234 complaints reported

2018 Ford Explorer Structure

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
234
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Nov 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the A-pillar trim on the passenger’s side of the vehicle was raised up by the slipstream and was blown off the vehicle. The contact stated that the driver's side A-pillar trim was also rising up but had not been blown off the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2023
Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that upon further inspection, it was noticed that the front passenger side A-pillar trim sealant was deteriorating. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2025
Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that due to sunlight exposure, the outer layer of the dashboard peeled off and continued to expand near the location of the air bags. The contact was concerned that the defect might cause an air bag deployment malfunction in the event of a crash. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the entire dashboard needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 45,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2023
Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim detached, and the front windshield made an abnormal sound. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed that tape could be used as a temporary repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2024
Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign number: 24V031000 (Structure). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the driver's side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 99,700.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2025
Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the front driver’s side A-pillar trim was suddenly ejected from the vehicle. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000(STRUCTURE), which was related to the failure, but parts needed to repair the vehicle were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that later the front passenger’s side A-pillar trim experienced the same failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2025
Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2024
Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced at a local car wash, the exterior roof rail rack detached. Upon further inspection, the front driver’s side A-pillar trim fractured, and water was leaking onto the interior, causing damage to the rear mirror power module. The contact stated that the front driver’s side mirror failed to adjust as intended when the control module was in use. The local dealer was contacted; however, parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2025
Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2024
Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was wind entering the cabin of the vehicle from the windshield. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2024
Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the driver's side A-pillar trim had detached. The failure mileage was 150,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2025
Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal cracking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2024
Sep 2025

See attached document for complaint. I am writing to express my concern with the February 2024 recall from Ford (Safety Recall Notice 24S02/NHTSA Recall 24V031. This has been a known safety issue from Ford since February 2024. The recall letter (attached) advised that parts were expected later half of 2024. To date, no parts or further communication has been sent from Ford. I was driving my daughter and a friend home. While traveling on 196, the passenger side A-pillar applique trim clip attachment became detached from vehicle, hitting my windshield and then flying backwards on the expressway toward other vehicles. On this particular Sunday, 196 was rather busy. I was able to safely check my rear-view mirrors to ensure that other vehicles traveling behind me were not impacted by the detached trim. I am grateful that this incident occurred without any harm to any individual. I have no idea if the trim caused any damage to the vehicles traveling behind me. I am finding it unacceptable that Ford has sent out zero communication on this safety recall. My husband took my 2018 Ford Explorer to Tony Betten Ford & Sons to inquire about the missing trim and how we go about it getting repaired. He was simply told that Ford has not communicated any ETA for delivery of such parts and as far as they know, Ford is not making enough to meet the recall demand. It is now approximately 18 months since the initial recall notice and Ford has yet to send out any repaired parts. This is unacceptable and dangerous for those driving these recalled vehicles.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2025
Sep 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2024
Sep 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2025
Sep 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE). The contact stated that a dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that parts were unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted regarding parts availability. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2024
Sep 2025

This recall has been 1.5 years and still does t have a remedy by Ford? Part was checked by Ford dealership, they advised yep it qualifies but we don't have parts then left. That was 1 year ago.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2025
Sep 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side A-pillar trims had detached. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2024
Sep 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2024
Aug 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 65 MPH, the passenger’s side A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was unknown.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2025
Aug 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000(Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the passenger's side and driver's side windshield exterior A-pillar trims had become loose and were deteriorating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected several times, and the dealer determined that the trims needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2024
Aug 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedy parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2025
Jul 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000(Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2025
Jul 2025

We have been trying to get Safety Recall Notice 24S02/NHTSA recall 24V031 accomplished by our Ford dealership for several months and they say that the parts required are on back order from Ford. My complaint with Ford Motor Company is not having the parts needed for the dealerships to comply with the recall. Currently, the parts are on an emergency order from the dealership. The part on the right side A pillar is vibrating at highway speed and I am expecting a failure.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2025
Jul 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2024

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Quick Summary

The 2018 Ford Explorer has 234 Structure complaints on file. 2 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.