Skip to content
Engine coolingPart report

2018 Ford F-150 Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
88about this part
Share
4%of 2,325 total for the year
Median mileage
71,662miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 88 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2018 Ford F-150, 4% of the 2,325 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,662 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the cam phaser had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11616195, filed 2024-09, 100,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while having routine maintenance at the local dealer, it was determined that the plastic oil pan drain plug was leaking around the gasket. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11614153, filed 2024-09, 57,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11672826, filed 2025-07, 119,314 miles

“The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon startup, there was a loud knocking sound coming from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the cam phasers were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 35,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11670313, filed 2025-06, 35,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was excessive white smoke coming from the exhaust. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11602701, filed 2024-07, 153,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202511%
202442%
202310%
202231%
2021192%
2020111%
2019625%
2018884%
2017705%
2016301%
2015251%
2014101%
2013201%
2012171%
2011332%
2010314%
2009103%
2008226%
2007418%
20067713%
200511110%
20041678%
20036916%
200219624%
200123419%
200013513%
199921921%
199817413%
199752919%
1996237%
19957111%
1994528%
1993529%
1992378%
1991176%
1990218%
1989136%
1988118%
1987910%
1986915%
1985414%
1984213%
1983330%

Other parts of the 2018 Ford F-150

Transmission and drivetrain
1,017 complaints
Engine
510 complaints
Other or unknown
237 complaints
Body and structure
193 complaints
Electrical system
172 complaints
Brakes
92 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
84 complaints
Steering
83 complaints
Vehicle speed control
73 complaints
Fuel system
64 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
57 complaints
Wheels
43 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Ford F-150

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology