2018 Ford Explorer Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 168about this part
- Share
- 23%of 734 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 3,400miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 168 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2018 Ford Explorer, 23% of the 734 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 3,400 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 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“It a new car that I bought to avoid the same problem in a 2016 Ford Explorer, because Ford never solved the issue, and this one Ford Explorer 2018 has the same things, a bad smell in side the car when accelerated. Ford is putting our lives in jeopardy, I wonder if they already have an effective solution to this problem”
NHTSA complaint #11115827, filed 2018-08, 200 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“When climbing hills and engine at high RPM I can smell exhaust in the cabin portion of my vehicle. I initially thought it was the vehicle in front of me, but it happened again a few days later when I was traveling through the hills again. Same circumstances, climbing hills at a high RPM. Speed was approximately 65 MPH. The smell was exactly the same as if I was walking behind the car in the morning after staring the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #11306544, filed 2020-02, 22,000 miles“Hankook tires - 255/50r20 105h venus s1/s2 - had only 2/32nd tread after 21,000 miles. These tires came on my 2018 Ford Explorer, which I purchased new. Both Ford and hankook tires knew about the accelerated wear issue when I purchased the vehicle, but neither company made me aware of it.”
NHTSA complaint #11255960, filed 2019-09, 21,584 milesRelated service bulletins
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Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | 26% |
| 2025 | 19 | 18% |
| 2024 | 4 | 19% |
| 2023 | 27 | 24% |
| 2022 | 58 | 21% |
| 2021 | 90 | 20% |
| 2020 | 213 | 17% |
| 2019 | 48 | 16% |
| 2018 | 168 | 23% |
| 2017 | 374 | 22% |
| 2016 | 435 | 18% |
| 2015 | 407 | 22% |
| 2014 | 343 | 20% |
| 2013 | 351 | 16% |
| 2012 | 108 | 13% |
| 2011 | 118 | 10% |
| 2010 | 9 | 8% |
| 2009 | 6 | 18% |
| 2008 | 12 | 8% |
| 2007 | 5 | 2% |
| 2006 | 24 | 4% |
| 2005 | 16 | 3% |
| 2004 | 37 | 3% |
| 2003 | 48 | 4% |
| 2002 | 44 | 1% |
| 2001 | 12 | 3% |
| 2000 | 27 | 3% |
| 1999 | 27 | 2% |
| 1998 | 43 | 2% |
| 1997 | 40 | 2% |
| 1996 | 33 | 2% |
| 1995 | 16 | 2% |
| 1994 | 16 | 1% |
| 1993 | 11 | 1% |
| 1992 | 5 | 1% |
| 1991 | 16 | 3% |
| 1990 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2018 Ford Explorer
288 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 complaintsBrakes
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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