Problems · by component

2018 Ford F-150 engine and engine cooling problems

84 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2018 Ford F-150 cite engine and engine cooling, 4% of all 1,929 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
84
4% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine and engine cooling

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle lost motive power, and the brakes became inoperable. The drivetrain and wrench symbol were displayed. The ABS warning light was illuminated and DTC: U100 (Failure of Communication for Engine and Transmission) was displayed. The codes were cleared after restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a communication error with the engine and transmission computer. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The transmission upshifted from first gear to seventh. After a while, the vehicle resumed normal operations, but then the vehicle drove abnormally. The RPM increased to high, and the temperature gauge was at HOT. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed with complete transmission failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,513.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2026Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 11758290
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact pulled into a parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed due to rod bearing failure. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2025Engine and engine coolingODI 11677184
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that over time the knocking sound became more frequent, and the vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with defective cam phasers, and an estimate was provided for the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 25, 2025Engine and engine coolingODI 11676138
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil consume oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 25, 2025Engine and engine coolingODI 11676259
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while receiving an oil change at a dealer, the mechanic located an oil leak in the oil pan and informed the contact that the oil pan and silicone sealant needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,314.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 11, 2025Engine and engine coolingODI 11672826
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound on cold starts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the cam phasers and connecting belts might need to be replaced. The vehicle was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 21N03 (Cam phaser replacement). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 71,662.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2025Engine and engine coolingODI 11670236

Showing 6 of 84 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.