VehicleVerdict

2018 Ford F-350 Sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2018 Ford F-350 Sd carries two red flags at once: 6 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak). It is one of the F-350 Sd years to avoid.

6

NHTSA complaints

10

Recalls

3

Investigations · 1 open

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other F-350 Sd years?

See all F-350 Sd years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Ford F-350 Sd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine350%
Other117%
Steering117%
Tires & Wheels117%

Does the 2018 Ford F-350 Sd have recalls?

10 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V572000Driver AssistanceSeptember 3, 2025 · 1,456,417 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Consequence

A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.

22V880000TransmissionNovember 29, 2022 · 18,808 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 4x4 vehicles. A radial damper inside the driveshaft may move out of position over time, which can cause a driveshaft imbalance and result in a fracture.

Consequence

A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power. Additionally, a vehicle rollaway could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Either of these scenarios increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S74.

22V644000Driver AssistanceAugust 26, 2022 · 277,040 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2020 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental vehicles equipped with the 360-degree camera system. Degradation of the camera's anit-reflective lens coating can lead to a foggy or cloudy rearview camera image.

Consequence

Lack of a clear rearview camera image can reduce the driver's visibility of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 21, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S51.

22V087000Body & StructureFebruary 16, 2022 · 247,445 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2022 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty vehicles equipped with gasoline engines and aluminum driveshafts. Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.

Consequence

A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground. Additionally, unintended movement could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 7, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S09.

21V155000Tires & WheelsMarch 10, 2021 · 15,769 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

20E090000OtherDecember 9, 2020 · 102 units

Defect

Icon Vehicle Dynamics, LLC (Icon) is recalling all 05-UP FSD 2.5 Centerline Stabilizer Kits with part number 65050. The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up.

Consequence

If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Icon will notify owners, and dealers will install a new shock assembly with a revised foam ring and steel support disc, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Icon customer service at 1-951-689-4266.

19V880000Seat BeltsDecember 11, 2019 · 490,574 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCrew Cab vehicles with carpet flooring. 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.

Consequence

A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply heat resistant tape to the carpet and its insulation, and modify the B-Pillar insulation as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S52.

19V864000Latches & LocksDecember 4, 2019 · 231,664 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 trucks equipped with an electric tailgate latch release switch mounted in the tailgate handle. Water may enter the electrical wiring system and cause a short circuit, activating the switch and releasing the tailgate latches.

Consequence

Unintended tailgate opening may allow unrestrained cargo to fall out of the truck bed and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate/frame wiring harnesses by adding jumper pigtails to isolate the tailgate release control circuits and will install a new tailgate handle release switch, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S48.

19V808000LightingNovember 12, 2019 · 86,296 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2019 F-250, F-350 and F-450 Super Duty trucks. The Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may not dim when the headlight switch is moved into the "On" position. 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."

Consequence

DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module (BCM) software, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C10.

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.

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.

AT ~ 1200 MILES I NOTICED AN OIL LEAK AROUND UPPER OIL PAN GASKET. AFTER CLEANING THEN DRIVING ANOTHER 3000 MILES THE SAME LEAK IS BACK.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 9, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PHIL LONG FORD OF DENVER (7887 W TUFTS AVENUE, DENVER, CO 80123) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DUAL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 18, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND PULLING A 40 FOOT FIFTH WHEEL, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER AN EXPANSION JOINT ON THE ROAD. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN OSCILLATING SEVERELY, BOUNCING ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 17, 2018

THE TAILGATE OPEN BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB CAN BE EASILY ACCIDENTALLY PUSHED TWICE WHILE CARRYING IT IN YOUR POCKET THUS CAUSING THE TAILGATE TO OPEN. SHOULD THE VEHICLE BE PARKED NEXT TO SOMETHING OR A CHILD STANDING OR RIDING A BIKE COULD BE INJURED BY THE OPENING TAILGATE, THERE IS NO WAY TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 7, 2018

2018 Ford F-350 Sd — common questions

Is the 2018 Ford F-350 Sd reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 6 complaints put the 2018 model at #26 of 34 F-350 Sd years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the F-350 Sd years to avoid.

Does the 2018 Ford F-350 Sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Ford F-350 Sd. 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-350 Sd 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-350 Sd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 Sd years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2001, 2000, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2022, 2008, 2002, 2017, 2010, 2011, 2024, 2023, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2018, 2020. The cleanest record among F-350 Sd years belongs to 1996.

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.