2018 Ford Explorer Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 3%of 734 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the steering of the 2018 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 734 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased the Ford Explorer sport last november 2018, and there's no squeaking noise under the steering wheel. I noticed it last month and I go straight at the Ford dealership and they told me it's the characteristic of the car. Im so disappointed with the diagnosis, the disturbing noise is under the steering wheel, and the confusing part is the squeaking noise you can only hear that when you turn the steering wheel to the right. Hopefully you can pin point the problem. If it's the steering wheel or the air bag inside is the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11354823, filed 2020-09, 15,780 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“Vehicle when accelerating pulls sharply to right . Problem not resolved after 30 days at dealership. Alignment was not problem. Was documented while under warrantee ant was first noticed at 21000 miles and documented”
NHTSA complaint #11385739, filed 2020-12, 35,000 miles“Power steering went out twice. Dealership said no problems. Now make noise. Dealership still says no problem. Blamed it on age. It is a 2018 SUV. Should not be happening.”
NHTSA complaint #11400343, filed 2021-03, 35,000 miles“The horn on my vehicle activates (blows) when I turn the steering wheel to certain positions. I believe this to be a road hazard. Especially since I had to remove the horn relay to prevent the horn from blowing in traffic until I can get it repaired. Several other Ford vehicles have been recalled for this exact problem. Just to diagnose this problem at the Ford dealer is $170.00. Help!”
NHTSA complaint #11741587, filed 2026-06Related service bulletins
- 10177703Jul 10, 2020Some 2017-2019 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit various noise concerns while turning. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 211-02 Power Steering > Diagnosis and…
- 10176121May 22, 2020Some 2017-2019 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit various noise concerns while turning. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 211-02 Power Steering > Diagnosis and…
- 10152466Nov 1, 20182013-2019 vehicles equipped with a LKS system with customer complaints of steering wheel vibration, steering pull or vehicle drift may be due to an alert and/or steering aid…
- 10144947Aug 24, 2018When connecting the Vehicle Communication Module (VCM) and Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) or Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) to the DLC located on the driver side…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 9 | 8% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 9 | 3% |
| 2021 | 6 | 1% |
| 2020 | 28 | 2% |
| 2019 | 9 | 3% |
| 2018 | 21 | 3% |
| 2017 | 76 | 4% |
| 2016 | 532 | 22% |
| 2015 | 348 | 19% |
| 2014 | 500 | 30% |
| 2013 | 836 | 37% |
| 2012 | 360 | 43% |
| 2011 | 742 | 62% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 13 | 9% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% |
| 2005 | 12 | 2% |
| 2004 | 41 | 3% |
| 2003 | 27 | 2% |
| 2002 | 155 | 5% |
| 2001 | 21 | 6% |
| 2000 | 40 | 4% |
| 1999 | 38 | 3% |
| 1998 | 70 | 4% |
| 1997 | 33 | 2% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 52 | 6% |
| 1994 | 24 | 2% |
| 1993 | 19 | 2% |
| 1992 | 25 | 4% |
| 1991 | 10 | 2% |
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 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