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ProblemsByVin File / 2018-FORD-F-350 NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2018 · Ford

Ford F-350 problems

194 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2018 F-350?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

steering
100 reports · fails ~30,713 mi · avg $700
moderate
body
21 reports · fails ~21,388 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
suspension
18 reports · fails ~28,888 mi · avg $900
severe
electrical
10 reports · fails ~14,265 mi · avg $850
severe
wheels
9 reports · fails ~12,541 mi · avg $400
moderate
engine
4 reports · fails ~57,300 mi · avg $3,100
severe
fuel system
4 reports · fails ~141,000 mi · avg $1,200
moderate
powertrain
3 reports · fails ~3,500 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2018 F-350's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2018 F-350?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2018 F-350 · steering
When at highway speed and hitting a bump in the road the steering wheel will shake vigorously until the truck is slowed down. This is a very dangerous situation while at highway speeds. I had taken the truck to the dealer and I was told that Ford knows of the issue and currently…
12/30/2019 · at 43,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11292102.0 · see steering pattern →
2018 F-350 · steering
Purchased new in wenatchee wa. At less than 18,000 miles I noticed a front end shake and bounce when I would drive over any type of expansion joint in a bridge. At around 18,400 it became a violent up and down bounce side to side with the steering wheel becoming almost…
12/30/2019 · at 18,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11292172.0 · see steering pattern →
2018 F-350 · wheels
When driving down the highway the truck will start to shake otherwise know as the death wobble. This has happened 4 times. Took it into the dealer and they told me I need new tires and need a new steering damper per tsb-19-2392. They said it would be 400.00 for the part. My ruck…
12/27/2019 · at 25,843 mi · NHTSA ODI #11291563.0 · see wheels pattern →
2018 F-350 · steering
Truck shakes uncontrollably in a 10 mile ride it would happen 3-4x at 70 to 75mph hitting the slightest bump, the truck would violently shake. I would have to slow down to 20 MPH for it to stop. Very difficult on a highway. Very unsafe. I have a video to submit it is very hard…
View all 194 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2018 Ford F-350? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 19V401000 May 29, 2019

VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists (VCI) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-550, 2014 E-350 and E-450, 2015 F-250 and F-450, 2016 E-450, 2017 E-350, F-450 and E-450, 2018 F-350, 2010 E-450, 2005-2006 E-450, 2009 E-450 and Chevrolet C4500-based Type I and Type III ambulances equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image

The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists will work with ASA to notify the owners, and remedy the displays, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA Electronics at 1-800-384-4400.

Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA

PE Fuel System, Diesel · opened May 2024

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. PE24014 on NHTSA →

How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →

Common questions

Is the 2018 Ford F-350 reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 194 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Ford F-350 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2018 Ford F-350?

The 2018 Ford F-350 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2018 Ford F-350?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 100 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 30,713 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 30,713 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Ford F-350 has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Ford F-350?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 194 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Ford/F-350. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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