10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 31,858 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
In wet, or snowy conditions, or when driving over a bump in the road, the rear end of the vehicle jerks sideways. New tires and 4 wheel alignment have not corrected the issue. Vehicle feels like it may lose control. Symptoms feel the same as previous year explorer that had a rear toe link issue.
- Moundsville, WV, USA
The contact called in for a client who owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact works at an independently owned auto body shop. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed into the body shop for inspection. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the driver-€™s rear toe link had fractured. The contact stated that while the owner of the vehicle was driving at an undisclosed speed, he lost control of the vehicle and spun out, and ran off the road causing damage to the vehicle. The contact stated that he was called by the State Police to tow the vehicle. The contact was unaware of any injuries being sustained during the failure. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 59,004.
- Torrington, CT, USA
Driving about 50mph on dry country road, good visibility, when suddenly car pulled hard right. We went onto a grass embankment, I managed to pull left back onto the road, but car fish-tailed uncontrollably, we hit crash barrier, and finally came to a stop. Badly shaken but no injuries. Examining car, besides body damage, most notably rear drivers side wheel was mis-aligned with car by about 15 degrees. Photo of suspension I took shows broken toe-link, subsequently confirmed by body shop and loss adjuster. The car had new rear struts 2 days earlier, but at that time no report of a broken toe-link. I have subsequently learnt there is a recall for broken toe-link for Ford Explorers 2013-2017, but mine is 2018. But I suspect the recall should have been broader - my toe-link looks like one subject to recall.
- Norfolk, CT, USA
Vehicle when accelerating pulls sharply to right. Problem not resolved after 30 days at dealership. Alignment was not problem. Was documented while under warrantee ant was first noticed at 21000 miles and documented
- Barnegat, NJ, USA
Vehicle was traveling at approximately 45 mph on a smooth strait stretch of road when a loud back was heard and a sudden loss of steering resulting in striking the curb as it came to a stop. Upon inspection it appears the lower control arm failed just before the balljoint and had broken in half. This appears it's an issue across a range if Explorer that utilize the same control arm.
- Port Richey, FL, USA
When turning leaving a shopping center on a main road at ~30 mph, heard loud pop sound and car immediately stopped moving. Car would not move and needed to be towed. Upon inspection the lower control arm broke next to ball joint. Car currently has little over 2000 miles.the police did respond to the incident to assist in guiding traffic and securing a tow truck. Currently the vehicle is at the dealer waiting further assessment. It appears the control arm has a weak point in the structure. In reviewing internet post the arm appears to break in the same place from early and late model years of the new body style Explorer. The car was never taken off main roads, and there is no other damage to wheel (shown in photo). I have major concerns this appears to be a issue with Explorer models and if on a highway would cause possible loss of life. We are lucky that the car was not going faster and in traffic when this event happed.
- Fredericksburg, VA, USA
- Fresno, CA, USA