2018 FORD EXPLORER Engine Problems

This complaint is regarding faulty water pumps in certain Ford vehicles. This is a known issue that Ford refuses to acknowledge. There are several class action lawsuits filed against Ford as well. The water pump is positioned in the engine’s center section, coolant leaks straight into the oil bucket. The coolant leak causes the engine to overheat and seize, prompting a new purchase. An overheated engine results in a blown head gasket, which causes the engine to underperform, worsening the heating condition. Engine failure can happen anywhere and cause danger to occupants or other drivers on the road. I had the best Ford warranty on my 2018 Ford Explorer. It expired when I reached 101,000 miles. At 103,0870 miles, I was in our Ford Dealership for an oil change. That is when they found coolant leaking. They said I needed a new water pump. The repair was to cost $3,613.98....

Water pump is inside engine and apparently known to be faulty. After being stranded in traffic behind an accident in winter in Maine It was well below zero and I could not move from the backed up traffic. Had to shut off car and weather was dangerously cold. I brought to dealership I bought it at. Note there was no warning before the car was fully overheated and coolant was empty. They said water pump and told me to go to specifically ford dealership as I bought used from same family of dealerships but not specifically ford. After a month of adding fluid daily ford dealership tells me that water pump is inside engine and costs nearly as much as new engine to repair. They cannot get in for a month quoted two days and 2800 dollars. The delays from both dealerships could result in new engine needed. This is...

Water pump leaking on 2018 Explorer with only 72,365. Dealer said it should be replaced or it could fail destroying the engine. This is the 4th major problem I have had with this vehicle. Not that old to have so many problems. Ford picked up some of the cost but still cost me $850.

Water pump leaking

2018 Ford Explorer Water Pump failed with little to no warning causing catastrophic damage to the engine. Flashing check engine light came on for less than 30 second and then turned off I conducted a visual inspection everything seemed fine. Next morning as I was driving to the dealership to have the vehicle serviced, check engine light came on and moments later the vehicle stalled unexpectedly in a busy intersection.

My 2018 Ford Explorer's water pump is leaking and has caused my car to overheat and then shut down on the highway. Having my car immediately begin to overheat and slow down on a fast-moving highway is very dangerous. I have discovered that this is an issue that Ford is aware of for my year's vehicle but does not want to do a recall to fix the part and if I fix it, they will only be able to install a similar faulty pump again.

My car produces a sulfer/burning smell at hard acceleration. When I am merging into traffic at 3500-4000 and over RMP, an awful smell enters the cabin. I am very concerned that this is unsafe for my family and children in the vehicle, as well as the environment. I have had this vehicle looked by Ford and they claim everything looks normal. It is not normal to have this smell while accelerating.

In mid-July 2022, I attempted to fix the exhaust issue when accelerating in my 2018 Explorer. Ford dealership found there was a crack in the exhaust. Ford Corporate paid for the repairs. The problems persisted but were not as quick to notice, but still faintly smell it. Since July, I feel the dealership never fix the issue, and since the heat has worsened, the exhaust also has. Ford Corp, in a statement, has stated that it's "normal" to smell exhausted when accelerating. The Ford Dealership has also echoed this statement. Our Ford Fusion 2015 has never smelled like exhaust. My Mercedes never, either. From my understanding, 2017 Explorer had this recall, l and it seems they never fixed the issue. I feel it's not safe, as my family, my 1 yr old granddaughter, and myself are being poisoned. Today, I ordered carbon monoxide to record this data and will find...

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 55 MPH, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. Her husband pulled over and upon inspection, her husband saw fluid leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence where the dealer was notified and instructed him to tow the vehicle to the dealer for an inspection. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with a defective water pump. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the low fuel warning light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who added oil in the vehicle and stated that the water pump needed to be replaced. The mechanic also mentioned an issue with the coolant however, the contact could not recall what was stated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.

on May 25th I started my car and the dashboard indicated my engine is at critical stating its overheating. I immediately turned the car off and waited 10 minutes to restart the vechle assuming it was a malfunction because the vechle hasn't been driven since the day before. As I restarted the car no warning indicators lit and the vechle was normal as usual. I drove around the corner and noticed the vechle stalling with a slight jurk. I immediately drove into an auto shop to check what's going on. I told the rep what's happening with the car. they checked the oil and stated the coolant is mixing with the oil and that I need service right away. I asked if I get an oil change will it get me home around the corner. the rep stated it shouldn't be a problem. As I left it was fine, until...

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was parked on an incline, the vehicle failed to restart without warning. Once the contact arrived at the scene, the vehicle restarted and resumed normal operation. The failure recurred four additional times after the initial failure. After the most recent failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where the mechanic failed to duplicate the failure. The dealer replaced the battery; however, the failure returned soon after the replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Vehicle had a major mechanical issue that ignited a fire in the engine compartment. The fire quickly spread to the passenger compartment of the vehicle and totally engulfed the unit causing major damage to the entire vehicle. The vehicle is an obvious total loss.

I purchased this SUV October 30, 2021. When I utilize remote start, I notice a smell of exhaust fumes when I get in the car to begin my commute. The smell dissipates when I let the window down before starting the drive. During my two hour commute to and from work, I have feelings of nausea and headaches. Since the time that I purchased this SUV, I've continued to be plagued with head aches, nausea, vomiting, and extreme fatigue. During the commute on Monday, January 31, I became ill again on the commute and was unable to go to work. I decided to take the car to the Green Ford dealership in Greensboro, NC to be inspected. On Wednesday, February 2, I received the following text notification from Green Ford....I just got with the technician and it is definitely leaking exhaust fumes into the vehicle. We are currently working up...

Ford has issued a recall for the cooling mechanism when the car is in idle. Unfortunately I have been told they will not correct it unless there is a problem? Like they know it is faulty and are waiting on a fire. This is a safety issue and I believe they have made the courtesy recall in hopes that it won't be a mandated one, which is pretty scary. We do what we can to prevent these issues and they know there is a problem. This is a safety issue. Please force them to correct this defect. I have attempted to schedule this repair, but while the notice says they will correct it. They have refused. I have spoken with Daniel at Ford and they have closed my case. The letter acknowledges safety feature issues are possible. I will try to attach screenshots of my case no. And the letter....

On June 18, 2021 while driving we noticed a particular smell inside the vehicle while driving and stationary. When we exited the vehicle the smell was exact same smell as the exhaust coming from the car. All doors were closed to include rear hatch as it was 110 plus outside. We had the A/C on recirculating mode and wife complained of a headache and mentioned she had been getting headaches several times while in the vehicle and I too had a headache. I searched the web and came across the same in issue with this generation Explorer and people had stated the 2018 models had the same complaint but were not recalled. For the remainder of the trip we rolled windows down and used fresh air to clear to vehicle of the exhaust smell. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer as we have been driving another vehicle...

UNDER ACCELERATION WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SET TO RECIRCULATE THE CABIN FILLS WITH EXHAUST FUMES.

WE TOOK OUR 2018 FORD EXPLORER INTO THE SHOP LAST WINTER COMPLAINING OF A BAD SMELL. THE SHOP KEPT OUR CAR FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. 2 WEEKS AGO MY WIFE WENT TO THE ER AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. WE BEGAN WORKING WITH FOR TO HELP GET THIS FIXED, 5 DAYS LATER SHE PASSED OUT AT THE WHEEL AND WRECKED INTO A TELEPHONE POLL. WHILE AT THE ER THERE WAS CARBON MONOXIDE IN HER BLOOD AGAIN. THANK GOODNESS SHE DIDN'T HIT A FAMILY OR SOMETHING WORSE. SINCE THEN FORD HAS REFUSED TO WORK WITH US SINCE THE CAR IS WRECKED. THIS IS A PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO!*DT*JB*DT *TR

WHEN ACCELERATING WE CAN SMELL EXHAUST IN THE CABIN OF OUR VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. WE HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN TO GET AIR. ON TRIPS FROM PHOENIX TO SAN DIEGO THRU THE MOUNTAIN PASSES WE HAVE GOTTON DIZZY FROM EXHAUST SMELL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 4+ TIMES TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE, DEALER HAS SAID ITS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NO FIX. YOU CAN SMELL THE HUMIDITY OF THE EXHAUST AS WELL AS THE BURNT OIL. EVERY TIME I GET IN MY VEHICLE WITH FRIENDS, I'M EMBARRASSED OF SMELLING EXHAUST AND HOPE IT DOESN'T AFFECT HEALTH OF ANYONE. WE CAN SEE THE EXHAUST SOOT BUILDING UP ALONG THE ENGINE BLOCK AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD BUT THE DEALER TOLD US THATS NORMAL ROAD GRIME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO LIMP MODE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AUTONATION FORD EAST (28825 EUCLID AVE, WICKLIFFE, OH 44092) WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC ATTRIBUTED THE FAILURE TO A POTENTIAL TURBO LAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATED INDICATOR FAULT LIGHTS ON THE DASH FAILED THREE TIMES.*JB

FOR WEEKS NOW THE CAR HAS BEEN DECIDING WHAT TO DO. THE AIR CONDITIONER RANDOMLY TURNS OFF OR WON'T TURN ON. THE WINDOW WON'T ROLL UP OR DOWN. LIGHTS IN THE DASHBOARD RANDOMLY GO ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME. SOMETIMES THERE IS JUST A LOUD NOISE BUT NO LIGHTS. THEN RECENTLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 55 MPH WITH MY 3 CHILDREN THE CAR SHUT ITS SELF OFF. THE LIGHTS WENT CRAZY THEN SHUT OFF. THERE WAS NO GAS OR BRAKES AS I WAS GOING 55 MPH. ONCE THE CAR CAME TO A ROLLING STOP. IT DID NOT TURN BACK ON. ONCE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.

CONSTANT SMELLS OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN MY VEHICLE ALMOST EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE ABOVE 3500 RPM. I'VE TAKEN IT TO TWO DEALERSHIPS MORE THAN THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO SOLUTION. EVERY TIME I GET IN MY VEHICLE I DREAD SMELLING THIS STUFF AND HOPE IT DOESN'T AFFECT ME OR A LOVED ONE.

WARNING SIGN SAYS CHECK ENGINE OIL PRESSURE, THE WARNING SIGN ONLY APPEARS WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED.

STARTING WHIT A NOISE PROBLEM ON ENGINE WE BRING THE VEHICLE TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEM SAID WAS NOT A PROBLEM 2 MONTHS LATER WE ARE HERE ON SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM, BRAKE NOISE, TO MUCH PROBLEMS. WE BUY A NEW CAR TO AVOID THIS PROBLEMS AND ISSUES WASTING OUR TIME. AND MONEY.

CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF A 2018 FORD INTERCEPTOR UTILITY (A HONEYWELL BWC2R-M CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE HISTORY OF CARBON MONOXIDE ISSUES WITH THESE VEHICLES). ON OCTOBER 21, 2019 TWO OFFICERS WERE PATROLLING IN THE 2018 FORD INTERCEPTOR UTILITY. THE OFFICER WERE ACCELERATING QUICKLY AS THEY ENTERED THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM ACTIVATED. THE OFFICER STOPPED ACCELERATING AND ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS. THE CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM RESET AND NO FURTHER ACTIVATIONS HAVE BEEN REPORTED.(THIS REPORT CAME A MONTH AFTER ANOTHER OF THE CITY'S FORD INTERCEPTOR UTILITY VEHICLES WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE PASSENGER CABIN. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A FOUL ODOR AND THE EGR PURGE VALVE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED BACK IN SERVICE AND WITHIN A WEEK THE CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM ACTIVATED AGAIN. FORD WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE...

MY 2018 FORD EXPLORER HAS UNDER 9,000 MILES ON IT AND I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING EXHAUST SMELLS IN THE CABIN WHILE MERGING ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS HAPPENS DURING ACCELERATION. I HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO FORD SEVERAL TIMES NOW WITH NO REAL ANSWER. THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO "RECREATE" THE SMELL SO THEIR HANDS ARE TIED. THEY TOLD ME TO TURN OFF THE RECIRCULATE AC FUNCTION TO GET RID OF THE SMELL. CLEARLY, IF THAT WAS THEIR DIRECTIVE, THEY KNOW THAT EXPLORERS ARE HAVING AN ISSUE. I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT I SHOULD CONTACT FORD DIRECTLY BECAUSE THE ISSUE DOES NOT INCLUDE 2018S. I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN THAT IN MY VEHICLE WITH ME AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I OWE MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE THAT IS PUTTING MY FAMILY IN DANGER AND HAVE NO ANSWERS ON HOW TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED.

EXHAUST IS LEAKING INTO THE CABIN WHILE DRIVING. USUALLY WHILE ACCELERATING

LEAK ON TIMING COVER. IT HAS A MINOR OIL LEAK IN THE TIMING COVER

FORD EXPLORER 2018 GOING FROM 50 MPH. AND TO DO FORCE, ENTERS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS CABIN IT SHOULD SLOW DOWN AND OPEN THE CRYSTALS TO LEAVE THE STRONG ODOR.

I HAVE BEEN SMELLING EXHAUST FUMES/ROTTEN EGG SMELL IN MY CAR WHEN ACCELERATING UP TO 60MPH. 1ST TIME IN SHOP THEY SAID BOLTS WERE MISSING ON ENGINE AND SOME WERE LOOSE.; THEY 'FIXED' IT. STILL SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES/ROTTEN EGGS, SO TOOK CAR BACK. THEY SAID FUEL GOT IN THE FUEL FILTER BUT THEY 'FIXED' THE PROBLEM. NO STILL SMELL EXHAUST/ROTTEN EGGS. TOOK BACK FOR 3RD TIME THEY HAD MY CAR FOR A MONTH AND THEY REPLACED THE WHOLE EXHAUST. NOW HAVE HAD CAR A WEEK AND A HALF AND I SMELL THE EXHAUST. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, I HAVE THIS BRAND NEW CAR COSTING ME $37000.

TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT WAS SO STRONG, SHE COULD TASTE FUEL. TOWNE AUTO GROUP (3535 SOUTHWESTERN BLVD, ORCHARD PARK, NY 14127, (716) 662-6500) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE, DIAGNOSE, AND PROVIDE A REMEDY AFTER SEVERAL VISITS. THE DEALER LATER REPLACED THE DOOR SEALS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V807000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PASSENGER INSIDE THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED NAUSEA AND HEADACHES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA17002 (STRUCTURE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATING, AND HAD TO CLOSE THE VENTS...

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. CAUSED PHYSICAL ILLNESS, DIZZINESS AND VOMITING.

TL* 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 ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY TIME THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CASE NUMBER: CAS-16021870 WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,100.

MY EXPLORE HAS FAILED TO START ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT SENT A TOW TO GET THE CAR, AND THE DRIVER GOT IT TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THEN HE SHUT IF OFF AND IT FAILED TO START AGAIN. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME HE COULDN'T GET THE ISSUE TO OCCUR SO THERE WASN'T ANYTHING FOR HIM TO DO EVEN THOUGH HE HAD A FAULT CODE. MY EXPLORE ONLY HAS LEST THAN 9000 MILES AND IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT YET THEY ARE TELLING ME THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THEY CAN DONE AFTER KEEPING MY CAR FOR 3 WEEKS. THERE SHOULD BE THINGS THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH THE FAULT CODE, BUT YET NOTHING WAS DONE. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF ISSUE? IF SO, WHAT WAS DONE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.

EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE CABIN DURING ACCELERATION AND WHEN THE AC IS ON. SEVERAL FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SMELL WITHIN THE CABIN. I PERSONALLY HAVE EXPERIENCED HEADACHES AND BURNING EYES BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE. IT SMELLS LIKE BURNT HAIR. THIS IS A FAMILY VEHICLE USED TO TRANSPORT MY ENTIRE FAMILY INCLUDING MY 5 MONTH OLD BABY. THIS SMELL IS MAKING EVERYONE NAUSEOUS.

WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY ACCELERATION WILL BEGIN TO REDUCE CONTINUELY UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPS ALTOGETHER. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING. THIS HAPPENED ON THE EXPRESSWAY EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE IS ONE MONTH OLD. DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM.

WHEN ACCELERATING, THE SMELL OF EXHAUST FILLS THE CAR. WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS ALL YOU CAN SMELL IS EXHAUST. IT'S BEEN THIS WAY FROM DAY ONE. FORD TRIED TO FIX IT UNDER RECALL BUT IT DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. YOU CAN STILL SMELL IT JUST THE SAME. NO DIFFERENCE AFTER THEIR ATTEMPT TO FIX IT.