The 2018 Ford Explorer is one of the best three-row SUVs you can buy, packed with plenty of tech, safety features, and capable powertrains. While few and far between, problems include odd smells and a faulty fuel pressure sensor.
Key Points
- The 2018 Ford Explorer has had three recalls issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pertaining to roof rails that may detach, a faulty fuel pressure sensor, and a seatback with an improperly assembled reclining mechanism.
- Consumers reported issues with the Sync 3 infotainment system, mostly citing glitches like screen freezing. The satellite radio system is also known to spontaneously lose signal.
- The largest area of concern for the 2018 Explorer involves complaints of dangerous exhaust fumes with a rotten-egg smell entering the vehicle, which could potentially become fatal should enough gas enter the cabin.
2018 Ford Explorer Has Three Relatively Mild Recalls, with a Potential Fuel Leak as the Most Serious
The 2018 Ford Explorer has a relatively low number of recalls compared to its peers. According to the NHTSA, the 2018 Explorer has three current recalls posted as of this writing.
The Explorer’s recalls are for a faulty back seat assembly that may not adequately secure occupants in the event of an injury, roof rail covers that may become loose and detach at highway speeds, causing the potential for an accident, and a leaky fuel pressure sensor that could leak and potentially catch fire. All these recalls have free repairs in place for affected vehicles through the Ford dealer network.
2018 Explorer Struggles with Handful of Annoyances Pertaining to Infotainment System and Satellite Radio
When scouring sites like Car Complaints and Repair Pal, some of the most notable customer complaints centered around the infotainment system, whether it was the satellite radio losing connection or the Sync 3 system malfunctioning. Some buyers just had to deal with these minor inconveniences, as there has been no official recall or announcement from Ford.
Transmission Failure Accompanied by Hard Downshifts and Odd Noises Marred 2018 Ford Explorer’s Driving Experience
As we dug into the complaints from owners surrounding the 2018 Ford Explorer, the first major issue we encountered centered around transmission failure near the 33,000-mile mark. Ranked at an 8.7 out of 10 on the Car Complaints severity scale, buyers should be cautious when shopping higher-mileage Explorer models. Owners with issues reported hard downshifts accompanied by noise. In most reported cases, the entire transmission had to be rebuilt or replaced.
In Some 2018 Explorers, Owners Report a Foul Smell that Can Potentially be Fatal
The most pervasive complaint we encountered when researching the 2018 Explorer revolved around owners complaining about a rotten egg smell in the cabin of their vehicles. Complaint after complaint listed with the NHTSA described owners complaining about rotten egg odors and exhaust fumes making their way into the vehicle during trips.
In each instance, drivers noted an obnoxious smell entering the vehicle even though all windows and doors were securely closed. Most complaints warned that it made the occupants nauseous and physically ill. Each of these reports cite the cause of the smell to be exhaust fumes entering the vehicle, which is unsafe, as exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide and can be fatal in large quantities. Most reports ended with passengers rattled enough by the smell or symptoms to roll down the windows for fresh air, or to exit the vehicle before any further exposure.
That was not the case for all. One complaint, dated December 2020, recounts owners taking their Explorer in for a “bad smell.” After a five-day stint at the shop, the vehicle was returned to the owners with the diagnosis of nothing wrong with the Explorer. After a few months of driving, the owner was admitted to the hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning. Within five days of the diagnosis, the owner passed out while driving the vehicle and crashed into a telephone pole; tests showed the driver had carbon monoxide in her blood.
No Official Recall has been Issued Over Carbon Monoxide Concerns, but Dealers Have a Fix Available
Even with 41 alleged injuries due to carbon monoxide issues, there are no open recalls for this common complaint. Even with no formal recall by Ford or the NHTSA, Ford has begun to offer free replacement parts to affected vehicles.
Since implementing the complimentary service, Ford and the NHTSA complaints have decreased. In a statement to CBS News, Ford says the service provided to customers, “effectively resolves the matter.”
In an article from 2019, Roadshow claims that at least 50 owners have taken legal action against the automaker, while many more had their vehicles purchased back by Ford due to the defects.
The NHTSA has a continuing investigation into the matter, and urges consumers to schedule the free repair with their dealer and to report potential safety issues on their website or by calling 1-888-327-4236.
2018 Explorer Remains a Top Choice by Consumers Despite Common Issues and Complaints
Since its transformation from a body-on-frame SUV in 2010 to a crossover in 2011, the Ford Explorer has sold exceptionally well, according to Good Car Bad Car. Sales have consistently been over 100,000 units each year, with some years moving more than a quarter of a million units. Sales for the 2018 calendar year were 261,571.
While the SUV as a whole has become a top choice by consumers, the issues covered in this article do raise cause for alarm. Thankfully, overall, the 2018 Explorer is a reliable vehicle that should still have some time/mileage left on its powertrain warranty if any engine/transmission problems do show up.
Photos: Ford
