The 2018 Ford F-150 is associated with 1883 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 19 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 553 reports (29% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 38 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3l 6-cyl, 2.7l 6-cyl, 3.3l 6-cyl, 3.5l 6-cyl, and 5l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 16 to 25 MPG combined. The 2018 Ford F-150 belongs to the 13th generation (P552) F-150 platform spanning model years 2015–2020.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 1883 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 19 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Powertrain (553 / 29%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 58 crash / 29 fire / 34 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 16–25 MPG (38 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| F150 Pickup 2WD Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 22 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,200 / yr |
| F150 2WD BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 22 MPG | 28 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 2.7L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 20 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| F150 2WD BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE | 2.7L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 20 MPG | 25 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 3.3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 19 MPG | 25 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV | 3.3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 20 MPG | 25 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 18 MPG | 25 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| F150 2.7L 2WD GVWR>6649 LBS | 2.7L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 19 MPG | 25 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| F150 2WD BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE | 3.3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 19 MPG | 24 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| F150 2WD FFV BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE | 3.3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 19 MPG | 24 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| F150 2WD BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 17 MPG | 22 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| F150 3.5L 2WD GVWR>7599 LBS | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 17 MPG | 21 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 5L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 17 MPG | 23 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV | 5L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 17 MPG | 23 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| F150 2WD BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE | 5L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 16 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| F150 2WD FFV BASE PAYLOAD LT | 5L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 16 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| F150 5.0L 2WD GVWR>7599 LBS | 5L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 16 MPG | 20 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| F150 5.0L 2WD FFV GVWR>7599 LBS | 5L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 16 MPG | 20 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 4WD XL/XLT Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 21 MPG | 28 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 4WD Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 20 MPG | 25 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| F150 4WD BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 20 MPG | 25 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 2.7L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 19 MPG | 24 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| F150 2.7L 4WD GVWR>6799 LBS | 2.7L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 19 MPG | 24 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| F150 4WD BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE | 2.7L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 18 MPG | 23 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 3.3L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 18 MPG | 23 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 4WD FFV | 3.3L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 18 MPG | 23 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 17 MPG | 23 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| F150 4WD BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 17 MPG | 22 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| F150 4WD BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE | 3.3L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 17 MPG | 22 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| F150 4WD FFV BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE | 3.3L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 17 MPG | 22 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| F150 3.5L 4WD GVWR>7599 LBS | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 16 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 5L 8-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 16 MPG | 22 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 4WD FFV | 5L 8-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 16 MPG | 22 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| F150 5.0L 4WD GVWR>7599 LBS | 5L 8-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 15 MPG | 19 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| F150 4WD BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE | 5L 8-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 16 MPG | 20 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| F150 5.0L 4WD FFV GVWR>7599 LBS | 5L 8-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 15 MPG | 19 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| F150 4WD FFV BASE PAYLOAD LT | 5L 8-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 16 MPG | 20 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| F150 RAPTOR 4WD | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 15 MPG | 18 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $3,850 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| Regular Cab PU/RC 4x4 | | | | | 19.1% |
| Regular Cab PU/RC 4x2 | | | | | 19.1% |
| Supercab PU/EC 4x4 | | | | | 19.1% |
| Supercab PU/EC 4x2 | | | | | 19.1% |
| Super Crew PU/CC 4x4 | | | | | 19.1% |
| Super Crew PU/CC 4x2 | | | | | 19.1% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Ford F-150 models.
View complete 2018 Ford F-150 crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2018 Ford F-150 problems & component breakdown (160 categories) →
Affected Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 20V097. When the headlight switch is turned from "Autolamps" to "Headlamps On," the Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) may remain fully bright instead of dimming to parking lamps as intended. 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."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: ,Dealers will reprogram the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 17V669. Quickly moving the shift lever from Park to Drive may cause a loss of gear indication on the instrument cluster display and a momentary selection of an unintended gear, such as Reverse or Neutral.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S42. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S37. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 22V-150.
View all 2018 Ford F-150 recalls & campaign history (19 campaigns) →