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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
11 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,112 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Ford F-150 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2018 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 11 of 18)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #159

Oct 282018

F-150 6-cyl

  • 9,900 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving, the gears failed to engage. The vehicle inadvertently shifted into 4WD. There was an abnormal screeching and grinding noise detected. The contact stated while driving, the brakes engaged on the front wheels without warning. The vehicle was taken three times to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the solenoid and a recalibration were needed. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was returned to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact requested a buyback, but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 9,900. Consumer stated vehicle has been sold.

- Plattsburg, MO, USA

problem #158

Oct 052021

F-150

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while an employee was driving the vehicle 65 MPH on cruise control, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated at full speed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the employee depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not decelerate and continued driving approximately 90 MPH. The contact stated the employee shifted into neutral while the brake pedal was depressed, and he was able to veer to the side of road and parked the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that no issues were found. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.

- Pinedale, WY, USA

problem #157

Sep 012021

F-150

  • miles
My 2018 Ford F150 truck has cold start rattle from the phasers. Started occurring 1k miles after my warranty ran out. This is a well known issue with this year of Ford F150 based on the 100s of videos and articles on this topic online. There are several thousand people across many online sites stating they have the same issue. They have created a service bulletin to fix the issue and sent out letters to some and not all owners. Never received the service bulletin and they should include mine in the fix since it is an obvious issue of their trucks.

- Yorba Linda, CA, USA

problem #156

Aug 292021

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle stalls when coming to a stop after towing then will continue to stall after the engine is started back up. The temp gauge did not indicate it was overheating and no warning lights or engine codes came on. This only seems to happen while towing after we have been driving for over an hour. We are towing around 4,500 lbs so it is well under the limits of the truck.

- Fe Warren Afb, WY, USA

problem #155

Aug 282021

F-150

  • miles
Intermittent problems with 10 speed automatic transmission: Hard shifts into reverse when cold, rattling/jerking when shifting from 4-5 gears, at steady speed in 10th gear a -€œrattle-€ or -€œchain slipping-€ occurs for several seconds. Have had the vehicle in twice and told there are no issues.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #154

Jun 282021

F-150

  • miles
The transmission randomly drops in and out of gear. At time times it will slam into gear creating a near whiplash condition. At other times the vehicle will simply become momentary inoperable. As this occurs completely without warning, it can create a dangerous situation leaving you motionless crossing a highway or busy intersection. I have been told that the transmission requires replacement at the cost of approx $4500. Prior to the first occurrence there were no signs of any issues.

- Sapulpa, OK, USA

problem #153

Aug 082021

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

TRANSMISSION: Erratic movements and jerking Vehicle lunging forward Loss of acceleration Rough shifting Slipping into neutral

- Abington , MA, USA

problem #152

Jul 272021

F-150 6-cyl

  • miles
At approximately 18:30 hours on July 27,2021. While backing from alley into my driveway, I coast into driveway since alley is on steep hill, so no gas is needed. Just incline is needed to get movement of truck into driveway. As truck was about five feet from closed garage door. Engine revved up without foot being on gas pedal. Since truck was in reverse gear, so backup camera was engaged to assist in stopping when I get close to door. The rear tires started spinning and burning rubber, my foot had been on brake pedal entire time I was coasting into driveway. I had to press hard on brake pedal to keep from accelerating into and through garage door. Engine finally stopped revving up after a few seconds. I quickly put transmission into park and shut off engine. My son was a passenger in truck and he said what the [XXX] just happened. Got out of truck and there were black tread marks on concrete driveway approximately 2 feet long in front of tires. Next morning July 28, 2021, I started truck up and it acted normal. Took son to work and drove out to Ford dealership to have them take a look at truck. They could not look at truck. Earliest they could get it in to look at it was August 13, They did ask if there were any warning lights on dash. Told them I didn-€™t see any engine lights indicating a problem is occurring. I have driven truck daily since incident without any further problems. I called Ford dealership today August 12, and canceled appointment to have truck looked at. I doubt they-€™d find anything, it was an intermittent issue, but it does need to be reported. I have photos of tire marks in front of tire s the next morning before I started truck back up. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Casper, WY, USA

problem #151

Jan 202021

F-150

  • miles
2018 F150 has problems with the 10R80 automatic transmission. Harsh shifting, delayed shifts. Very unpredictable. Dealer has had the vehicle for 10 days and is unable to repair it. I bought the vehicle used from a Ford dealer with 45,000 miles in January 2021. It has always been problematic since I bought it. I first dropped it off at the dealer for repair on 8/3/21

- Canton, MI, USA

problem #150

Jul 312021

F-150

  • miles
My F150 has approximately 69,000. When slowly accelerating from a stop light, the 10 speed transmission shifted from from 1-4, then back to 1st then up to 7 then back to first. I'm not an aggressive driver and it startled me. Luckily, i was not hauling anything or in a heavy traffic flow. I immediately slowed down as the sudden jerks between the gears did jolt all the occupants. The wrench light came on and within 10 miles I pulled into the dealership where I bought it. It was diagnosed by the dealership yesterday as needing the valve body replaced, costing $1,700. There were no warnings or messages present on the display prior to the failure. I simply have lost faith that had this occurred in a different driving situation I shudder to think that my family and I may not be safe.

- Bertram, TX, USA

problem #149

Aug 092021

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

For the past 30 days, the 10-speed transmission in my F-150 is shifting very hard from 10th to 8th and in other lower gears. It also will not accelerate at times when applying the gas at 10 MPH. The Ford dealer was able to replicate the problem when presented with the truck today, but tells me that Ford said that "that's the way the truck drives. There is not a problem with it." Two days ago, a rough downshift caused my wife to strike her head on the headrest in the front passenger seat, and she will not ride in it until I get this problem resolved.

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #148

Jul 272021

F-150

  • miles
Transmission shifts hard and/or will not up shift or down shift properly. Often shifting so hard that loud noises can be heard and felt, often causing dangerous lurching or pausing in acceleration. On several occasions transmission has nearly caused what could-€™ve ended in severe collisions with other vehicles. Ford service personnel have stated -€œthat-€™s just how they are-€. I feel this is a very dangerous vehicle to operate and will no longer take my family in it.

- Leawood, KS, USA

problem #147

Jun 012021

F-150

  • miles
The transmission would not change gears as needed. Dropped it off at the dealer and they reset it. Problem persisted and then they changed the timing chain. Now the transmission is not switching gears correctly still. There is a fan on that was never on before. Dropping it back off tomorrow.

- Bristol, ME, USA

problem #146

May 242021

F-150

  • miles
Transmission. It is currently at a Ford dealer being disassembled. Might be available for inspection! When pulling out into traffic the transmission would go neutral when shifting which causes the truck to slow down in front of moving vehicles. Naturally I push the accelerator to make it go which revs the engine and then it slams into gear. On wet pavement this causes the drives wheels to spin out so you have to really pay attention not to slide sideways and lose control. It happens at all speeds! Yes it has been reproduced by the Ford dealer! It is currently at a Ford dealer being disassembled and then send the information to Ford so they can find out from Ford how to handle it. The truck is still barely under warrantee! There were not any warning lamps or messages before or after it started malfunctioning. It started malfunctioning this year, 2021, when it had around 40,000 miles.

- Graham, WA, USA

problem #145

Jul 052021

F-150

  • miles
The 10R80 10-speed automatic F-150 Sport XLT exhibits a loud bang (metal on metal sound) noise when starting engine, shifting into reverse or drive during cold or warm operation. Transmission will stall in between gears (particular 3, 7 and 10), lose of power, not accelerating or shifting while operating. Once power is regain, shifting become jerky (whiplash like) making vehicle propel harshly and operating unsafely on highways. I've made Dealer aware of mishaps in 2019 and several times in 2021. The vehicle did not present warning lamps in 2019, but presented warnings in 2021. Dealer has re-calibrated/reprogrammed the PCM or TCM module on each service and commented that problem didn't reoccur during diagnosis. July 5th 2021, I've requested for a test ride with mechanic, immediately in front of dealership on route 7 we noticed the grinding of gears, harsh jerky shifting and loss of acceleration in heavy traffic area, which put our life along with others who where on the highway that day in jeopardy. Mechanic requested to perform a thorough diagnosis for sharing with Ford Customer Care in two weeks (July 20, 2021). This has changed due to truck unable to shift gears properly on July 9th on route 29 (heavy traffic area during rush hour) problem worsen and vehicle was not able to sustain power in between gears. Vehicle is now with Ford Dealership in Warrenton Va, awaiting a thorough transmission diagnosis. My first report of hard shifting, my vehicle had less than 15K miles and was under the 30,000 miles mechanical warranty. Per the Koons Ford mechanic, Ford is aware of this problem but do not have a fix at this time. Per reports, FORD has been aware this problem since 2017, but didn't make their consumers aware nor fixed the issue. Overall this model is unsafe to operate and attention is needed before their are critical accidents on major highways. FORD has to take action, either buy back these models or fixed the problem.

- Warrenton, VA, USA

problem #144

Jun 292021

F-150

  • miles
4wheel drive actuators fail. When they fail it causes front wheels to jerk and and lock up temperary. We it happened I was pulling out in traffic. They have been replaced 3 times by 2 different Ford dealers. The warning signs is a grinding nose coming from front drive trail. I have researched this on internet and it is a common problem with newer F150s. As I stated this is the third time they have been replaced and the truck only has less than 21000 miles on it. The first time they failed 11/05/20 (14987 miles) second time 06/02/21 (19138 miles) third time 06/24/21 (20327 miles).

- Walker, WV, USA

problem #143

Jan 012021

F-150

  • miles
Transmission grinds on acceleration. Also, rumbling sound/feeling between approx. 4th and 7th gear. When shifting from park into reverse, vehicle lurches and loud bang. Have had the vehicle in the dealership 3 times, and all 3 times, they say they were unable to duplicate the sound. I guess if they can't hear it, it's not a problem. Definitely 100% without a doubt, this vehicle has a transmission problem

- Elizabeth City, NC, USA

problem #142

Mar 222021

F-150

  • 42,865 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after the vehicle was serviced at the dealer for a manufacturer's power train control module reprogramming, the vehicle would shudder when switching lane, accelerating, or decelerating. The check engine light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another dealer Bob Swope Ford, Inc. (1307 N Dixie Hwy, Elizabethtown, KY 42701) and an engine oil leakage was repaired. However, the failure recurred. The dealer Bob Swope Ford, Inc. informed the contact that there was no remedy but it was safe to drive the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,865.

- Vine Grove, KY, USA

problem #141

Mar 192021

F-150

  • miles
After the Ford 21b10 update the vehicle started having shifting issues. The transmission will hold higher gears at low speeds causing an engine or transmission shutter. Vehicle is sluggish and takes a lot of throttle input to down shift into correct gear. Vehicle ran perfectly fine before getting the update done.

- Chambersburg, PA, USA

problem #140

May 252021

F-150

  • miles
Transmission malfunction. Truck experiences major hard shifting, hesitation going to gears which causes lack of exceleration. Transmission was reprogrammed around $30k miles Dec 2020. On 5/20/21, I came to stop at 4 way intersection. I proceeded to go straight but truck was barely moving (less than 5 mph) and when looking at dash I could see gear indicator showing transmission still in 7th gear but truck would not excelerate as if it was in neutral. I proceeded to use my flashers and coasted to the side of the two lane road. The dealer reprogrammed the transmission a second time on 5/24/21. I picked the vehicle up from dealer on 5/25/21 and experience same failures and a see manual warning light flashed on the dash. This vehicle is currently at the dealer and I've been advised they are dropping transmission to see what is going on inside. This 10 speed transmission is a major safety issue when driving as the vehicle can become disabled at anytime

- Lafayette, IN, USA

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