NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Explorer. The newest was filed on August 2, 2027. A campaign covers some or all cars of this model year. To check one car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Structure3Suspension1Equipment1Seats1Fuel system1
Recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Explorer
NHTSA 26V101000 · filed August 2, 2027
Suspension: rear
What NHTSA says: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
The risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix, as filed: 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.
What NHTSA says: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
The risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix, as filed: 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, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. 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.
What NHTSA says: 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.
The risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix, as filed: 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 December 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.
What NHTSA says: 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.
The risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix, as filed: 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.
What NHTSA says: 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.
The risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix, as filed: 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.
What NHTSA says: 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."
The risk: 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.
The fix, as filed: 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.
What NHTSA says: 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.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix, as filed: 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.
This list is for the model year. Only a VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows which recalls are still open on one car.
Confirm the build
Recalls often cover one engine, trim or build period. Decode the VIN to see what the car left the factory with.
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See a rough scrap and parts value with the working shown. It is an estimate, not an offer.
Source: NHTSA recall data, checked November 1, 2026.Not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford.
2018 Ford Explorer recalls: common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Explorer have?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Explorer as of November 1, 2026. Each campaign covers some or all vehicles of that model year, so not every car is affected by every recall.
How do I check if my 2018 Ford Explorer has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or on the manufacturer's own recall page. That lookup shows the recalls still unrepaired on that one car, which this page cannot do. The VIN is on the driver's side of the dashboard, seen through the windshield, and on your registration card.
Do I have to pay for a recall repair?
Under federal law the manufacturer generally has to fix a safety recall at no charge to the owner. There are limits, for example for vehicles first sold more than 15 years before the recall was issued (5 years for tires). A Ford dealer does the work, so call one with your VIN to book it.
Where does this recall list come from?
From NHTSA, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which publishes recall records as public data. We refresh the list every week and show NHTSA's own wording for each campaign. We are not affiliated with NHTSA or with any vehicle manufacturer.