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2018 Ford Explorer recalls
Structure: body
NHTSA campaign 26V448000 · reported July 14, 2026 · Ford Motor Company · 288,314 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
- The risk
- A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Suspension: rear
NHTSA campaign 26V101000 · reported February 20, 2026 · Ford Motor Company · 412,774 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
- The risk
- A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The 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 Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.
Equipment: electrical, engine block heater
NHTSA campaign 25V685000 · reported October 10, 2025 · Ford Motor Company · 59,006 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- The 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. 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.
Structure: body, roof and pillars
NHTSA campaign 24V031000 · reported January 19, 2024 · Ford Motor Company · 1,889,110 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Structure: body
NHTSA campaign 21V316000 · reported May 5, 2021 · Ford Motor Company · 616,967 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The 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 service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.
Seats: mid/rear assembly · Seats: front assembly, recliner
NHTSA campaign 19V633000 · reported August 28, 2019 · Ford Motor Company · 639,137 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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."
- The 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.
- The 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 · reported November 14, 2018 · Ford Motor Company · 144 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- The 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.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Oct 18, 2026 · Steering
My steering wheel is turning 360 degrees. My tires are not always turning with the steering wheel. This may become dangerous and would like to know if the 23S63/2023-678 recall is affected with my 2018 Ford Explorer? If it is not affected with the recall above could this be considered a recall? Thank you.
Oct 12, 2026 · Unknown or other
The water pump has failed
Oct 5, 2026 · Engine
MY VEHHICLE HAS BEEN TESTED BY FORD SERVICE CENTER AND FOUND TO BE AFFECTED BY THE FACTORY DEFECT THAT ALLOWS COOLANT TO LEAK CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WHERE THE ONLY REMEDY IS A NEW ENGINE BLOCK. MY VEHICLE HAS 69919 MILES. THE PROBLEM WAS RECOGNIZED WHEN THE VEHICLE BAGAN TO MISFIRE CAUSING THE CHECK…
Sep 22, 2026 · Structure
Exterior B-Pillar Applique / Door Trim Panel with keypad: The exterior B-pillar trim piece on the driver side front door frame has experienced catastrophic adhesive failure and clip breakage, detaching at the top portion while driving. This plastic trim is flapping at highway speeds and is at imminent risk of…
Sep 22, 2026 · Power train · 107,300 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle jerked. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed torque converter. The contact was…
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 18, 2026.