general problems of the 2018 Ford F-150 - part 1

There is a know design defect in the cam phaser on the 3. 5l eb motors. Ford knows this exists. They have since redesigned the phasor system to correct this defect. This isn't wear, or use related. It is completely a byproduct of a defective design. The issue is that the repair costs over $7,000, none of which Ford will cover. It is a known design problem. It is not due to wear, or accident, it is simply an engineering problem. Ford should be required to at least partially compensate owners for this known problem. My motor has less than 50,000 miles on it, and I just spent $7400 getting it repaired. That's about half the cost of a crate motor. It is simply not right for Ford to sell a motor with defective compmonents, and expect the owners to pay for their design problems.

Ford issued a service bulletin for a computer adjustment for a known cam phaser issue on the 3. 5 eco boost engine while under warranty. This didn’t fix the problem. Now the cam phasers need to be replaced at a cost of thousands of dollars and Ford refuses to do anything to assist even though this was initially reported and taken to the dealer while under warranty. The internet is full of people with this same issue. The vehicle is at the dealer for repairs and they have confirmed this is the problem. Without the repair the engine will fail.

Auto start stop. This has happened on several occasions where I will be traveling at highway speeds and my 2018 F-150 10 speed 10r80 transmisson with a 5. 0-liter motor has died while traveling. I have talked to Ford engineering reps, and they say they have never heard of this. I have done research into the subject and there have been hundreds of reports of the same issue. I have an appointment scheduled for Ford to look into the issue.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate as intended while the accelerator pedal was depressed. In addition, the vehicle jerked abnormally and unintendedly upshifted. The “service transmission” warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with an internal transmission failure and a fractured valve cover. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,700.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. After the engine had reached normal operating temperatures, the rattling ceased, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the cam phasers. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to customer satisfaction program: 21n03. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 70,000.

The cam phase shifters and timing chain have failed with only 83k miles resulting in a $7,500 repair. This is unacceptable. I would completely understand if it had 250k miles but this is a baby as far as mileage. Looking at F-150 forums this appears to be a common problem and Ford has actually changed the design of the cam phase shifters so they know they are defective. Request you loook into this issue please.

My cam phasers are failing for the third time. I purchased this vehicle used last year at 89,000 miles and now I have 101,000 miles on it. Before I got to 100,000 miles I started hearing a rattle on start up and didn’t know what it was. After researching it by the time, I figured it out I had over 100,000 miles and Ford says they will not do anything about it, although it is a known issue and they had a customer satisfaction program to address it. They should’ve had a recall because it is a severe product defect that if left unaddressed will ruin your engine. It appears from Ford’s records that my vehicle had its cam phasers replaced twice in 2021. And they did a redesign of the part, but they didn’t put the redesign part on my vehicle and it is now failing again. The repair cost at a minimum of $3500. If I don’t fix it, all the mechanics say it will affect my timing and eventually my engine will be destroyed. Yep Ford tries to say it is only a noise issue and they didn’t issue a recall. If you look on any Ford f150 form, this is a well-known well documented issue and probably should be a class action lawsuit at this point.

I own a 2018 Ford F-150 with the 3. 5l ecoboost. It started having idling issues that eventually required the cam phasers to be replaced. While that was frustrating and costly enough, the bigger issue came with the 10r80 transmission. Despite performing all services on schedule and maintaining the truck properly, the transmission failed. After doing research, I found that this isn’t an isolated incident. On Ford forums and owner groups, it’s clear that the 10r80 transmission has been a widespread, ongoing issue for years. Thousands of Ford owners have been forced to spend thousands of dollars to repair or replace these transmissions—something that Ford should have addressed long ago with a proper fix or recall. It’s disappointing that a company with Ford’s reputation hasn’t taken accountability for a known defect that affects so many loyal customers. Something should be done to make this right for owners who trusted Ford to deliver a reliable truck.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the oil pan was leaking oil. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact replaced the oil drain plug but continued to see oil leaking from the oil pan. The contact researched online and determined that there was a design flaw in the oil pan, which was a two-piece oil pan design. The contact related the failure to an undisclosed technical service bulletin, which addressed the failure with the two-piece oil pan by replacing it with a one-piece oil pan that was made of metal. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the oil pan needed to be replaced with a single-piece oil pan. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.

Cam phaser failure. Has been a customer satisfaction program through Ford which I participated in but was not deemed to have the issue as described. The dealer has now inspected and confirmed it is the cam phaser and the program has expired.

The vehicle is consuming oil at a 1 quart per 1100 mile rate. I have had it tested at a Ford dealer. There is technical service bulletin (TSB) 19-2365 for the year, make and model but Ford isnt offering a repair. The repair is approximately $14,000. 00 that should not be the consumers responsibility. Please help get a recall issued.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. Neither a dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and transferred the contact to nthe htsa hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

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.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. While the contact's husband was attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with cam phasers failure. The contact was informed that the cam phasers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an unknown customer support program; however, the program had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 75 mph, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into first gear. The contact stated that the gears were jumping. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 45 mph. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the wrench symbol was displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 139,600.

The contact's son owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that her son was adding engine oil to the engine between every scheduled oil change. The contact stated that on the last scheduled oil change, the technician stated that the engine had consumed 3 quarts of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer was contacted and was referred to the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

2018 Ford f150 XLT twin turbo 4wd. Since the day I bought it. Nothing but problems with lurching jerking at stops. Clunking when truck is on and off. We have video of it. Pushing gas pedal and truck hesitates before it jumps forward always the transmission been to every Ford dealer in our area they refuse to help or say they dont hear the knocking or feel lurching all lies we have had at least 3 close calls avoiding accidents and 2 days ago the truck would not stop the transmission skipped and I hit a deer. My bull bar absorbed most of the impact. The 10 speed transmission is the issue and no one wants to hear it but Ford wants $10,000 for a new transmission after I paid $48000 for this truck and it’s been in the shop half the time.

At 65k miles I have started to experience the dreaded 3. 5l cam phaser rattle that Ford initially had a customer satisfaction program on. Ford only repaired vehicles that were making a noise at the time of the program so they wouldn’t change my phasers even though they knew they had issues. I just got off the phone with Ford customer support and even though I’m within the milage of the initial free replacement they won’t offer any assistance on the $8k repair.

While driving to sam’s club (approximately 20 miles from home), my 2018 Ford F-150 3. 5l ecoboost began running very rough, and the check engine light came on. I had the vehicle scanned, and diagnostics confirmed that the cam phasers are failing — the exact issue I had replaced under warranty at approximately 59,000 miles. The vehicle now has just 88,000 miles, and this failure occurred in under 30,000 miles since the original repair. I have maintained this truck with extreme care. I only use motorcraft parts and fluids, change the oil every 3,000 miles or sooner, and always use premium fuel. This is not a maintenance issue. This is a design or part failure that Ford has not properly resolved. When the phasers were replaced the first time, I was told there was no warranty on the replacement parts. That is unacceptable. A known failure being replaced with an equally defective part is not a resolution. Ford is aware of this issue — there are multiple tsbs (including TSB 21-2130 and 19-2208) and widespread complaints across owner forums — but they have taken no responsibility. I paid over $44,000 for this truck and should not be facing the same critical engine failure twice before 90k miles. The rough performance and sudden malfunction while driving posed a potential safety risk. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA can investigate and hold Ford accountable. This seems like a common problem with this engine, and I do not understand why there has not been a recall or why Ford has not been forced to implement a permanent fix.

Despite following Ford’s instructions step-by-step and investing hours into multiple calls with the customer service division, we were given the runaround and ultimately denied assistance, even though: •this is a known defect with the cam phaser, csp issued for our vehicle. •we attempted to have the repair performed within the csp period but were delayed due to pandemic-related part shortages and poor dealership follow-up. •our warranty expired less than 30 days before diagnosis. Our documented timeline: •July 25, 2022 – brought truck to courtesy Ford for pcm reprogram under 21n03; told parts were backordered due to pandemic. After a week, we had to reclaim the truck for work needs. Service was poor, with no follow-up. •November 2022 – returned truck; again no resolution or follow-up. •January 1, 2023 – Ford extended csp under 21b10; still no symptoms at this time. •may 28, 2025 – private shop diagnosed cam phaser failure; quoted ~$5,000. •August 2025 – chose canby Ford for better service; diagnosis confirmed repair needed at $5,225. 18. The three calls to Ford customer service: 1. Call 1 – opened initial case, told to bring truck for cold start diagnosis. 2. Call 2 – after delivering truck, spent an hour on hold and “updating” records; told csp couldn’t be located and to call back after diagnosis. 3. Call 3 – after diagnosis, finally told we were ineligible because warranty expired less than 30 days prior; agent and supervisor claimed they could not override the system. At no point during the first two calls did anyone verify our eligibility or warn that warranty expiration would block assistance — meaning we invested significant time, followed Ford’s instructions, and left our truck on a service lot, only to be told we never qualified in the first place. This is an unacceptable breakdown in process and communication.

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.

Vehicle has had regular maintenance. It started rattling at startup and we took in for service. The service department said the 5. 0l Ford motors are pulling more oil than the manufacturer recommends and is causing engine damage up to and including engine failure. Thankfully we took it in as soon as it started making a noise, but that did not save the engine. Now we are facing a $16k repair for an apparent "known" issue about this Ford motor. Ford will not help and said to take it up with NHTSA to try to get a recall for this issue. This seems like a manufacturer defect, but they are not taking any responsibility for this problem.

Even with the update to add more oil pressure the camshaft phasers still failed. Happened up in the mountains on vacation. Very large rattle and jerking when first starting the engine. 71,000 miles. All maintenance has been done on time. No warning signs or build up. Ticking time bomb if continued to be driven.

At a little over 56,500 files, the engine started having a load rattling noise during a cold start where the engine has been sitting for a few hours. I dig some google searches and found that the noise was related to the cam phaser issue associated with Ford's 3. 5l ecoboost engines so I took it to jim vreeland Ford in buellton, CA to get an official diagnosis on July 1, 2025 that costed me $196. The dealer confirmed that the noise is caused by the cam phaser issued that was noted in Ford customer satisfaction program 21n03, which I never received a notification for. Ford apparently issued TSB 23-2143 to address the issue, and I was quoted $3158. 07 to address the issue along with $2026. 71 for unrelated but recommended components that should be replaced at the same time. I was told that this can lead to catastrophic engine failure if not addressed. Ford is refusing to cover any of the cost.

I purchase a 2018 Ford f150 on [xxx]. One week later I am experiencing truck not wanting to shift out of first gear. The shifting is hard and jerking. It jerk so hard that if my son and I didn’t have our seat belt on we would have hit the dash. It periodically will shift from the 9 gear to 1 then back to 4th & 5th gear. It’s I almost got slammed by the car behind me. It is scary I took it to a shop and a total transmission replacement needs to be done I reach out the dealership that told me before I purchased it, all used vehicles go through a thorough inspection. I trusted the dealership and purchased the truck. Under further investigation I contacted where the truck was serviced last and they did an oil consumption test because it is burning a lot of oil. The dealership refuses to help. The transmission is definitely a safety hazard I haven’t even had it a month and I can barely drive it. It my only means of transportation. I have reoccurring monthly doctors appt for my son. It is completely unsafe and can cause a deadly accident for my self and to other around me. Thank you for your time. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact while parked and attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the valves inside the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a cam shaft rattle. The contact was informed that the cam shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,800.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an unstated recall; however, the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, the vehicle shuddered and there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the residence and a dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving uphill with the cruise control activated, the transmission downshifted into first gear and the contact depressed the brake pedal, and the transmission shifted back into tenth gear. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact was informed that the engine oil level was low. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not decided whether to pay for the repair. The manufacturer was notified on the failure and informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The contact was referred by the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

Complete engine assembly (including internal bearings), twin turbochargers, and water pump. - failure mode: while driving at highway speeds, the engine warning lamp illuminated “low engine oil level,” followed by an audible ticking noise from the front of the truck. Upon shutting the engine off and attempting restart, the engine locked up and would not turn over. - availability: the failed engine and associated components remain intact on the vehicle and are available for inspection at my local Ford dealership or by any third-party expert. For safety, loss of power steering and braking assist occurred instantly when the engine warning lamp came on, greatly increasing the risk of a high-speed collision. - the engine seized without warning, stranding me on a busy interstate shoulder and creating a serious hazard to passing motorists and my personal safety. - on June 3rd, Ford?authorized service technicians at bird kultgen Ford in waco texas, confirmed complete engine failure, twin?turbo damage, and a failed water pump. - a written estimate for repairs was provided which the amount was in excess of 20,000$ for a new engine, new turbochargers, and water pump. - completed on June 3rd, with diagnostic report and repair estimate on file. - manufacturer response: I sent a certified letter to Ford corporate on June 23, no acknowledgment or reply has been received in over 14 business days. - no police, insurance adjuster, or other third parties have yet performed an independent inspection, pending Ford’s response. - initial warning: “low engine oil level” dashboard message appeared at approximately 65 mph on the interstate. - audible symptoms: a distinct ticking noise under the hood began immediately after the warning lamp. - no prior oil leaks or dashboard indicators had appeared before this highway incident.

Cam phaser rattling sounds starting the engine.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated when he starts the vehicle from a cold start the vehicle was shaking an shuddering strongly. The contact stated that after 10 seconds the vehicle would idle smoothly. The contact stated no warning was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam phasers needed to be replaced. The dealer advised that there was a manufacturer recall but the contact was no longer covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA safety hot line. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

We were driving on the highway when the truck starting jerking/shuttering and losing power. The wrench light came on, we put on the hazard lights and limped off the nearest exit.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the contact noticed a rattling sound coming from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with cam phaser failure. The contact was informed that the cam phaser and the cam shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact referenced customer satisfaction programs: 21n03 and 21b10; however, the contact was informed that both programs had expired. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,550.