VehicleVerdict

2018 Ford Explorer electrical system problems

The 2018 Ford Explorer has 63 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 7% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

63

Electrical System complaints

7%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Related recalls

25V685000Electrical SystemOctober 10, 2025 · 59,006 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

What owners report

The driver side Keyless door entry pillar has come off on the highway and hit something. The keyless door entry panel came off in 2023 and Koons Ford of Annapolis charged me $ 523.00 to fix the panel. The panel has a small clip and double stick tape. Sorry, double stick tape is not going to hold up…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 1, 2026 · crash

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2018 Ford Explorer have?

NHTSA has 63 complaints about the 2018 Ford Explorer electrical system — 7% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2018 Ford Explorer electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 25V685000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.