2018 Ford Explorer Base
All photo credits
- Photo: Ford Explorer Limited U502 FL Shadow Black Hearse (3) by Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2017 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5L (U502 facelift) front 7.22.19 by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Ford Explorer 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 4WD Limited U502 Tuxedo Black Metallic (11) by Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2017 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5L (U502 facelift) rear 7.22.19 by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2018 Ford Explorer Base is a 290-hp 3.5-liter V6 with a 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $32,140 MSRP and is rated at 20 mpg combined.
It makes 290 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 255 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway (20 mpg combined).
The Explorer measures 198.3 inches long on a 112.8-inch wheelbase.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | SUV |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $32,140 |
| MSRP with Destination | $33,135 |
| Destination Charge | $995 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 |
| Displacement | 3.5 L |
| Horsepower | 290 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 255 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Injection Type | Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 17 MPG |
| Highway | 24 MPG |
| Combined | 20 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Tank Capacity | 18.6 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Strut front suspension with coil springs |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link rear suspension with coil springs |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 198.3 in |
| Width | 78.9 in |
| Height | 70 in |
| Wheelbase | 112.8 in |
| Cargo Volume | 21 ft³ |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2018 Ford Explorer Base with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (16.4 % risk) |
Other tested variants (1)
- 2018 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD: 5 ★ overall
Recalls
7 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2018 Ford EXPLORER. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Jul 14, 2026 · STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
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.
NHTSA campaign 26V448000
Feb 20, 2026 · SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
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.
NHTSA campaign 26V101000
Oct 10, 2025 · EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
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: 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.
NHTSA campaign 25V685000
Jan 19, 2024 · STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
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: 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.
NHTSA campaign 24V031000
May 5, 2021 · STRUCTURE:BODY
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: 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V316000
Aug 28, 2019 · 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.
NHTSA campaign 19V633000
Nov 14, 2018 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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: 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V807000
733 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2018 Ford EXPLORER
Owner Complaints
733 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Ford EXPLORER (15 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 12 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Structure | 288 |
| Unknown Or Other | 168 |
| Engine | 95 |
| Electrical System | 57 |
| Power Train | 50 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 29 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2018 FORD EXPLORER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.