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2018 Ford Explorer Fuel System Problems

12 owner-reported fuel system complaints from NHTSA data

12
Complaints
1
Recalls
Jan 2020Nov 2019
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Fuel System Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #18V807000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

Fix: 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.

Owner Complaints (12)

highFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2026

Your vehicle's fuel system evap (evaporative emissions) component has a leak, similar to the issue covered under Ford Safety Recall 18S35. This is a fuel system problem that should be inspected and repaired to prevent fuel vapor leaks.

NHTSA #: 11719427
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,STRUCTURE
Filed: Sep 2025

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA #: 11688337
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Jul 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated another driver with a tow truck assisted and towed the vehicle off the highway to a safe location. The contact stated after the vehicle sat for three hours, the vehicle was restarted, and driven to the contact's residence. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice within one week. The contact stated that after the vehicle sat for a while, the vehicle independently reset and the vehicle could be driven for a while; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA #: 11673416
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2024

Faulty throttle body after purge valve replacement. Car would not accelerate and had to be towed to the dealer. Throttle body is stuck in the closed position according to the dealer.

NHTSA #: 11623513
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Nov 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle jerked forward and backward. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven back onto the driveway. The contact turned off the vehicle and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with throttle body failure that was seized closed. The contact was informed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the purge valve had been replaced 26 days prior to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,200.

NHTSA #: 11623531
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2023

The gas gauge isn’t reading correctly. I’m a mother of a one year old son and I didn’t noticed that my car was reading wrong until I put in gas and it didn’t give me the correct reading. I have spoken to many people who owns a Ford Explorer and they have said the same thing. I don’t even know where to start on why it wouldn’t work. The problem has been reported and I didn’t get a warning. It just stopped reading correctly. There’s nothing on my dashboard, no sign or anything. I am confused.

NHTSA #: 11542408
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2023

Water pump failing, has leak

NHTSA #: 11519213
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2022

THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR ALARM

NHTSA #: 11460557
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Oct 2021

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a strong, gas odor would emit through the vehicle without warning. Due to the fuel odor, he began to suffer from blurred vision, nausea, and headaches. The contact had sought medical attention for his symptoms. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on two occasions and each time the dealer could not detect a failure. The contact also mentioned that once he began to drive a rental vehicle, his symptoms began to go away. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

NHTSA #: 11436662
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2021

Strong exhaust smell in the front cabin while driving 40+ mph. Resulting dizziness and nausea symptoms. Vehicle taken to dealer for diagnosis. Odometer reading 10560

NHTSA #: 11424599
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2020

WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 FORD EXPLORER IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018. AROUND OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 I STARTED HAVING A LOT OF DIZZY SPELLS AND PANICKED ATTACKS WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE EXPLORER. I WAS IN AND OUT OF DRS WEEKLY SOMETIMES MORE THAN WEEKLY FOR THESE EPISODES. DRS THOUGHT IT WAS ANXIETY SO WOULD INCREASE MEDICATIONS, OR CHANGE MEDICATIONS AND I CONTINUED WITH SAME SYMPTOMS. I DROVE THE EXPLORER NUMEROUS TIMES A DAY AS I HAVE KIDS AND WOULD FEEL THIS WAY 90% OF MY DAY EVERY DAY. I WENT THRU PHYSICAL THERAPY, MENTAL THERAPY AND ALSO SENT TO A HEART DOCTOR UP UNTIL 2 MONTHS AGO WHEN WE PURCHASED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND I NEVER HAD A ISSUE WHILE DRIVING THAT. MY FIANC DROVE THE EXPLORER ONE DAY WHICH HE NEVER DID AS IT WAS MY VEHICLE AND HE HAD HIS VEHICLE AND HE SMELLED A GAS SMELL AND QUESTIONED ME ABOUT IT BUT I HAD BEEN SUFFERING RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES DURING THIS TIME AND COULD NEVER SMELL ANYTHING SO I NEVER NOTICED THE SMELL. MY SON WAS HAVING VOMITING SPELLS NUMEROUS TIMES A WEEK AND DRS SAID IT WAS A GENERALIZED VOMITING ISSUE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED THE EXPLORER AT AND THEY CAME AND PICKED IT UP. ONCE THEY CHECKED IT OVER THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THEY HAD TO ORDER A WHOLE NEW MUFFLER SYSTEM AS IT WAS LEAKING CARBON MONOXIDE INTO THE CABIN OF MY EXPLORER. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT IN WHICH THEY DID BUT THE DAMAGE WAS DONE I HAD BEEN SUFFERING PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY FOR A YEAR AND DUE TO THE PAN NICK ATTACKS WHILE DRIVING I COULD BARELY DRIVE MOST DAYS AND STILL STRUGGLE DUE TO THE FEAR I'VE ENCOUNTER BEHIND THE WHEEL. FORD BASICALLY SAID I COULD TRADE IT OR KEEP IT THAT'S ALL THEY WOULD OFFER ME. I WANTED THEM TO BUY IT BACK AS I COULDN'T GET BACK IN IT. I'VE HAD NO ISSUES SINCE I STOPPED DRIVING IT NEITHER HAS MY SON. I DIDN'T GET ANY PAPERWORK WHEN IT WAS FIXED SO I CAN'T GIVE U THAT.

NHTSA #: 11298301
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2019

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, THE INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE FILLS WITH A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. THIS IS AN ONGOING AND REOCCURRING ISSUE. I BELIEVE IT MAY BE THE CAUSE OF MY 6 YEAR OLDS CHILD'S FREQUENT HEADACHES AND BOUTS WITH NAUSEA THAT BEGAN AT THE SAME TIME I STARTED NOTICING THE GAS SMELL ISSUE.

NHTSA #: 11282968

Other 2018 Ford Explorer Issues