Vehicle Recall IndexVIN decoding & NHTSA recall records

Model year 2018 · Ford

2018 Ford Explorer recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 7 safety recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Explorer. The most recent was reported on July 14, 2026. Campaigns are matched by the model names in NHTSA's records: EXPLORER.

NHTSA data through October 6, 2026 · How these pages are built

Campaigns at a glance

Recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Explorer, newest first
NHTSA numberReportedComponent
26V448000July 14, 2026Structure › Body
26V101000February 20, 2026Suspension › Rear
25V685000October 10, 2025Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater
24V031000January 19, 2024Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars
21V316000May 5, 2021Structure › Body
19V633000August 28, 2019Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
18V807000November 14, 2018Fuel System, Gasoline

Systems involved: Structure (3) · Equipment (1) · Fuel System, Gasoline (1) · Seats (1) · Suspension (1)

Recall records

NHTSA 26V448000Manufacturer no. 26S54

Structure › Body

Report received by NHTSA
July 14, 2026
Owner notification
Not yet in the record
Recall initiated by
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Units potentially affected
288,314 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

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

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

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, 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.

Source: NHTSA recall 26V448000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 26V101000Manufacturer no. 26S08

Suspension › Rear

Report received by NHTSA
February 20, 2026
Owner notification
March 16, 2026
Recall initiated by
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Units potentially affected
412,774 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

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

Safety risk

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

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.

Source: NHTSA recall 26V101000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 25V685000Manufacturer no. 25SA4

Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater

Report received by NHTSA
October 10, 2025
Owner notification
Not yet in the record
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
59,006 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2018 Ford Explorer
Not reported – September 15, 2018
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

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

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

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.

Source: NHTSA recall 25V685000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 24V031000Manufacturer no. 24S02

Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars

Report received by NHTSA
January 19, 2024
Owner notification
July 18, 2024
Recall initiated by
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Units potentially affected
1,889,110 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

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

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

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

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.

Source: NHTSA recall 24V031000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 21V316000Manufacturer no. 21S22

Structure › Body

Report received by NHTSA
May 5, 2021
Owner notification
October 1, 2021
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
616,967 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

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

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

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

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.

Source: NHTSA recall 21V316000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 19V633000Manufacturer no. 19C07

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner

Report received by NHTSA
August 28, 2019
Owner notification
October 21, 2019
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
639,137 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2018 Ford Explorer
September 9, 2018 – March 3, 2019
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Components: Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner; Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly

Defect summary

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

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.

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

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.

Source: NHTSA recall 19V633000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 18V807000Manufacturer no. 18S35

Fuel System, Gasoline

Report received by NHTSA
November 14, 2018
Owner notification
December 7, 2018
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
144 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2018 Ford Explorer
July 29, 2018 – July 31, 2018
Model names in the NHTSA record
EXPLORER

Defect summary

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

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

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

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

Source: NHTSA recall 18V807000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

Records reproduce NHTSA's published text for each campaign. Last record date for this page: July 14, 2026.