2018 Ford Explorer: won't start

Filed Aug 8, 2025 · Electrical · MO

I previously reported a battery 'explosion' in this 2018 Ford Explorer with ODI 11678705 due to my concern for a potentially highly dangerous situation for my grandchildren who were riding with me. And myself. An unpleasant smell intermittently followed this car that morning July 10 Upon opening the hood it was evident that battery acid had leaked out of the battery and 'exploded' covering most visible engine parts. Entire time of drive there was no 'alert' showing up on my dashboard July 11 car would not start to take to Ford dealership. AAA towed car with AAA driver remarking 'looks like your battery exploded!' Engine compartment cleaned by service, battery replaced July 12 July 18 engine light came on. Ford dealership contacted, no service appointment available until Aug 20. Advised by Ford service to take short trips only, and stop driving if engine light started flashing. I restricted my driving. July 27 started car for trip to church. Loud banging coming from under hood. Stopped driving. Car towed July 28 to Ford dealership repair. Car was not into service dept until Aug. 5. Aug 6, Ford service decided to get input from a more experienced technician to diagnose the problem with 2018 Ford explorer Aug 7, Ford service escalated case to Ford corporate for engineering help with identifying 'electrical' problem with my car. Ford service rep stated 'you car is throwing a code not typically seen with explorers) How can be safe if these my car had a battery issues mechanics freely admit they have not seen before. And now trained Ford mechanics cannot even find or fix the broken link that truly may be responsible for back to back engine failures? Dealer has finally been able to provide a rental. This car has been maintained according to factory recommendations at Sunset Ford and Bommarito Ford St. Loui

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 Dec 8, 2021 · Electrical · MA

The battery continues to drain even when parked next to my house. After a few days some systems shut down beginning with the passenger door handle sensor not unlocking the doors when touched. A few days later the car would not start. It has been to several dealers in the nearly three years I have owned it and had numerous batteries replaced. Dealer always states everything checks out fine I have been stranded with a no start several times. The 12 volt accessories socket also stops working.

Filed Aug 25, 2020 · Electrical · 43,586 miles · SC

In march 2018 I bought a brand new 2018 explorer. In november 2019 my security system started going off on it's own without any disturbance to the vehicle or me touching my keys. The next day the battery was dead and the ford service center told me my battery was dead due to a cold snap (we are in sc...it does not get that cold). I had to get a brand new battery. Now less than a year later, it's august 2020 and the key pad on the driver's side exterior door is malfunctioning and blinking uncontrollably until it finally died and does not work. The car is still functioning fine up until this point. Now 3 weeks later, my car did not start this morning and I had to be jumped off. I took it to the ford dealership and they said something is draining my battery and it is not holding a charge. There's no reason why a 2018 explorer should need two new batteries in 2 years. Something is draining my battery and no one can tell me what that issue is.

Filed Feb 26, 2018 · 3,600 miles · OH

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.