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

Apr 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the passenger’s side front door A-pillar trim detached and flew off the vehicle and almost hit another vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and recommended that the contact sought assistance from the manufacturer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but was unable to confirm when the part would be available for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

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

The contact's son owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The owner 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: Apr 2024
Apr 2024

Front hood paint bubbling, corrosion and peeling

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

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound emanating from the exterior of the vehicle. After a visual inspection, the contact observed that the windshield cowl had become detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the windshield cowl. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 40,000.

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

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 stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the driver's side trim on the A Pillar detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that the trim also damaged a part of the plastic at the base of the windshield and the driver’s side near the A Pillar while detaching from the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the trim on the A-Pillar on the driver's side and the entire plastic cowl under the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

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

No incident yet.Between front door and back door, trim not secure. Is this included in recall #24V031?

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

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the bottom section of the front windshield rubber trim seal had deteriorated and became unsecured. While driving at various speeds, the unsecured trim was blown into the field of view of the driver, creating a visibility hazard. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 40,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Apr 2023
Mar 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the driver's side of the front window. The contact's wife observed a piece of the molding flapping. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the exterior A-pillar trim needed to be replaced. 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 not made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was approximately 42,100.

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

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, a tractor trailer truck passed by in the opposite lane and the rear GPS fin and the radio antenna blew off the vehicle. The contact stated that the loss of the rear fin exposed the electrical circuits to the wind and water. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

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

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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

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

Frame around windshield is loose on the right. Rattles when driving at higher speeds.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2023
Mar 2024

Lost A pillar trim yesterday on a drive. I was advised that the recall was still in advanced notice. I am not paying to repair my vehicle while they figure their stuff out. I will be driving around without an A pillar now!

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

Exterior A- Left pillar become detached on the interstate and was a hazard to the cars behind, almost caused a crash. Exterior A-Right pillar is loose. I have attempted to get the recall repair completed at a dealership, but have been unsuccessful.

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

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 the sound of wind was heard while driving at speeds 40 MPH or higher coming from the sides of the front windshield. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,500. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

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

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the A-Pillar trim on the driver's side loosened and was blown off the vehicle. The contact was unable to recover the trim from the highway. The contact stated that later, the passenger’s side A-Pillar trim also blew off the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the trim pieces needed to be replaced; however, parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,920.

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

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the cowl detached, and the contact witnessed a vehicle swerve. It was unknown if the cowl crashed into the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure recurred, the A-pillar trim detached, and the contact heard a flapping sound. The contact stated that duct tape was placed on the trim to prevent the cowl from detaching. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. 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 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 2023
Feb 2024

The keyless entry panel on driver's side next to driver's window is poorly put on and is starting to come off and could tear off on freeway and cause a safety risk to others. We took the vehicle into a Ford dealership for repairs on some other trim that had a recall and when we received our vehicle back we heard a whistling noise on drivers side and saw the keyless entry panel trim piece was coming off and when we called back to have them fix they stated they didn't damage it during the other trim work they performed and it isn't part of the recall

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

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the passenger’s side trim detached from the vehicle. The trim struck the front windshield of another vehicle, causing the other driver to lose control of the vehicle and the vehicle spun out. The contact was unsure if the front windshield was cracked due to the impact. There were no reported injuries. The contact called the local dealer and was referred to a Collision Center for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The Collision Center was contacted and provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 99,800. The VIN was not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2023
Jan 2024

I have a 2018 Explorer that may be involved in the Ford recall for the windshield trimpieces that may come loose. I may not have that issue but I have an issue with trim pieces separating from both the drivers and front passenger doors.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2023
Jan 2024

Was driving on the high way and the B pillar trim detached and was hanging by the wire. No damage was done to this area prior and appears the adhesive gave out. Due to incident back lift gate is inoperable and displays as open.

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

On the exterior this car has a plastic A-pillar cover on both sides of the windshield, i already had one fly off on expressway ( luckily didnt hit anyone or cause an accident) i replaced the one, but now the other side is coming loose as well, not sure if its a defect in the clips or the design , but the dealer doesnt acknowledge this to be a problem, there happily charging 600.00 to replace each A-pillar and they keep coming loose

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2023
Jan 2024 Crash

I was driving on the freeway when one of my A pillers flew off and cause the person behind me to loose control of their car. About 5 min later the other a piller flew off almost causing an accident with a semi and trailer.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2024
Dec 2023

Windshield cowl (trim) had deteriorated, possibly due to common heat and sun damage. 1. We do not know whether or not the deteriorated cowl will affect windshield stability or water leaks. If windshield stability is affected, it would affect safety. 2. Other complaints have noted that pieces of deteriorated cowl/trim have impacted safety of nearby vehicles. 3. The vibration, humming, and buzzing are irritating to drivers and passengers. // This observed deterioration occurred when the vehicle was 5 years old, however, we know of the same problem occurring in a 2019 Explorer at about 3 years. // The local Ford dealer stated it would cost over $650 to replace the cowl.

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

The windshield bottom rubber trim is Descente grating and falling apart.

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

The NHTSA has opened an investigation into 2011-2019 models experiencing an issue with the windshield trim panel. The trim panels are cracked and disintegrating and pieces are missing posing a hazard while the vehicle is being operated at highway speeds.

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

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

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.