RoadVitals

2018 Ford F-150

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2,335
+17 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
19
Latest Jun 9, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
97
52 injuries, 3 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 2,335 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Ford F-150, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), engine and body & structure categories. 19 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 418 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

19 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Jun 9, 2026
10,742 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 remedy: 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.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 26S42View on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Jun 9, 2026
91,198 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 remedy: ,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 CompanyManufacturer number 26C28View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

Apr 11, 2025
123,611 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 remedy: 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 CompanyManufacturer number 25S37View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE24019ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Low-pressure fuel pump failure

Opened Jul 29, 2024
Closed Sep 19, 2025

On July 29, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE24019 to investigate complaints of low-pressure fuel pump failures in MY 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles. Some consumers reported that the failure occurred without warning while driving, resulting in a complete loss of motive power with no ability to restart the engine. Ford determined that several other vehicle models contain low-pressure fuel pumps substantially similar to the 2021 Ford Bronco, including the 2022-2023 Ford Bronco, 2018-2023 Ford F-150, 2022-2023 Ford Expedition, 2019-2023 Lincoln Navigator, 2020-2023 Ford F-250-F-550, 2024 Ford Super Duty Chassis Cab, 2024-2025 Ford Ranger, 2020-2023 Ford Explorer, 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator, and 2021-2025 Ford Mustang. ODI's investigation found that the affected vehicles may lose fuel pressure and flow from the fuel delivery module (consisting of a low-pressure fuel pump, jet pump, reservoir, and other parts) due to a low-pressure pump failure. This can cause the engine to stall while driving. The root cause is reduced internal clearance in the fuel pump, increasing friction and sensitivity to vapor lock. Fuel blockage from contamination inside the jet pump also contributed to the failure. Ford stated that the contamination source was unknown. On July 7, 2025, Ford filed recall 25V-455 for certain 2021-2023 Ford F-550 SD/F-450 SD/F-350 SD/F-250 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, 2021-2022 Ford Mustang, 2021-2022 Ford F-150, 2021-2023 Ford Explorer, 2022 Ford Expedition, and 2021-2023 Ford Bronco vehicles produced between July 1, 2021, and July 30, 2022. The recall also included certain 2021-2023 Lincoln Aviator produced between July 1, 2021, and December 21, 2022. Ford explained in its recall filingthat the production dates used for the recall were based on changes in the manufacturing process. Specifically, Ford determined that in June 2021, the supplier modified the jet pump manufacturing process, producing fuel pump chambers with a lower-than-specified internal clearance. In July 2022, the supplier implemented corrective actions to the manufacturing process by adding two additional vacuum pumps to reduce contamination during the production of the jet pump. ODI has identified approximately 1,000 reports involving vehicles covered in this investigation but excluded from recall 25V-455. However, even with such reports, these vehicles experienced comparatively lower failure rates than the vehicles that are subject to Recall 25V-455. Ford has explained that these vehicles were excluded from the recall population because they did not experience the manufacturing changes that prompted the recall. Specifically, according to Ford, vehicles built before July 1, 2021 (the recall production start date), were not affected by the supplier’s change to the jet pump manufacturing process. Even after closing this investigation, ODI will continue to monitor complaints for vehicles excluded from recall 25V-455 to consider whether they exhibit the same risks as the vehicles encompassed by the recall. The recall remedy is currently under development. In view of Ford’s recall action, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation, but will continue to monitor the issue as a remedy is developed and implemented. ODI will take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPLed to recall 25V455
PE18008ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Seatbelt Pretensioner Fire

Opened Aug 3, 2018
Closed Dec 17, 2018

On June 18, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-008) to investigate complaints alleging post-crash fires at the B pillar in the area of the seat belt pretensioners on MY 2014-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab, and Super Crew Cab Vehicles. On August 24, 2018, Ford Motor Company recalled (FSA 18S27 - NHTSA #18V568) the affected population. Ford's investigation found that some front seat belt pretensioners may generate sparks during deployment in excess of Ford's specification. Sparks in the pretensioner exhaust gases inside the lower portion of the B-pillar may subsequently ignite combustible components contained in the B-pillar, such as insulation or carpet, and may cause a subsequent vehicle fire. ODI also requested relevant information from other manufacturers to assess the potential scope of post-crash pretensioner fires. Ford will notify owners and require dealers to remove B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall notification began September 28, 2018.Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.The VOQs associated with the closing of this investigation are: 11143035, 11130056, 11129828, 11128761, 11127993, 11127880, 11124717, 11123419, 11119651, 11119626, 11114065, 11113160, 11111822, 11097937, 11078447, 11014688

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONERLed to recall 18V568000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 9, 2026

At approximately 89,000 miles, my vehicle experienced a suspected CDF drum bushing failure in the Ford 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission. Symptoms included delayed, harsh, and erratic shifting, intermittent loss of gear engagement, and unexpected gear changes that created serious safety hazards. While traveling approximately 60 mph in ninth gear, the transmission unexpectedly lost engagement, indicated first gear, then abruptly returned to ninth gear with a violent jolt. This triggered TCM diagnostic code P07F6 (Gear 9 Incorrect Ratio). The transmission also repeatedly failed to engage third or fourth gear, instead fluctuating between first and fourth with little to no power. This created dangerous situations when merging into traffic and making left turns across oncoming traffic because the vehicle could not reliably accelerate when needed. An authorized transmission repair facility identified the CDF drum bushing as the likely failure point, consistent with Ford TSB 23-2250, which addresses known 10R80 transmission shifting concerns. The transmission was ultimately replaced with a remanufactured unit incorporating Ford's updated components intended to address the problem. Ford has documented awareness of these transmission issues, yet no major recall or meaningful customer assistance has addressed affected owners outside warranty coverage. I previously purchased an extended warranty and reported harsh shifting to dealership service advisors but was never informed of the applicable TSB. I was discouraged from scheduling repairs after being told there was a three-week wait and that rental coverage was uncertain if the repair was denied under warranty. The vehicle was primarily a daily commuter with minimal towing or hauling. Failure at 89,000 miles under normal driving conditions raises serious concerns about transmission reliability and safety. Unexpected loss of engagement, incorrect gear selection, and loss of acceleration at highway speeds create subst

NHTSA ID
11776841
Incident
Oct 24, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 9, 2026

At around 45 miles per hour the transmission shifted hard between gears and almost like a jerk and routinely does this now. Had diagnosed and find its known tech bulletin on this transmission. Ford now has me on hook for new transmission. Just adding my complaints to long list of others with 10r80 transmission issues. Hoping ford will turn into recall help customer.

NHTSA ID
11776716
Incident
Oct 3, 2026
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 6, 2026

Rear backup camera blurry despite all attempts at cleaning

NHTSA ID
11776345
Incident
Nov 6, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 5, 2026

My 2018 Ford F-150 is a regular-cab, long-bed pickup with a 10-speed automatic transmission and approximately 115,000 miles. The transmission frequently delays or misses both upshifts and downshifts. At times, the truck feels as if it goes into neutral for two to three seconds before the next gear engages. At low speeds, around 5 to 15 mph under light acceleration, the engine RPM rises and gear engagement is delayed. This happens under load and during ordinary driving without a trailer. The symptoms have worsened over the past several weeks. AutoNation Ford North Scottsdale inspected the truck and reproduced the problem. The transmission software has been reprogrammed twice. The repair order states that after reprogramming and clearing the adaptive settings, the technician road-tested the truck and found that it would not shift into second gear. The technician recorded findings indicating an internal transmission failure and recommended transmission replacement or teardown for inspection. A service warning light also came on during service at the dealership. The truck still does not shift properly. The delay in gear engagement makes acceleration unpredictable. If the truck briefly loses drive while I am merging or crossing traffic, I may be unable to accelerate when needed, putting me and other road users at risk. I am asking NHTSA to investigate the delayed and missed shifts and the temporary loss of drive.

NHTSA ID
11775917
Incident
Oct 29, 2026
Engine
Filed Nov 5, 2026

I own a 2018 Ford truck with 77,000 miles. My truck has just experienced the widely recognized cam phaser failure—a known design defect that can cause a catastrophic engine failure to occur. Because this is a known manufacturing defect that Ford addressed with updated parts, TSB 23-2143 (or TSB 21-2119): These are the official internal Technical Service Bulletins that explicitly instruct Ford technicians on how to diagnose and repair the "cold start ticking/tapping or rattle type noise" on 2017–2020 F-150s with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. It confirms the root cause is a worn Variable Cam Timing (VCT) unit and outlines the procedure to replace all four phasers. [1, 2] Customer Satisfaction Program 21N03: While the prorated financial assistance under this program expired in January 2023, the document itself remains critical. It serves as corporate documentation where Ford explicitly acknowledges a manufacturing/design flaw in the original cam phasers. Ford refuses to replace or reimburse this repair for any vehicle that is out of warranty. This is a known safety issue acknowledged by Ford and it should be addressed as a safety concern and recalled.

NHTSA ID
11775872
Incident
Aug 3, 2026
Electrical
Filed Nov 2, 2026

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 REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11775269
Incident
Nov 2, 2026
Mileage
112,129 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 2, 2026

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)

NHTSA ID
11775202
Incident
Nov 2, 2026
Filed Oct 30, 2026

1. Description of the Defect When the vehicle is placed in reverse, the center display no longer shows the area behind the truck. Instead, the image is directed downward at the trailer hitch and road surface, so the zone directly behind the vehicle — where pedestrians, children, and obstacles would be — is not visible. When I access the camera view through the vehicle's settings menu, the image appears correctly. The failure occurs in the one situation where the camera matters: backing up. In practical terms, the vehicle has no usable rear view camera. The camera image began flickering intermittently on or about July 28, 2026. On or about October 28, 2026, the image began pointing down at the hitch and road surface whenever the vehicle is in reverse, and it has stayed that way since. Mileage at onset: approximately 111,000 miles. There has been no collision, impact, or aftermarket modification to the tailgate or camera. I have confirmed that the camera's zoom and hitch-view functions are not engaged; the malfunction occurs with the standard rear view selected. 2. Ford Has Acknowledged This Failure Mode but Has Not Supplied a Remedy 3. A rear view camera is safety equipment. NHTSA's rear visibility standard, FMVSS No. 111 (49 C.F.R. § 571.111), reflects the agency's own determination that rear visibility systems are necessary to prevent backover crashes, which disproportionately injure and kill young children. A camera that displays the hitch instead of the area behind the vehicle defeats the purpose of that equipment entirely and is arguably more dangerous than a blank screen, because a driver glancing at the display may not immediately recognize that the view is wrong. Ford appears to treat the same failure mode — a blank or distorted rear camera image — as a safety recall for other vehicle populations, including Ford Safety Recall 25S89 (NHTSA Campaign No. 25V-572). But for my truck I have no recourse when Ford does not supply parts.

NHTSA ID
11774696
Incident
Jul 28, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

25E10-S1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN

25E10-S1 Owner letter

25E10-S1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 25E10 - Supplement #1 Certain 2018-2020 Model Year F-150 Vehicles With 3.3L Engines and 2016-2019 Model Year Explorer, Taurus, and Flex Vehicles With 3.5L Engines Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogramming

25H05 S1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Harvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest Program

25N17

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING; BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS; LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation

SSM 54601

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k

SSM 54592

POWER TRAIN

For 20172026 vehicles equipped with a 10R transmission, a revision to the Road Testing Vehicle procedure has been made in the WSM, located in Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and Testing. This updated procedure improves the diagnosis of customer reported transmission concerns and aids in locating the proper root cause. During diagnosis and testing, details regarding whether the condition is more prevalent when the vehicle is hot or cold, throttle percentage at the time of occurrence, vehicle speed, the specific shift involved, and whether the issue occurs during transmission engagements (N>R, N>D, R>D, or D>R) should be noted. Engineering requests including these detailed operating conditions that will significantly assist with root cause analysis. Diagnosis, testing, and repair should use established labor times outside this article.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford F-150 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027030—
2026148051.3
202511214063.6
202419711067.3
202342113060.8
202260923267.8
20211,05329162.5
202074611164.4
20191,3509163.3
2018Viewing2,33519265.6
20171,46918369.9
20162,09814468.2
20151,75314569.1
20141,5418262.1
20132,9943360.4
20121,7844457.9
20112,1956458.6
20108431042.6
20093242050.5
20083691151.1
20074887159.1
200658514263.6
20051,11214361.5
20042,02916460.6
200342311366.9
200282110366.2
20011,23619670.9
20001,07617474.6
19991,04418565.6
19981,381181165.5
19972,758261866.9
19963247267.6
19956267164.4
199467613266.4
199358613260.0
19924709867.2
199130461268.8
199027551168.3
19892244567.8
19881392670.4
1987913271.1
1986611461.0
1985281260.8
1984151255.9
1983101159.8
1982500—
1981230—
1980340—
19792100—
19784100—
1977360—
1976020—
1975140—
1973010—
1968100—
1966100—
1955100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.