2018 Ford F-250 SD Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 4%of 400 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,300miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Ford F-250 SD, 4% of the 400 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,300 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Truck is a 2018 Ford f250 and is leaking oil at 28,000 miles from the upper oil pan faulty robotic seal. This has coated my trucks underside in oil and has been slowly leaking for some time now as I just noticed yesterday after experiencing the death wobble in this truck.”
NHTSA complaint #11242043, filed 2019-08, 27,890 miles“I was driving down I-69 running abround 75mph. All of the sudden, the truck started to violently shake as if both rear tires blew out. I gently pressed on the brakes to not exaserbate the issue. It was everything I could do to keep the truck on the road. Scariest moment of my life for sure. Looking in the rearview, I saw smoke coming from the tires and thought either my brakes locked up, bearing went bad in one of wheels or blown tires. As I slowed to 25 MPH, the shaking stopped and I noticed that the engine was revving super high. …”
NHTSA complaint #11342983, filed 2020-08, 38,012 miles“If you go over 60 MPH and hit a bump or sometimes don't even have to hit a bump the whole truck and steering wheel wobbles out of control. Obviously they know about it as there is a nick name the death wobble for it. I took my truck in and now they want me to pay close to $800 to repair it when it is clearly a manufacturing defect that Ford has known about and has tried to conceal. There is a class action lawsuit started in california. Ford should be made to recall there f250 and f350's to do the repairs at no cost to the customer. We paid a lot of money for this vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11279617, filed 2019-11, 6,520 miles“Multiple episodes of severe front end shaking and instability that occurs at highway speeds when driving over minimal bumps or other road imperfections. Recently this caused a loss of control when it occurred on a freeway not known to have ice spots at 50 MPH. The only way I have been able to disrupt this is to quickly reduce speed to below 40 MPH which is also dangerous on the freeway.”
NHTSA complaint #11301003, filed 2020-01, 35,000 miles“Metal type engine noise ,scraping ,tapping could hear louder once warmed up and at idle. Sound present form driver and passenger wheel well area.metal found in oil sample and Ford determined it was a main bearing failure. Could hear when stationary but less noticeable when accelerating . 6.2l gas engine”
NHTSA complaint #11184536, filed 2019-03, 1,500 milesRelated recalls
- 22V880000Nov 29, 2022Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 4x4 vehicles. A radial damper inside the driveshaft may move out…Covers: Ford F-250 SD 2017–2018, F-350 SD 2017–2018, F-450 SD 2017–2018
Related service bulletins
- 10251934Mar 1, 2024During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical…
- 10241626Aug 10, 2023Various 2013-2019 vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P264F after powertrain control module (PCM) replacement…
- 10241547Aug 8, 2023Various 2013-2019 vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P264F after powertrain control module (PCM) replacement…
- 10237789Jun 8, 20232011-2023 F-Super Duty and 2016-2024 F-650/F-750 vehicles equipped with a 6.7L engine may exhibit an elevated idle condition. During prolonged idle time, vehicles may experience…
- 10237442May 3, 2023Certain 2017-2019 MY F250/F350 and all F450/550 vehicles Steering Linage Damper replacement. Reason for this supplement: Updated program terms, includes new mobile service repair…
- 10222191Sep 20, 2022Some 2015-2019 F-Super Duty vehicles may experience a transmission fluid leak from a cracked transmission case or transmission fluid pan. This may be due to a driveline vibration…
- 10216955Jul 27, 2022Some 2017-2019 F-Super Duty/F-650/F-750 vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P24D1 stored in the powertrain…
- 10209384Mar 24, 20222011-2022 F-Super Duty and 2016-2023 F-650/F-750 vehicles equipped with a 6.7L engine may exhibit an elevated idle condition. During prolonged idle time, vehicles may experience…
- 10208829Mar 1, 2022Some 2018-2020 F-150, 2017-2022 F-Super Duty and 2016-2022 F-650/F-750 vehicles equipped with a diesel engine may exhibit diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0000 stored in the…
- 10207140Jan 31, 2022Some 2017-2022 F-Super-Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine may exhibit a hard start, lack of power and/or runs rough concern with an illuminated malfunction…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 11% |
| 2024 | 7 | 18% |
| 2023 | 7 | 16% |
| 2022 | 22 | 17% |
| 2021 | 25 | 15% |
| 2020 | 77 | 29% |
| 2019 | 46 | 4% |
| 2018 | 16 | 4% |
| 2017 | 25 | 2% |
| 2016 | 14 | 5% |
| 2015 | 19 | 6% |
| 2014 | 2 | 8% |
| 2013 | 2 | 10% |
| 2012 | 3 | 5% |
| 2011 | 10 | 8% |
| 2010 | 3 | 9% |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% |
| 2007 | 3 | 6% |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 16 | 5% |
| 2004 | 21 | 8% |
| 2003 | 20 | 11% |
| 2002 | 12 | 5% |
| 2001 | 45 | 16% |
| 2000 | 21 | 9% |
| 1999 | 23 | 9% |
| 1997 | 8 | 21% |
| 1995 | 1 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2018 Ford F-250 SD
253 complaintsSuspension
199 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsWheels
29 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsBody and structure
16 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Ford F-250 SD
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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