2018 Ford F-350 SD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
201 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
25,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 143 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 101 of 201 complaints (50.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 66 | 32.8% |
| Braking behavior | 22 | 10.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 2.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 1.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 101 |
| Suspension | 76 |
| Wheels | 24 |
| Structure:Body | 23 |
| Unknown Or Other | 21 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Back Over Prevention | 8 |
| Engine | 7 |
Steering: 101; Suspension: 76; Wheels: 24; Structure:Body: 23; Unknown Or Other: 21; Electrical System: 12; Back Over Prevention: 8; Engine: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 70 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 50 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 70; 25,000 to 49,999: 50; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (70). 58 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 59 |
| 2020 | 39 |
| 2021 | 25 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2018: 15; 2019: 59; 2020: 39; 2021: 25; 2022: 19; 2023: 18; 2024: 11; 2025: 9; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 66 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11132889 · 2018-10-02 (October 2, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND PULLING A 40 FOOT FIFTH WHEEL, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER AN EXPANSION JOINT ON THE ROAD. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN OSCILLATING SEVERELY, BOUNCING ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE ROAD SHOULDER AND WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE CONTINUING TO DRIVE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A TORN LEFT SHOULDER MUSCLE BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK SO VIOLENTLY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS ONGOING AND SU…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11132889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11141826 · 2018-10-22 (October 22, 2018)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ~65MPH I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THAT CAUSED THE STEERING TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO SLOW TRUCK DOWN TO ~25MPH. THE SHAKING ALMOST CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND SLOWING DOWN ALMOST HAD VEHICLES HIT ME ON THE HIGHWAY.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11141826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11152884 · 2018-11-20 (November 20, 2018)
THE TAILGATE RELEASES (OPENS OR DROPS) UNEXPECTANTLY WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. IT HAS OCCURRED WITH THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION IN PARK, REVERSE, OR DRIVE AND THE PARKING BRAKE RELEASE LEVER IS ACTUATED. THIS HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST 18 MONTHS.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11152884 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11235312 · 2019-07-27 (July 27, 2019)
WHILE DRIVING ACROSS A HIGHWAY OVERPASS AT ABOUT 45 MPH AND DRIVING OVER A SMALL ROUGH SPOT, VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY TO A POINT I HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES HARD, TO SLOW DOWN AND REGAIN CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. IF ANOTHER VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVING PAST ME WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING, I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM. I SPECIAL ORDERED THIS TRUCK AND DIDN'T EXPECT ANYTHING DANGEROUS LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN IN A NEW TRUCK.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11235312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11141476 · 2018-10-19 (October 19, 2018)
WHILE PULLING FROM A FUEL PUMP I BEGAN TURNING WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE TAILGATE HAD INADVERTENTLY OPENED AND PIERCED THROUGH THE FRONT OF A 5TH WHEEL CAMPER I WAS PULLING. THIS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE CAMPER AS WELL AS THE TO THE TOP OF THE TAILGATE. THIS 1ST INCIDENT HAPPENED ~ 3700 MILES. I LATCHED THE TAILGATE AND PICKED UP ANOTHER TRAILER (PINTLE HITCH). I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT TO DROP OFF THE LOAD AND NOTICED THAT THE TAILGATE HAD CAME DOWN A SECOND TIME. AFTER DROPPING TRAILER OFF I BEGAN TO DRIVE HOME. HALF WAY HOME …
Owner-reported narrative. 3,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11141476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11348844 · 2020-08-12 (August 12, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. THE CONTACT STATED HE CONTINUED DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL HE REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MAC HAIK FORD JACKSON (6130 I-55, JACKSON, MS 39211) AND THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED WITH CONTAMINATED DIESEL FUEL. THE CONTACT STATED HIS INSURANCE COMPANY SENT AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS DETERMINED…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11348844 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11534579 · 2023-07-26 (July 26, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse, the back over prevention screen displayed a black screen, with the “Camera Unavailable” message displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear-view camera failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V644000 (Back Over Prevention). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,692. Frontier Ford charged the contact …
Owner-reported narrative. 62,692 miles reported. Look up ODI 11534579 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11668566 · 2025-06-23 (June 23, 2025)
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH and coming to a stop, the vehicle stalled in the middle to the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was pushed to side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump had exploded, causing metal shavings intrusion in the fuel system. The dealer determined that the entire fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer…
Owner-reported narrative. 138,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11668566 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11680411 · 2025-08-13 (August 13, 2025)
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH and hauling a boat, the vehicle made abnormal banging sounds and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted but was undrivable. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but the diesel mechanic was unavailable to service the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to a certified mechanic and was diagnosed with a blown engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. Th…
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11680411 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11276985 · 2019-10-29 (October 29, 2019)
FORD 2018 F-350 SUPER DUTY UNCOMMANDED TAILGATE OPENING WITH 3577 MILES. VEHICLE CAN BE PARKED , STATIONARY, TURNING OR IN MOTION AND TAILGATE WILL OPEN ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE TAKEN TO FORD DEALER ON 3-SEPERATE OCCASION'S AND STILL UNABLE TO DUPLICATE TAILGATE ISSUE. DEALER DID STATE IT HAPPEN TO THEM ONCE IN THE SHOP. TOTAL OF 13 DAYS IN DEALER SHOP. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE VEHICLE BACK TO FORD DEALER. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC TAILGATE THAT CAN BE OPENED WITH THE KEY FOB…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,391 miles reported. Look up ODI 11276985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11673394 · 2025-07-14 (July 14, 2025)
Truck went into limp mode wile driving on highway had to have trailer towed 980 miles egr cooler rubbing on wire harness on firewall staffing wires ro short out fuel injection this is a manufacturer defect.why would egr cooler and electrical wire harness be placed so close is a big safety and fire hazard ....cost of repairs at ford dealer in Columbia Tennessee $800 for repairs
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11673394 at NHTSA ↗