Worse than most F-150 years
Owners filed about 1.4 times as many complaints as a typical F-150 year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 60,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2020 and 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other F-150 years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 2,330 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford F-150. The most reported problem area is the transmission and drivetrain (1,019, 44% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the body, doors and structure. That ranks 2nd of 13 F-150 years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 19 recalls.
28 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2018 Ford F-150 before you buy.
Transmission and drivetrain
1,019 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The transmission has been replaced once covered under Fords extended warranty at 90,700 miles by the previous owner in 2022. Today the transmission has 82,000 miles on it and requires to be replace again. This 10r80 Transmission has a known issue of in early models from 2017-2020. I was stopped at a stopped at a 3-way stop, and began to…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I had a recall on my replacement transmission. Recall stated it may be missing a part. I had all the problems listed. It was replace 4 years ago. The dealer said i don't qualify for the recall. Their reason was i had more then 8k miles. That average is 2000 miles a year. My truck rolls back be shifting to neutral. Please help IOwner complaint, filed 2026
Engine and cooling
590 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 61,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The VVT Cam Phasers had a " consumer satisfaction program" that didnt include my VIN but included the year which was 2017-2021 3.5 ECOBOOST engine that mine has. The program has now expired and my truck has this exact issue. Not fixing the issue can cause engine failure. My truck has 47k miles on it. I called Ford back in XXX to file a…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The VVT Cam Phasers had a " consumer satisfaction program" that didnt include my VIN but included the year which was 2017-2021 3.5 ECOBOOST engine that mine has. The program has now expired and my truck has this exact issue. Not fixing the issue can cause engine failure. My truck has 47k miles on it. I called Ford back in April 2026 to…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Body, doors and structure
241 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 15,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (174), Doors: latch (22).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
I am getting heavy water intrusion from the rear sliding glass window after any rain. It creates a very musty unpleasant odor in the cab. I am concerned that my young children, my wife, and myself are breathing mold spores and or other dangerous airborne particles from this problem.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the lock mechanism to drop the spare tire was rusted and failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the failure failed to allow for the spare tire from being lowered. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 105,000 miles
Electrical system
173 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 27,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Ford F-150. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 48,201. The contact later obtained a [XXX] report and discovered that the odometer was last recorded at 112,129. INFORMATION…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 112,129 miles
My 2018 Ford F-150 experienced significant heat damage involving the fog lamp assembly. The fog lamp did not simply stop working. The assembly became hot enough that portions of the lamp/assembly melted and burned. I discovered the damage before it resulted in a larger vehicle fire, but I am concerned about the potential fire risk…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Lights, wipers and visibility
107 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 36,000 miles. Parts named most: Sun / moon roof assembly (11), Glass, side / rear (10).
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
My wipers stopped working, the wiper linkage is seized. Ford is stating because the vehicle was made and [XXX] but resides in the [XXX], I don’t qualify for the recall INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)Owner complaint, filed 2026
The OEM LED headlights will not adjust, causing excessive glare to on coming drivers. This issue is 300 times worse than the miniscule amount of light that the daytime running lights emit, but somehow the running lights get a recall, but the headlight adjusters do not! I'm completely flabbergasted at such an absurd and unjust oversite to…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
98 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 41,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The brake hydraulic system on my 2018 Ford F-150 failed. The vehicle rapidly lost brake fluid, the brake pedal began sinking, and there was no obvious external brake-fluid leak. An independent repair facility later replaced both the brake master cylinder and the power brake booster. I have the repair invoice and service records…Owner complaint, filed 2026
While driving my brakes went from normal, to squishy, to total loss of brakes. Brake indicator light came on while in the squishy phase. After avoid collision by nothing other than sure luck I was able to slow the vehicle and use the emergency brake to stop. Once stopped I popped the hood and found the master cylinder to be all but…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Steering
83 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was driving on a highway going around 75 mph on a curve, when all of a sudden I lost power steering and wheel jerked the opposite way to where I was steering. I had my wife and two boys with me and if I hadn't held the wheel so tight I probably would have went off road . There were no signs prior to that. No dashboard lights at all and…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Started vehicle could not move the wheel to turn towed it to a repair shop said it was not reading any codes it eventually let the wheel move again called ford service centers and they told me not to bring it in and if it doesn’t read codes and the vechicle steering does not lock up for them nothing they can do. I see this vehicle has…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Cruise control and acceleration
73 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
2 times now my truck went from 75mph in 10 th gear to 1 st gear on the highway. I then loose all throttle input. This is my day driver and some how avoided a fatal crash 2 times. I do not have a ford dealer in my town I usually fix everything on my own. I know they have a recall and it's just a software patch. If so can you push it over…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Three times in the last year while driving north on interstate 91 coming down a long steep hill entering the town of Springfield, Vermont while my f-150 was in cruise control traveling at 70 mph the transmission has down shifted all by itself to fifth gear without me touching anything. I have not taken it to my local dealer as they want…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Fuel system
64 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 31,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Mandatory recall 24E12 reprogrammed the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to stricter emissions monitoring standards. This caused the Check Engine light to appear within 24hrs showing code P0430. There were NO codes showing and the Check Engine light was not on before the recall was performed. Ford is denying responsibility and charging me…Owner complaint, filed 2026
My vehicle (2018 Ford F150) is presenting with the same issues the 2021- 2023 ford an Lincoln models regarding the fuel system with my truck sputtering in 7th and 8th gears and stalling. It has stalled a few times in the past few months. The spark plugs have been changed, purple fuel styrene cleaner has been used regularly, filters…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Wheels and tires
45 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 14,000 miles. Parts named most: Lugs / nuts / bolts / studs (9).
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon attempting to change a tire, the contact became aware that the provided tools were unable to be used to complete the wheel replacement. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the lug nuts were swollen. The contact was informed that the lug nuts needed to…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 85,000 miles
Hubs keep engaging themselves when parked. Hubs have been replaced as well as the 4wd IWE valve and the problem continues. Multiple shops have worked on this and failed to find a solution. It is becoming a safety problem if it starts to engage while driving.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Air bags
38 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 28,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the steering wheel cover covering the driver’s side air bag was cracked. The dealer was contacted and stated that a special engineer was needed for the repair because the crack was located on air bag housing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 119,000 miles
I was parked in a parking lot when I heard a crack sound. I looked down and my steering wheel had a crack around the Ford emblem large enough that the part of the air bag could be seen. The truck is kept in a climate controlled garage and this incident happened when it was not hot out. I have contacted Ford and they have said that it is…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Driver assist systems
36 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 80,000 miles. Parts named most: Warnings (10), Adaptive cruise control (7), Sensing system: camera (6).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
This safety concern is related to the rear backup camera which sometimes goes dark, blank, has funny colors and fails to operate which could lead to backing i to something or someone.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that on several occasions while in reverse(R), the rear-view camera went black. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds intermittently, the infotainment screen went black. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 60,000 miles
Seats and seat belts
29 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 11,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The wire that holds the passenger side front seatbelt to the floor snapped in half. The truck has never been in any kind of accident. There has been a motor put in under warranty. After that a few months later the ac compressor died. Also the passenger side turbo oil return line started leaking. There is also a hard start when engine is…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I was rear ended by a driver going approximately 35-45mph while I was coming to a near stop at a stop light, driver struck me totalling my vehicle and gaming me up to the right and down into the ditch alongside the road, my airbags never deployed but at fault party aurbags did. At some point during the accident most likely during the…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Suspension
23 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 24,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the rear suspension spring was cracked. While looking underneath the vehicle, the contact noticed a hairline crack on the weld. There was a vibration in the vehicle while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but no assistance was…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 80,000 miles
Splash guard under the vehicle, sometimes also referred to as a diaper, fell off. I reported it to the dealer and was told I didn't need it anyhow. Well, if I didn't need it anyhow why did they put it on to begin with ? I also notice a lot of other Ford vehicles driving down the road with these guards (diapers) hanging down, so it isn't…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Ford F-150 complaints by year
Compare the 2018 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2018 full-size trucks
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Ford F-150 | Worse than most years | 19 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | One of the better years | 7 |
| 2018 Ram 1500 | One of the better years | 15 |
| 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 | One of the better years | 7 |
2018 Ford F-150 recalls
Lights Headlights
- Risk
- Daytime Running Lamps that do not dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- ,Dealers will reprogram the body control module software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Transmission and drivetrain Control module
- Risk
- Unintended gear selection may cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction, increasing the risk of crash or injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes Master cylinder
- Risk
- A brake fluid leak can cause reduced brake function and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder.
Full recall summary
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.
Equipment Labels
- 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.
- Fix
- Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Brakes Power assist
- 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.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder.
Full recall summary
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.
Doors, hood and latches
- 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.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the left-hand and right-hand tailgate latches, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Suspension Upper ball joint
- 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.
- Fix
- DRiV will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary replace the ball joint, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Tires
- 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.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Lights Headlights
- Risk
- DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Seats Recliner
- 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.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Engine
- Risk
- A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used.
Full recall summary
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.
Engine
- 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.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Seat belts Pretensioner
- Risk
- A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump and associated components, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Transmission and drivetrain
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Transmission and drivetrain Gear position indicator
- 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.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the shift cable locking clip and properly seat it, if necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Engine
- Risk
- Without a proper supply of lubrication, the engine will fail, causing a stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford is not aware of any affected vehicles outside of dealer control.
Full recall summary
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.
Transmission and drivetrain Column shift
- 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.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Body and structure Roof and pillars
- Risk
- If the structural integrity is reduced, in the event of a rollover crash, there may be an increased risk of injury .
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install the rivets for the roof brace attachments, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
2018 Ford F-150 questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford F-150?
The most reported problem areas on the 2018 Ford F-150 are the transmission and drivetrain (1,019 complaints), the engine and cooling (590 complaints) and the body, doors and structure (241 complaints).
Is the 2018 Ford F-150 a good year to buy?
Worse than most F-150 years. Owners filed about 1.4 times as many complaints as a typical F-150 year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 60,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2020 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other F-150 years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford F-150 have?
NHTSA lists 19 recalls for the 2018 Ford F-150. The most recent, from Jun 2026, covers the headlights. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2018 Ford F-150 problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 60,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 61,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Ford F-150 years should I avoid?
The F-150 years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2018 Ford F-150?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model