2018 Ford F 150 Regular Cab
Common Problems
Ranked from 769 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
21 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Transmission Jerking and Unintended Neutral Shifts
401complaintsSafety riskTransmissionThe transmission jerks and shifts to neutral unexpectedly, causing the vehicle to lose power and control.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Cam Phaser Failure
373complaintsSafety riskEngineThe cam phasers fail, causing abnormal sounds and engine performance issues.
$900–$2,500est. timing chain/phaser service · 5–12 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Engine Knocking and Abnormal Sounds
20complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produces an abnormal knocking sound and ticking noise, especially during cold starts and at idle.
- 4
Transmission Hard Shifting and Downshifting
20complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission experiences hard and abrupt downshifts, causing the vehicle to lurch and potentially leading to loss of control.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Brake system failure
11complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe brake system fails to function properly, leading to brake pedal going to the floor or complete brake failure, posing a significant safety risk.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Door latching issues in cold weather
8complaintsLow severityOtherDoors fail to latch properly in cold temperatures, requiring manual intervention to close them.
$200–$600est. door lock/latch repair · 1–2.5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Engine Cam Phaser Rattle
8complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produces a loud rattle upon cold start, indicating a cam phaser issue.
$900–$2,500est. timing chain/phaser service · 5–12 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Engine Knocking Sound Upon Starting
8complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine makes a knocking sound upon starting, indicating a potential valve or cam phaser issue.
- 9
Engine Rattling Upon Cold Start
8complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine rumbles loudly upon cold start, suggesting a cam phaser or connecting belt issue.
- 10
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
8complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle when the stop-start system malfunctions, leading to loss of control.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Transmission CDF Drum Failure
8complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe CDF drum in the transmission fails, causing the vehicle to lose power and control.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Transmission Slipping and Random Shifting
8complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission randomly shifts gears and slips, causing loss of power and difficulty in controlling the vehicle.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Engine misfire and power loss
7complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine experiences misfires and power loss, often accompanied by illuminated warning lights and abnormal sounds.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Transmission failure to engage or disengage properly
7complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission fails to shift into or out of gears smoothly, resulting in sudden deceleration or loss of power during acceleration.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 15
Transmission shifting irregularities and random downshifting
6complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission frequently downshifts unexpectedly, causing the engine to rev and the vehicle to lose power.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Transmission slippage and unexpected shifts
6complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission slips into neutral while accelerating, causing the vehicle to lose power and nearly resulting in accidents.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 17
Engine oil consumption and engine failure
5complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes excessive oil and fails, leading to engine damage and potential engine failure.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 18
Transmission shifting to neutral without warning
5complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission unexpectedly shifts to neutral while driving, causing loss of control and potential accidents.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 19
Cam phaser failures
4complaintsMedium severityEngineCam phasers fail, causing a rattling noise on cold start and potentially leading to further engine damage.
$900–$2,500est. timing chain/phaser service · 5–12 hrs laborGet local quotes - 20
Engine Misfire and Excessive Oil Consumption
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires and consumes excessive oil, leading to potential engine failure.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 21
Power steering failure
2complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe power steering fails intermittently, causing the vehicle to drift uncontrollably during turns.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.