2018 Ford Explorer: misfire or rough idle

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Engine · FL

My vehhicle has been tested by ford service center and found to be affected by the factory defect that allows coolant to leak causing a catastrophic engine failure where the only remedy is a new engine block. My vehicle has 69919 miles. The problem was recognized when the vehicle bagan to misfire causing the check engine light to come on resulting in expensive diagnostics. Ford has put my safety as well as the safety of my passengers in jeopardy by knowing but not disclosing this factory defect that can become catastrophic at any given time. Service advisories were sent out to employees but no notification to customers.

Filed Feb 25, 2026 · Engine · TX

Upon startup rough idle and check engine light came on. Mechanic confirmed cylinder head thinning causing fluid leak into first cylinder. A mechanical note verifies but Ford won't issue a recall. Apparently Ford has know this for years with Ecoboost engines. I don't want to become a victim of vehicle dying in the middle of traffic. Have seen several complaints from Ford owners with no fixes by Ford.

Filed Feb 18, 2026 · Engine · 118,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Prior to the failure, when the vehicle was started, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. After several minutes, the sound ceased. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a misfire in cylinder #3. The contact was informed that the spark plug was stuck, and the independent mechanic was unable to remove the spark plug. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #3, and the spark plug and ignition coil were replaced. The contact was unsure if the stuck spark plug was removed the second time the vehicle was repaired. Most recently, the contact noticed that while the vehicle was in park(P) and left running, the vehicle was idling roughly. The message "Engine Coolant Over Temperature" was intermittently displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, left the vehicle running, exited the vehicle, opened the hood, and there was no smoke or steam present. The contact returned to the vehicle and noticed that the temperature gauge was indicating that the engine was HOT. The contact drove back to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinders #1, #2, and #4. The contact was informed that the coolant reservoir was empty, that the spark plug in cylinder #3 was stuck, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for a second opinion, who diagnosed coolant intrusion in cylinders #1, #2, and #4, and that the spark plug was stuck in cylinder #3. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The dealer notified the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Filed Jun 16, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 119,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC: P0303 (Misfire in cylinder #3). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, who confirmed the failure. The dealer replaced the spark plugs and ignition coils. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, after the contact had the tires serviced, and the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinders, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the torque converter and engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure due to the cost. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.

Filed Nov 20, 2024 · Engine · KS

My car has 105k miles on it. And the check engine light came on. Code was 3rd cyl. Misfire. Changed spark plug and coil pack. Light cane back on the next day. Then the overheat warning comes on. Shut vehicle off to cool. The coolant is now completely empty. Vehicle will not start. Have towed and the dealership gets it yo start but smoking. Dealership basically doesn't even notice that the fluid is low after we had filled it again. They say there's nothing wrong even though it wouldn't start and then was smoking when it did. Take to another mechanic to discover coolant in the 3rd Cylinder and need a whole new motor. This issue has been common in these ecoboosts! But Ford has still failed to recall or do anything about it. Can cause overheating and fire from what I've read. And also cracked head and or block! $8000 repair on a vehicle just out of the extended warranty for an issue they know they had!

Filed Sep 9, 2024 · Engine · TN

My 2.7L eco boost ford explorer had a crack in the intake manifold allowing water to leak into the piston heads. This resulted in engine misfire and ultimately led to a full engine replacement. The service technicians at the dealership noted that the 2.7 L eco boost are notorious for cracked engine components due to a mismatch in metal alloy. In reference to the federal safety agency# EA23002.

Filed Sep 6, 2024 · Engine · IN

I purchased this vehicle Nov. 2021 with 46,000 miles and still having warranty on it. After driving less than 3000 miles began to see large/heavy amounts of blue smoke coming from the exhaust when starting the vehicle along with random loud noise at certain times when starting. Checked the oil and it was almost 2 quarts low and oil life said only 33% left. Complained that I thought it was burning oil at the dealership and their fix was to give me a free oil change and a new air filter saying there was no problem. I continued to have these same issues over the next 2 years with no documentation by the dealership of my complaints and no solution to the continued problems. At 1 point it was over 3 qrt. low on oil with none on the ground. Then on 3- 31-24 while headed for vacation and over 3 hrs from home driving 70+ MPH lost all power to the vehicle and thankfully close to an exit on highway. Had expense of a rental to continue on vacation. Had to reach out to a friend to tow the vehicle back 3+ hrs to home. Had an independent mechanic diagnose the car finding out it was a catastrophic misfire and loss of compression in 2 cylinders. Complained to dealership who then did their own diagnostics getting same answer. The vehicle by this time out of warranty and dealership doesn't want to help with paying for a new motor. Made 2 complaints to Ford directly with zero help. All of this should've been documented at the time of complaints so when the misfire actually occurred I might've gotten some help. I can't afford a new motor so had to borrow a car from a neighbor while figuring out what to do. The dealership solution was to trade me out of it into a newer vehicle which I'm not fond of and have a significantly higher payment which I didn't want either do to having now negative equity in the trade. Now finding out there is a recall on the same issue but for different year. I would hope that they would recall all Ecoboost and there would be some compensation

Filed Sep 4, 2024 · Engine · FL

Check engine light showing. Diagnostic testing shows misfire in cylinder #3. Ford dealership ran diagnostic testing ($169.95) and verified concern and found coolant intrusion cylinder #3. Advised, due to mileage (75,976 miles), replacement of long block. Replacement cost estimated at $11k. No repairs have been performed at this point due to excessive cost. Second Diagnostic test ($89.95) with independent mechanic - confirmed original verification and found evidence of wear on long block. Mechanic stated that he currently had a Ford Edge in the shop with the same issues. There is currently a class action law suit against Ford for same the issue..

Filed Jul 10, 2024 · Engine · KY

Ford EcoBoost 2.0 engine failure at 66,000 miles as coolant has leaked into the engine compartment and oil pan. Known issue by Ford as design defect on the EcoBoost engines. Current class action lawsuit over this [XXX] et al., v. Ford Motor Company, Case No. [XXX], filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. Plaintiffs have experienced the exact same failures on the EcoBoost engines. Ford issued multiple technical service bulletins (TSBs) and other service messages for vehicles equipped with EcoBoost engines. Luckily, the failure occurred at home and not while driving at highway speeds as there have been reports of fires occurring if vehicle is moving during failure. Vehicle began rough idling 7-10 days ago and check engine light showed a code for misfire of cylinder. Had plugs changed but check engine light returned and then as of today, after overheating light came on dash upon startup with clouds of white smoke coming from exhaust, checked coolant levels and it was empty and drained down into the oil pan showing milky colored oil. Again... Ford knows about this issue with EcoBoost and has since 2017 and has failed to issue recall for customer safety due to cost factors and continues to address on case by case basis with most common offer to cover partial cost of engine replacement. Most consumers don't have the financial resources to sue Ford, so they continue to take advantage of their size and financial power to abuse customers. Please take action about this known issue and review the above class action case before Ford's negligence results in consumer death or serious injury. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 30, 2023 · Engine · GA

I purchased this used vehicle from Carmax 1/2022. Prior to my purchase it was a fleet vehicle. On 09/18/2023 I experienced EcoBoost engine failure.Mileage is currently roughly 49k. Incident occured 2 months outside of Powertrain warranty. The engine light would come on intermittently when driving. Took the car for a diagnostic to diagnose issue and had #3 ignition coil replaced due to misfire message. Few days later, light would come back on. After 3rd time of me going back and forth to the repair shop because of the light coming back on and vehicle drive not being as smooth as it usually is, I took the car to Ford dealer service center, where I was advised that this is a known issue, but no recall has been issued at this time. In addition, I was told that this engine is on back order and will not ship out until March 2024. A loaner car has not been provided and my extended warranty covers 5 days at $35/day, that is it. I will be without a vehicle for 6 months. Prior to this incident in 2022 I had a transmission issue. Powertrain warranty was still in effect so Ford covered it. I was without a vehicle for about 3 weeks for that repair. This has been a very dissapointing experience for a vehicle that is 5 years old and under 50k miles.

Filed Oct 5, 2023 · Engine · MD

The car had catastrophic engine failure. It had zero mechanical issues and all routine maintenance. It started rough a few times. Which I now know was a misfire. It then overheated while driving. Brought to a mechanic who said it was a blown head gasket. The coolant leaked into the oil. Engine had to be replaced at 102,000 miles.

Filed Nov 11, 2022 · Transmission · AR

2018 Ford Explorer developed a shudder and rough idle, sluggish vehicle operation, slow acceleration during launch. No warning lamps. Researched issues online and found a bulletin from Ford Motor Company dated October 9, 2020 that identified the issue as a torque converter defect. My vehicle was manufactured during the identified time period and at the identified assembly plant but I did not receive a notice from Ford for the repair program. My vehicle has exhibited all of the known issues as well as a total loss of power while reversing leaving me sideways in the middle of the road while I had my family on a road trip risking collision and injury. Dealership confirms there was an issue but refuses to repair because my VIN was not listed in their system as affected. Feel the issue may extend to more vehicles than Ford previously figured.