Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Ford Explorer powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Ford Explorer have filed 43 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 86,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
43
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Explorer | 69 |
| 2015 Explorer | 65 |
| 2016 Explorer | 197 |
| 2017 Explorer | 112 |
| 2018 Explorer (this page) | 43 |
| 2019 Explorer | 32 |
| 2020 Explorer | 440 |
| 2021 Explorer | 104 |
| 2022 Explorer | 53 |
1crash
What stands out
Owners have filed 43 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to loosen resulting in the timing gear breaking and engine damage. Replacement of the bolt is critical to the repair and accurately following the installation procedure in the Workshop Manual (WSM) Section, 303-01 is extremely important. The bolt torque procedure can be found in the crankshaft front seal removal and installation procedure or in the engine assembly procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission Powertrain Control Module Reprogram Submitting Owner Letters
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission - Transmission Extended Warranty Coverage Updated Owner Letters: 20N07/20B27 S1
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with the 2.3L engine and 6F35 transmission; Powertrain Control Module reprogram. Supplement: Program terms will be in effect through August 31, 2023 This program is now eligible for mobile repairs
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2018 Explorer's powertrain is the weak link. Torque converter failure is the dominant complaint: shuddering at idle, hesitation on acceleration, and in the worst cases, complete transmission seizure with no forward or reverse motion. Owners describe metal fragments in transmission fluid and converters that won't engage. Ford issued TSB 20B27 and 20N07 plus a Customer Satisfaction Program (20N07) to address torque converter issues, but many owners with identical failures say their VINs were excluded from coverage despite being built at the same plant during the same timeframe.
Transmission acceleration faults are also frequent. The vehicle stalls when depressing the throttle, then 'syncs' after several seconds—or won't accelerate at all at stop lights and intersections. Dealer diagnostics often find nothing despite the failure happening. In one case, complete power loss on the highway caused engine shutdown, smoke, and steering lock.
Owners report transmission replacement two to three times within 19,000 miles of the first repair, always showing internal failure. One owner replaced the transmission, then the engine failed 10,000 miles later due to a broken water pump.
Battery and electrical gremlins plague many owners: repeated battery drain, body control module failures, and a cluster of unrelated electrical fault codes. One owner replaced the battery three times in a year with parasitic drain while parked.
For these vehicles, a pre-purchase inspection at an independent transmission shop is essential.
Same Ford Explorer powertrain reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Torque Converter Failure and Shudder
Torque converter internal failure causing transmission shudder, hesitation on acceleration, rough engagement, and in severe cases, complete loss of driving power. Owners report metal fragments and debris found in transmission fluid; some converters are fractured or fail to engage properly.
When: Between 60,000–127,000 miles; some owners report failure within months/3,000 miles of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shudders or vibrates, especially at idle or during acceleration; Hesitation or sluggish response when depressing accelerator; Loss of power or refusal to accelerate from stops or traffic lights; Erratic or rough downshifting; Vehicle may slip out of gear or jerk unexpectedly; In extreme cases, complete transmission seizure (no forward or reverse motion)
Codes mentioned: P0757 (Shift Solenoid B Stuck Open), No codes appear on OBD in many cases despite failure
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required; fluid flushing is temporary. One owner paid over $4,000; another replaced transmission three times within ~19,000 miles. Metal shavings and debris often found in fluid.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSBs 20B27 and 20N07 issued by Ford; Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 20N07 covers some vehicles for torque converter repair. However, many owners report their VINs were not included in the program despite being manufactured during the same period at the same plant as affected vehicles. One owner noted TSB/CSP was issued before vehicle purchase but they were never notified.
Transmission Acceleration and Engagement Faults
Transmission fails to respond to throttle input or stalls unexpectedly during normal driving. Vehicle may 'sync' after several seconds of hesitation or may require ignition restart to regain normal operation. No warning lights appear in most cases despite severe safety hazard.
When: Occurs at various mileages; one incident at 92,000 miles; another within 5 months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls or nearly stalls when accelerating; Delay of up to 5 seconds before transmission engages; Loss of power on highways (reaching 65 mph in one incident); Complete power loss requiring restart; Steering wheel lock during power loss (one case); Engine smoke (one case)
Codes mentioned: No codes stored or found during dealer inspection in most cases, Engine knock sensor code unrelated to transmission (one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnostics often inconclusive; inability to replicate issue at dealership is common. One owner's vehicle towed; engine failure internal (broken water pump—separate powertrain issue). Another case resulted in vehicle being abandoned due to inability to diagnose.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technicians unable to replicate issue or identify root cause in most cases; no recalls issued for this specific failure mode. Manufacturer referred contacts to NHTSA Hotline.
Transmission Failure After Recall/Repair
Transmission continues to fail repeatedly after initial recall repair or replacement. One owner went through three transmissions in approximately 19,000 miles. Another experienced engine and transmission failures in sequence after initial transmission repair.
When: Within 10,000–20,000 miles after transmission replacement; failures at 62,000 miles, 85,000 miles, 100,000 miles in sequential incidents
Symptoms owners cite: Hard shifting, high RPM between shifts; Transmission slips or loses power shortly after repair; Internal transmission failure recurring despite replacement
Codes mentioned: P0757 (Shift Solenoid B Stuck Open) recurring, Wrench symbol with 'Check Manual' message
Repairs/costs cited: Shift solenoid B fault cost $900 to fix initially; subsequent full transmission replacement cost $6,600. Multiple owners report internal failure each time transmission fails.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford provided partial assistance with engine replacement in one case but refused transmission assistance. No systemic solution offered; owners advised to file NHTSA complaints.
Water Pump Failure and Engine Seizure
Premature water pump failure leading to coolant leakage, engine overheating, and engine seizure while driving. No warning indicators appear prior to failure.
When: At 115,631 miles (one case reported); vehicle had recent maintenance including fuel system flush at dealership days before failure
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown while driving at highway speeds (65 mph reported); Smoke from engine; No steering control (power steering lost with engine); No warning lights or messages prior to failure
Codes mentioned: No codes present before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Internal engine failure from broken water pump; engine requires replacement. Occurred immediately after recent dealership service (oil change, tire rotation, fuel system flush).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford has not issued a recall for water pump failures. Owner questioned why no warning indication exists and demanded recall action. Ford dealership confirmed internal engine failure.
Electrical/Battery Drain and Control Module Faults
Chronic battery drain and multiple electrical system failures. Owners report replacing batteries repeatedly and body control module failures causing vehicle shutdown and inability to start. Multiple electrical codes including mirror motor, liftgate motor, and instrument panel faults.
When: Recurring at 6–7 month intervals in one case; one owner replaced battery 3 times in one year; constant parasitic drain while parked
Symptoms owners cite: Battery dies repeatedly despite being new or recently charged; Vehicle idles at 1,000–1,500 RPM when parked or stopped; Vehicle won't start or barely starts; Multiple warning lights and dash messages; Electrical circuits shorting (passenger mirror, tailgate, liftgate, seat belt tensioner, cruise control, power steering modules)
Codes mentioned: Multiple circuit short codes, Passenger mirror motor circuit short, Tailgate/liftgate/trunk motor fault, Seat belt cinch striker motor circuit short, Instrument panel communication loss with cruise control module, Power steering module fault, Battery voltage circuit below threshold, Driver side curtain airbag deployment control circuit short, Switch illumination faults
Repairs/costs cited: Battery control module replaced in one case without resolving issue. No permanent fix identified; batteries replaced multiple times. One owner spent significant resources without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or customer satisfaction programs mentioned. One owner reported attempting to reach Ford multiple times without receiving feedback on submitted complaints.
Serpentine Belt Failure and Related Cooling System Issues
Serpentine belt failure causing engine overheating and stalling. Subsequent battery and alternator replacement did not resolve transmission engagement issues.
When: At 155,000 miles (one reported case)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating; Engine stall; Multiple electrical warning lights after belt replacement; Transmission stuck in park after alternator replacement
Codes mentioned: Not specified
Repairs/costs cited: Serpentine belt replaced; battery replaced; alternator replaced. Cause of subsequent transmission park engagement failure not determined.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no assistance or diagnosis provided.
Transmission Stuck in Park
Transmission fails to release from park, rendering vehicle undrivable. May occur after other electrical or mechanical repairs.
When: At 155,000 miles (one case); also reported at 45,000 miles (hesitation in reverse with jerking)
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission cannot be shifted out of park; Vehicle undrivable; Hesitation and jerking when shifting to reverse (related case)
Codes mentioned: Not specified; service warning light illuminated in one case
Repairs/costs cited: Cause not determined; vehicle remained undrivable.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no diagnosis or assistance provided.
Unexplained Limp Mode Activation
Vehicle independently shifts into limp mode during normal highway driving without any preceding warning or obvious triggering event.
When: At undisclosed mileage; one case involved merging into freeway traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shifts to limp mode during freeway merge; No warning provided before failure; Indicator fault lights on dash failed three times
Codes mentioned: Not specified
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer mechanic could not replicate failure; attributed to potential turbo lag (though 2018 Explorer is not turbocharged). Vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified. Dealer unable to diagnose.
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
- I have experienced a sudden loss of engine power and speed on 5 occasions. Very scary and dangerous to completely lose power on the highway with cars behind you. Had to pull off onto the shoulder(s) in dangerous conditions, with two young kids in the backseat. Hazards, turn off the car, restart the car, etc. - When the power loss happens, the vehicle's dashboard lights turn on, including…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2018 Ford Explorer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2018 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 43 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 45,000 and 107,033 miles, with the median around 86,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 107,033. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Ford/Explorer.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.