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2018 Ford Explorer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Explorer do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 609.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

288 reports with mileage · 440 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 287 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports7 fire reports13 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

167 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2019
Unknown Or Other

ON HARD ACCELERATION EXHAUST FUME GETS INSIDE THE CABIN EVEN WHEN THE A/C IS ON CIRCULATING MODE. WHEN PARKED ON IDLE WITH A/C CIRCULATING MODE TOXIC SMELL GETS IN THE CABIN TOO. IT CAN BE SMELLED OR DETECTED MORE ON THE RUBBER DOOR SEALS AROUND THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO FORD MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THEY CANNOT SOLVE THE ISSUE. IM WOR…

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ON HARD ACCELERATION EXHAUST FUME GETS INSIDE THE CABIN EVEN WHEN THE A/C IS ON CIRCULATING MODE. WHEN PARKED ON IDLE WITH A/C CIRCULATING MODE TOXIC SMELL GETS IN THE CABIN TOO. IT CAN BE SMELLED OR DETECTED MORE ON THE RUBBER DOOR SEALS AROUND THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO FORD MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THEY CANNOT SOLVE THE ISSUE. IM WORRIED ABOUT MY FAMILY'S HEALTH. FORD USA GAVE ME 40,000 MILES FREE OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION TO MAKE ME FEEL A LITTLE BETTER. I THINK THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM OF FORD EXPLORER.

NHTSA ODI #11243220

79,000 miles · Jul 20, 2019
Unknown Or Other

NUMERUS TIMES--WHILE ON VACATION-- DURING ACCELERATION --WEATHER PASSING OR CLIMBING AN UPHILL GRADE--EXHAUST FUMES CAN BE SMELLED IN THE CAR CABIN--AT TIMES VERY BAD VERY CONCERNED --WHEN CARRYING THE GRANDCHILDREN

NHTSA ODI #11233542

100 miles · Jul 15, 2019
Unknown Or Other

SMELL OF EXHAUST ESPECIALLY IF ACCELERATING AT HIGH SPEED AND MORE NOTICEABLE IF THE THE AC CIRCULATION IS ON

NHTSA ODI #11232011

300 miles · Jun 26, 2019
Unknown Or Other

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 OC…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11222654

25,000 miles · Jun 17, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

EXHAUST IS LEAKING INTO THE CABIN WHILE DRIVING. USUALLY WHILE ACCELERATING

NHTSA ODI #11220734

300 miles · Jun 4, 2019
Unknown Or Other

REAR CAMERA INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT WORK. WHEN CAR IN REVERSE, IT WILL EITHER GIVE A PICTURE, GIVE A BLURRY PICTURE, OR BLACK SCREEN THAT SAYS "NO CAMERA".

NHTSA ODI #11217849

1,500 miles · Apr 6, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THE EXPLORER WILL RANDOMLY NOT START LIKE A DEAD BATTERY, BUT THEN STARTS OTHER TIMES. BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER. SIDE MIRRORS WILL FOLD IN WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT FOLD BACK OUT UNTIL THE CAR IS STOPPED, TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED. WHEN THESE ISSUES ARE PRESENT THE SYNC 3 SYSTEM WILL COMPLETELY TURN OFF. THIS…

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THE EXPLORER WILL RANDOMLY NOT START LIKE A DEAD BATTERY, BUT THEN STARTS OTHER TIMES. BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER. SIDE MIRRORS WILL FOLD IN WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT FOLD BACK OUT UNTIL THE CAR IS STOPPED, TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED. WHEN THESE ISSUES ARE PRESENT THE SYNC 3 SYSTEM WILL COMPLETELY TURN OFF. THIS IS RANDOM AT THE TIMES IT HAPPENS AND THE DEALER HAS NOT EXPERIENCED IT WHILE ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP. WE PURCHASED THE EXPLORER WITH 500 MILES IT AS A NEW CAR JANUARY 13TH 2019. IT HAS 4200 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERS SHOP A TOTAL OF 23 DAYS. THE LARGEST PROBLEM WE HAVE AND WHY THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE AND DOES NOT GET DRIVEN IS THE EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN. ITS SO STRONG THAT IF YOU DRIVE IT ANY LENGTH OF TIME YOU GET A SEVERE HEADACHE. MY ENTIRE FAMILY GOT SICK ALL AT ONCE ON THE ONE AND ONLY TRIP WE TOOK IN THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS WHEN THE TECHNICIAN GOT SICK DRIVING THE CAR. THEY PREFORMED THE RECALL PROTOCOL FOR PREVIOUS YEAR EXPLORERS AND MADE US TAKE IT BUT THE PROBLEM IS MORE PREVALENT THAN EVER NOW. IVE HIRED AN ATTORNEY AND THE DEALERSHIP WILL BE GETTING A FORMAL DEMAND LETTER TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE BACK FOR WHAT WE PAID. IVE TRIED TO TALK TO THE GM OF THE DEALERSHIP AND WHILE HE AGREES THERE IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR THEY WILL NOT BUY IT BACK UNLESS WE AGREE TO LOOSE MONEY. FORD DENIED A CLAIM WE MADE FOR THEM TO REACQUIRE THE VEHICLE, AND THEY DENIED IT BEFORE THE THE DEALERSHIP WAS EVEN DONE WITH THEIR EVALUATION. IT'S BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT EXPERIENCE AND SEEMS UNLESS MY ATTORNEY GETS INVOLVED THERE WILL NOT BE A RESOLUTION.

NHTSA ODI #11194311

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11181331

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2019
Unknown Or Other

I SMELL SULFUR OR ROTTEN EGG SMELL IN THE CABIN AFTER HARD ACCELERATION WITH A/C ON AND VENTILATION CLOSED ON THE DASH BOARD. I BOUGHT THE SUV WITH 39,000 MILES 2018 FROM RUSSEL WESTBROOK HYUNDAI DEALER IN GARDEN GROVE CA. I TOOK IT 2X AT FORD CARUSO LONG BEACH CA. 1ST TIME THEY GAVE THE EXPLORER BACK TO ME THE SAME DAY, STATING…

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I SMELL SULFUR OR ROTTEN EGG SMELL IN THE CABIN AFTER HARD ACCELERATION WITH A/C ON AND VENTILATION CLOSED ON THE DASH BOARD. I BOUGHT THE SUV WITH 39,000 MILES 2018 FROM RUSSEL WESTBROOK HYUNDAI DEALER IN GARDEN GROVE CA. I TOOK IT 2X AT FORD CARUSO LONG BEACH CA. 1ST TIME THEY GAVE THE EXPLORER BACK TO ME THE SAME DAY, STATING THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SMELL OR ISSUE THAT I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT. AFTER FEW DAYS, I BROUGHT IT BACK TO FORD CARUSO AND LEFT IT THERE FOR 4 DAYS WHILE I WAS MONITORING THE MILEAGE USING FORD PASS TO FIND OUT IF THEY TEST AND TEST DRIVE THE SUV. THEY KEPT THE SUV FOR 4 DAYS AND EVERY DAY THE MECHANIC DOES NOT HAVE ANY REPORT TO SAY ABOUT THE EXPLORER. I TALKED TO THE SUPERVISOR OF SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND TOLD HER THAT I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE SUV DID NOT MOVE FROM THE DELAERSHIP FOR TESTING, THEN I NOTICED THEY'VE FINALLY DROVE IT FOR 6 MILES ON THE 4TH DAY. ON THE 4TH DAY I ENDED UP TAKING THE SUV HOME BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SMELL COMING INSIDE THE CABIN. SUPERVISOR ASKED ME TO TAKE THE SUV BACK WHEN IT SMELLS TOXIC AGAIN INSIDE THE CABIN. I AM PLANNING TO BRING IT ON MONDAY AND LEAVE IT THERE UNTIL THEY FIX THE ISSUE. MY WHOLE FAMILY HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH COUGH AND COLD FOR MORE THAN 1 MONTH NOW, I HAD A FEELING IT WAS RELATED TO THE FUME COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. FORD CALLED ME AND SAID THE VEHICLE IS NOT QUALIFIED FOR BUYBACK PROG FROM FORD. I WILL STOP USING THIS SUV STARTING TOMORROW SUNDAY 2/17/19 TO SAVE OUR HEALTH. I WAS TOLD BY FORD SERVICE AGENT THAT THE RECALL HAVE BEEN RESOLVED AND THAT 2018 MODELS WERE ALREADY CORRECTED. PLEASE HELP ME RESOLVE THIS ISSUE BEFORE MY FAMILY DEVELOP SERIOUS ILLNESS.

NHTSA ODI #11180567

15 miles · Jan 31, 2019
Unknown Or Other

WHEN TEST DRIVING THIS NEW 2018 EXPLORER XLT AT HAWK FORD IN OAK LAWN, IL, THERE WAS A TERRIBLE SULFUR SMELL IN THE CABIN. IT WAS SO BAD THAT THE SALESPERSON OPENED THE WINDOWS, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONLY ABOUT 5 DEGREES OUTSIDE. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE WIDELY REPORTED AND KNOWN MANUFACTURER DEFECT OF EXHAUST GAS LEAKING INTO…

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WHEN TEST DRIVING THIS NEW 2018 EXPLORER XLT AT HAWK FORD IN OAK LAWN, IL, THERE WAS A TERRIBLE SULFUR SMELL IN THE CABIN. IT WAS SO BAD THAT THE SALESPERSON OPENED THE WINDOWS, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONLY ABOUT 5 DEGREES OUTSIDE. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE WIDELY REPORTED AND KNOWN MANUFACTURER DEFECT OF EXHAUST GAS LEAKING INTO THE CABIN THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED ON PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR EXPLORERS AND IS THE SUBJECT OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.

NHTSA ODI #11173381

Official recalls

7

26V448000 · Structure:body

Jul 14, 2026

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.

26V101000 · Suspension:rear

Feb 20, 2026

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.

25V685000 · Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater

Oct 10, 2025

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

24V031000 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars

Jan 19, 2024

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.

21V316000 · Structure:body

May 5, 2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.

19V633000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner; Seats:mid/rear Assembly

Aug 28, 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats:mid/rear Assembly

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.

Seats:front Assembly:recliner

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.

18V807000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Nov 14, 2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L or 3.5L GTDI engine. Due to an assembly error, the fuel pressure sensor may leak fuel.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line assembly, free of charge. The recall began December 7, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S35.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE23001 · Windshield Trim Molding Item Detachment

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Feb 8, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:roof And Pillars

On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting this failure. ODI has received 671 VOQs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring the driver of the following vehicle to take evasive action. It is noteworthy that motorists who experience this type of road hazard are less likely to accurately identify the subject vehicle the item detached from and report the event to the NHTSA. In its April 17, 2023 response to ODI’s information request, Ford provided 175 consumer complaints (including field reports) and 14,162 warranty claims related to A-pillar trim panel detachment. Ford relayed that the subject vehicles utilize a plastic A-pillar bracket, which is bolted to the vehicle structure during assembly. The A-pillar trim panel is attached to the bracket utilizing 7 plastic clips. Contributory factors which have been identified by Ford as leading to the subject defect include incomplete installation at the assembly plant, inadequate part stack up, damage to fasteners during installation, and failure to follow proper repair procedure during windshield replacements or other services. On January 19, 2024, Ford filed safety recall 24V-031 for MY 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles to address the subject defect. In the Part 573 Safety Recall Report, Ford identified that a detached A-pillar trim panel can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall remedy includes an inspection of the existing A-pillar trim panel and, if necessary, the replacement of the component. The remedy A-pillar trim panels will be installed with an additional adhesive for robustness and utilize an inspection procedure to ensure full engagement of all the retention clips during installation. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

AQ22003 · Hertz/vehicles Rented With Open Recalls

Opened Dec 16, 2022 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

NHTSA is opening this audit query to investigate whether The Hertz Corporation (Hertz) has complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act). The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a rental company shall not rent a vehicle subject to a safety recall unless the recall remedy has been performed. 49 U.S.C. § 30120(i).NHTSA is in receipt of information that indicates Hertz rented vehicles to customers without having performed required recall repairs. Accordingly, we are opening this audit query to seek additional information concerning this issue.

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