Problems · by component

2018 Ford F-150 power train problems

763 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2018 Ford F-150 cite power train, 40% of all 1,929 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 4 recalls on this component.

Complaints
763
40% of all complaints
Crashes
11
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The transmission has been replaced once covered under Fords extended warranty at 90,700 miles by the previous owner in 2022. Today the transmission has 82,000 miles on it and requires to be replace again. This 10r80 Transmission has a known issue of in early models from 2017-2020. I was stopped at a stopped at a 3-way stop, and began to pull out into the intersection to make a right. Half way through the turn the truck would not go into 2nd gear and felt like as if it was in neutral and I lost power for about 6-8 seconds. During this period, another truck coming from the left, stopped at a stop sign as well, honked impatiently and then decided to go, driving in front of me. Just then my truck slipped into gear and lurched forward almost colliding with the other truck. On top of that there was a bystander waiting to cross the street, on the other side of the crossing truck, who would have sustained serious injuries if I could have not been able to stop by truck in time. Later when it would not slip into gear a wrench light came on and the transmission was stuck in 6th gear even at a stop. This light only went away once the tuck was turned off then on and the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2026Power trainODI 11774526
“3 separate things recently happened. First the cam phasers went out, $4600. Second, only months later, the transmission went out, $7100. Third, it is throwing a p0420 and p0421 codes and the catalytic converts need replaced, at least $2000. All of this under 100k miles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11774150
“I had a recall on my replacement transmission. Recall stated it may be missing a part. I had all the problems listed. It was replace 4 years ago. The dealer said i don't qualify for the recall. Their reason was i had more then 8k miles. That average is 2000 miles a year. My truck rolls back be shifting to neutral. Please help I”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2026Power trainODI 11773092
“Truck has inconsistent, erratic shifting. Transmission seems to get confused or lost for a second or two when accelerating from a stop which has been dangerous a few times due to almost being rear ended. Also has shifted from 10-1-9th gear at 60-70mph at least 10 times now leaving the 10th gear unavailable and a wrench on the dashboard. Sometimes it is violent enough slamming back into gear that if roads were icy, loss of control could result. We’re having a baby in December and I wont feel safe with the child in the truck. According to many online forums, YouTube videos and talking to mechanics this is a known issue and more or less a manufacturer defect in the cdf drum that Ford should recall but wont unless its considered a safety issue, which it should be.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026Power trainODI 11772732
“This vehicle is equipped with the 10 speed transmission that is know to have issues that Ford refuses to resolve. The shifting in my vehicle has become delayed and rough to the point that it is dangerous to drive. Ford says the only recourse is to have the transmission replaced or rebuilt which will cost several thousand dollars.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2026Power trainODI 11771747
“Hello, so while driving I am noticing a loud, hard thunk between gears. It is really noticeable when pulling our camper. When pulling our camper it is so loud and so hard I that if I have coffee in my cup holder, it would spill. We have contacted Ford about this and they are denying there is a transmission issue with their 10 speed transmissions. I feel there should be a recall on these transmissions because there are thousands of F150 owners having the same issue and replacing a transmission the way prices are for everything, who can afford to pay thousands of dollars for a new transmission and have it replaced.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Power trainODI 11769354

Showing 6 of 763 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

4 recalls on this component

Power train: control module (tcm

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 17V669. Quickly moving the shift lever from Park to Drive may cause a loss of gear indication on the instrument cluster display and a momentary selection of an unintended gear, such as Reverse or Neutral.

Power trainReported Jun 9, 2026NHTSA 26V375000

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.

Power trainReported Apr 4, 2018NHTSA 18V213000

Power train: gear position indication (prndl)

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-650 and F-750 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions and 2018 Ford F-150 and Expedition vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions (excluding Expedition vehicles with a Rotary Gear Shift Dial on the console). The gear shift cable clip may not be properly seated, allowing the transmission to be in a different gear than indicated by the gear shift lever position.

Power trainReported Apr 4, 2018NHTSA 18V214000

Power train: column shift

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.3L engine, a 6-speed transmission and a column mounted shift lever. Quickly moving the shift lever from Park to Drive may cause a loss of gear indication on the instrument cluster display and a momentary selection of an unintended gear, such as Reverse or Neutral before the vehicle achieves Drive function.

Power trainReported Oct 23, 2017NHTSA 17V669000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.