2018 Ford Explorer engine problems
124 of the 734 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Explorer name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). Filed under the same heading: 32 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the engine
Source: NHTSA complaint database3 of the 124 reports a crash · 3 a fire · 6 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2018: 11 · 2019: 8 · 2020: 6 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 11 · 2023: 29 · 2024: 22 · 2025: 23 · 2026: 11
Half of the 50 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 18,000 and 90,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
734 complaints in all about the 2018 Ford Explorer, 11 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Engine” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Explorer engine problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Exhaust fumes entering the vehicle. Ford engineer inspected and found 3ppm entering cabin in less than an hour. Ford states this is normal. Over 3 hours in the car causes physical illness, Ford denying any responsibility. Vehicle in motion on highway over 40mph. Ford engineering report will be available to me within the next 48 hours.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. While attempting to merge into traffic, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and an exhaust odor immediately entered the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to bill fick Ford (737 n fwy service road, huntsville, tx 77340) where the failure was duplicated, but there was no remedy available.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact attempted to accelerate to pass another vehicle and noticed an abnormal odor coming from the air conditioning vents. The odor smelled similar to burning fuel. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that a smoke test was also performed on the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. While accelerating, exhaust fumes emerged and caused a strong odor. The vehicle was taken to lamoureux Ford (366 e main st, east brookfield, ma 01515) where they stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. While driving at an unknown speed, there was a sulfur odor coming through the air vents in the vehicle. The failure caused the contact to become nauseous and dizzy. The contact was concerned for her safety. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was operating normally.
What is on file about the engine
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications32 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- 25B51 OtherMay 9, 2026
- Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and Escape, 2016-2024 Model Year Explorer, 2019-2020 Model Year Fusion, 2016-2018 Model Year Focus RS, 2022-2024 Model Year Maverick, 2016-2019 Model Year MKC and 2019-2024 Model Year Ranger Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L or 2.3L Engine and Engine Block Heater System Block Heater Replacement
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0107 P0108 P0109 P013A P013C P0430 P0303
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2018 Ford Explorer names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2018 Ford Explorer
Source: the same files- body and structure problems 291 complaints
- electrical problems 60 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 50 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre engine problems common on the 2018 Ford Explorer?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 124 owner complaints naming the engine on this model year (17% of everything owners filed about it), and 32 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the engine on the 2018 Ford Explorer?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 7 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do engine problems show up on the 2018 Ford Explorer?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 67,707 miles; half of them between 18,000 and 90,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.