2018 Ford F-250 SD

Above average

Owners filed 397 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 10 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
28,000 milesMedian miles at failure

292 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 20,00030,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering232
200
Suspension55
000
Unknown or Other18
132
Structure › Body14
010
Engine12
120
Fuel/Propulsion System11
110
Power Train9
000
Back Over Prevention8
000
Electrical System7
020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)6
000

10 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera25V572000
Filed Sep 3, 20251,456,417 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Risk. A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft22V880000
Filed Nov 29, 202218,808 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 4x4 vehicles. A radial damper inside the driveshaft may move out of position over time, which can cause a driveshaft imbalance and result in a fracture.

Risk. A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power. Additionally, a vehicle rollaway could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Either of these scenarios increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S74.

Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera22V644000
Filed Aug 26, 2022277,040 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2020 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental vehicles equipped with the 360-degree camera system. Degradation of the camera's anit-reflective lens coating can lead to a foggy or cloudy rearview camera image.

Risk. Lack of a clear rearview camera image can reduce the driver's visibility of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S51.

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields22V087000
Filed Feb 16, 2022247,445 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2022 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty vehicles equipped with gasoline engines and aluminum driveshafts. Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.

Risk. A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground. Additionally, unintended movement could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 7, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S09.

Tires21V155000
Filed Mar 10, 202115,769 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150, 2018-2020 F-250, F-350, and 2019 Escape vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

Risk. Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S10.

Equipment20E090000
Filed Dec 9, 2020102 vehiclesIcon Vehicle Dynamics, Llc

Defect. Icon Vehicle Dynamics, LLC (Icon) is recalling all 05-UP FSD 2.5 Centerline Stabilizer Kits with part number 65050. The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up.

Risk. If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Icon will notify owners, and dealers will install a new shock assembly with a revised foam ring and steel support disc, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Icon customer service at 1-951-689-4266.

Seat Belts › Pretensioner19V880000
Filed Dec 11, 2019490,574 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCrew Cab vehicles with carpet flooring. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.

Risk. A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply heat resistant tape to the carpet and its insulation, and modify the B-Pillar insulation as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S52.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Tailgate › Latch19V864000
Filed Dec 4, 2019231,664 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 trucks equipped with an electric tailgate latch release switch mounted in the tailgate handle. Water may enter the electrical wiring system and cause a short circuit, activating the switch and releasing the tailgate latches.

Risk. Unintended tailgate opening may allow unrestrained cargo to fall out of the truck bed and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate/frame wiring harnesses by adding jumper pigtails to isolate the tailgate release control circuits and will install a new tailgate handle release switch, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S48.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights19V808000
Filed Nov 12, 201986,296 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2019 F-250, F-350 and F-450 Super Duty trucks. The Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may not dim when the headlight switch is moved into the "On" position. 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."

Risk. DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Ford has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module (BCM) software, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C10.

Engine19V278000
Filed Apr 8, 2019131,068 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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 and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.

Risk. A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S11.

What owners reported

Newest filings
EngineFire
Filed Jun 17, 2026CA

Truck started loosing power And caught fire at the red light

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 3, 2026GA

Low fuel pressure alert came on the truck. It went away and then came on again a few days later. We took the truck to Joe Meyers Ford in Houston, TX. They verified the code/alert and replaced the fuel filter, then re-tested. The alert returned and once they continued their diagnosis, it was determined that the fuel pressure control valve had failed, allowing fuel, DEF, and water into the fuel filter. The fuel pressure would no increase to minimum spec of 55 psi. Ford then said that without replacing the Fuel Pressure Control Valve, Fuel pump, fuel filters, and flushing all the lines, the risk for the engine to seize up was very likely. They noted this was a similar issue happening to 2020 and older trucks, but all the same parts and issues. Upon repairing the truck, we have read up on recall 24V957 and feel the issues we encountered are identical in complexity and costs. We paid nearly $20,000 in repairs.

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 15, 2025AZ

My backup camera went black. There is a recall on this product 25V572 or Ford 25S89. My vin number is not on the list. How do i get my vin number on this list since the problem is identical to the recall prolem?

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 19, 2025GA

100k miles and the high pressure fuel pump is failed. Created small metal particles that got into fuel lines. Everything needs to be replaced. There’s a recall on over 80k trucks with the same issue. Local ford said this is the same issue as all the recalls but because we don’t have the recall on our VIN, we have to pay $20k for replacement.

Fuel/Propulsion SystemCrash
Filed Jul 11, 2025GA

Fuel pump faulted, engine would just cut off in middle of driving whether on highway, street, or interstate. Engine would randomly shut off. Took to ford dealership, they had to replace low pressure and high pressure fuel pumps, the dealership says this model is notorious for that, the fuel pumps tear apart and send metal into the fuel rail. This caused the truck to not get diesel and shut off. An extreme safety issue. Several times it happened while driving, and nothing prepared you for it to happen. Just saw where models I believe starting with 2020 have been recalled for same issue. Don’t understand why 18 models weren’t.

Suspension
Filed Jul 11, 202532,000 milesOR

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle displayed the death wobble. The failure had occurred three times. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was not able to speak with a representative. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jun 16, 202590,000 milesOH

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-250. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the instrument cluster failed to function as intended. The contact stated the instrument cluster failed to activate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed central processing unit. The contact was informed that the central processing unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Back Over Prevention
Filed Jun 6, 202585,000 milesMI

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-250 SD. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was blank. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rearview camera had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Engine
Filed Jun 3, 2025127,460 milesGA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle shut off unintendedly and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The message engine power reduced was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,460.

Power Train
Filed May 19, 2025TX

Transmission just went out no tell tale signs or anything.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 23, 2025TX

On a very busy freeway truck started making a noise and losing power. 18 wheelers are coming up fast behind us and honking at us not knowing we are losing power and can not pull over because we are going over a bridge. The truck continued to lose power and messages started to appear saying powering down. We made it off the freeway and the truck completed died on us. Could not start. Had to call a wrecker and be towed over 100 miles back home. Well over $450.00. The next day called a mobile diagnosis that was $175.00 to tell us it was the fuel system. Got quoted from the Ford dealership $15k to repair so we took it to CS AUTOMOTIVE. They charged us $13,0000 for the repair. Shortly after getting the repair done, Ford issued a recall on 2018 Ford F250 for the same issue as our 2018 Ford F250 but our vin # was not included in the recall. It is clearly the same issue and we were told they will not do anything as our vin # was not in the recall.

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Apr 2, 2025116,000 milesDE

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while a trailer was attached. The contact stated that his family was inside the vehicle during the failure. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with fuel system failure. The contact was informed that the fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall repair; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

Steering
Filed Feb 27, 2025148,000 milesMT

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the steering wheel seized with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 18, 2025WI

Ford recall 18N03 was preformed in 2022. Now in 2024/2025 passenger front door will not latch during freezing temperatures.

Engine
Filed Jan 15, 202580,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. There was no warning light illuminated before the failure. The contact was unsure if the vehicle was towed or taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was rust in the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 8, 2025100,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2018 Ford- F-250. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal sound and the "Vehicle Powering Down" message was displayed on the instrument panel; the vehicle lost automotive power and the vehicle failed to return to normal operation. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact did research and was made aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Steering
Filed Dec 30, 2024TN

I PURCHASED THE TRUCK NEW, AND IT HAS NEVER EXPERIENCED THE DEATH WOBBLE UNTIL DEC.25, 2024. THE TRUCK NOW HAS ONLY 45K MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND HIT A ROUGH PATCH IN THE ROAD AT 70 MPH, AND THE TRUCK BEGAN TO VIBREATE AND SHAKING, MY SON WAS IN THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME AND SAID IT LOOKED LIKE THE CAB WAS GOING TO FALL OFF IT WAS SHAKING SO BAD. i HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO TWO RIVERS FORD DEALERSHIP TO CHECK OUT THE ISSUE. I JUST WANTED TO REPORT IT AS WELL SO THERE IS A RECORD OF THE ISSUE.

Steering
Filed Nov 25, 2024LA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and driver over a bump in the roadway, the front end of the vehicle was shaking violently. The contact slowed down to 10 MPH and restarted the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact added aftermarket stabilizers to the front end. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who informed him the failure was due to the death wobble and there was no fix for the issue. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. While driving 70-75 MPH, the vehicle shook violently. The vehicle became uncontrollable, and the contact decelerated to 20 MPH. The manufacturer was contacted, who referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 14, 2024AZ

My sunroof is broken and in operatable, and the glass will not close all the way keeping the inside of the vehicle open to the elements. The noise is also very loud when traveling on the freeways. Ford quoted me $5000 to repair the system. The service advisor told me the Ford went with a different manufacturer because the parts kept braking from the old manufacturer. The advisor also told me that they would need to replace everything from the motor, tracks, etc., because of their change in manufacturing. If Ford knows that the parts are defective, why isn't there already a recall on this system?

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 7, 2024TX

The lug nuts have decorative caps that are easily damaged during ordinary maintenance. Once damaged, the nuts cannot be properly torqued. This puts proper tightening at risk. This then increases the result of the nuts loosening, falling off, and losing control of the vehicle.

20 of 397 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2019
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20269510Routine
202515700Do not drive
202438410Routine
2023431630Routine
20221211740Routine
20211631300Routine
20202631530Above average
20191,16412110Above average
2018 — this page3971090Above average
20171,15515130Above average
2016288450Above average
2015296360Above average
201426100Routine
201321100Routine
201257100Routine
2011122121Fatalities reported
201032100Routine
200923111Fatalities reported
2008141230Routine
200754310Routine
2006274340Above average
2005295560Above average
20042544120Above average
20031786100Routine
20022455182Fatalities reported
20012884193Fatalities reported
20002334253Fatalities reported
19992495130Above average
19981100Routine
199739270Routine
199611120Routine
19959130Routine
19942110Routine
19934110Routine
19923000Routine
19911000Routine

Compare every F-250 SD year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Sep 3, 2025. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.