FordExplorer2018Overview/ford/explorer/2018/base/

2018 Ford Explorer

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Explorer.

Body SUV

The 2018 Ford Explorer is a midsize SUV built on Ford’s contemporary platform and equipped with a 6.0‑quart oil capacity that accepts either 5W‑30 or 5W‑20 viscosity grades. Across its model span from 1990 to 2025, the Explorer’s reliability record shows a wide range of owner feedback, with the 2018 year contributing to a total of 710 complaints—most frequently centered on structural issues—and having been subject to seven recalls. Compared with the peak of 3,620 complaints recorded in 2002 and the low of just 12 complaints in the inaugural 1990 model year, the 2018 Explorer sits toward the moderate end of the line’s historical reliability spectrum, indicating a vehicle that is neither the most problematic nor the most flawless in its legacy.

Model year202620252024202320212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI w/o Intelligent Access: 59; w/Intelligent Access: 65 · w/o Intelligent Access: 540 CCA; w/Intelligent Access: 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI w/o Intelligent Access: 59; w/Intelligent Access: 65 · w/o Intelligent Access: 540 CCA; w/Intelligent Access: 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnBATTERYOEM · verified
Tire size245/60R18OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length198.4 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height69.7 in
Wheelbase113 in
Curb weight4731 lb
Track (front / rear)66.9 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Explorer of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.8–9.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.80 sec — 2017 Platinum EcoBoost
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017Platinum EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.80 sec14.40 sec365 hpAWD
2017Platinum EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.50 sec15.00 sec365 hpAWD
2016Sport EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.00 sec14.60 sec365 hpAWD
2016Platinum EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.40 sec14.80 sec365 hpAWD
2016Limited 2.3L EcoBoost 2.3L Turbo I-48.20 sec16.30 sec280 hpAWD
2013Sport EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.90 sec14.50 sec365 hpAWD
2013Limited 3.5L V68.00 sec16.10 sec290 hpAWD
2012Limited 2.0L EcoBoost 2.0L Turbo I-49.20 sec16.90 sec240 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-20 engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.5
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.1 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity11.6
Engine Coolant Capacity13.1-13.4
Engine Oil5W-30 · 5W-20
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)Stage 1: 30 lb.ft
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)14.75 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub258.0
Rear Wheel Hub258.0
Front Wheel Hub258.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.03 in
Spark Plug Torque9 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.049-.053 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Optional BCI Group NumberPolice Version: 65
Optional BCI Cranking PerformancePolice Version: 750 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum55.1 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum75.4 psi
RPM55.1-75.4 rpm
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum58.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum55.1 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum75.4 psi
RPM55.1-75.4 rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 53; Rear: 24
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 122; Rear: 76
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.122; Rear: .394
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
162.0 inch lbs.62 in
212.0
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
171.0 inch lbs.71 in
245.0
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
160
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
221.0 ft. lbs.; Step 3; 90.021 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
117.0 ft. lbs.17 ft. lbs
232.0 ft. lbs.32 ft. lbs
390.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9074 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep New cylinder head bolts must be installed.

15.17 ft. lbs.5.17 ft. lbs
211.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
341.0 ft. lbs.41 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
137.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
259.0 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
383.0 ft. lbs.83 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
17.4 ft. lbs.7.4 ft. lbs
2Turn 45
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Install New Studs: 8.8 ft. lbs.

111 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
214.7
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Lower Intake: 7.4 ft. lbs. · Upper Intake: Step 1: 7.4 ft. lbs.

2Tighten 45
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
144.0 inch lbs.44 in
218.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
390.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep GTDI engines · Cap bolts

124.0 ft. lbs.24 ft. lbs
2135.0 degrees; Side bolts135 degrees
133.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
290.0 degrees; TI-VCT engines; Cap bolts90 degrees
124.0 ft. lbs.24 ft. lbs
2135.0 degrees; Side bolts135 degrees
118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
2180.0
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
217.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Ford Explorer sits near the end of the fifth generation (2011–2019), a period that saw complaints peak at 2,428 in 2016 before declining to 710 in 2018 and 285 in 2019. Recalls followed a similar downward trend, dropping from 15 in both 2016 and 2017 to 7 in 2018, while investigations remained low at 2. The 2018 model’s top complaint area is structure (250 reports), but the data does not specify root causes. This late-cycle year shows a clear improvement over the generation’s troubled mid-decade peak and avoids the spike to 1,159 complaints and 31 recalls that accompanied the 2020 redesign. For a used buyer, the 2018 Explorer represents a refined, lower-risk option within its generation.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
189
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
710
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 7 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 710 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure250
Unknown Or Other114
Engine57
Power Train27
Engine & Engine Cooling21
Electrical System18
Suspension15
Back Over Prevention12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V633000Seats:Front Assembly:ReclinerReported 28/08/2019

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… 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…

18V807000Fuel System, GasolineReported 14/11/2018

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. 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 189 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25B512026-05-08EngineCertain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model…
25N172026-03-25Unknown Or OtherAdvance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year…
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
TSB 25-25702025-11-26Electrical SystemThis article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles…
SSM 543662025-11-11Power TrainSome 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Explorer. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Explorer take?

6.0 qt of Turbo: 5W-30 Meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C946-A or equivalent., Non-Turbo: 5W-20 Meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C945-A or equivalent., per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Explorer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.