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ProblemsByVinFile / 2018-FORD-F-350NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Ford
2018 Ford F-350 problems
The 2018 Ford F-350 has 198 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2018 Ford F-350 has 198 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 101 complaints, typically surfacing around 30,405 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
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.
Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
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.
Buying a used 2018 Ford F-350? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 101 owner reports
· tends to show around 30,405 mi · ~$700 to fix
body — 21 owner reports
· tends to show around 21,388 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
suspension — 18 owner reports
· tends to show around 28,888 mi · ~$900 to fix
electrical — 10 owner reports
· tends to show around 14,265 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: suspension is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 28,888 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater
When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.
Common questions
Is the 2018 Ford F-350 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 198 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 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2018 Ford F-350?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 101 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 30,405 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2018 Ford F-350 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 198 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 30,405 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2018 Ford F-350?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 101 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 30,405 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 30,405 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 198 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day 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.
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