10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,039 miles

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problem #446

Aug 192025

F-150

  • miles
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.

- Seneca, MO, USA

problem #445

Jul 212025

F-150

  • 93,000 miles
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.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #444

Mar 152023

F-150

  • 67,751 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing rough and delayed starts, and the vehicle made an abnormally loud rattling sound on cold starts. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and downshifted unintendedly while the RPM increased, and the vehicle failed to exceed 50 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the cam phasers and the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair could not be covered because the VIN was not included in Ford Campaign Number: 21N03. The failure mileage was approximately 67,751.

- Madison, OH, USA

problem #443

Jun 122025

F-150

  • 99,800 miles
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.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #442

May 272025

F-150

  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated whenever the vehicle was cold started, the vehicle was shaking and shuddering abnormally. The contact stated that after 10-seconds, the vehicle started to idle smoothly. There was no warning 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 informed the contact that there was a manufacturer recall but the vehicle 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 Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

- Ferndale, WA, USA

problem #441

Jul 012025

F-150

  • miles
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.

- Tecumseh, OK, USA

problem #440

May 302025

F-150

  • miles
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.

- Jersey Village, TX, USA

problem #439

Jul 042025

F-150

  • miles
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.

- Au Gres, MI, USA

problem #438

Jul 262025

F-150

  • miles
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.

- Brunswick, GA, USA

problem #437

Jul 222025

F-150

  • miles
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 that should not be the consumers responsibility. Please help get a recall issued.

- Flat Rock, MI, USA

problem #436

Nov 202024

F-150

  • miles
In November of 2024, my truck was shaking, accelerating erratically, and felt like the transmission was slipping. The check engine light came on as well. I took it to the shop and after diagnosing that it was a misfire issue in cylinder 6, they replaced spark plugs, fuel injectors, and tried to switch out new coils. They found gasoline inside cylinder 6, and upon doing a compression test, it was well below 100%. The truck continued to have misfires in cylinder 6, ultimately leading to 0% compression in that cylinder after taking it back to the same authorship to diagnose. After researching online forums and technical bulletins, it-??s clear this issue is not uncommon among 2.7L EcoBoost engines from this model year, suggesting a manufacturer defect. The cost to replace the engine (as now recommended) has been estimated at nearly $10,000. With the history of regular oil and maintenance by the previous owner and myself, I feel this is a manufacturing defect that could potentially cause harm to the driver and passengers.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #435

May 182025

F-150

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. In addition, the contact stated that the engine was running abnormally rough. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a blown head gasket and engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was due to an abnormal oil consumption. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

- Greeley, CO, USA

problem #434

Jul 112025

F-150

  • miles
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.

- Derry, PA, USA

problem #433

Jul 142025

F-150

  • 139,600 miles
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.

- Ferndale, WA, USA

problem #432

Apr 142025

F-150

  • miles
Ford had two recalls on 2018 F-150. My vehicle had both issues and was not part of the recall. They had a cam phaser recall that caused timing chain failure if not addressed and excessive oil consumption recall. My vehicle was regular serviced at Ford and it had a rattling noise which indicated possibly timing chain issue but Ford never mentioned any issues at time of service or any warning lights. The timing chain failed and caused damage tonthe engine. The engine has to be rebuilt or replaced for 10k-12k in cost.

- Conyers, GA, USA

problem #431

Jun 292025

F-150

  • miles
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

- Eagle Mountain, UT, USA

problem #430

Jun 242025

F-150

  • miles
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)

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #429

Sep 082021

F-150

  • 28,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact noticed an abnormal rattling sound and the engine ran abnormally rough. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed cam phaser. The contact was informed that the cam phaser needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, in September 2021, the cam phaser was replaced under an unknown special coverage program. The failure mileage at the time was approximately 28,000. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under an unknown special program or recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The current failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

- Kuna, ID, USA

problem #428

Jul 082025

F-150

  • miles
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.

- Newark , DE, USA

problem #427

Jun 252025

F-150

  • miles
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.

- Lompoc, CA, USA

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