2018 Ford Explorer body and structure problems
291 of the 734 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Explorer name the body and structure (NHTSA’s “Structure” heading — body panels, frame, roof rails, trim and glass as fitted). Filed under the same heading: 18 manufacturer bulletins, 3 recalls, 1 NHTSA investigation. 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 body and structure
Source: NHTSA complaint database4 of the 291 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2018: 3 · 2019: 7 · 2020: 5 · 2021: 12 · 2022: 7 · 2023: 46 · 2024: 68 · 2025: 112 · 2026: 31
Half of the 126 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the body and structure problem between 36,000 and 86,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
734 complaints in all about the 2018 Ford Explorer, 31 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 “Structure” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Explorer body and structure problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the body and structure. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
My 2018 Ford Explorer roof racks flew off (broke off) while driving on the freeway causing cars behind me to swerve to avoid impact this occurred in january 2019
The gas door does not seal and props open all time, the vehicle comes with no fuel cap and door does not lock allowing anyone to put containments in the fuel
2018 Ford Explorer has a roof rail issue where the top part the the roof rail that comes factory on the vehicle will pop out of place and not clamp down properly the for part number is fb5z 78551a47 aa and also fb5z 78551a46 aa one belongs to the left and the other the right.
I bought a brand new Ford Explorer, the passenger door flew open while I was driving at 40 MPH. Ray skillman dealership have to "fix" the door that was twisted and warped. Then it leaked. They put on a new gasket. It still leaks and soaks me when I open the door after a rain.
The 2018 Ford Explorer xlt with black plastic roof racks. I have had a rack blow off twice in higher speed situations! Three times to dealership, replaced now, tried new clips, tried glueing, they still cannot correct, and are unwilling to fully replace both racks entirely unless it flies off again. This is extremely dangerous!
What is on file about the body and structure
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 26V448000 HighJul 14, 2026 · 288,314 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
- 24V031000 HighJan 19, 2024 · 1,889,110 vehicles
- 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.
- 21V316000 HighMay 5, 2021 · 616,967 vehicles
- 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.
NHTSA investigation
- PE23001 Windshield trim molding Item detachmentopened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Feb 8, 2024
- On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting this failure. ODI has received 671 VOQs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injur…
18 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 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.
Other systems with a record on the 2018 Ford Explorer
Source: the same files- engine problems 124 complaints
- electrical problems 60 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 50 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre body and structure problems common on the 2018 Ford Explorer?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 291 owner complaints naming the body and structure on this model year (40% of everything owners filed about it), and 18 manufacturer bulletins, 3 recalls, 1 NHTSA investigation 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 body and structure on the 2018 Ford Explorer?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading: 26V448000, 24V031000, 21V316000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do body and structure problems show up on the 2018 Ford Explorer?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 60,000 miles; half of them between 36,000 and 86,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Structure" heading cover?
Body panels, frame, roof rails, trim and glass as fitted. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.