2018 Ford F-250 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
87/100
#3 most-complained of 16 F-250 years
The 2018 Ford F-250 ranks 3rd worst of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 87 and 397 NHTSA complaints, driven mostly by steering (63% of complaints) and suspension issues. It carries 9 recalls and a median failure mileage of 28,000 miles, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- Complaints
- 397
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 9
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2018 Ford F-250 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering252 (63%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires203 (51%)
- Other46 (12%)
- Fuel System21 (5%)
- Engine18 (5%)
- Structure & Body17 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain15 (4%)
- Electrical System13 (3%)
- Brakes11 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras10 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners describe uncontrollable wobbling and vibration in the steering and front wheels at highway speeds, sometimes called the 'death wobble.'
- Some report the truck rolling backward out of park unexpectedly, leading to collisions.
- Several owners report electrical fires, including a heated seat catching fire and an AC line fitting overheating and melting the engine wiring harness.
- Owners report the fuel pump failing and shedding metal into the fuel rail, causing the engine to randomly cut off while driving.
- Some describe engine fires starting while parked or while driving down the interstate, with flames spreading quickly.
2018 Ford F-250 recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V572000Sep 3, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,456,417 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driverâs 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.
- NHTSA 22V880000Nov 29, 2022Transmission & Powertrain18,808 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 22V644000Aug 26, 2022Collision Avoidance & Cameras277,040 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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.
Risk: 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 were mailed July 14, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S51.
2018 compared with other F-250 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Ford F-250 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2018 F-250 ranks 3rd worst out of 16 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 87 and 397 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2018 Ford F-250?
- Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 63% of complaints (252 of 397), with a median mileage at failure of 28,000 miles. Suspension, wheels, and tires follow at 51% of complaints.
- Does the 2018 Ford F-250 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2018 F-250, covering issues such as driveshaft imbalance, tailgate wiring water intrusion, Daytime Running Lights not dimming, and tire curing defects. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2018 F-250 compare to other years?
- The 2018 model has a complaint index of 87, worse than years like 2013 (0), 2021 (40), and 2023 (13), but slightly better than 2017 (93) and 2019 (100), which are also flagged as Avoid years.