2018 Ford F-150: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 2627 complaints
2627
Total Complaints
38,000mi
Median Mileage
Power Train
Top Issue
104
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
10,000
25th Percentile
38,000
Median Mileage
76,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Power Train
833
Engine
482
Unknown Or Other
224
Body
173
Electrical System
147
Steering
82
Engine And Engine Cooling
71
Vehicle Speed Control
64
Service Brakes
61
Fuel/Propulsion System
53
Severity Assessment
104
Crashes
51
Fires
84
Injuries
4
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER BLACK ICE AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH INJURIES AND A CONCUSSION, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED ..."
"NOT ALL THE TIME BUT WHEN ENGINE STARTS FRONT AXLE JUMPS AND MAKES A CLUNK NOISE. DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. ALSO ERRATIC SHIFTING AND CLUNKING IN DRIVER TRAIN AGAIN NOT ALWAYS. CALLED DEALER SAID THERE BEEN SOME REPORTS OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT SERVICE BULLETINS YET."
"DURING COLD WEATHER THE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK. CANNOT LOCK OR UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. CONDITION REMAINS WHEN IN PARK OR WHEN DRIVING"
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Power Train
833 complaints
25th: 14,000 mi
Median: 54,000 mi
75th: 90,000 mi
Engine
482 complaints
25th: 19,160 mi
Median: 59,000 mi
75th: 83,245 mi
Unknown Or Other
224 complaints
25th: 3,800 mi
Median: 11,600 mi
75th: 32,750 mi
Body
173 complaints
25th: 4,025 mi
Median: 10,000 mi
75th: 20,000 mi
Electrical System
147 complaints
25th: 13,000 mi
Median: 23,000 mi
75th: 39,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 271
FL: 201
CA: 144
MI: 125
OH: 109
NY: 107
GA: 106
PA: 104
MO: 87
NC: 84
Who Files Complaints?
0.9%
Original Owners
99.1%
Second+ Owners
Ford F-150 — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 25 | 0 |
| 1991 | 357 | 12 |
| 1992 | 553 | 25 |
| 1993 | 753 | 32 |
| 1994 | 908 | 79 |
| 1995 | 788 | 61 |
| 1996 | 383 | 22 |
| 1997 | 3285 | 205 |
| 1998 | 1624 | 96 |
| 1999 | 1322 | 116 |
| 2000 | 1269 | 102 |
| 2001 | 1451 | 113 |
| 2002 | 963 | 63 |
| 2003 | 520 | 57 |
| 2004 | 2429 | 99 |
| 2005 | 1363 | 66 |
| 2006 | 735 | 72 |
| 2007 | 623 | 51 |
| 2008 | 455 | 48 |
| 2009 | 397 | 34 |
| 2010 | 1131 | 33 |
| 2011 | 2938 | 70 |
| 2012 | 2422 | 57 |
| 2013 | 3849 | 102 |
| 2014 | 1859 | 56 |
| 2015 | 2036 | 64 |
| 2016 | 2373 | 67 |
| 2017 | 1595 | 47 |
| 2019 | 1532 | 30 |
| 2020 | 797 | 30 |
| 2021 | 1138 | 19 |
| 2022 | 702 | 29 |
| 2023 | 494 | 25 |
| 2024 | 195 | 25 |
| 2025 | 112 | 7 |
Active Recalls (17)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Headlights
Campaign 20V097000 | 21/02/2020
DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Latch
Campaign 21V983000 | 16/12/2021
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.
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 21S
Tires
Campaign 21V155000 | 10/03/2021
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.
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.
Upper Ball Joint
Campaign 21E027000 | 12/04/2021
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.
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.
Engine
Campaign 18V894000 | 18/12/2018
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.
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 thi
Fuel Pump
Campaign 18V392000 | 12/06/2018
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Recliner
Campaign 19V633000 | 28/08/2019
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.
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.
Engine
Campaign 19V278000 | 08/04/2019
A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
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 custome
Pretensioner
Campaign 18V568000 | 31/08/2018
A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
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.
Automatic Transmission
Campaign 18V213000 | 04/04/2018
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.
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.
Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Campaign 18V214000 | 04/04/2018
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 rol
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.
Engine
Campaign 17V672000 | 23/10/2017
Without a proper supply of lubrication, the engine will fail, causing a stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
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 serv
Column Shift
Campaign 17V669000 | 23/10/2017
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.
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.
Roof And Pillars
Campaign 17V598000 | 25/09/2017
If the structural integrity is reduced, in the event of a rollover crash, there may be an increased risk of injury .
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.
Power Assist
Campaign 22V150000 | 11/03/2022
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.
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 le
Labels
Campaign 24V852000 | 08/11/2024
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.
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.
Master Cylinder
Campaign 25V236000 | 11/04/2025
A brake fluid leak can cause reduced brake function and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
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
Extend Your Transmission Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change transmission fluid at manufacturer intervals — not 'lifetime' fluid
- Come to a full stop before shifting from reverse to drive
- Don't ride the brakes on hills — use a lower gear
- Check transmission fluid level and color monthly — dark fluid needs changing
- Address slipping, hard shifts, or delayed engagement immediately
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28