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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,899 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2018 Ford Explorer electrical problems

electrical problem

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2018 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #36

Feb 062024

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle experienced multiple defects, including: Overheating due to a malfunctioning cooling fan motor relay. Exterior A-pillar trim detachment. Persistent starting issues, even after replacing the battery. The vehicle is no longer in my possession due to repossession, so inspection may not be possible. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk" The overheating issue posed a risk of engine failure while driving. The detached A-pillar trim could have caused a road hazard for other drivers if it fell off while in motion. The starting issues left me stranded on multiple occasions, which could have been dangerous in certain environments. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center" Yes, the dealership confirmed the issues but stated the vehicle needed to meet specific conditions (e.g., 100 miles for certain repairs) and required costly repairs that I couldn-??t afford. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others" The vehicle was inspected by the dealership, but Ford Motor Company has not performed any direct inspections to my knowledge. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" For the overheating issue, the engine temperature warning light appeared intermittently. For the starting issue, there were no warning lights; the vehicle simply failed to start on multiple occasions. The A-pillar trim issue was visibly apparent, but no specific warning messages were displayed.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #35

Jan 072025

Explorer

  • miles
This will be another submission as I am getting frustrated. My Explorer has had constant issues like clock work every 6/7 months. I have gone through 6 batteries in a two year time span. I have had the battery control module replaced because I thought that would be the fix. However it is not. While operating my vehicle yesterday on [XXX] after barely even starting the battery died and my car said multiple systems were failing almost causing someone to rear ended me. This is a safety issue like no other. When will I receive feedback for these matters I keep submitting? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Seymour, IN, USA

problem #34

Dec 202023

Explorer

  • miles
Radio and back up screen stop working 1 month after purchase.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

problem #33

Nov 252024

Explorer

  • 138,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that water was leaking in on both sides of the windshield. The contact stated that due to the failure, rainwater was leaking onto instrument panel, causing the instrument panel to become inoperable. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer confirmed the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.

- Park Hills, MO, USA

problem #32

Oct 152024

Explorer

  • miles
The APIM (sync module) went blank. It controls backup camera, radio, heat and air, sensors on the bumper etc... Ford said the APIM failed testing and recommended to replace the APIM to gain access to the screen. It would only cost about $1100. This is a safety issue because the sensors will not work.

- White House, TN, USA

problem #31

Jul 222024

Explorer

  • miles
The APIM module that controls the display and functioning has stopped working. The following are a couple of safety concerns with this: 1. The backup camera does not work. I almost hit a pedestrian while backing up because of this. 2. Hands free features with communication and gps is not available. Not having this feature takes away a hand from the steering wheel and focus on the road. 3. Some of the climate controls are not accessible. I took the car to a Ford dealer who confirmed that the APIM module is not working. No one else has checked the car. There was a gradual decline in functionality before it completely stopped working. Some trips it would work and others it did not. The frequency of it not working increased until it completely stopped working.

- Bethel Park, PA, USA

problem #30

Aug 072024

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact started while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The electrical system shut down and the engine stalled. The instrument panel became inoperable. Additionally, the power steering became inoperable and the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to respond, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle drove off the road and violently crashed into a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a significant whiplash and a stiff neck. The contact had not yet received medical assistance. The contact was able to exit the vehicle through the front driver's side door. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. There was no police report filed. The contact stated that the front passenger's side and the front undercarriage of the vehicle were significantly damaged. Additionally, the contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle emitted smoke. The contact immediately turned off the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing, and to call back to file a report once the VIN was available. The manufacturer also referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Lawrenceville, PA, USA

problem #29

Nov 222023

Explorer

  • miles
Our radio and back up assistance screen just stop working

- Saginaw, MI, USA

problem #28

Jul 262024

Explorer

  • miles
The horn went out for a second time since I-??ve owned this vehicle. The horns are in a bad location and in rainy weather they get wet and short out. The dealer will replace the horn again.

- Tyler, TX, USA

problem #27

May 242024

Explorer

  • miles
I own a 2018 Ford Explorer there has been an issue when it-??s cold out the APIM is not responding and turning on the reverse camera when vehicle is put into reverse. When it is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit the APIM works intermittently. The problem with this is out of the blue when it decides to work at times it turns the radio on with volume at max level This has startled me not knowing it-??s going to come on and it won-??t let you turn the radio down or power it off. Ford says there is no recall on the issue.

- Douglas, MA, USA

problem #26

Dec 072023

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My screen went black for my Ford Explorer. I have no access to climate controls, backup Camera, radio, GPS, etc. My local Ford dealership said there was a recall pending but that-??s been a few months now. It-??s very dangerous driving like that with my 4 and 2 year old in the car.

- Cheshire , CT, USA

problem #25

Dec 032023

Explorer

  • miles
Driver door keypad detacted from pillar. Rear lift gate will not open with button on lift gate, key fob or switch in dash board.

- Boonville, MO, USA

problem #24

Oct 122023

Explorer

  • miles
I have owned this vehicle for a year and have gone through three batteries. It shows multiple coded for circuit shorts - Passenger mirror motor, tailgate/liftgate/trunk motor as well as the cinch striker motor, instrument panel which has lost communication with cruise control module, power steering module, battery voltage circuit below threshold, driver side curtain deployment control 1 circuit short to ground, switch illumination. When the vehicle is stopped or parked it constanly idles up to 1000 to 1500 rpms. These are all the codes that are showing on my vehicle. There has to be some sort of issue causing these problems. What happens if my airbag deploys without warning causing me to cause a major accident which can harm myself, my spouse, children and the people around me.

- Seymour, IN, USA

problem #23

Jul 202023

Explorer

  • miles
When the radio is on, a loud buzzing sound from the radio, do not believe it-??s in the speakers

- Weir, TX, USA

problem #22

Feb 182019

Explorer

  • miles
I Drove Explorer directly to Mayo Clinic in MN shorty after the purchase. It would smell like sulpher at times, gasoline, exhaust and I was getting very poor fuel economy. Averaging 17-2. I got extremely sick and confused and had severe headaches and nausea, vertigo, congnitive impairments, burning eyes and all I wanted to do was sleep. I felt fluish and I got confused while going to Mayo for testing. Well, I didn-??t make it to my appointment, I couldn-??t even figure out how to book a hotel or get cash. I ended up lifeless and chose to stay in the Explorer overnight due to the severe fatigue and confusion. I slept in an open air parking garage and had an electric throw and would start the vehicle occasionally to get warm. Well I ended up so sick and mentally confused and cognitively exhausted my sister called the police to let them know something was wrong with me. I ended up in the hospital for a week. I felt like normal during my days in the hospital, I actually thought that I had been sick from the off gassing of the Explorer, but I couldn-??t get away from the smells. I have MCS. After I was released I continued to drive down to Jacksonville Florida for my 3 week outpatient appointment. I was getting terrible fuel economy but I didn-??t realize it until I was getting 12 miles a gallon and eventually it went as low as 5 miles per gallon. I was so sick from the odors I didn-??t realize how much gas I was going through since I left CO. The Ford at that time in April 2019 had 5,000 miles on it and I was told the reason my fuel economy was so poor along with only getting 5-10 miles per gallon and the frightening smells and sickness were caused by the new emission set up and they refused to listen to my story and symptoms and charged me $500 to fix what looked to have been poorly installed. I now have a TBI and severe cognitive and an MRI that shows evidence of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and things only got worse from there. Thank you.

- Highlands Ranch , CO, USA

problem #21

Jul 102022

Explorer

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the liftgate failed to open. A message indicating a liftgate failure was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a used car dealer, where the liftgate fuse was replaced twice in one year; however, the failure persisted. The Ford dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

- Emporia, KS, USA

problem #20

Jun 282023

Explorer

  • miles
Dealer refuses to repair vehicle without issues being present. States They will only fix it once the problem has arisen.

- Gonzales, LA, USA

problem #19

Mar 222023

Explorer

  • miles
The Sync infotainment screen is inoperable and black. My backup camera is no longer operational. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the application programming interface module (APIM) needed to be replaced; however, the part for the repair was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

- Hiram, ME, USA

problem #18

Mar 112023

Explorer

  • miles
Around 4:45, was unable to access cruise control the message rapidly flashed., loss of headlights and all lighting for a few seconds. Was going 70 mph. I exited the interstate to turn around and go to my work on southbound the wrench light came on and I lost power steering, power, acceleration in my turn on the on ramp and proceeded off the road onto the incline somehow avoiding a rollover and teetering sideways. Meanwhile no power to open my window etc. at an angle where I couldn-??t open the door, took a minute to get out of the seatbelt. Suddenly got my window able to open and crawled out. The cops, and tow truck couldn-??t believe I didn-??t roll. The car was at a dealership the previous week for loss of power and terai. System problems/ no power steering and they replaced the throttle body 3 days before this happened. I-??ve had multiple electrical/exhaust/power failures. I am terrified to drive this vehicle. It-??s been to different dealerships and the ford ones and ford don-??t care (only the dealership I purchased it at tries) it is at a fifth one now. We have forscan reports of the failures also. Multiple images at scene also. Car wouldn-??t drive correctly and terrain management fault, unloaded itself from trailer too.

- Plattsmouth , NE, USA

problem #17

Jun 012021

Explorer

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the infotainment screen was inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the application programming interface module (APIM) needed to be replaced; however, the part for the repair was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

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