NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Ford Explorer. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2018 FORD EXPLORER ON AUGUST 30 FROM HAMMONASSET FORD IN MADISON, CT. I PAID SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS EXTRA FOR A SAFETY PACKAGE WHICH INCLUDES REAR SEAT BELT AIRBAGS. WE WERE DISAPPOINTED TO DISCOVER AN ISSUE IN THE SECOND ROW OF SEATS THAT HINDERS US FROM USING ONE OF THE SEATS BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAG CONFIGURATION. THE MIDDLE SEAT WHERE THERE ARE SEAT BELTS FOR THREE ONLY FITS TWO PEOPLE. THE DESIGN OF THE SEAT BELT LATCHES IS A FLAWED ONE. THE SEAT BELTS OVERLAP WHICH IS A SAFETY CONCERN NOT TO MENTION A HUMAN BODY CANNOT FIT IN THE SPACE THEY ALLOTTED. THIS CAR IS ADVERTISED FOR SEVEN PEOPLE BUT ONLY CAN SEAT SIX. I HAVE SEVEN PEOPLE IN MY FAMILY INCLUDING A BABY IN A CAR SEAT AND WE ALL CAN'T GO IN THE CAR TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE OF IT. I REACHED OUT TO THE DEALERSHIP AS SOON AS WE GOT THE CAR HOME AND THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO FORD. THE PERSON I TALKLED TO TOLD ME NO NEED TO TALK TO THE OWNER OR BOTHER HER. THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE THEY SAID IT IS A DESIGN ISSUE NOT ANYTHING THEY CAN REPAIR. I REACHED OUT TO FORD WHO SAID THE SAME THING. I CONTINUED TO REACH OUT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO HAD SERVICE REACH OUT TO FORD TO SEE IF THEY CAN CHANGE THE SEAT BELTS IN THE CAR BUT DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES THEY WERE TOLD THEY CANNOT AND AGAIN THEY SAID IT IS A DESIGN ISSUE NOT A MANUFACTURING ISSUE THEREFORE I SHOULD GO TO THE BBB.IN ADDITION TO HAMMONASSET FORD, I ALSO WENT TO HOFFMAN FORD IN EAST HARTFORD TO SHOW THE SALES MANAGER THE CAR. HE WAS SHOCKED ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THIS CAR. WE LOOKED AT THE SAME EXACT CAR WITHOUT THE SAFETY PACKAGE AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT FLAWED. THE SALES MANAGER AT HOFFMAN FORD SAID HE CANT HELP ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T BUY THE CAR THERE BUT IF FORD REACHED OUT TO HIM HE COULD HELP. I CONTACTED THE BBB BUT THEY DECLINED MY APPLICATION DUE FOR THE SAME REASON SAYING IT IS NOT AN MANUFACTURING ISSUE.
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 DUE TO AN ASTHMA CONDITION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,278.
ELECTRIC SHORTAGES, SMELL BURNING WIRES, STALLS VEHICLE WAS REPURCHASED BY FORD AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE ITS REPORTED AS A LEMON AND NOT RESOLD FOR SAFETY OF OTHERS
CARBON MONOXIDE IS GETING INTO THE CABIN. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BUT THE CAN FOX IT. ITS BEEN 5 TIMES. TODAS I TURNER BACK TO THE DEALER. HEY BEEN VERY IRRESPONSABLE. CARBON MONOXIDE IS A VERY DANGER GAS AND I DON'T GOOGLE TO EXPOSE MY FAMILY FUE YO TOUR INRRESPOSABILITY.
IT A NEW CAR THAT I BOUGHT TO AVOID THE SAME PROBLEM IN A 2016 FORD EXPLORER, BECAUSE FORD NEVER SOLVED THE ISSUE, AND THIS ONE FORD EXPLORER 2018 HAS THE SAME THINGS, A BAD SMELL IN SIDE THE CAR WHEN ACCELERATED. FORD IS PUTTING OUR LIVES IN JEOPARDY, I WONDER IF THEY ALREADY HAVE AN EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, SHE WAS INFORMED BY A PASSING MOTORIST THAT HER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE SAFELY BEFORE IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. STATE FARM AUTO INSURANCE COMPLETED A FIRE ASSESSMENT AND STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FAILURE WITH THE BRAKE LINES. HINES PARK FORD INC (LOCATED AT 56558 PONTIAC TRAIL, NEW HUDSON, MI 48165, (888) 482-7660) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 982.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS A SULFUR ODOR COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BECOME NAUSEOUS AND DIZZY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. WINNER FORD (250 HADDONFIELD-BERLIN RD, CHERRY HILL, NJ, (856) 428-4000) DIAGNOSED THAT THE SULFUR ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE EXHAUST AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500.
FRONT SOUND SCREEN WINDSHIELD SEEMS VERY SOFT AND WEAK. SLIGHTEST STRIKE FROM ROAD DEBRIS CAUSES CHIP OR CRACK. DEBRIS STRIKES REGARDLESS OF AMOUNT OF IMPACT HAS CAUSED CHIPPING, CRACKS, AND VISIBLE SCRAPES OF MATERIAL. WINDSHIELD IS SOUND SCREEN AND SEEMS MADE OF EXTREMELY SOFT MATERIALS MAKING VULNERABLE TO EASY DAMAGE WHICH IS SAFETY RISK TO DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS WHILE DRIVING REGARDLESS OF ON HIGHWAY OR CITY STREET.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF EXHAUST FUMES WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (KENDALL FORD, 250 E. OVERLAND RD, MERIDIAN, ID), BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,143. *TT CONSUMER IS SMELLING A EXHAUST ODOR IN CAB INTER./ POSSIBLE ANOTHER TYPE OF SMELL... CUSTOMER STATES THAT HE JUST GETS A BAD ODOR INTERMITTENTLY THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE EXHAUST. UPDATED 10/23/18*JB
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.
PURCHASED MY EXPLORER ON MAY 28, 2018, VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS LESS THAN 6,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS MORNING, MY DAUGHTER USED THE REMOTE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS AS IT SAT PARKED ON OUR DRIVEWAY, CLIMBED IN AND CLOSED THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND THE BACK WINDOW SHATTERED. GLASS WAS INSIDE, OUTSIDE AND THEN PIECES CONTINUED TO FALL. THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW HAS SMALL CHUNKS OUT OF IT ON THE EDGES AS WELL.
EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE CABIN UNDER ANYTHING MORE THAN LIGHT ACCELERATION. LESS THAN 3000MILES ON THE CAR. USED TO HAUL OUR KIDS AROUND. I THOUGHT IT WAS UNUSUAL AND THEN I DISCOVERED THE LONG HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM WITH NO RECALL. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THIS IS UNSAFE. MAKING AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. JUDGING BY THE RESPONSE FROM FORD , WE ARE NOT OPTIMISTIC THIS WILL BE FIXED. UNSAFE TO DRIVE THESE CARS IN THIS CONDITION. ANYTIME FUMES ENTER THE CABIN IT IS UNSAFE, REGARDLESS OF FORD'S POSITION. NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN IN ANY OTHER CAR.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXHAUST FUMES SEEPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE CABIN WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HEALEY FORD LINCOLN (2528 NY-17M, GOSHEN, NY 10924, (877) 706-3640) AND WAS REPAIRED AT LEAST TWICE FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE DIAGNOSIS. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE ACCELERATING, EXHAUST FUMES EMERGED AND CAUSED A STRONG ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LAMOUREUX FORD (366 E MAIN ST, EAST BROOKFIELD, MA 01515) WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,100. *TT UPDATED 10/17/18*JB
EXHAUST LEAKING INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING NAUSEA AND LIGHT HEADEDNESS. SYMPTOMS "SLIGHTLY" IMPROVE WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS CHANGED FROM RECIRCULATE TO FRESH AIR OR WHEN WINDOWS ARE OPENED. WILL SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER BUT WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN YOUR DATABASE.
PURCHASED 2018 FORD EXPLORER XLT W/ AUTO NATION FORD CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS MAY 29, 2018. JUNE 20, 2018 I NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WAS COMPLETELY DRENCHED W/ H2O. THIS WAS DURING THE TIME WE HAD HEAVY RAINFALL. MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT WORK, NO FLOODING IN THE AREA, NO WINDOWS LEFT DOWN.THE H2O WAS ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD & UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. JUNE 21, 2018-DROPPED VEHICLE OFF AT SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS THEY CHECKED EVERYWHERE. CAN'T IDENTIFY WATER LEAK. IN 2015 THE FORD MOTOR CO. ORDERS: STOP SELLING SOME 2015 FORD EDGE CROSSOVERS FOR THIS EXACT REASON. TECHNICIAN ARE NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE LEAK EVEN AFTER A "WATER TEST". 2015 FORD EDGE: PROBLEM INVOLVED WATER SEEPING THROUGH A JOINT IN THE FRONT PILLAR, BEHIND THE HOOD HINGES. SERVICE DIRECTOR IS INVOLVED. INFORMS ME THEY CANT FIND THE LEAK. I ADVISED HIM TO RUN THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE CAR WASH. ACCORDING TO CONSUMER REPORTS, ENGINEERS DISCOVERED THAT RUNNING THE FORD EDGE THROUGH A CAR WASH LED TO SOPPING WET FLOORS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. SERVICE DIRECTOR INFORMS ME HE DID SEE WATER LEAKING IN WHEN THEY RAN IN THROUGH THE CAR WASH. THEY THINK THEY FOUND THE DEFECT. VEHICLE: IN BODY SHOP & COLLABORATE WITH FORD TO PLACE A SEALANT. THEY THINK THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. SERVICE DIRECTOR CALLS, 7/9/2018:STILL LEAKING! 2018 FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN IN SERVICE DEPART FOR 21 DAYS. 2015 FORD EDGE TECHNICIANS WHO DIDN'T FIND EVIDENCE OF A LEAK WERE INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A URETHANE SEALER IN A-PILLAR SEAMS. 2015 VEHICLES THAT DIDN'T HAVE SIGNS OF WATER INSIDE WERE HELD FOR A 3 DAY ASSESSMENT TO ALLOW TIME FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, LETTING THE SEALANT DRY & CONFIRM PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED. IF THE VEHICLE IS STILL LEAKING AFTER A 3-DAY ASSESSMENT, FORD MAY HAVE TO BUY IT BACK. 21 DAYS IN SERVICE & STILL CAN'T FIND DEFECT! HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/QWC1I_UFGR8
EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE CABIN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS
VEHICLE EXHAUST SYSTEM EMITS CARBON MONOXIDE AND OTHER FUEL FUMES INTO THE CABIN ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING. USUALLY OCCURS DURING AN ACCELERATION WITH STRESS AS IN AN UPHILL PUSH TO THE TOP OR IN LOCAL TRAFFIC WHILE CHANGING LANES WITH ACCELERATION STRESS. THESE ARE HEAVY ENOUGH FUMES TO CAUSE NASAL DISCOMFORT, ON OCCASION LIGHT HEADED FEELINGS, AND THROAT IRRITATION. THE DEALER HAS USED ALL FORD MOTOR CO. PROTOCOLS AND THE FUMES STILL PERSIST. FMC HAS HAD A REGIONAL DIRECTOR CONTACT ME WHICH RESULTED IN GOING TO ANOTHER DEALER TO TRY THE PROTOCOLS AGAIN. ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN SOME REDUCTION IN THE VOLUME OF FUMES, THE VEHICLE STILL EMITS THE FUMES INTO THE CABIN. FMC HAS NOW, ONE PLUS YEARS LATER, TOLD ME TO BUY A CARBON MONOXIDE METER TO TEST FOR EXISTENCE OR HIRE AN ATTORNEY. NO OFFER OF A TRADE-IN AT A PRICE TO OFFSET THE DEFICIENCY. THAT BEING SAID, I DID TEST DRIVE TWO 2019 XLT'S AND HAD THE SAME EMISSIONS OCCUR IN BOTH CARS WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE OVER NIGHT DRIVES.
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.
BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND FOR ABOUT THE FIRST 2 MONTHS IT WAS GREAT. THEN IT STARTED TO SMELL LIKE ROTTEN EGGS OR SULFUR IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR WHEN I BEGIN TO ACCELERATE. USUALLY BETWEEN 50-75 IT CAN GET PRETTY BAD. DOESN'T DO IT EVERY TIME BUT WHEN IT DOES IT STAYS IN THE CABIN FOR SEVERAL MINS AND HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN TO GET THE SMELL OUT. I AM 8&1/2 MONTHS PREGNANT AND HAVE A 6 YR OLD THAT IS ALWAYS WITH ME. THIS IS NOT FUNNY OR COOL. I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO MY DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO THEM 2 TIMES AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIX IT BC THEY DON'T SMELL IT FOR ONE AND THE OTHER THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT. MY DAUGHTER AND I BOTH HAVE HAD HEADACHES BC OF THINS CRAP. WHAT IS IT GONNA TAKE TO GET MY CAR FIXED?? A CAR THAT IS COSTING ME 40,000 DOLLARS. IS SOMEONE GONNA HAVE TO DIE BC OF THIS BEFORE FORD PULLS THEN HEADS OUT OF THEIR BUTTS AND FIX THIS.... THE FIRST GUY THAT LOOKED AT IT TOLD ME TO TURN THE RECIRCULATE BUTTON OFF ON MY AC..!! OK??? THE SECOND GUY THAT ROAD WITH US SAID TO BUY A CARBON MONOXIDE TESTER AND TEST IT OURSELVES. I'M LIKE COME ON PPL IT'S A BRAND NEW CAR. JUST FIX THE DANG THING. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT BC THEY SEEM TO NOT CARE ABOUT ME MY UNBORN BABY MY DAUGHTER HUSBAD OR THE CAR FOR THAT MATTER
AFTER 4,000 REVOLUTION THE SUV COMES TO STOP THE ENGINE AND RUN QUICKLY AGAIN
TOXIC SMELL - IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKING DELIVERY ON A NEW 2018 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, I BECAME QUITE ILL DUE TO THE TOXIC SMELL IN THE CABIN. THE SMELL IS NOT AN EXHAUST SMELL. IT'S BASICALLY A SMELL FROM THE CARPETING OR SEATS, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH. HEADACHE, SORE THROAT, FUZZINESS OF THE EYES AND JUST A SICK FEELING EVERY TIME I GET IN IT. I'VE TRIED TO KEEP THE WINDOWS DOWN, THE PANARAMIC MOON ROOF OPEN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BUT THE SMELL IS SO PROFOUND. I FEEL THE IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO GET RID OF THE SMELL OR IT WILL NEVER GO AWAY. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL VEHICLE, WELL ENGINEERED WITH A GENERAL OVERALL FEELING OF SAFETY DURING IT'S PERFORMANCE. WHAT GOOD IS THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, IF I CAN'T DRIVE IT WITHOUT BECOMING SICK. I'M UNSURE OF THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION AT THIS POINT.
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.
WE WERE TRAVELING ON I-10 IN OUR RENTAL CAR..GOING ABOUT 75 MILES PER HOUR IN TEXAS WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WINDSHIELD MOULDING FLEW OFF THE WINDSHIELD HITTING THE WINDOW AND CONTINUING TO FLY OVER THE CAR. WE SWERVED BECAUSE WE THOUGHT IT WAS A BIRD STRIKE OR SOMETHING CAME OFF A TRUCK. WE TOOK THE NEXT EXIT AND STOPPED TO FIND THE MOLDING GONE. AT THE NEXT PLACE WE GOT GAS WE NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ALSO READY TO FLY OFF SO WE TOOK IT OFF BEFORE IT COULD COME OFF.
I TRADED IN MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIX THE EXHAUST SMELL ENTERING THE CABIN WHEN EXCELLERATING OR CLIMBING HILLS. IT CAUSES CARBON MONOXIDE TO ENTER THE CABIN WHICH CAN MAKE YOU SICK OR LIGHTHEADED . THIS OCCURS WHEN THE INTERIOR VENT BUTTON IS USED THE CIRCULATE THE AIR IN THE CABIN. WELL MY 2028 STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE WAS A LAWSUIT IN FLORIDA OVER THIS ISSUE. APPARENTLY IT IS A DESIGN FLAW IN ALL THE LATE MODEL EXPLORERS. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME. SOMETIMES IT IS VERY HEAVY.
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.
ON 2, 2018 FORD EXPLORER BASIC MODEL VEHICLES, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR HAS COME ON AND THEN GONE OFF AND STAYED OFF WITH MY 14 YEAR OLD 118 LB, 5' 9" CHILD IN THE FRONT SEAT. FIRST INCIDENT: MARCH 23, 2018. IN THE FIRST VEHICLE THE JOURNEY WAS APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES ON A 4 LANE ROAD. NO TURNING OR BRAKING AFFECTED THE CONDITION. SECOND INCIDENT: APRIL 4, 2018. IN THE SECOND VEHICLE, VIN [XXX], ON A HOUR AND THIRTY MINUTE JOURNEY, ON I-75 BETWEEN NAPLES, FL AND FT. MYERS, FL, MY CHILD SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIRBAG INDICATOR SHOWED THE AIRBAG WAS "ON". ON THE RETURN RIDE, WITH SITTING IN THE SAME POSITION, THE AIRBAG INDICATOR SHOWED THE AIRBAG WAS "OFF". BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE STRAIGHT LINE DRIVING, NO BRAKING OR TURNING AFFECTED THE INCIDENT. WE BROUGHT BOTH VEHICLES BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH WE LEASED THEM AND SHOWED THEM THE ACCOMPANYING PICTURE. THEY TOLD US THAT IT COULD BE THAT MY CHILD IS TOO LIGHT FOR THE SEAT SENSOR, BUT THEY WERE NOT POSITIVE. THE HEAD OF THE SERVICE DEPT AND HIS LEAD TECHNICIAN WITNESSED THE AIRBAG INDICATOR IN THE "OFF" POSITION WITH MY CHILD SITTING IN THE SEAT. THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. THEY ADVISED THEY CONTACTED FORD WITH THE FIRST VEHICLE VIN AND WERE DOING THE SAME WITH THIS SECOND VEHICLE AS WELL. I FEEL THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AS THERE IS NO CERTAINTY, SHOULD WE GET INTO A VEHICLE CRASH AND NEED THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG TO DEPLOY, THAT THE AIRBAG WILL ACTUALLY DEPLOY GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE AND NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. THE ODOR SMELLED SIMILAR TO BURNING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COURTESY FORD (LOCATED AT 1107 BRASHEAR AVE, MORGAN CITY, LA 70380, (985) 492-7260) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ODOR EMITTED FROM THE COATING ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A SMOKE TEST WAS ALSO PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. A REPAIR WAS MADE INSIDE THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE CONTACT TEST DROVE TWO SEPARATE 2018 FORD EXPLORERS AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME ODOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
MY WIFE AND I LEASED A 2018 FORD EXPLORER PLATINUM LAST SATURDAY. WE WANTED TO UPGRADE TO THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY. I FAILED TO ASK SPECIFICALLY IF THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE WENT TO ZERO MPH FOR STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE WINDOW STICKER SAID IT HAD "ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL". I HAVE HAD TWO CARS WITH ADAPTIVE CRUISE AND THEY HAVE BOTH WORKED DOWN TO ZERO MPH. DURING OUR FIRST DRIVE USING THE SO-CALLED "ADAPTIVE CRUISE", WE WERE FOLLOWING A CAR ON THE FREEWAY GOING 70MPH. RATHER SUDDENLY, THAT CAR SLOWED. OUR FORD WAS SLOWING DOWN BEAUTIFULLY; YOU COULD FEEL AND SEE THE EFFECTS OF THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING. THEN, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT NOTICABLE WARNING TO US, THE BRAKING QUIT AND OUR CAR WAS COASTING TOWARDS THE CAR IN FRONT. WE NARROWLY MISSED A LOW SPEED REAR-END COLLISION. I WOULD CALL THIS CRUISE CONTROL A "PARTIAL" ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. I REALLY FEEL THIS ASPECT OF THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE SHOULD BE MORE PROMINENT IN ALL OF THE LITERATURE AS WELL AS ON THE WINDOW STICKER.. I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD THE DECELERATION BEEN EXTREMELY FAST FROM 70MPH AND OUR CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED AND THE BRAKING SUDDENLY QUIT! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE USED TO A CAR THAT WILL CONTINUE BRAKING ALL THE WAY TO A STOP. I DO CONSIDERABLE RUSH HOUR DRIVING AND AM IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC CONSTANTLY. OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS ARE ABLE TO BUILD CARS WITH A CRUISE THAT GOES DOWN TO ZERO. WHY NOT FORD? I WOULD EVEN HOPE THAT A SOFTWARE/FIRMWARE UPDATE COULD MAKE MY CAR CRUISE GO DOWN TO ZERO. THAT WOULD BE SUCH A GREAT SAFETY UPDATE TO OFFER CUSTOMERS. I BELIEVE STANDARDS SHOULD REQUIRE ZERO MPH CAPABILITY FROM ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROLS AND WOULD HOPE FORD COULD BE MADE TO FIX THIS RATHER DANGEROUS DEVICE. ANY MANUFACTURER USING SUCH A PARTIAL ADAPTIVE CRUISE SYSTEM SHOULD BE MADE TO NOTE THAT PROMINENTLY ON THE WINDOW STICKER AND IN THE LITERATURE.
DURING STARTUP ON COLD MORNINGS (NOT ALWAYS) I HAVE RECEIVED MULTIPLE FAILURE WARNINGS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE HAS NO POWER STEERING, TURN SIGNALS, OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE WARNINGS ARE: 4WD OFF, CHECK PARKING AID, SEE MANUAL, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC, STEERING ASSIST FAULT, ABS LIGHT, AIRBAG LIGHT, PARKING BRAKE LIGHT IS ON EVEN THOUGH PARKING BRAKE IS NOT ON. ALSO THE CLIMATE CONTROL STILL SEES THE TEMPERATURE AS THE LAST TEMPERATURE FROM THE PREVIOUS DRIVE. SO IF IT WAS 80 OUT AND NOW 40, THE A/C BLOWS COLD AIR EVEN THOUGH IT IS COLD OUT. THIS HAPPENED TWICE, ONCE AT 749.3 MILES (3/12/2018) AND THE SECOND TIME AT 1440 MILES (4/2/2018). FIRST TIME DEALER DID NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE FOR OVER A WEEK AND STILL CAN NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM.
EVERY TIME I START MY CAR AND TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER IT SMELLS LIKE SULFUR IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. IT IS SO SCARY TO THINK THAT CARBON MONOXIDE MIGHT BE SLEEPING IN THE CAR AND BE LIFE THREATENING TO MY SELF AND MY KIDS AND WIFE. THE REASON I BOUGHT THE THIS CAR IS TO BE SAFE, NOT TO POTENTIALLY BE KILLED! I'M SO DISAPPOINTED AND WISH I KNEW THIS PROBLEM BEFORE I BECAME STUCK WITH THIS DISASTER.
AS SOON AS WE DROVE OUR BRAND NEW FORD EXPLORER OFF THE LOT IT HAD A TERRIBLE SHAKE, WE THOUGHT IT WAS FLAT SPOTS FROM THE CAR SITTING AT THE DEALER. HOWEVER THE SHAKE GOT INCREASINGLY WORSE THE CLOSER WE GOT TO HOME TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAD TO REMOVE OUR DRINK FROM THE CUP HOLDER BECAUSE THEY WERE SHAKING SO BAD. WITHIN A WEEK WE HAD BACK AT THE DEALER TO TRY AND SOLVE THE ISSUE WITHOUT ANY LUCK. WE HAVE CAR AT THE DEALER SHIP TRYING TO GET FIXED 4 TIMES. THEY HAVE BALANCED THE TIRES 3 TIMES AND CHANGED THE DRIVE SHAFT ONCE. UNFORTUNATELY ITS STILL NOT FIXED. WE HAVE DOCUMENTS SHOWING WHAT THE DEALER HAD DONE TO ATTEMPT TO SOLVE THE ISSUE BUT SEEING HOW ITS NOT WORKED I DONT SEE THE POINT IN UPLOADING THE DOCUMENTS UNLESS SPECIFICLY ASKED TO.
THE INTEGRATED BLIND SPOT MIRROR ON BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE IS MOUNTED AT THE WRONG ANGLE. IT DOES NOT SHOW THE BLIND SPOT OF THE CAR. YOU CAN NOT SEE ANY PORTION OF LOW PROFILE CARS IN THE BLIND SPOT MIRROR AND YOU CAN NOT SEE THE HEADLIGHTS OF MOST VEHICLES AT NIGHT. IT DOES SHOW THE VERY TOP OF TALLER CARS (SUVS/TRUCKS/VANS). I HAVE PHOTOS TAKEN WHILE DRIVING OF CARS THAT ARE IN THE BLIND SPOT. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PHOTOS, YOU CAN SEE ONLY THE VERY TOP OF THE VAN AND ALMOST NONE OF THE STANDARD CAR. AT NIGHT, THE ROOF OF THE CAR IS NOT AS HELPFUL TO SEE AS THE HEADLIGHTS. I CHECKED ANOTHER 2018 EXPLORER AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IT HAD THE SAME VIEW IN THE BLIND SPOT MIRROR. THE FORD SERVICE TECHNICIAN AGREED THAT THE VIEW ON THE 2018 EXPLORER WAS DIFFERENT FROM THE VIEW ON HIS PERSONAL 2016 FORD FUSION. HOWEVER, SINCE ALL OF THE 2018 EXPLORERS HAD THE SAME VIEW, IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. OLDER MODELS APPEAR TO HAVE BLIND SPOT MIRRORS THAT ARE CORRECTLY POSITIONED. 2014 FORD EXPLORER, 2015 FORD TRANSIT, AND 2016 FORD FUSION ALL HAD CORRECTLY POSITIONED BLIND SPOT MIRRORS. I CAME VERY CLOSE TO SIDE SWIPING A CAR AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY ON THE DAY I PURCHASED THE EXPLORER. AS I WAS RELYING ON THE BLIND SPOT MIRRORS AND NO PORTION OF THE CAR COULD BE SEEN. THANKFULLY, A HORN SAVED US BOTH.
GO TO FORDEXPLORERNIGHTMARE.COM, READ THE 2 KEY DOCUMENTS, OTHER STORIES AND SHARE YOUR STORY. CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING FROM THESE VEHICLES.
FULL ACCESSORY POWER ACTIVE, NEXT VEHICLE SHUT OFF TO SAVE ENERGY THIS HAPPEN FIRST TIME ON DECEMBER 23,2017 ON DECEMBER 24, 2017 HAD TO HAVE IT JUMP, ON DECEMBER 25, 2017 WOULD NOT START AT ALL, DECEMBER 26, 2017 TOWED TO CLASSIC FORD THE STATED BATTERY WAS BAD REPLACE IT UNTIL FEBRUARY 14, 2018 THE SAME STATED AGAIN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2018 THREE TIMES I GOT THE SAME MESSAGE ON THE THIRD ONE A WRENCH CAME ON THE SCREEN THE DEALER CLASSIC FORD HAS HAD WITH NO RESOLVE IN SITE I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE A CASE NO CAS-14137401 HAVE A COMPLAINT MADE A REPRESENTATIVE NAME ANNETTE CALL ME TWICE LETTING ME KNOW THAT FORD HAS NO REPLACEMENT OR EXCHANGE POLICY BEING THAT THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHAT'S WRONG THEY SHOULD CANCEL THE LEASE AND LEASE ME ANOTHER VEHICLE IN GOOD FAITH THE FIRST TIME I HAD IT JUMP START I WAS LEAVING CHURCH, THE 26TH WAS TOWED FROM MY HOME, IN FEBRUARY THE FIRST TIME LEAVING THE FITNESS CENTER, SAME DAY IN DRIVEWAY, LAST IN PARKING LOT FROM THERE TO DEALER.
THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY WREAKS OF GAS FUMES (NOT CARBON MONOXIDE) ON THE INSIDE OF THE CARE. THIS PRIMARILY HAPPENS BETWEEN 1/4 TO TO A FULL GAS TANK. THE SMELL ALWAYS OCCURS AFTER A GAS FILL UP. THE GAS TANK IS NEVER OVERFILLED. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN TAKING A SHARP TURN AFTER A STOP SIGN/LIGHT, AND WHEN BRAKING SWIFTLY. LIVING IN A NORTHERN CLIMATE, THE GAS SMELL GETS TO BE SO BAD, THAT WINDOWS NEED TO PERIODICALLY BE OPENED IN ORDER TO VENT THE VEHICLE OF GAS SMELL. THIS DOES NOT GO OVER WELL WHEN IT IS ZERO OUTSIDE. WITH OVER 3500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE GAS SMELL SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY. IT STARTED TO SMELL ON DAY 1 OF POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE FIRST GAS FILL UP.NOW, THE WHOLE GARAGE SMELLS OF GAS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME (2 HOURS). WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE ON A COLD MORNING PARKED OUTSIDE, WITH ALL BLOWERS RUNNING FULL, THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WILL WREAK OF GAS AFTER 5 MINUTES. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A FORD DEALERSHIP THIS WEEK. THEY SUPPOSEDLY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM. IT DOES APPEAR TO BE DIFFERENT FROM THE CARBON MONOXIDE PROBLEM AS THIS IS GAS FUME SMELLS.
CRACK ON WINDSHIELD BY BODY AT TOP, NO SCRATCH ABOVE ON PAINT, STRATCH STARTED SMALL AND IS GROWING