2018 Ford F-150 problems owners report most
2018 Ford F-150 problems are documented in public: owners have filed 1,918 complaints with NHTSA, the earliest in 2017 and the most recent in 2026. Sorting those by the component the filer named puts the powertrain clearly first, at 758 of the 1,918 complaints, two of every five filed.
A complaint is not a repair bill and not a defect finding. It is one owner telling the regulator something went wrong. What makes the count useful is the concentration: when one component takes 40 per cent of everything filed on a car, the pattern is doing more than chance.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 758 | 40% |
| ENGINE | 455 | 24% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 195 | 10% |
| STRUCTURE | 187 | 10% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 140 | 7% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 84 | 4% |
Against the 2017 car, this model year has drawn 70 per cent more complaints (1,918 against 1,130). Both years are led by the powertrain, so this is a fault that carried over rather than one introduced with the 2018 car. A rise is worth more attention than a fall here, because a newer car has had fewer years on the road to accumulate reports.
Of those complaints, 58 describe a crash and 29 describe a fire. Filers reported 45 injuries. 3 complaints report a death.
Recalls on the 2018 Ford F-150
A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator found a safety defect, and the repair is free at a franchised dealer however old the car is. There are 19 recalls on this model year. Your own car may be covered by some, all or none of them, so check the VIN rather than the model.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from the "Autolamps" switch position to "Headlamps On." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
The risk. DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150 vehicles with manual and power release tailgates. The tailgate latches may unlatch unexpectedly while driving.
The risk. Unexpected tailgate opening may allow unrestrained cargo to fall out of the truck bed and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. Dealers will replace the left-hand and right-hand tailgate latches, free of charge. An interim notification letter was mailed January 31, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S53.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150, 2018-2020 F-250, F-350, and 2019 Escape vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
The risk. Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S10.
Tenneco Automotive (DRiV) is recalling certain MOOG K500359 ball joints, for aftermarket installation on 2015-2018 Ford F-150 trucks. The ball joint may have a misaligned dust boot and may be missing alignment hole and installation warning tag, which may lead to improper alignment of the ball joint.
The risk. An incorrectly installed ball joint may cause the ball joint stud to break, which can compromise front wheel control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. DRiV will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary replace the ball joint, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 5, 2021. Owners may contact Tenneco Automotive customer service at 1-877-489-6659.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.
The risk. When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Expedition, F-150, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI V6 engines. These vehicles have high pressure fuel pump assemblies with welds that can fracture, which may cause an oil or fuel leak.
The risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a fire.
The fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump and associated components, free of charge. The recall began July 17, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S17.
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 front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
The risk. A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix. 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 contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.
The risk. A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S11.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk. A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S27.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.
The risk. Despite the transmission shift lever being placed in 'Park' and the instrument panel display indicating 'Park,' the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
The fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission to make sure it has the roll pin, installing one if it is missing, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S09.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-650 and F-750 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions and 2018 Ford F-150 and Expedition vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions (excluding Expedition vehicles with a Rotary Gear Shift Dial on the console). The gear shift cable clip may not be properly seated, allowing the transmission to be in a different gear than indicated by the gear shift lever position.
The risk. If the gear shift cable clip becomes unseated or dislodged, the gear shift lever position may indicate that the transmission is in 'Park' when it may be in a different gear. Additionally, despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied before the vehicle is exited, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
The fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the shift cable locking clip and properly seat it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 18S10.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L engines. The cylinder heads may have been machined without lubrication supply holes for the camshaft bearing journals.
The risk. Without a proper supply of lubrication, the engine will fail, causing a stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. Ford is not aware of any affected vehicles outside of dealer control. Should owner contact subsequently be required, arrangements will be made to transport their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the engine replaced.The recall began October 24, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S37.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.3L engine, a 6-speed transmission and a column mounted shift lever. Quickly moving the shift lever from Park to Drive may cause a loss of gear indication on the instrument cluster display and a momentary selection of an unintended gear, such as Reverse or Neutral before the vehicle achieves Drive function.
The risk. Unidentified or unintended gear selection may cause the vehicle to move in a way that was not intended by the driver, increasing the risk of crash or injury.
The fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S35.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor Super Cab pick-up trucks not equipped with a moonroof. The structural roof braces may be missing rivets at the attachment of the roof rail, thereby reducing the structural integrity.
The risk. If the structural integrity is reduced, in the event of a rollover crash, there may be an increased risk of injury .
The fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install the rivets for the roof brace attachments, free of charge. The recall began October 17, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S29.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
The risk. A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix. Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter notifying customers of the safety defect were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2022. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-332. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk. Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix. Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
The risk. A brake fluid leak can cause reduced brake function and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S37. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 22V-150.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 20V097. When the headlight switch is turned from "Autolamps" to "Headlamps On," the Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) may remain fully bright instead of dimming to parking lamps as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
The risk. Daytime Running Lamps that do not dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. ,Dealers will reprogram the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 17V669. Quickly moving the shift lever from Park to Drive may cause a loss of gear indication on the instrument cluster display and a momentary selection of an unintended gear, such as Reverse or Neutral.
The risk. Unintended gear selection may cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction, increasing the risk of crash or injury.
The fix. Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S42. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.
In owners own words
These are complaints filed about the powertrain, quoted as written. They are one persons account rather than a diagnosis, and they are here because a symptom described by a driver is easier to recognise than a component name.
In October 2022, I began noticing while driving slight jerking, hesitation and apparent engine or transmission noise that appeared that my truck wanted to accelerate of when idling to a stop. A service light did come on at this point. I took my truck in to Koons Ford in Falls Church Virginia and reported my observations and concerns to Service Advisor [XXX]. [XXX] advised me that his service technician could diagnose the issue, and that the fee for this diagnostic work would be $250. I paid this fee with my credit card, but still don't have a record of this payment as it didn't appear on the i
I was on Spencer street at the light about to cross on Saint rose park way. When the light turned green my truck wouldn’t let me proceed and the it went into a low gear and make a lot of noise until I crossed and stoped at the Horizon ridge light. At the light I turned off the truck like I have done every time this had happened after ford said they did the recall but after they did the recall I’ve been having all these issues. I turned the vehicle back on and put into into drive and it went into reverse I immediately pressed my brakes knowing there is a car behind me. Thankfully the guy saw th
Transmission shifts up and down harshly from 1st to 3rd gear and from 3rd or 2nd gear to 1st. This also happens between 6th and 7th gear, when driving in eco, normal, or wet/snow. Lower gear shifting up or down results in frequent clunk sounds, and sudden change in speed. Experienced loss of rear wheel traction when gears shift at low speed around turns in wet conditions. I tried approaching corners at different speeds, and noticed the transmission likes to shift part way through a left turn, regardless of speed. Vehicle also shifts from 1st to 3rd while rolling at idle RPMs, and careers un
My truck started having issue(s) accelerating properly on-time over the past few months. The issue was only intermittent and occurred sometimes when needing to accelerate quickly in certain scenarios such as turning onto a busy road or merging in high traffic. It would also sometimes downshift very hard when driving at moderate speeds ~40 - 50 mph, and jarred the vehicle so hard it felt like the engine was going to drop out of the truck. The acceleration issue resulted in several incidents in which I was in danger of being struck by other drivers for being momentarily "dead in the water", but
Engine rattle on deceleration is a known issue on 5.0 V8. Vehicle was brought in to a dealer in May of 2022 who was able to replicate the issue. Ford has a "remedy" in form of TSB 18-2354 which was performed by a dealer. Rattle noise was still present immediately afterwards and noted by tech performing the work but was deemed normal operation. A year later now in April 2023 I brought the truck back to Ford dealer with same loud rattle on deceleration noise and once again it was looked at and once again it was deemed normal operation. How can a loud rattle noise from engine once deemed worthy o
This was the letter I initiattly include dthe NTHTSA.Webmaster@dot.gov to ford. Dear Ford Motor Company, I'm writing to you as a concerned parent of a 6-year-old child and consumer of your product regarding critical safety issues reported in the 2017-2020 F150 model, and I'd like to ask Ford to please take action. I compiled some research from numerous affected vehicle owners across various states, highlighting alarming and potentially hazardous health concerns and issues that pose significant risks on highways. Just so you know- I noted the same issues I am having with my vehicle and now h
Every component, by complaint count
The full breakdown of what owners named when they filed. Components below the top ten are grouped out of this table.
| Component | Complaints | Share of all complaints |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 758 | 40% |
| ENGINE | 455 | 24% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 195 | 10% |
| STRUCTURE | 187 | 10% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 140 | 7% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 84 | 4% |
| STEERING | 80 | 4% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 73 | 4% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 60 | 3% |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 52 | 3% |
What parts cost for the 2018 Ford F-150
Prices read from one AutoZone store for this exact year, make and model, covering 8 kinds of part and 240 products. AutoZone year, make and model catalog prices. Engine, trim, transmission and VIN fitment are not confirmed. They are what the shelf said on the day, not a quote.
| Part | Listed | Range | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | 10 | $259.99 to $398.99 | $289.99 |
| Brake rotors | 46 | $65.99 to $749.99 | $145.99 |
| Brake pads | 67 | $32.49 to $185.99 | $69.99 |
| Engine air filter | 10 | $20.99 to $97.99 | $26.99 |
| Wiper blades | 39 | $10.59 to $51.49 | $26.99 |
| Cabin air filter partial | 7 | $17.99 to $47.99 | $24.99 |
| Oil filter | 20 | $5.99 to $22.99 | $13.99 |
| Spark plugs | 41 | $1.69 to $47.99 | $12.99 |
The cheapest way to keep it serviced
Taking the lowest listed price in each routine maintenance category, the filters, plugs and wipers for this car come to $57.25 in parts. That is parts alone, before labour, tax and the oil itself, and it assumes the cheapest option fits your engine.
Battery. 10 products listed, from the Duralast Platinum Group Size 48 / H6 Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Battery H6-AGM at $259.99 up to the Odyssey Performance Group Size 49 Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Battery ODP-AGM49H8L5 at $398.99. A refundable core deposit of $22.00 is charged on top and returned with the old part. AutoZone's own labels account for 5 of them, starting at $259.99.
Brake rotors. 46 products listed, from the PowerStop Disc Brake Rotor AR85195 at $65.99 up to the Baer Systems Disc Brake Rotor Set 2261043 at $749.99. AutoZone's own labels account for 9 of them, starting at $126.99.
Brake pads. 67 products listed, from the R1 Ceramic Series Premium Brake Pads 2310-1602-00 at $32.49 up to the EBC Brakes Organic Performance Brake Pads ED93034 at $185.99. AutoZone's own labels account for 12 of them, starting at $44.99.
Fitment is by year, make and model only. Engine, trim and transmission were not selected, so confirm the part number against your own car before buying. Prices change and vary by store.
How other model years compare
The same nameplate across the years we hold. Complaint counts fall naturally for newer cars because fewer of them have been on the road for long, so read the column as a rough signal rather than a ranking. In this set the 2018 Ford F-150 has drawn the most complaints and the 2020 Ford F-150 the fewest.
What to check on the transmission and driveline
Powertrain reports usually describe a shift that arrives late, lands hard, or hunts between gears, often worse when the car is cold or towing. Some describe a shudder at a steady cruise rather than a bang between gears.
Buying a used 2018 F-150
Drive it from cold. A transmission fault that hides once warm is the most common thing a short test drive misses. Take it to highway speed, let it settle into top gear, then slow and accelerate again to make it downshift under load.
If you already own one
Get the fluid condition checked before anything else, and ask for the transmission control software level at the same time. Several of these complaints were answered by the manufacturer with a reflash rather than a rebuild, which costs a fraction as much.
- Test drive from cold, not after the seller has warmed it up.
- Ask whether a transmission software update exists for the VIN.
- Check the fluid condition and when it was last changed.
- Get any rebuild quote itemised into parts, fluid and labour.
Where the 2018 Ford F-150 problem data comes from
Every figure on this page is counted from complaints and recalls published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, read October 12, 2026. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by the agency before publication. We count each complaint once per component it names, so a complaint naming two components appears in both rows.
- NHTSA recalls and complaintsRead October 12, 2026
- NHTSA record for the 2018 Ford F-150Read October 12, 2026
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