2018 Ford Explorer Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 1%of 734 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 113,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2018 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 734 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 113,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle is equipped with operational red and blue lights that are prohibited under the color of law, and facilitates criminal activity upon a purchase agreement. Seller has actual knowledge and can be liable under the color of law. Vehicle has open recalls.”
NHTSA complaint #11728815, filed 2026-04“Driving in the dark and passenger side headlight went out. Got diagnosed that it was a bad light housing.got various prices from 700 to 1200 dollars. Now the light works .was out for 3 weeks decided to come back on.well I would assume its not the headlight or just faulty electronics. Not sure any hekp?”
NHTSA complaint #11373866, filed 2020-11“Intermittent failures of both front turn signals and parking lamps due to wiring failure. The turn signals and parking lights on both sides of the front end of the vehicle sometimes failed to illuminate correctly. Upon investigation, failed wiring was found on the jumpers between the main engine bay harness and the lamp sockets. The wire insulation had become brittle and was flaking away, causing electrical shorts. The same failures were present on both sides. Only that short jumper segment experienced the issue, all other wiring in the engine bay was fine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11706170, filed 2025-12Related service bulletins
- 10137089Mar 13, 20182016-2018 Explorer signature lighting is standard equipment on XLT and higher level vehicles. Base model vehicles are not equipped with signature lighting and it is not an…
- 10136586Feb 5, 2018Some 2016-2018 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit flickering front amber marker lamps (inboard amber lights under the headlamps) when the engine is running. Before…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 8 | 2% |
| 2020 | 56 | 4% |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% |
| 2017 | 12 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 0% |
| 2015 | 17 | 1% |
| 2014 | 25 | 1% |
| 2013 | 25 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 12 | 8% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% |
| 2002 | 19 | 1% |
| 2001 | 9 | 2% |
| 2000 | 26 | 3% |
| 1999 | 46 | 3% |
| 1998 | 38 | 2% |
| 1997 | 20 | 1% |
| 1996 | 15 | 1% |
| 1995 | 16 | 2% |
| 1994 | 9 | 1% |
| 1993 | 7 | 1% |
| 1992 | 3 | 0% |
| 1991 | 6 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2018 Ford Explorer
288 complaintsOther or unknown
168 complaintsEngine
96 complaintsElectrical system
58 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
50 complaintsEngine cooling
29 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
26 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsSuspension
23 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsAir bags
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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