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EnginePart report

2018 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

Complaints
96about this part
Share
13%of 734 total for the year
Median mileage
30,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 96 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Ford Explorer, 13% of the 734 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Constant smells of carbon monoxide in my vehicle almost every time I accelerate above 3500 RPM. I've taken it to two dealerships more than three times for the same problem with no solution. Every time I get in my vehicle I dread smelling this stuff and hope it doesn't affect me or a loved one.”

NHTSA complaint #11298227, filed 2020-01, 38,000 miles

“Exhaust fumes are entering the cabin during acceleration and when the AC is on. Several family members have complained about the smell within the cabin. I personally have experienced headaches and burning eyes because of the issue. It smells like burnt hair. This is a family vehicle used to transport my entire family including my 5 month old baby. This smell is making everyone nauseous.”

NHTSA complaint #11111383, filed 2018-07, 45 miles

“Our 2018 Ecoboost Ford Explorer started releasing smoke from the tailpipe when starting in April 2023. I took it in to the Ford of Kirkland dealership in early May 2023. They kept my car for 9 weeks, and then said there is nothing wrong with it and gave it back in July 2023. The car kept having the same issue. This was while it was still under warranty about 96,000 miles. Fast forward to February 2024, the car has continued to smoke this entire time since the dealership gave it back in July. In February, I was driving home on the freeway going up hill when the car suddenly decelerated rapidly. …”

NHTSA complaint #11611950, filed 2024-08, 110,000 miles

“My explore has failed to start on 4 different occasions. The dealer service department sent a tow to get the car, and the driver got it to start after several attempts, then he shut if off and it failed to start again. The service manager told me he couldn't get the issue to occur so there wasn't anything for him to do even though he had a fault code. My explore only has lest than 9000 miles and is still under warranty but yet they are telling me there isn't anything they can done after keeping my car for 3 weeks. …”

NHTSA complaint #11118467, filed 2018-08, 8,400 miles

“For weeks now the car has been deciding what to do. The air conditioner randomly turns off or won't turn on. The window won't roll up or down. Lights in the dashboard randomly go on and off all the time. Sometimes there is just a loud noise but no lights. Then recently when I was driving on the highway going 55 MPH with my 3 children the car shut its self off. The lights went crazy then shut off. There was no gas or brakes as I was going 55 MPH. Once the car came to a rolling stop. It did not turn back on. Once towed to the dealership, they cannot find anything wrong.”

NHTSA complaint #11310401, filed 2020-02, 12,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026614%
202587%
202415%
2023109%
20223011%
20215011%
20201179%
2019196%
20189613%
201724114%
201638216%
201522713%
201419812%
201322510%
20127910%
2011837%
20101412%
2009412%
20082114%
20072813%
2006589%
2005173%
2004443%
2003222%
2002491%
200162%
200091%
199940%
199860%
199740%
199620%
199520%
199310%
199230%

Other parts of the 2018 Ford Explorer

Body and structure
288 complaints
Other or unknown
168 complaints
Electrical system
58 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
50 complaints
Engine cooling
29 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
26 complaints
Fuel system
23 complaints
Suspension
23 complaints
Steering
21 complaints
Air bags
11 complaints
Brakes
11 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Ford Explorer

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology