CarModelProblems.com

2018 Ford F-250 SD Problems & Recalls

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 categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Steering252 · 63.5%RecalledRecall 20E090000
Suspension198 · 49.9%No official action
Wheels29 · 7.3%No official action
Engine15 · 3.8%RecalledRecall 19V278000
Power Train15 · 3.8%RecalledRecall 22V880000
Structure:body14 · 3.5%RecalledRecall 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.

Complaints by component

STEERING252 · 63.5%
SUSPENSION198 · 49.9%
Unspecified / other46 · 11.6%
WHEELS29 · 7.3%
ENGINE15 · 3.8%
POWER TRAIN15 · 3.8%
STRUCTURE:BODY14 · 3.5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM13 · 3.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8 · 2%
BACK OVER PREVENTION8 · 2%

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.

Recalls — 10 campaigns

Engine

NHTSA campaign 19V278000 · 2019 · reported 04/08/2019

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

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 19V808000 · 2019 · reported 11/12/2019

DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Structure:body:roof And Pillars

NHTSA campaign 19V880000 · 2019 · reported 12/11/2019

A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering

NHTSA campaign 20E090000 · 2020 · reported 12/10/2020

If the steering locks, it 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

Tires

NHTSA campaign 21V155000 · 2021 · reported 03/10/2021

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

Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch

NHTSA campaign 19V864000 · 2019 · reported 12/04/2019

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

Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields

NHTSA campaign 22V087000 · 2022 · reported 02/16/2022

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

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

NHTSA campaign 22V644000 · 2022 · reported 08/26/2022

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

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

NHTSA campaign 22V880000 · 2022 · reported 11/29/2022

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

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

NHTSA campaign 25V572000 · 2025 · reported 09/04/2025

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 it Park 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

3320182372019143202078202164202232202333202417202522026

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.