2018 Ford Explorer Electrical System Problems
NHTSA component category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How electrical system ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 710 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2018 Ford Explorer overview page.
What owners report
“I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ACCELERATION/TRANSMISSION CONCERNS, WHERE THE VEHICLE ESSENTIAL STALLS AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS, THE COMPUTER AND TRANSMISSION APPEAR TO…”NHTSA complaint 11355386 — filed 09/16/2020
“HAD CAR SERVICED ON 06/13/20 BATTERY 100% DOCUMENTED. ON 07/09/20 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE A QUARTER OF MILE FROM MY HOUSE WHEN THE BATTERY EXPLODED…”NHTSA complaint 11341329 — filed 07/24/2020
“I HAVE A FORD EXPLORER LIMITED 2018 WITH ROTTEN EGG AND SULFUR SMELL WHEN REMOTE START AT IDLE AND HARD ACCELERATION. I TOOK THE VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 11325698 — filed 05/24/2020
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical System complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Ford Explorer have electrical system problems?
Electrical System is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2018 Ford Explorer: 53 of 710 complaints on file (7.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2018 Ford Explorer have in total?
710 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 15 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, 13 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's electrical system category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
