2018 Ford F-350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2018 Ford F-350 carries two red flags at once: 304 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 4.8× the F-350 norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak). It is one of the F-350 years to avoid.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 100 reports (33% of the total).

304

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations · 1 open

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other F-350 years?

F-350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-350 years to avoid →

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

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Steering	100	33%	▼ down
Suspension	77	25%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	27	9%	▼ down
Body & Structure	24	8%	▼ down
Other	20	7%	▼ down
Driver Assistance	13	4%	— flat
Electrical System	12	4%	▼ down
Fuel System	9	3%	▼ down
Engine	7	2%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	4	1%	▼ down
Transmission	4	1%	▼ down
Brakes	3	1%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	2	1%	▼ down
Speed Control	1	0%	▼ down
Lighting	1	0%	▼ down

Does the 2018 Ford F-350 have recalls?

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

19V401000OtherMay 29, 2019 · 22 units

Defect

VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists (VCI) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-550, 2014 E-350 and E-450, 2015 F-250 and F-450, 2016 E-450, 2017 E-350, F-450 and E-450, 2018 F-350, 2010 E-450, 2005-2006 E-450, 2009 E-450 and Chevrolet C4500-based Type I and Type III ambulances equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The monitors may unexpectedly revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.

Consequence

The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists will work with ASA to notify the owners, and remedy the displays, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA Electronics at 1-800-384-4400.

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.

“AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50-75 UPON HITTING A BUMP ON THE PAVEMENT THE TRUCKS FRONT AXLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND CAUSES LOSS OF CONTROL AND FORCES RAPID DECELERATION TO REGAIN CONTROL. AT FIRST I ATTRIBUTED IT TO NORMAL BUMP STEER WITH SOLID FRONT AXLE BUT THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN PROBLEM. TRUCK ONLY HAS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 6, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE HAULING A TRAILER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE TRAILER DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING FROM THE PINS AND ALUMINIUM CONNECTION. THE FAILURE DAMAGED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE TRAILER. THE OWNER'S MANUAL HAD NOT INDICATED THAT THE TOWING CAPACITY EXCEEDED THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 2, 2018 · crash

“Lug Nuts "swell" up and are not easy to remove. I have not had a flat on the side of the road, yet, but I can forsee huge problems trying to remove these Swollen Lug Nuts in a bad situation. Contacted Ford Service since I have an extended warranty, but they would not cover giving me replacement Lug…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · March 30, 2022

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE HAULING A TRAILER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE TRAILER DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING FROM THE PINS AND ALUMINIUM CONNECTION. THE FAILURE DAMAGED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE TRAILER. THE OWNER'S MANUAL HAD NOT INDICATED THAT THE TOWING CAPACITY EXCEEDED THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 2, 2018 · crash

“The car had not been driven and was only in use for about 20 minutes. Then, the check engine light came on. I was planning to take the next exit to investigate. About a minute after the check engine light came on, several other lights came on. They stopped about 20 seconds later. The car began to…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 25, 2025 · fire

2018 Ford F-350 — common questions

Is the 2018 Ford F-350 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 304 complaints put the 2018 model at #5 of 53 F-350 years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the F-350 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 F-350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (100 complaints), suspension (77 complaints), tires & wheels (27 complaints).

Does the 2018 Ford F-350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Ford F-350. 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 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 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 years to avoid are 2017, 2019, 1999, 2000, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2020, 2004, 2006, 2011, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2008, 2005, 1996, 2014, 2002, 1993, 1994, 2021, 2013, 2003. The cleanest record among F-350 years belongs to 2010.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2018 compare to other F-350 years?

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

Does the 2018 Ford F-350 have recalls?

Open NHTSA investigations

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2018 Ford F-350 — common questions

Is the 2018 Ford F-350 reliable?

What are the most common 2018 F-350 problems?

Does the 2018 Ford F-350 have recalls?

Is the 2018 Ford F-350 under NHTSA investigation?

Which Ford F-350 years should you avoid?

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