2018 Ford Explorer — should you buy one?

Why people love the 2018 Ford Explorer

The 2018 Explorer's 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 paired with the 10-speed automatic makes highway driving feel effortless, especially when towing—owners report smooth merging and confident passing without hunting through gears. The third-row seat folds completely flat into the floor, which buyers with growing families or weekend gear appreciate over competitors that eat trunk space. The 400-horsepower output satisfies people who traded in minivans and want their SUV to actually move.

Common complaints and known issues

The 10-speed transmission has a documented hesitation problem around 1,000–1,500 RPM on light throttle, happening to many owners between 40k and 80k miles—Ford issued Technical Service Bulletin TSB 18-2044 to address it. Panoramic sunroof seals fail and leak water onto the headliner and dash by 70k–90k miles, a recurring theme in NHTSA complaints. Rear differential noise (clunking when shifting from drive to reverse) shows up after 60k miles, typically requiring seal or bearing replacement.

Typical asking price

Under 80k miles: $24,500–$31,000. 80k–140k miles: $19,500–$26,500. Over 140k miles: $16,000–$22,000. Trim (XLT versus Platinum), accident history, and sunroof status drive the spread; a clean Platinum with low miles commands $2,500–$4,000 more than a base XLT with transmission service records.

Ranges are typical 2026 asking prices, not appraisals. The actual fair offer depends on this specific car's title history, accident record, and open recalls — which is what EstimateProof tells you.