2018 Ford Explorer: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Brakes · TX · crash

July 12, 2026 I returned home and parked about 10 ft from my garage. I put my car in park, turned off the motor, and went to get out, when my husband started yelling at me that the car was moving. I pumped the brake, and heard a clicking sound. The car wouldn't stop, it ran into my house. Cracking my left headlight and denting my bumper. The car was in park, and I was unable to move the steering wheel. I had no control of the car. Thank goodness no one was standing in front of me. If it had happened just a short time before when I was at a splash pad full of children, it could have killed people. I contacted Ford Motor Company on Monday and the Customer Service representative did not offer any comfort, but simply stated that "she spoke for Ford Motor Co., and there was no financial compensation programs at this time." I never asked for money. I just want to know if my car is going to act possessed again, if there is a recall, if Ford would stand by their product (my 3-4th Ford car). She was rude, and not helpful at all. I took it to my dealership, and they said that they ran multiple tests on it, and it showed nothing. However, when my husband took it into the shop, he ran the black box, 2 days before and after, and it showed several erratic messages. None of which were mentioned today, when they announced that my car was available for pick up. Mind you, my headlight is cracked and bumper is dented. It looks like there might be a similar recall: the federal safety agency campaign number: 23V675. Ford’s own number for this recall is 23S55 - I don't know what to do about this. The dealership seemed interested in getting to the bottom of it, but may be dropping the ball. Is it possible that this recall would be on my car?? Please advise. I wanted Ford to take care of it, however it looks like I will need to file a report with my insurance company. I would say that there was a problem with the parking system, the brake system?

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.

Filed Mar 14, 2023 · Electrical, Fuel system · NE · crash

Around 4:45 , was unable to access cruise control the message rapidly flashed., loss of headlights and all lighting for a few seconds. Was going 70 mph. I exited the interstate to turn around and go to my work on southbound the wrench light came on and I lost power steering, power, acceleration in my turn on the on ramp and proceeded off the road onto the incline somehow avoiding a rollover and teetering sideways. Meanwhile no power to open my window etc. at an angle where I couldn’t open the door, took a minute to get out of the seatbelt. Suddenly got my window able to open and crawled out. The cops, and tow truck couldn’t believe I didn’t roll. The car was at a dealership the previous week for loss of power and terai. System problems/ no power steering and they replaced the throttle body 3 days before this happened. I’ve had multiple electrical/exhaust/power failures. I am terrified to drive this vehicle. It’s been to different dealerships and the ford ones and ford don’t care (only the dealership I purchased it at tries) it is at a fifth one now. We have forscan reports of the failures also. Multiple images at scene also. Car wouldn’t drive correctly and terrain management fault, unloaded itself from trailer too.

Filed Jan 27, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 20,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-up camera image was distorted and unviewable. The vehicle had also experienced various electrical failures which included the headlights independently turning on while the vehicle was off. Additionally, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the message "Key Not Detected" was displayed. The vehicle also experienced the liftgate opening independently while driving. The contact also had difficulties starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the rear camera wire connector had failed due to water damage. The connector was replaced but later the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.

Filed Nov 9, 2020 · Lights · DE

Driving in the dark and passenger side headlight went out. Got diagnosed that it was a bad light housing.got various prices from 700 to 1200 dollars. Now the light works .was out for 3 weeks decided to come back on.well I would assume its not the headlight or just faulty electronics. Not sure any hekp?

Filed Mar 30, 2019 · Lights · 113,000 miles · NY

I believe the headlights on ford explorers are defective. When encountering one in the oncoming lane of a 2 lane road, the headlight are overly bright and annoying in the daylight. At night they are blinding painful and dangerous. It doesn't help that the manufacturers of trucks, including suvs, position the headlights at the same distance above the road as the windshield of a sedan.

Filed Feb 26, 2018 · Visibility · 121 miles · PA

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.