VehicleVerdict

2018 Ford F-150 engine problems

The 2018 Ford F-150 has 575 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 21% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

575

Engine complaints

21%

Share of year

6

Crash-involved

3

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

F-150 engine complaints by model year578 complaints1966: 1 complaints1978: 2 complaints1983: 3 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 4 complaints1986: 10 complaints1987: 10 complaints1988: 13 complaints1989: 18 complaints1990: 23 complaints1991: 19 complaints1992: 39 complaints1993: 57 complaints1994: 57 complaints1995: 76 complaints1996: 27 complaints1997: 578 complaints1998: 198 complaints1999: 256 complaints2000: 159 complaints2001: 282 complaints2002: 263 complaints2003: 98 complaints2004: 262 complaints2005: 228 complaints2006: 151 complaints2007: 146 complaints2008: 77 complaints2009: 51 complaints2010: 138 complaints2011: 513 complaints2012: 499 complaints2013: 564 complaints2014: 186 complaints2015: 276 complaints2016: 339 complaints2017: 374 complaints2018: 575 complaints2019: 375 complaints2020: 131 complaints2021: 96 complaints2022: 36 complaints2023: 26 complaints2024: 15 complaints2025: 5 complaints
F-150 engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

19V278000EngineApril 8, 2019 · 131,068 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

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.

18V894000EngineDecember 18, 2018 · 410,289 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

17V672000EngineOctober 23, 2017 · 22 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Without a proper supply of lubrication, the engine will fail, causing a stall and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

What owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED BACK AND FORTH AND DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND TAILPIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EVERGREEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 16, 2018 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2018 Ford F-150 have?

NHTSA has 575 complaints about the 2018 Ford F-150 engine — 21% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2018 Ford F-150 engine?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the engine: 17V672000, 18V894000, 19V278000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.