2018 Ford F-350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Ford F-350 has 201 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 65, and 9 recall campaigns, earning a Caution verdict and ranking 8th worst out of 21 model years. Steering and suspension issues dominate owner complaints, with median failure mileage around 25,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #8 of 21 F-350 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 201
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Steering
Top 2018 Ford F-350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering101 (50%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires92 (46%)
- Structure & Body24 (12%)
- Other22 (11%)
- Electrical System12 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras11 (5%)
- Engine10 (5%)
- Fuel System10 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (2%)
- Brakes3 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report severe front-end oscillation or bouncing across lanes when towing a trailer at highway speed, especially over expansion joints.
- Aluminum wheel valve stems leak air gradually, sometimes triggering incorrect tire pressure monitor alerts due to mismapped sensors.
- Fuel system leaks near the engine or firewall have ignited fires, in one case destroying the truck and an attached trailer.
- Engine fires have occurred after the diesel particulate filter regeneration process, sometimes discovered minutes after the vehicle was parked and shut off.
- The tailgate has opened unexpectedly while towing, striking and damaging trailers being pulled behind the truck.
- A trailer detached from its hitch pins and aluminum connection while towing at highway speed, damaging both vehicle and trailer.
2018 Ford F-350 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-350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Ford F-350 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 201 complaints and a complaint index of 65 for the 2018 F-350, giving it a Caution verdict. It ranks 8th worst among the 21 model years with data.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford F-350?
- Steering complaints make up 50% of reports and Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues make up 46%. Median mileage at failure for both areas is around 22,000 to 25,000 miles.
- Does the 2018 Ford F-350 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2018 F-350, covering areas including the rearview camera, driveshaft, tires, seat belts, tailgate wiring, and daytime running lights. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Is 2018 a better year for the F-350 than 2017 or 2019?
- Yes, relative to other F-350 years. The 2018 has a complaint index of 65 versus 95 for 2017 and 100 for 2019, both of which carry an Avoid verdict.
- Were there fires reported in the 2018 Ford F-350?
- NHTSA data shows 5 fire incidents for the 2018 F-350, including cases tied to fuel system leaks and engine compartment fires after DPF regeneration.