2018 Ford Explorer Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2018 Ford Explorer, 7% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 86,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “torque converter” (26% of reports).
- 50power train complaints
- 86,000median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 26%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Torque converter: mentioned in 13 of 50 complaints (26%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 19 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 50 complaints, 1 mention a crash.
Ford Explorer power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Explorer | 3 | 7% | — |
| 2025 Explorer | 15 | 15% | 8,967 |
| 2024 Explorer | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2023 Explorer | 12 | 11% | 10,600 |
| 2022 Explorer | 61 | 23% | 22,000 |
| 2021 Explorer | 126 | 29% | 46,000 |
| 2020 Explorer | 495 | 40% | 42,000 |
| 2019 Explorer | 35 | 12% | 82,500 |
| 2018 Explorer | 50 | 7% | 86,000 |
| 2017 Explorer | 123 | 7% | 55,425 |
| 2016 Explorer | 215 | 9% | 47,075 |
| 2015 Explorer | 86 | 5% | 50,000 |
| 2014 Explorer | 79 | 5% | 75,207 |
| 2013 Explorer | 119 | 5% | 60,000 |
| 2012 Explorer | 55 | 7% | 46,740 |
| 2011 Explorer | 64 | 5% | 50,500 |
| 2010 Explorer | 28 | 24% | 80,500 |
| 2009 Explorer | 3 | 9% | 78,000 |
| 2008 Explorer | 36 | 24% | 84,325 |
| 2007 Explorer | 57 | 27% | 69,000 |
| 2006 Explorer | 296 | 47% | 60,460 |
| 2005 Explorer | 99 | 20% | 75,000 |
| 2004 Explorer | 460 | 35% | 50,000 |
| 2003 Explorer | 335 | 30% | 77,000 |
| 2002 Explorer | 1,502 | 46% | 80,173 |
| 2001 Explorer | 42 | 11% | 108,700 |
| 2000 Explorer | 133 | 14% | 77,500 |
| 1999 Explorer | 115 | 9% | 91,000 |
| 1998 Explorer | 103 | 5% | 102,157 |
| 1997 Explorer | 104 | 6% | 95,594 |
| 1996 Explorer | 120 | 8% | 138,579 |
| 1995 Explorer | 119 | 14% | 103,310 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists power train for the 2018 Ford Explorer. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle jerked. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed torque…
At 30 to 40 mph, there is a shuttering or stutter in the transmission during acceleration. This is a problem when trying to enter traffic on the expressway (Interstate or other lanes of traffic). I have taken this to the dealer and they indicate that the transmission needs to be replaced. They…
my transmission, like several others' I have spoken to, is about to lose reverse. The incident happened when i encountered a problem on the road and was UNABLE to put my car in reverse. I have taken it to several dealerships and nothing is ever done, it's been going on for years. Well now it's…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2018 Ford Explorers have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 50 owner complaints about power train for the 2018 Ford Explorer (7% of the 733 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Ford Explorer power train?
No recall currently lists power train for this vehicle.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 86,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2018 Ford Explorer?
The most frequent phrase is “torque converter”, in 13 of 50 complaints.
Other 2018 Ford Explorer problems
- Structure problems (288)
- Engine problems (96)
- Electrical System problems (58)
See all 2018 Ford Explorer problems or power train problems across all Explorer years.