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Recall Campaigns
7
Federal recall campaigns
Urgent Safety Directives
0
Zero urgent stop-drive alerts
Affected Subsystems
6
Body & Structure, Electrical System
Authorized Remedy
100% Free
Mandated dealer repair by law
Federal Safety Campaign Analysis

Executive Recall Findings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lists 7 official safety recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Explorer in AutoUtility's current federal dataset. The primary affected vehicle systems include Body & Structure, Electrical System, Engine & Cooling.

VIN Specificity Notice: Safety recall campaigns apply to specific production date ranges and vehicle identification numbers (VINs). Check your 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov or with an authorized dealer to verify whether a safety repair is open.
Campaign Status & Legal Rights
  • • Federal Authority: Recalls administered under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301.
  • • Free Dealer Remedy: Under federal law, safety defect repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers.
  • • Latest Campaign Filing: Recorded on July 14, 2026.
Federal Directives

Official NHTSA Recall Campaigns (7)

Complete safety campaign filings including defect descriptions, safety hazards, and free dealer remedies

NHTSA Campaign #26V448000 STRUCTURE:BODY
Filed: July 14, 2026

What is defective?

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.

Safety Risk / Consequence

A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Authorized Free Dealer Remedy

Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed August 24, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.

NHTSA Campaign #26V101000 SUSPENSION:REAR
Filed: February 20, 2026

What is defective?

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.

Safety Risk / Consequence

A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Authorized Free Dealer Remedy

Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.

NHTSA Campaign #25V685000 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Filed: October 10, 2025

What is defective?

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Safety Risk / Consequence

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Authorized Free Dealer Remedy

Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

NHTSA Campaign #24V031000 STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Filed: January 19, 2024

What is defective?

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.

Safety Risk / Consequence

A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Authorized Free Dealer Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.

Manufacturer Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #21V316000 STRUCTURE:BODY
Filed: May 5, 2021

What is defective?

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.

Safety Risk / Consequence

A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Authorized Free Dealer Remedy

Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.

Manufacturer Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #19V633000 SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Filed: August 28, 2019

What is defective?

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

Safety Risk / Consequence

A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Authorized Free Dealer Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.

Manufacturer Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #18V807000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: November 14, 2018

What is defective?

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L or 3.5L GTDI engine. Due to an assembly error, the fuel pressure sensor may leak fuel.

Safety Risk / Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Authorized Free Dealer Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line assembly, free of charge. The recall began December 7, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S35.

Manufacturer Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov
Subsystem Scope

Vehicle Systems Involved in Recalls for 2018 Ford Explorer

Distribution of official safety recall campaigns across automotive subsystem domains

01 4 CAMPAIGNS

Body & Structure

Safety campaign directives specifically targeting components within the Body & Structure subsystem.

287 Consumer Complaints →
02 1 CAMPAIGN

Electrical System

Safety campaign directives specifically targeting components within the Electrical System subsystem.

57 Consumer Complaints →
03 1 CAMPAIGN

Engine & Cooling

Safety campaign directives specifically targeting components within the Engine & Cooling subsystem.

113 Consumer Complaints →
04 1 CAMPAIGN

Fuel & Propulsion System

Safety campaign directives specifically targeting components within the Fuel & Propulsion System subsystem.

23 Consumer Complaints →
05 1 CAMPAIGN

Seats & Interior

Safety campaign directives specifically targeting components within the Seats & Interior subsystem.

4 Consumer Complaints →
06 1 CAMPAIGN

Suspension

Safety campaign directives specifically targeting components within the Suspension subsystem.

22 Consumer Complaints →
Fleet History

Recall History for Ford Explorer

Official safety recall campaign volume across sibling model years (2015–2026)

Model Year NHTSA Recalls NHTSA Complaints Detailed Report
2015 Ford Explorer 9 1773 View 2015 Recalls →
2016 Ford Explorer 15 2441 View 2016 Recalls →
2017 Ford Explorer 14 1687 View 2017 Recalls →
2018 Ford Explorer Current Page 7 720 Current
2019 Ford Explorer 6 291 View 2019 Recalls →
2020 Ford Explorer 34 1198 View 2020 Recalls →
2021 Ford Explorer 27 416 View 2021 Recalls →
2022 Ford Explorer 25 257 View 2022 Recalls →
2023 Ford Explorer 15 105 View 2023 Recalls →
2024 Ford Explorer 10 19 View 2024 Recalls →
2025 Ford Explorer 19 95 View 2025 Recalls →
2026 Ford Explorer 12 0 View 2026 Recalls →
Consumer Checklist

VIN-Specific Recall Verification

How to confirm whether an individual vehicle requires an authorized safety repair

Safety recall campaigns apply to specific vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and manufacturing date ranges. To verify if your individual vehicle has an uncompleted safety recall:

  • Locate your 17-character VIN on the driver's side door jamb or dashboard.
  • Enter the VIN into the official NHTSA recall lookup at NHTSA.gov/recalls.
  • Contact any franchised Ford dealership to schedule a free remedy appointment.
NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 711)
Related Workstations

Related Official Reports for 2018 Ford Explorer

Explore owner problem reports and crash safety ratings for this model year

← 2018 Ford Explorer Overview

Key performance indicators, EPA fuel economy specs, powertrain variants, and summary ratings.

2018 Ford Explorer Owner Complaints (720) →

NHTSA defect complaints breakdown across all vehicle subsystems and recurring symptoms.

2018 Ford Explorer Safety & Crash Ratings →

NHTSA 5-Star NCAP crash test results, driver assistance systems, and rollover ratings.

2018 Ford Explorer MPG & Range →

EPA fuel economy ratings, electric range, and annual energy cost benchmarks.
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Safety Recalls & Federal Directives for the 2018 Ford Explorer

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2018 Ford Explorer

How many safety recalls are on file for the 2018 Ford Explorer?

The 2018 Ford Explorer is associated with 7 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns, affecting systems including Body & Structure, Electrical System, Engine & Cooling.

A recall campaign listing indicates that a safety defect or noncompliance standard was determined for specific production runs of this vehicle model year.

Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

Are there urgent 'Do Not Drive' or 'Park Outside' directives for the 2018 Ford Explorer?

No official 'Do Not Drive' or 'Park Outside' safety advisories are associated with recall records for the 2018 Ford Explorer in AutoUtility's current dataset.

Urgent directives apply to critical safety risks; standard recall campaigns require timely inspection and remedy at an authorized dealer.

Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database

Are recall repairs free for the 2018 Ford Explorer?

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge.

Federal law (49 U.S.C. Chapter 301) requires manufacturers and franchised dealers to provide authorized safety recall repairs at no cost to the vehicle owner. Because campaigns apply to specific production runs and option packages, vehicle owners must verify their 17-character VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls or through an authorized dealership to confirm individual applicability.

Source: National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (49 U.S.C. Chapter 301)

Does a recall campaign apply to every 2018 Ford Explorer?

Not necessarily. Model-year recall campaigns typically apply to specific vehicle production date ranges, assembly plants, or optional equipment packages.

AutoUtility's model-year records describe campaign scope; owners must check their individual 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls or through an authorized dealership to confirm if an open recall applies to their specific vehicle.

Source: NHTSA VIN Lookup Service
Official US Government Data Provenance

Recall records published on this page are retrieved directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Safety Recalls Database under 49 U.S.C. 30118.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.