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SeatsPart report

2018 Ford Explorer Seats Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
1%of 734 total for the year
Median mileage
5,600miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the seats of the 2018 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 734 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,600 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

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 was struck from behind by a pick-up truck driving at a high rate of speed. Upon impact my vehicle's front seats collapsed into the back seats causing the seat belts to be ineffective. As a result the passenger in my vehicle sustained back and neck injuries. My vehicle was stationary as the traffic was at a standstill. The vehicle that struck my vehicle was traveling at about 70 miles per hour.”

NHTSA complaint #11278137, filed 2019-11, 28,000 miles

“I recently purchased a 2018 Ford Explorer on august 30 from hammonasset Ford in madison, ct. I paid several thousand dollars extra for a safety package which includes rear seat belt airbags. We were disappointed to discover an issue in the second row of seats that hinders us from using one of the seats because of the airbag configuration. The middle seat where there are seat belts for three only fits two people. The design of the seat belt latches is a flawed one. The seat belts overlap which is a safety concern not to mention a human body cannot fit in the space they allotted. …”

NHTSA complaint #11139860, filed 2018-10, 200 miles

“While traveling through baltimore for approximately 45 minutes during the christmas holiday. I was sitting in the back seat of my friends 2018 Ford Explorer sport. I had the heated seat set to 2. I had fallen asleep during the trip. When I woke up I had a severe discomfort. Upon arriving at our destination my friend looked to see why I was in such pain. On my left buttock was a large burn. I have enclosed a picture of the burn I received. The burn has blistered and is now an open wound. This occurred on christmas eve. I have been treating the area with burn ointment.”

NHTSA complaint #11163734, filed 2018-12

“Air bag style seat belt has broken twice and won’t allow seat belt to latch after it breaks. Broke while seat belt was in use and driving down the highway. When replacing the buckle I found that the frame piece on the seat was broke and moved when trying to tighten the buckle. The buckle has been unavailable online through multiple vendors and finally found one in stock.”

NHTSA complaint #11585972, filed 2024-04

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Seats: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026717%
202533%
2024210%
202311%
202252%
2021174%
2020413%
201931%
201871%
2017161%
2016321%
2015161%
201470%
2013100%
201220%
201171%
20102017%
200939%
20082718%
20072412%
2006112%
200531%
200460%
2003121%
2002301%
2001246%
2000394%
1999685%
1998704%
1997382%
1996292%
1995192%
1994202%
1993303%
1992203%
1991163%

Other parts of the 2018 Ford Explorer

Body and structure
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 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