KnownCarProblems2018 Ford F-350 SD Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 203 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford F-350 SD, most often about the steering (50% of complaints, typically around 25,000 miles). It is 6th of 27 F-350 SD model years by number of complaints and has 9 recalls.
Most common 2018 Ford F-350 SD problems
Steering
102 complaints · 50%Half of these problems showed up before 25,000 miles.
While traveling at 65-70 MPH on the highway, I drove over a rough patch of road and the steering wheel and front end of the truck began to violently shake. Instinctually, I immediately let off the accelerator to slow down which seemed to add to the forceful shaking by causing the entire vehicle to sway from side to…
Traveling approximately 50 MPH over rough paved road, the steering started oscillating severely and continued until vehicle was slowed down to approximately 20 MPH. Happened the next day under very similar circumstances
Suspension
78 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 24,500 miles. Parts named most often: front.
This vehicle has had the Ford death wobble for months. It has been to the local dealership 3 times now, and is currently waiting for parts for the third repair. The second time this truck was in the shop the issue returned the very next day. I have been in contact with Ford customer service several times with no…
While traveling at 65-70 MPH on the highway, I drove over a rough patch of road and the steering wheel and front end of the truck began to violently shake. Instinctually, I immediately let off the accelerator to slow down which seemed to add to the forceful shaking by causing the entire vehicle to sway from side to…
Wheels and tires
26 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 15,000 miles. Parts named most often: valve, pressure monitoring and regulating systems, rim.
Four valve stems have been replaced for corrosion and leaking in the last 2 months on 3 of my 6 wheels. Tends to happen over night. Tire is fine when parked then next day little to no air in tire.
My truck has the death wobble.. Started at 15k miles. Front sterring dampener has been replaced 2 times already and getting the 3rd one done today..truck now has 36k miles and am getting scared to drive her.. Small bumps in the road cause the truck to shake violently until I get to a complete stop...very dangerous…
Body and structure
24 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 21,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-350 SD. While hauling a trailer at highway speeds, the trailer detached without warning from the pins and aluminium connection. The failure damaged the rear of the vehicle and the trailer. The owner's manual had not indicated that the towing capacity exceeded the guidelines. The dealer…
The tailgate will come down while riding down the road or after hitting a bump. Very unsafe while hauling or towing. There is no indicator in the cab to tell you the tailgate has dropped. Have had it in for service at least 4 times. Vehicle is less than a year old.
Other or unspecified
21 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles.
The tailgate open button on the key fob can be easily accidentally pushed twice while carrying it in your pocket thus causing the tailgate to open. Should the vehicle be parked next to something or a child standing or riding a bike could be injured by the opening tailgate, there is no way to disable this feature on…
On several occasions, this vehicle with 19,000 miles on it, gets the "death wobble". The front wheels, & steering wheel, start shaking violently, shaking the whole truck causing loss of control. The steering wheel shakes so violently that you loose grip of it. The truck can't be steered and only by slamming on the…
Electrical
12 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 4,000 miles.
The tailgate releases (opens or drops) unexpectantly when the parking brake is released. This seems to be an intermittent problem when the vehicle is stopped. It has occurred with the vehicle transmission in park, reverse, or drive and the parking brake release lever is actuated. This has been for the last 18 months.
Tailgate still randomly opens after Ford issued recall to correct. Seems to occur primarily when truck is parked on hill with ebrake set. When releasing emergency brake on a hill, the release is quite violent in terms of the truck vibrating/shuddering. It appears the proximity of the remote open tailgate switch and…
Fuel system
11 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: delivery, fuel filter.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford f-350. The contact stated while driving downhill at 45 MPH, the vehicle shut-off without warning. The contact stated the brakes and power steering failed to operate as needed. The contact stated he continued driving the vehicle until he regained control of the vehicle. The vehicle was…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford f-350. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of diesel fuel was present inside and outside the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the diesel fuel was leaking from the fuel filter inside the engine compartment and onto the ground. The cause of the…
Backup camera
10 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: sensing system, warnings.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford f-350. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse, the back over prevention screen displayed a black screen, with the âcamera unavailableâ message displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear-view camera failed and needed to be replaced.…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford f-250. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 22v64400 (back over prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Ford F-350 SD recalls
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: driveshaft
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Backup camera: camera
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: underbody shields
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: tires
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: pretensioner
Risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: headlights
Risk: Drl that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Engine
Risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Sogefi secondary diesel fuel filter leak
Summary
The office of defect investigations (odi) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (my) 2015-2021 ford motor company (ford) f-250, 350, 450, and 550 super duty vehicles equipped with 6.7l diesel engines. Of these complaints, 12 describe an engine compartment fire. The proximity of the secondary fuel filter to high heat sources creates a potential for autoignition thermal events and fires. Odi has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, ford, and the filter manufacturer, allevard sogefi USA (sogefi), and learned that the low-pressure fuel system is capable of a maximum operating pressure of 8.5 bar, while the second
Power tailgate release systems
Summary
In january 2021, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a recall query (rq21-001) to assess allegations of post-recall remedy uncommanded tailgate openings in model year (my) 2017-2019 f-250/350/450 ford trucks. Besides the recall remedy launched in january 2020, ford also implemented a production update in november 2019.â at the time of the rq opening, odi had received eleven (11) vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs). Odi sent an information request (ir) to ford in february 2021. In numerous meetings after receiving their ir response, ford highlighted the drop in claims since the recall and production update and communicated how they were unable to verify the ownersâ complaints o
Power tailgate opens unintended
Summary
By letter dated december 4, 2019, ford motor company (ford) notified the office of defects investigation (odi) of a safety defect that may exist in model years (my) 2017 through 2019 ford super duty f-250, f-350, f-450 vehicles equipped with an electric tailgate. Following the receipt of five consumer complaints alleging unintended tailgate opening without vehicle operator knowledge, while the vehicles were in motion, NHTSA opened this investigation to assess the manufacturer's data including warranty claims, field reports, design changes, etc.in vehicles equipped with an electric tailgate, water can enter the electrical wiring system and may cause a short circuit resulting in the unintended
Questions about the 2018 Ford F-350 SD
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford F-350 SD?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (102 complaints, typically around 25,000 miles); suspension (78 complaints, typically around 24,500 miles); wheels and tires (26 complaints, typically around 15,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Ford F-350 SD have?
- 9 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 3, 2025 (backup camera). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Ford F-350 SD?
- It is 6th of 27 F-350 SD model years by number of complaints, with 203 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.