This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I-??ve recently heard from a-couple ford owners and ford technicians them selves that our vehicles come with faulty APIM modules and I just recently found out there was a recall on the 2017 model. I do not understand why there is not a recall on the 2018 model also as mine and several other peoples screen went completely black out of nowhere which is a part called the APIM module has failed which is a safety hazard that I cannot call 911 in an event or even use the back up camera for the safety of my vehicle. APIM modules are not cheap and they are not covered by a lot of warranty companies but it includes so many vital parts or pieces that-??s supposed to be included. Please seek to look into this APIM module recall for 2018 models also as it-??s been a headache for many people.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-up camera image was distorted and unviewable. The vehicle had also experienced various electrical failures which included the headlights independently turning on while the vehicle was off. Additionally, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the message "Key Not Detected" was displayed. The vehicle also experienced the liftgate opening independently while driving. The contact also had difficulties starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the rear camera wire connector had failed due to water damage. The connector was replaced but later the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.
The entire main console screen/information center went black one day. It was unable to be manually reset. Occasionally, on very hot days, the screen would work for the first start up. There are major safety issues associated with this: 1- inability to enable calling for help/911. There is a remote on the steering wheel to make phone calls, however, when the carplay is active and the phone is connected, you must only use the screen, the steering wheel feature is automatically disabled 2- The backup camera system is inoperable when the screen is black. This is dangerous as you cannot see hazards behind you including children, other vehicles, etc. When I contacted Ford's IT department to first report it, they said this has been an ongoing issue with updates that they were aware of, but unable to fix. Skalnek Ford in Lake Orion attempted to diagnose the safety issue for weeks and ultimately the APIM needed replacement.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was parked on an incline, the vehicle failed to restart without warning. Once the contact arrived at the scene, the vehicle restarted and resumed normal operation. The failure recurred four additional times after the initial failure. After the most recent failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where the mechanic failed to duplicate the failure. The dealer replaced the battery; however, the failure returned soon after the replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Horn failed to sound after pressing center of steering wheel. The horn started changing tones over a period of time then got quieter and then stopped working all together. Fuses and relays are in good condition. Will take it to a Ford dealer to have it looked at for further diagnosis.
- Tyler, TX, USA
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The battery continues to drain even when parked next to my house. After a few days some systems shut down beginning with the passenger door handle sensor not unlocking the doors when touched. A few days later the car would not start. It has been to several dealers in the nearly three years I have owned it and had numerous batteries replaced. Dealer always states everything checks out fine I have been stranded with a no start several times. The 12 volt accessories socket also stops working.
I have been experiencing acceleration/transmission concerns, where the vehicle essential stalls and will not accelerate. After approximately 5 seconds, the computer and transmission appear to 'sync' and the vehicle will accelerate, but the issue will continue to happen until the vehicle is turned off and back on again. The first time this happen, I was in a costco parking lot, so I did not think much of it. The second time this happen, July 12th, 2020, I was crossing a busy road of traffic near my home and was almost involved in a serious accident as a result of this failure. As I was crossing the 2 lanes of traffic to make a left hand turn, my vehicle stalled and I was almost side swiped by an oncoming vehicle. After this incident, I had my vehicle towed to a Ford dealership for inspection. Upon extensive analysis of the vehicle, the technicians could not find anything wrong with the vehicle including no failed sensors in the computer and the technicians were not able to replicate the concern. On August 19th, 2020, my check engine light came on and I immediately returned the vehicle to Ford dealership hoping this was a result of the issues I had been having. Upon another diagnosis, the error was cleared for an engine knock sensor, but this was not related to my concerns with the acceleration or transmission.
In March 2018 I bought a brand new 2018 Explorer. In November 2019 my security system started going off on it's own without any disturbance to the vehicle or me touching my keys. The next day the battery was dead and the Ford service center told me my battery was dead due to a cold snap (we are in SC...it does not get that cold). I had to get a brand new battery. Now less than a year later, it's August 2020 and the key pad on the driver's side exterior door is malfunctioning and blinking uncontrollably until it finally died and does not work. The car is still functioning fine up until this point. Now 3 weeks later, my car did not start this morning and I had to be jumped off. I took it to the Ford dealership and they said something is draining my battery and it is not holding a charge. There's no reason why a 2018 Explorer should need two new batteries in 2 years. Something is draining my battery and no one can tell me what that issue is.
Had car serviced on 06/13/20 battery 100% documented. On 07/09/20 while driving the vehicle a quarter of mile from my house when the battery exploded. There was a strong sulfur(rotten egg) smell that filled the whole car and was hard to breathe. Stopped the car and opened the hood and confirmed that the battery had exploded spraying acid all over the entire engine compartment, down under the whole car and covering the tailgate and tires as well since the car was in motion when it happened. Ford wants to take no responsibility for the battery defect they are calling it. I've had to open a comprehensive claim through car insurance to cover all the body damages and mechanical damages from the acid. The car only had 43,000 miles when it happened with a 2 year old Ford manufactured battery that was just serviced as noted in the beginning being at 100%. there was never a indicator light from the battery or engine claiming that something was happening or did happen. My health report on my car still said nothing was wrong even though my battery had exploded.
I have a Ford Explorer limited 2018 with rotten egg and sulfur smell when remote start at idle and hard acceleration. I took the vehicle for the 3rd time and got it back after 14 days. I was hoping they would replace the catalytic converter but they declined it. The report stated there were no cat converter code and that by design the Ford Explorer's catalytic converter has normal sulfur and rotten egg smell. This was taken from the vehicle report " some sulfur or rotten egg type smells from the exhaust are normal because of the catalytic converter design. Please confirm the source of this stench because after hard acceleration and or remote starts the exhaust fumes could smell like sulfur and it's normal". how can I claim the 8yrs/80,000 miles catalytic converter when they call sulfur and rotten egg normal" will I just expose my family to cancer causing fumes" if I trade this vehicle I will be $5000 negative and the person who will buy this vehicle will have the same issues. I can provide a copy of the service report if needed.
Electric shortages, smell burning wires, stalls vehicle was repurchased by Ford and I want to make sure its reported as a lemon and not resold for safety of others
For weeks now the car has been deciding what to do. The air conditioner randomly turns off or won't turn on. The window won't roll up or down. Lights in the dashboard randomly go on and off all the time. Sometimes there is just a loud noise but no lights. Then recently when I was driving on the highway going 55 mph with my 3 children the car shut its self off. The lights went crazy then shut off. There was no gas or brakes as I was going 55 mph. Once the car came to a rolling stop. It did not turn back on. Once towed to the dealership, they cannot find anything wrong.
The car sat for 7 days (we are retired) and the starter button did not respond on the first two tries to start engine. It happened on two occasions. If left at an airport, we might have been stranded. I believe the cause is the high current drain for the wifi and other electronics going on. The dealer said to check battery. The problem does not occur unless the car is unused for a number of days.
The Explorer will randomly not start like a dead battery, but then starts other times. Battery had been replaced by the dealer. Side mirrors will fold in while driving and will not fold back out until the car is stopped, turned off and then restarted. When these issues are present the sync 3 system will completely turn off. This is random at the times it happens and the dealer has not experienced it while its been in the shop. We purchased the Explorer with 500 miles it as a new car January 13th 2019. It has 4200 miles on it and has been in the dealers shop a total of 23 days. The largest problem we have and why the vehicle is parked in our garage and does not get driven is the exhaust fumes in the cabin. Its so strong that if you drive it any length of time you get a severe headache. My entire family got sick all at once on the one and only trip we took in this vehicle. The dealer also experienced this when the technician got sick driving the car. They preformed the recall protocol for previous year Explorer and made us take it but the problem is more prevalent than ever now. Ive hired an attorney and the dealership will be getting a formal demand letter to purchase the vehicle back for what we paid. Ive tried to talk to the GM of the dealership and while he agrees there is a huge problem with the car they will not buy it back unless we agree to loose money. Ford denied a claim we made for them to reacquire the vehicle, and they denied it before the the dealership was even done with their evaluation. It's been a very difficult experience and seems unless my attorney gets involved there will not be a resolution.
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.
During startup on cold mornings (not always) I have received multiple failure warnings. When this happens the vehicle has no power steering, turn signals, or windshield wipers. The warnings are: 4WD off, check parking aid, see manual, service advancetrac, steering assist fault, ABS light, airbag light, parking brake light is on even though parking brake is not on. Also the climate control still sees the temperature as the last temperature from the previous drive. So if it was 80 out and now 40, the A/C blows cold air even though it is cold out. This happened twice, once at 749.3 miles (3/12/2018) and the second time at 1440 miles (4/2/2018). First time dealer did not find the problem. The dealer has had the vehicle for over a week and still can not locate the problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Trenton, NJ, USA