carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $31,467–$37,727 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.3/10, the 2018 Ford Explorer earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.2/10, while Reliability at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate reliability at 6.5/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 8.2/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance lands mid-pack at 7.3/10: enough power and composure for everyday needs, without the dynamics that distinguish the segment's driver-focused options. Technology comes in at 7.3/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $31,467–$37,727, 18 MPG, seating 7, the Ford Explorer sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Value lands at 7.3/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2018 Ford Explorer, but it needs the right buyer. Its reliability scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2018 Ford Explorer ranks #1384 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 44% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $31,467 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 13%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2015 Ford Explorer scores 7.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 7.3 — and starts roughly $3,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.6/10 | $39,526 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.6/10 | $39,526 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $38,375 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.4/10 | $37,223 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $36,072 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.4/10 | $34,921 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.3/10 | $33,770 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.3/10 | $32,618 | Read review → |
| 2018 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $31,467 | |
| 2017 | 7.2/10 | $30,316 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $29,165 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.1/10 | $28,013 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Seats / Front assembly / Recliner 28/08/2019 · 19V633000 | 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… |
|---|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline 14/11/2018 · 18V807000 | 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. |
| Structure / Body 05/05/2021 · 21V316000 | 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. |
| Structure / Body / Roof and pillars 19/01/2024 · 24V031000 | 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. |
| Equipment / Electrical / Engine block heater 10/10/2025 · 25V685000 | 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… |
Showing 5 of 6 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
Explore the full lineup of Ford models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.