Is the 2018 Ford F-250 reliable?

The 2018 Ford F-250 has 616 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Ford F-250?

Top problems: STEERING (243 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (193 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (45 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Ford F-250?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): ENGINE. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Ford F-250?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Ford F-250 is approximately $1,607/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Ford F-250

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2018 Ford F-250 has 616 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.6x the segment average of 384. The most common issue is steering problems (39% of all complaints), specifically: was going around 80 mph on the interstate this morning and came upon a bridge approach and when i hit the bridge approach i got the 'death wobble'. this happened as i was passing someone the only thing i could do is squeeze tight and slow down to pull over. the wobble would not stop until i was com. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 9 fire reports filed.

9 fire reports 8 crash reports 3 injuries

616

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

243 complaints

39%

• WAS GOING AROUND 80 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE THIS MORNING AND CAME UPON A BRIDGE APPROACH AND WHEN I HIT THE BRIDGE APPROACH I GOT THE 'DEATH WOBBLE'. THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS PASSING SOMEONE THE ONLY THING I COULD DO IS SQUEEZE TIGHT AND SLOW DOWN TO PULL OVER. THE WOBBLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I WAS COM
• HIT BUMP ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING OUT OF CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 5 TIMES NOW. FORD WOULD ONLY REPLACE STEERING DAMPENER. IT DID IT AGAIN AFTER BEING IN SHOP FOR 3 DAYS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN ONLY STOP THE SHAKING BY SLOWING TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AS IT
• I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-10 GOING EAST ON I-10 AND CROSSED THE BRIDGE AT THE ALABAMA/FLORIDA LINE. I WAS CHANGING LANES WHILE GOING ACROSS THE BRIDGE AND HIT A BUMP. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ALSO VIOLENTLY SHAKING. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“WAS GOING AROUND 80 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE THIS MORNING AND CAME UPON A BRIDGE APPROACH AND WHEN I HIT THE BRIDGE APPROACH I GOT THE 'DEATH WOBBLE'. THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS PASSING SOMEONE THE ONLY THING I COULD DO IS SQUEEZE TIGHT AND SLOW DOWN TO PULL OVER. THE WOBBLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I WAS COM”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Ford F-250

Based on 456 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 28K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

250

30-60K

167

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 29K mi · 193 reports

0-30K

104

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 27K mi · 151 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 31K mi · 26 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

WHEELS

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 24 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 19K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 24K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

ENGINE18/12/2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.

Risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Ford F-250

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,607

Full coverage / month

$134

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1607

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford F-250 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2018 F-250, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 616 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: WAS GOING AROUND 80 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE THIS MORNING AND CAME UPON A BRIDGE APPROACH AND WHEN I HIT THE BRIDGE APPROACH I GOT THE 'DEATH WOBBLE'. THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS PASSING SOMEONE THE ONLY THING I COULD DO IS SQUEEZE TIGHT AND SLOW DOWN TO PULL OVER. THE WOBBLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I WAS COM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: WAS GOING AROUND 80 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE THIS MORNING AND CAME UPON A BRIDGE APPROACH AND WHEN I HIT THE BRIDGE APPROACH I GOT THE 'DEATH WOBBLE'. THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS PASSING SOMEONE THE ONLY THING I COULD DO IS SQUEEZE TIGHT AND SLOW DOWN TO PULL OVER. THE WOBBLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I WAS COM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD F-250. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN PARK, IT MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND ROLLED BACKWARDS OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER A DITCH, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD AND CRASH INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
WHEELS: HIT BUMP ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING OUT OF CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 5 TIMES NOW. FORD WOULD ONLY REPLACE STEERING DAMPENER. IT DID IT AGAIN AFTER BEING IN SHOP FOR 3 DAYS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN ONLY STOP THE SHAKING BY SLOWING TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AS IT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)