2018 Ford Explorer electrical problems

Filed Aug 26, 2026 · Acceleration, Airbags · PA · crash

The contact owned a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a message displayed on several occasions instructing the driver to pull over and shut off the vehicle because the battery would shut off. Upon pulling over and turning off the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart and required towing on several occasions. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where a wiring failure was determined. The dealer attempted to repair the vehicle, but the failure persisted. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the infotainment screen turned blank, and a large wrench warning light illuminated. The vehicle independently accelerated, became uncontrollable, and drifted out of the intended lane. The contact regained partial control as the vehicle continued accelerating toward an embankment. The front driver's side wheel was caught in the gutter of the embankment, causing the driver's side of the vehicle to crash into the embankment. The contact's head struck the driver's side window, which was fractured, allowing branches to enter the cabin. The driver's side curtain air bags deployed for the second and third rows but failed to deploy properly for the front driver's side, causing the contact to hit her head a second time on a sail that had deployed. The contact became pinned between the driver's seat and the driver's side window area, with her hair caught and pulled in the seat belt pretensioner, causing significant pain. EMT personnel cut the contact's hair to free the contact from the vehicle. The contact was assisted from the vehicle, fitted with a neck brace, placed on a stretcher, and transported to the hospital. The contact sustained head and neck injuries, as well as a concussion. Additionally, the contact suffered from pre-existing auto-immune lumbar stenosis L1–L5, osteoarthritis L5–S1 with bone-on-bone contact, and sacroiliac joint disease, and experienced increased pain after missing a scheduled appointment for sacroiliac joint injections due to the crash. A Police report was filed but

Filed Jun 3, 2026 · Body, Electrical · FL · crash

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 to weather variations throughout the year, wind speed and age. Terrible and dangerous design. You gave 2017 a Recall 25S53 for ford but NOT 2018

Filed Jun 2, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · NJ

The horn on my vehicle activates (blows) when I turn the steering wheel to certain positions. I believe this to be a road hazard. Especially since I had to remove the horn relay to prevent the horn from blowing in traffic until I can get it repaired. Several other Ford vehicles have been recalled for this exact problem. Just to diagnose this problem at the Ford dealer is $170.00. Help!

Filed May 22, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IA

Total engine failure in the Ford Explorer XLT 2.3L ecoboost.

Filed Feb 22, 2026 · Electrical · ID

Entertainment system control. Power draws down and kills battery. Display locks into reverse camera, and I can't access any controls for extended periods of time. Display just locks, and I can't adjust anything in it. This seems to be a known issue for all Sync 3 based backends.

Filed Dec 30, 2025 · Body, Electrical · WA

I am filing a safety complaint regarding unresolved recalls on my 2018 Ford Explorer (VIN: [XXX] ). FIRST RECALL: Over two years ago, I was notified to repair the exterior A-pillar trim/window shields. The dealer in Yakima, WA, placed me on a waiting list and said the part was unavailable. I have been waiting over two years with no resolution. Recently, while driving on the highway, this part fell off and struck the windshield of another vehicle behind me, creating a dangerous situation and potential for serious injury. The dealer refused to repair it for free, stating I must either wait longer or purchase the part myself, despite this being a manufacturer safety recall. This long delay and refusal put my safety and the safety of others at risk. It also caused stress, confrontation, and concern for my financial obligations, as I continue paying for a vehicle with unresolved safety defects. SECOND RECALL: The high-speed cooling fan motor relay recall was not properly addressed. The dealer only started the vehicle, stated the fan worked, and performed no inspection or repair, leaving a potential hazard unresolved. FORD RESPONSE: I reported these incidents to Ford Customer Service, but they said the situation did not qualify for opening a case. I strongly disagree, as these are confirmed safety recalls and one part already failed during driving. ADDITIONAL CONCERNS: I am still making monthly payments for this vehicle while unresolved recalls continue to appear. The ongoing failure to repair these defects, despite multiple reports, creates financial and safety burdens. I request the federal safety agency to investigate these matters, require Ford to complete all recall repairs properly, and hold the dealer accountable for their refusal to provide free safety repairs in a timely manner. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 30, 2025 · Body, Electrical · NV

During a storm, our SUV had water leaking in through the top, middle of the windshield. The water soaked the dashboard controls and our heating/air system was stuck on high heat and would not turn off. It was 70° and it was extremely hot in the SUV and the windows kept fogging up making it hard to see. Our temperature controls no longer work properly.

Filed Nov 21, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · MO

Purchased 5 years ago aprox 100k miles.kept oil changed regularly. Of course parts kept coming off, monk safety clips etc. It's a dime store matcbox wannabe. Then the abs and engine light came on. The computer was acting up and it would do crazy things. Lock and unlock, go into that slow drive as i was pulling into a road. Etc. These would self correct, all but the abs in a matter of minutes. Oh i did have it checked. All that came up was right wheel speed sensor. I paid to have it fixed. Ford dealer told me his news, new sensor bad news still says it's bad. I was moving to another state. Stranger things kept happening. None could find out what was wrong. It started back firing so new plugs and coils. The shop told me after that it still had issues and while no code it was the transmission. It started to violently shake going 70mph. Scared me to death. I sold it and now car shopping. Never Ford again! I have always trusted them but they have compromised on quality, safety and customer loyalty.

Filed Nov 5, 2025 · Electrical · MN

Both driver and passenger low beam headlights started strobe, than completely stopped working while driving at night. This was extremely stressful and dangerous as I was no longer able to see the roads very well, my options were get a tow truck to pick up and bring my vehicle from Michigan back to Minnesota or sit on the side of the road until the morning also a safety risk. Upon inspection the following day, it was only the low beam that was not working and all other LED's were working. This is when I tried to replace both headlight modules, that did not fix the issue. I then bought new headlights thinking the low beam LED stopped working after going through 3 sets of headlights the issue was never resolved.

Filed Oct 27, 2025 · Electrical · MN

Fault code B14E7:08-0A Right Front Enhanced Exterior Lighting System, passenger headlamp will not turn off until BCM disconnects after 20 minutes. Dealer diagnosis determined a possible headlamp control module FB5Z13C788D fault (replaced left module with right module and same headlamp stayed on so both headlamp control modules are correctly functioning) this indicates a broken wire in right front enhanced exterior lighting system wiring harness. Problem remains unresolved.