VehicleVerdict

2018 Ford F-250 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2018 Ford F-250 carries two red flags at once: 616 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 4.3× the F-250 norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak). It is one of the F-250 years to avoid.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 243 reports (39% of the total).

616

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

3

Investigations · 1 open

10

Crash-involved

13

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other F-250 years?

F-250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted1,919 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 1 complaints1969: 0 complaints1970: 1 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 2 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 3 complaints1978: 3 complaints1979: 2 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 11 complaints1985: 33 complaints1986: 42 complaints1987: 51 complaints1988: 85 complaints1989: 141 complaints1990: 134 complaints1991: 145 complaints1992: 149 complaints1993: 183 complaints1994: 156 complaints1995: 238 complaints1996: 212 complaints1997: 348 complaints1998: 76 complaints1999: 702 complaints2000: 417 complaints2001: 269 complaints2002: 189 complaints2003: 151 complaints2004: 201 complaints2005: 207 complaints2006: 332 complaints2007: 84 complaints2008: 255 complaints2009: 92 complaints2010: 109 complaints2011: 384 complaints2012: 423 complaints2013: 153 complaints2014: 236 complaints2015: 426 complaints2016: 427 complaints2017: 1,718 complaints2018: 616 complaints2019: 1,919 complaints2020: 351 complaints2021: 205 complaints2022: 152 complaints
F-250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-250 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Ford F-250 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering24339%
Suspension19331%
Other447%
Tires & Wheels285%
Fuel System203%
Engine152%
Electrical System152%
Body & Structure142%
Transmission132%
Driver Assistance91%
Brakes51%
Airbags41%
Lighting41%
Speed Control41%
Seats20%
Latches & Locks20%
Visibility & Wipers10%

Does the 2018 Ford F-250 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

PE24014

Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak

The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (MY) 2015-2021 Ford Motor Company (Ford) F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. Of these complaints, 12 describe an engine compartment fire. The proximity of the secondary fuel filter to high heat sources creates a potential for autoignition thermal events and fires. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Ford, and the filter manufacturer, Allevard Sogefi USA (Sogefi), and learned that the low-pressure fuel system is capable of a maximum operating pressure of 8.5 Bar, while the secondary fuel filter is only tested to seven (7) Bar during the manufacturing process. Additionally, changes starting in 2022 by both Ford and Sogefi align with a lack of similar complaints on MY 2022 and newer vehicles. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to evaluate the severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE TRUCK BEGAN TO WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL STEERING AND WAS TAKEN LEFT ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC INTO THE MEDIAN ON A HIGHWAY. THE TRUCK WOBBLES AND SHAKES SO BAD I WAS UNABLE TO REDUCE SPEED VERY QUICKLY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 6, 2019 · crash

“DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE TRUCK BEGAN TO WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL STEERING AND WAS TAKEN LEFT ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC INTO THE MEDIAN ON A HIGHWAY. THE TRUCK WOBBLES AND SHAKES SO BAD I WAS UNABLE TO REDUCE SPEED VERY QUICKLY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 6, 2019 · crash

“THE AC LINE FITTING OVERHEATED CAUSING IT TO EXPLODE AND ARC WHICH IN TURN MELTED THE PRIMARY WIRING HARNESS FOR THE ENGINE. THIS ALSO RESULTED IN THE WIRE CATCHING FIRE AND CAUSING BURN DAMAGE TO THE FIREWALL. THE VEHICLE WAS GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 7, 2020 · fire

“DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE TRUCK BEGAN TO WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL STEERING AND WAS TAKEN LEFT ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC INTO THE MEDIAN ON A HIGHWAY. THE TRUCK WOBBLES AND SHAKES SO BAD I WAS UNABLE TO REDUCE SPEED VERY QUICKLY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 6, 2019 · crash

“While on vacation, driving down a major interstate, our truck suddenly lost power. The driver slowly navigated to the side of the road and by the time we stopped flames were coming out from under the engine. We quickly got ourselves and three children out of the vehicle that, within minutes, was…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 30, 2024 · fire

2018 Ford F-250 — common questions

Is the 2018 Ford F-250 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 616 complaints put the 2018 model at #4 of 55 F-250 years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the F-250 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 F-250 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (243 complaints), suspension (193 complaints), other (44 complaints).

Does the 2018 Ford F-250 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2018 Ford F-250. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2018 Ford F-250 under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Ford F-250 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-250 years to avoid are 2019, 2017, 1999, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2000, 2011, 2020, 1997, 2006, 2001, 2008, 1995, 2014. The cleanest record among F-250 years belongs to 1982.

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.