Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 09/08/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Steering — runs 10.1× the fleet median for that category across the 1647 model-years tracked on this site.
397Complaints
10Recalls
7Crashes
9Fires
4Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Steering (63.5% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Steering complaints here are 10.1× the median for that category across the 1647 model-years tracked on this site.
4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Steering
252 · 63.5%
Recalled
Recall 20E090000
Suspension
198 · 49.9%
No official action
—
Wheels
29 · 7.3%
No official action
—
Engine
15 · 3.8%
Recalled
Recall 19V278000
Power Train
15 · 3.8%
Recalled
Recall 22V880000
Structure:body
14 · 3.5%
Recalled
Recall 19V880000 · Recall 22V087000
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 397 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“TRAVLING 60 MPH .HIT BUMP ON A CRUVE ,STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING ,NEEDED BOTH HANDS ON STEERING WHEEL TO CONTROL TRUCK .BOTH FEET ON BRAKE…”NHTSA complaint 11306429 — filed 02/01/2020 · STEERING
“TRUCK IS VIBRATING AND WOBBLING WHILE DRIVING. ISSUE IS CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD EASILY RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I…”NHTSA complaint 11302655 — filed 01/28/2020 · STEERING
“AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS EXPERIENCED VIOLENT SHAKING IN FRONT END STEERING.IT HAPPENS WHEN TRUCK CROSSES A ROUGH ROAD OR WHEN CROSSING BRIDGE AT 65 PLUS MPH.IT…”NHTSA complaint 11297237 — filed 01/05/2020 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford F-250 SD?
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 252 of 397 NHTSA complaints (63.5%), followed by suspension (198), unspecified/other issues (46), wheels (29). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2018 Ford F-250 SD have?
397 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 09/08/2026. Of those, 7 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, and 4 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2018 Ford F-250 SD have any recalls?
Yes — 10 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V278000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2018 Ford F-250 SD's reported problems?
4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 09/08/2026.
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