Ford F-150 Complaints (2018)

2,327 consumer complaints on file.

#11657691April 30, 2025
POWER TRAIN
10R80 Transmission Transmission has very prolonged delay when switching to certain gears which results in loss of power when merging onto roads causing near misses because it takes so long to engage the gear. Truck has zero power during this shift delay. The shift delays are caused by an issue that ford KNOWS about where a bushing (CDF drum) shifts a little bit inside the transmission. Vehicle is not safe to drive. When the gear finally does engage, there is a violent jerk/surge forward which can be impossible to control.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657696April 30, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Was making a left hand turn cutting across traffic at a stop light. Transmission gears slipped causing me to lose power halfway thru a high speed intersection. Other vehicles had to hit curbs to avoid me. This is a common and well known problem with Ford 10R80 transmissions. Someone will eventually end up dying from these issues
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657709April 30, 2025
POWER TRAIN
As you prepare to stop or tap the brakes, the transmission shifts into a different gear, such as the "tow mode" or the "sport mode" independently. This would down shift, throwing occupants forward. Then, to return to "regular" drive mode I would need to either tap the brake brake until reaching the desired "mode", or depress the gear button located at the end of the shift lever. This action jerks the driver and passengers forward without prior warning of the transmissions shifting. This has occurred since owning the F150.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657456April 29, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The component that malfunctioned was the automatic transmission, when leaving from a full stop, I released the brake and pushed on the accelerator, and the vehicle began to move forward and shortly after that it went out of gear and stopped accelerating. The engine just revved up, I let off the accelerator and it slammed hard into gear then started moving forward again. My safety and the safety of my wife and children who were riding with me was put at risk two of the three times, as I was turning into traffic, when the car lost forward momentum from the issue, there was oncoming traffic that almost hit me one time and could have hit me another, if the car had not slammed back into gear and started moving again. I am concerned that if it does it again at some point it may not eventually get in gear again and we could be struck by a vehicle, or rear ended. I have had the problem reproduced one time by an independent mechanic who rode with me. when was looking to get it diagnosed. With out charging me to take it apart and complete a repair he said he believed based on the symptoms and common problems they see with the 10R80 transmission in these years that the CDF drum is going bad. he said it can cause symptoms like this or slipping out of higher gear and down into first causing loss of forward momentum and high engine revving. The repair would require a rebuild or replacement of the automatic transmission. I have not had the component inspected by the manufacturer because it is out of warranty and I do not currently have the funds to pay for a new or rebuilt transmission. I had no warning lamps or messages about the problem prior to the failure, but I did have symptoms of hard, and inconsistent shifts while driving, that have continued to get worse, and the independent mechanic that rode with me said these are all symptoms of CDF drum failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657465April 29, 2025
POWER TRAIN
While going 60mph or above, transmission automatically shifts from 10th to 1st gear! 1st gear has not locked into gear yet while doing this but if did there would be a catastrophic accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657601April 29, 2025
ENGINE
The contact's husband owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and diagnosed the vehicle with a defective cam phaser. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not covered under the Customer Satisfaction Program. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657606April 29, 2025
POWER TRAIN
CDF hub failure. Transmission falls out of gear or shifts really hard especially on the freeway or when turning and it’s down shifting. Took vehicle to the dealership and Ford acknowledged the failure and they have known about it but have not issued a recall. FORD says it’s a design flaw on their part.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657644April 29, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond as needed. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission failed to shift properly, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the CDF drum had failed. The dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle remained with the dealer and had not been driven since the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657301April 28, 2025
POWER TRAIN
10R80 transmission have many issues regarding their shifting and the use of the adaptive tables. Have experienced multiple hard shifts, flare shifts and the occasional downshift in the heads up display. It will be in a higher gear like 7 or 6 and show it dowshifted to 1 for two seconds. Then it goes back to normal. Previous owner already had the transmission repaired and it still has the same issues. I get a code a few minutes later after it shifts horrible for a few minutes. Pointing to issues with the incorrect gear ratios. These transmissions are hazardous as it will happen randomly and will go back to normal most of the time. Have been caught at a light before where it won't shift down back to 1st. I have to put it in park or reverse for a few seconds for the transmission to find itself. Very dangerous to be doing that in traffic. Have had multiple near misses. Of course Ford just says the transmission needs to be changed out for a new one. At 9K-10K for the repair each time and frequently its absurd. The issues have to be fixed or else you are stuck buying a new transmission every 50-100K. I have 90's Ford's with the original transmission still working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657339April 28, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated while shifting from second to third gear. The contact stated that over time the failure became more frequent with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a transmission software update was performed; however, the failure returned two days after the update. The dealer later determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656767April 25, 2025
ENGINE
Formal Complaint Regarding Recall 24E12 and Related Emissions System Failure I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding my recent experience related to Ford Recall 24E12 Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogramming for Emissions Compliance, and the subsequent failure of my vehicle's emissions system immediately following this recall service. The work was performed at Donley Ford 702 Charles St, Galion, OH 44833. On March 12, 2025, I took my vehicle in for the mandated Recall 24E12, which involves reprogramming the PCM to improve emissions component monitoring. Prior to this service, my vehicle exhibited no issues whatsoever, the check engine light was not on, and the vehicle operated perfectly. However, just a few days after the recall service (and with fewer than 5 miles driven post-service), I started my vehicle and was immediately met with a check engine light. I contacted the dealership service department and spoke with a representative who assured me there would be no charge to inspect the issue, given its potential connection to the recall. After I brought the vehicle in, I was texted (not called) and told that my catalytic converter had failed and that I was being quoted $2,446.55 + tax to replace it. I questioned how such a failure could occur immediately following a PCM update specifically targeting emissions system monitoring. The technician immediately denied any connection between the recall and the catalytic converter Given that Recall 24E12 involves PCM reprogramming to improve the detection and performance of emissions-related components, I find it extremely troubling that my catalytic converter failed immediately after the recall service, and that the dealer refuses to acknowledge any possible connection. I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate this matter further to determine, Whether the recall and PCM reprogramming could have caused or accelerated catalytic converter failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656808April 25, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My back up camera barely works now. Most of the times that I back up the screen is blue or black. Very rarely it will work. I brought it into my local for dealer and they said moisture somehow got into the sealed connector and started corroding the metal in there making it a bad connection. They told me I needed a new wire harness for over $500 and I don’t have the money to fix it. So now my back up camera is just broke.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656507April 24, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, SEATS
The engine system on this vehicle experienced multiple failures, including severe knocking, power loss, and potential oil-related malfunctions. Despite repeated service visits to the authorized Ford dealership, the problem persisted. The dealership performed multiple repairs, but the issue was never fully resolved. The vehicle has been undrivable for over a year, during which I have had to rely on rental cars, borrowed vehicles, and eventually purchased cash vehicles to commute — all while continuing to pay for the truck. This is a severe financial and safety burden for a vehicle sold as reliable. To this day, no clear resolution has been offered, and Ford’s internal support has repeatedly deflected responsibility or referred me to scripted call center processes. The vehicle remains parked, unable to be driven due to fear of catastrophic failure or causing harm to myself or others on the road. The engine should be fully inspected, and the failure reported as part of a broader pattern I believe exists across other vehicles with this powertrain. There were early warning lights, knocking, and oil issues documented during dealer visits. The dealer acknowledged repeated service cases but failed to offer a true fix or replacement. This is more than mechanical failure — it’s a consumer safety and engineering accountability issue. I urge NHTSA to investigate the root cause and assess whether a broader recall or investigation is warranted.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656641April 24, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the radio and the rearview camera was inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The diagnostic result was unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656383April 23, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the parked, the contact became aware that there was no oil on the dipstick. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was piston ring failure and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656413April 23, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was confirmed that brake fluid was leaking from the vehicle and further diagnostic test was needed to determine how to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V236000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,250.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656105April 22, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656133April 22, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Driving on a major freeway during rush hour traffic and my master brake cylinder failed causing me to lose brakes. Further more the cylinder vacuumed my brake fluid into the engine causing more costly repairs. I previously owned a 2015 F150 and know that master cylinder failed and was recalled. Ford assured me this was a better master cylinder in the 2018.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655870April 21, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormally loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The sound had become progressively louder over time. The contact stated that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that here was no coverage for the vehicle under the Customer Satisfaction Program. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655872April 21, 2025
POWER TRAIN
F150 transmission randomly disengages during acceleration causing truck to quickly decelerate instead of accelerating. The loss of transmission engagement is for a period of time just when you need the most control. Our problem started approximately a month ago intermittently and has become a daily though unpredictable event. When the transmission does engage it bangs into gear or shifts erratically into different gears not related to application of foot pressure on accelerator. I took our F150 to a Ford dealer ($145 to diagnose) and an independent transmission repair shop and both called out the problem as a CDF clutch failure and that it is a known design defect by Ford that they are ignoring. Worst of all, the only fix is a replacement transmission at a cost of $9K and because the dealer has so many in line of our vehicle they said despite a redesigned transmission being available, they could not actually perform the replacement for about a month. Ford should be accountable for knowing of a design defect that results in high consequence safety risks of its vehicle occupants. This Ford transmission defect introduces a manufacture's defect safety hazard to drivers and because it last up to 30 or more seconds, it needs to be called out by NHTSA to Ford as a real safety issue with high potential negative safety consequences they should proactively address. The first time it happened to my wife it was in a true near miss with my wife turning right and accelerating onto the highway. Another vehicle did not recognize she had lost power and was heading into her flank as her vehicle went lame almost hitting her. Ford should be directed by NSHTA issue a recall. I have also attached Ford Safety Bulletin 24-2436 but note it does not raise this to the safety urgency it needs to have.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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