Problems · by component
2018 Ford F-150 air bags problems
34 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2018 Ford F-150 cite air bags, 2% of all 1,929 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
34
2% of all complaints
Crashes
23
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
21
Reported by owners
What owners say about the air bags
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the steering wheel cover covering the driver’s side air bag was cracked. The dealer was contacted and stated that a special engineer was needed for the repair because the crack was located on air bag housing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.”
“The contact owned a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the contact's son was driving at 20 MPH, the contact's son noticed an unusual sound. The steering wheel did not turn in the intended direction. No warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the steering wheel was detached and loose. The vehicle crashed into a nearby tree. The contact's son did not sustain any injuries. In addition, the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to the insurance company for inspection. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss by the insurance company. A police report was filed; however, the information was unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was advised that the vehicle needed to be inspected by the investigator. The failure mileage was unknown.”
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 45 MPH, he attempted to avoid a slowdown on the highway. While attempting to avoid the slowdown, the contact's husband crashed into a parked vehicle on the highway. The air bags did not deploy upon collision. Due to the failure, the contact's husband injured his sternum and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. The contact was treated for a broken sternum. A police report was filed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was initially towed to an independent mechanic before the contact had the vehicle towed to a local Ford dealer where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 137,447.”
“On February 16, 2024, The vehicle (F150 XLT Super Crew) that was being driven was going approximately 40 miles ph when an other vehicle came out of a side street who had a traffic stop sign. There were two school buses blocking their view and my view of anyone coming out of the development. My vehicle hit head-on the other vehicle and I blacked out. No Airbag Driver side deployed, but the seat-belt tension-er fully pulled on me. I awoke with alarms going off and smoke in the cab and in the engine. Fire Department cut all wiring. I was taken out of the vehicle by Paramedics and taken to the hospital with fractured sternum and bruises. Police were on the seen and did a report with the other driver at fault. Insurance company proceeded to have the vehicle towed and inspected and totaled the vehicle. Did not have vehicle inspected by independent company that I know of. Police report stated no air bag deployment. Hospital report showed no air bag deployment. Issues a year earlier with engine replacement by dealership under manufacturer warranty due to engine failure. No other known issues appeared for the failure.”
“The contact owned a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, an oncoming driver veered into his lane. The contact stated that he swerved to the left to avoid a head-on collision with the other driver. The vehicle drove off the road into the woods. The contact stated that all the airbags but the front driver's airbag deployed. The contact stated that he was able to exit the vehicle through to front passenger's side door. Police officers assisted the contact out of the wooded area. The contact sustained a laceration between the right eye and the ear, and a laceration on the chin. Additionally, the contact sustained severe pain on the left hip and ankle. The contact did not receive medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was in the process of being totaled. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”
“On the morning of September 14, 2023 I was involved in a front end collision. I am concerned there was no airbag deployment. I was traveling 40mph 1 sec prior and slammed on brakes before impacting another vehicle. Vehicle total loss. Vehicle started flashing hazards and displayed a message on the dashscreen- I believe it had the word "safety" in the message. I was the sole occupant. I am 2nd owner of truck, which had clean vehicle history and no prior collisions. I have dashcam footage from my vehicle; person in vehicle behind me also provided dashcam footage. This is too large to upload but can be provided on request.”
Showing 6 of 34 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.