Some F-Super Duty and F-150 vehicles equipped with trailer tow mirror may exhibit various exterior rear view mirror functional concerns that require replacement after diagnosis. To properly determine if the defect is warrantable, cleaning and close inspection of the affected mirror may be required. To aid in proper warranty determination, the Rear-View Mirror Analysis general service bulletin (GSB) has been updated with a detailed cleaning procedure that should be followed prior to any inspection. New labor operations (17682ZZ or 17682ZZT) have been created that covers the cleaning and inspection process and may be used even if condition of failure is non-warrantable. Ford has inspected nume
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Ford F-150 visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Ford F-150 have filed 61 NHTSA complaints about the visibility, typically surfacing around 39,500 miles at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
61
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 F-150 | 121 |
| 2015 F-150 | 73 |
| 2016 F-150 | 109 |
| 2017 F-150 | 40 |
| 2018 F-150 (this page) | 61 |
| 2019 F-150 | 16 |
| 2020 F-150 | 52 |
| 2021 F-150 | 113 |
1fire
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 61 visibility complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2021 F-150 vehicles built on or before 01-Feb-2021, 2017-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine, 2018-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost or 5.0L engine, 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.0L diesel engine may exhibit a high pitched squeal or whistle type noise from the engine compartment after the engine is shut off. This condition may be due to the air conditioning (A/C) low side system pressure exceeding the high side pressure resulting in equalization of A/C system pressures through the A/C compressor. An updated A/C compressor has been released to resolve this concern. For claiming, use causal part 19703 and applicable labor operations in Sec
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2022 F-150, 2017-2022 F-Super Duty and 2018-2022 Expedition/Navigator vehicles may exhibit poor air conditioning (A/C) performance. Workshop Manual (WSM) diagnostic procedures have been updated to more accurately diagnose A/C performance concerns. Refer to the updated Diagnosis and Testing, and General Procedure in the WSM, Section 412-00 Climate Control System for diagnostic procedures
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2021 F-150, 2017-2021 F-Super Duty and 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a vista roof opening panel may exhibit a binding/sticking, glass stuck open or closed, noisy operation including chatter, rattling, or grinding. This may be due to the glass panel brackets cracking and/or breaking apart. The glass panel brackets are serviceable separately from the frame assembly and require the roof opening panel glass to be moved to the vent position. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the roof opening panel glass brackets
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2020 F-150 and 2017-2020 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a rear defroster may have factory installed or service replacement rear glass that uses rear defroster electrical terminals with a plastic overmolded cover. The rear glass defroster terminals are not serviceable and should not be removed or detached from the glass during diagnosis or repairs. If the rear glass defroster terminals are separated from the glass, the rear glass assembly must be replaced.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant failure mode across these 61 complaints is spontaneous rear window shattering—occurring with no impact, collision, or external force. Owners report loud explosions while parked, during remote start activation, or after closing a door. The glass breaks outward into the truck bed, sometimes with such force it reaches the front seats. Ambient temperatures range from 70 to 95 degrees. One catastrophic case involved a dealer epoxy repair of disconnected defroster wires; the window exploded the next day, the defroster shorted, and the truck caught fire—a total loss.
Sunroof and moonroof defects appear frequently: frame fractures, glass detaching from frame, plastic internal components breaking, and water leaks during rain. Repairs run into thousands of dollars, with replacement units sometimes repeating the same failures.
Wiper system problems include fastening keys popping off and arms breaking—sometimes within weeks and with a driver's safety at stake. Separate reports show wipers refusing to shut off and cycling every 12 seconds. Backup cameras deliver fuzzy or dark images even after lens cleaning. A/C evaporator sensor failure causes windows to fog completely, blocking visibility. Windshield cleaning fluid freezes in lines. One owner notes standard mirrors leave dangerous blind spots compared to the previous generation F-150. Ford does not acknowledge these as widespread issues; dealerships deny warranty coverage or refer owners to NHTSA.
Same Ford F-150 visibility reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Rear window spontaneous shattering
Rear window (excluding center slider) shatters without impact while vehicle is parked or during normal operation. Glass breaks outward into truck bed and onto interior surfaces. Occurs across wide range of temperatures (70–95°F) and conditions, including immediately after remote start, after door closure, or while driving. Owners report no external impacts, no foreign objects found.
When: Parked (most common); also during remote start activation, door closure, or low-speed driving; ranges from 750 miles to 75,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud explosion or bang sound preceding failure; Complete shattering of rear window pane into numerous pieces; Glass shards in truck bed, back seat, and occasionally forward into cabin; Two holes or breaks on opposite sides of window frame; Window breaks outward (away from cab interior) rather than inward; No visible impact marks on interior or exterior surfaces
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of entire rear window; one owner charged $750 for OEM part; another $1,000 insurance deductible incurred; most owners paid out-of-pocket after warranty denial
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford denied responsibility in multiple cases; dealerships stated failures not covered under warranty; no recall issued for spontaneous shattering (only for leaking rear window); one case resulted in total vehicle loss due to fire after dealer epoxy repair attempt
Rear defroster wire disconnection and system failure
Electric rear defroster wires disconnect from rear window glass for unknown reason. Dealer repair using epoxy to reattach wires resulted in catastrophic window failure with fire. Subsequent window shattering occurred immediately after defroster activation.
When: 13,542 miles at diagnosis; failure 1–2 days post-repair; also reported at 59,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Defroster stops functioning; Wires visibly disconnected from glass interior surface; Window explosion following defroster use (same-day or next-day after epoxy repair); Flames visible from rear seat area during window failure; Burning smell reported
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted repair with epoxy adhesive; repair failed catastrophically, resulting in total vehicle loss and fire damage; subsequent replacements required full window assembly
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer performed epoxy repair without documented authorization; no TSB or recall specific to defroster wire failure; manufacturer made aware but no warranty coverage provided
Moonroof/sunroof detachment and structural failure
Sunroof frame fracturesand glass panels separate from frame assembly during operation or while parked. Detaches from vehicle body at highway speeds. Arm actuator fractures. Guide rails fail. Glass panel brackets separate from sunroof frame.
When: 36,000–79,000 miles; failures occur at 35–75 mph and while parked
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise during operation; Sunroof opens or closes independently without button input; Sunroof opens halfway repeatedly; Glass panel brackets separate from frame; Metal pieces dislodge from track and land in driver's lap; Sunroof fails to close when button is pressed; Arm actuator fractures; Abnormal popping sound; Water leaks into cabin during rain; Plastic internal mechanism breaks in track
Repairs/costs cited: Complete sunroof assembly replacement required in multiple cases; one owner cited repair cost of $5,507.49; recurred on replacement sunroof (new unit also lacked air dam); plastic internal components noted as fragile
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred contacts to NHTSA Hotline; TSB 18-2374 does not cover reported failures; no warranty assistance provided; one case involved broken track repair
Wiper arm failure and control switch malfunction
Wiper arm metal key/fastener pops off, causing arm to break and detach during operation or light use. Separate reports of wipers refusing to turn off and cycling repeatedly. Wiper motor degradation. Wiper control switch remains problematic across model years.
When: Early model years; failures within weeks of ownership and throughout vehicle service life; degradation beginning in December 2022 for one owner
Symptoms owners cite: Metal fastening key pops off wiper arm; Wiper arm breaks and falls off or detaches; Wipers activate automatically every 12 seconds on 'off' setting; Wipers cannot be turned completely off; Loss of wiper speed control while malfunction occurs; Wiper motor degraded performance; slow movement; Wiper motor complete failure; Windshield cleaning fluid freezes in lines (not reservoir)
Repairs/costs cited: Wiper arm replacement required; owners replaced both driver and passenger arms within 2 weeks of initial failure; full wiper motor replacement indicated in degradation cases; one owner mentions YouTube information suggesting valve enlargement to prevent freezing
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB mentioned in narratives; one owner notes Ford wiper/turn signal switch combination has been chronic problem for multiple model years
Rear power sliding window top track loosening
Rear power sliding window top track loosens, causing window to detach or nearly detach from frame. Occurs during normal driving at low speeds.
When: 60,000 miles; noticed while driving at 5–40 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Flickering appearance in rearview mirror; Window detaches or nearly detaches from body; Window appears loose in frame
Repairs/costs cited: Window replacement and/or track repair required; dealer diagnosis inconclusive in one case (no failure found despite owner report); one owner cites manufacturer defect with tape connection of window
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred contacts to NHTSA Hotline; no assistance provided; dealer stated no recall existed for reported failures
A/C evaporator sensor failure and window fogging
Air conditioning evaporator sensor fails, causing A/C compressor to freeze and block airflow. Results in windows fogging over, impairing visibility. No warning lights illuminate.
When: Timing not specified; one report mentions 1,000 miles for condensation leak; evaporator issue is chronic problem on these vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: A/C stops cooling; Windows fog over, blocking visibility; No warning lights or indicators; Foul odor in cabin from condensation leak; Condensation leaks from A/C drainage hose (front passenger side); Nausea reported from odor
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer estimates $2,800 to remove entire dashboard and replace evaporator; one owner reports condensation leak from faulty drainage hose
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin available for this issue (referenced by owner); no specific manufacturer response documented
Backup camera image quality and intermittent failure
Backup camera displays fuzzy or dark image, making it difficult to detect obstacles when reversing. Image clarity poor even after lens cleaning. Intermittent complete failure of camera.
When: Throughout vehicle service life; intermittent failures occurring several times in recent months for one owner
Symptoms owners cite: Fuzzy or unclear camera image; Dark or no image from backup camera; Inability to detect obstacles during reverse; Intermittent camera blackout
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced backup camera at cost of approximately $100 out-of-pocket; replacement did not resolve issue for one owner (problem present since purchase)
Windshield wiper performance and clarity
Windshield wipers leave streaks and do not clean windshield effectively, even with repeated blade replacements. One owner suspects windshield glass rather than blade issue.
When: Throughout ownership; degradation persists despite multiple blade replacements
Symptoms owners cite: Streaked visibility after wiping; Unclear vision during rain or after cleaning; Persistent poor performance despite 4+ blade replacements
Repairs/costs cited: Owners replaced wiper blades multiple times (up to 4 replacements); one owner suspects windshield glass defect rather than blade failure
Standard mirror inadequate blind-spot coverage
Standard mirror size leaves significant blind spots compared to previous F-150 model year (2012). Owner requests larger mirror options for improved visibility and safety.
When: Baseline complaint; no incident reported yet
Symptoms owners cite: Large blind spot areas not visible in mirrors; Inadequate visibility compared to 2012 F-150 model
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports Ford does not manufacture larger mirror options; aftermarket solutions may be available
Rear window defogger/defroster missing on base models
Rear window defogger/defroster not standard equipment on all trim levels; sold as optional add-on. Owner notes all vehicles should include this safety feature.
When: At point of sale/delivery
Symptoms owners cite: No rear window defogger on base/certain trim models; Inability to clear rear window condensation without defogger
Synthesized from 61 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Rear Window/Glass spontaneously shattered. Loud Noise as it shattered entirely. No apparent cause while driving in parking lot with no bystanders.
Driving 35mph on flat straight road when rear sliding window exploded with no external forces applied. Huge noise shocked me and made me swerve into adjacent lane. Glass shattered all over the rear seats and floor of the vehicle. Immediately brought vehicle to Flood Ford in East Greenwich to be looked at. Service advisor said he had never seen that and because I was a couple months out of…
Had visibility trouble with your 2018 Ford F-150?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2018 Ford F-150?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 61 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 16,000 and 59,400 miles, with the median around 39,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 16,000; a quarter make it past 59,400. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Ford/F-150.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.