2018 Ford F-350 SD Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 6%of 205 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 4,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Ford F-350 SD, 6% of the 205 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The tailgate opens on its own. The latest incident, the tailgate opened on its own while traveling. Initially I thought I might have press the tailgate button but after securing the key to ensure nothing presses against the button found out that is that is not the case. Latest incident occurred on 29 jul 19 and cause damage to my travel trailer and the tailgate itself . I am currently use s bungee cord to secure the tailgate from opening.”
NHTSA complaint #11240562, filed 2019-07, 35,425 miles“You did a recall for the tailgate opening because of moisture in a sensor but you still have not done a recall for the tailgate opening due to the key fob. You say all the damage that can be caused should the tailgate opening while pulling a trailer. If you have the key fob in your pocket it can bump the tailgate open button twice (just while walking) and open the tailgate. This needs to be able to be disabled. The damage possibility is identical. Please get this corrected. Should it come open in my yard while I am working and comes down on my granddaughters head it could be deadly. …”
NHTSA complaint #11311209, filed 2020-02, 500 miles“This vehicle is equipped with a feature that shuts the engine and ignition off after 30 minutes of idle without driver interaction. These vehicles have up-fitter switches which can be tied to things like auxiliary warning lights. When the vehicle shuts down, the headlights/tail lights turn off as well as power to any auxiliary loads. I am a firefighter in north carolina. I have these switches attached to auxiliary sae-w warning lights. The other night, I was on the scene of a collision and after 30 minutes, my truck shut itself off in the middle of the road and went completely dark. …”
NHTSA complaint #11186789, filed 2019-03, 3,500 miles“The tailgate releases (opens or drops) unexpectantly when the parking brake is released. This seems to be an intermittent problem when the vehicle is stopped. It has occurred with the vehicle transmission in park, reverse, or drive and the parking brake release lever is actuated. This has been for the last 18 months.”
NHTSA complaint #11152884, filed 2018-11, 1,500 miles“Tailgate still randomly opens after Ford issued recall to correct. Seems to occur primarily when truck is parked on hill with ebrake set. When releasing emergency brake on a hill, the release is quite violent in terms of the truck vibrating/shuddering. It appears the proximity of the remote open tailgate switch and the vibration with the ebrake handle release, may be activating the remote switch. Truck has already had the Ford issued tailgate opening recall applied which has not corrected the issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11415389, filed 2021-05, 25,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V278000Apr 8, 2019Ford 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…Covers: Ford F-350 SD 2017–2019, F-150 2015–2019, F-250 SD 2017–2019 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11031792Apr 29, 2026Harvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest Program
- 11031781Apr 20, 2026Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
- 11029052Feb 24, 2026Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing…
- 11025837Nov 26, 2025This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns…
- 11026013Nov 19, 2025This is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to inspect a limited number of affected vehicles that are customer-owned. Ford is voluntarily conducting this…
- 10248992Jan 9, 2024Some 2017-2019 F-Super Duty pick-up vehicles may require the additional KC3Z-14A411-C kit if there is a service need to replace the 14405 main body harness or 14A412 tailgate…
- 10243652Sep 27, 2023Some 2015-2019 F-Super Duty and 2015-2020 F-150/Mustang vehicles may require replacement of the powertrain control module (PCM) for various reasons. While performing a…
- 10241627Aug 2, 2023In various 2017-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or LincolnWay App stating Feature Unavailable. Since this is a fleet vehicle, it…
- 10236685May 23, 2023Some 2018-2021 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.0L diesel engine, 2016-2022 F-650/F-750 vehicles equipped with a 6.7L engine, and 2017-2022 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a…
- 10226945Nov 22, 2022Certain 2017-2022 Model Year Super Duty Vehicles Equipped with a Power Release Tailgate - Unintended Tailgate Opening REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT Technical Information: Updated…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 50% |
| 2025 | 4 | 29% |
| 2024 | 17 | 38% |
| 2023 | 13 | 32% |
| 2022 | 30 | 27% |
| 2021 | 13 | 13% |
| 2020 | 11 | 6% |
| 2019 | 16 | 3% |
| 2018 | 12 | 6% |
| 2017 | 30 | 5% |
| 2016 | 10 | 5% |
| 2015 | 16 | 8% |
| 2013 | 1 | 11% |
| 2012 | 2 | 7% |
| 2011 | 2 | 5% |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 5 | 5% |
| 2007 | 1 | 4% |
| 2006 | 9 | 7% |
| 2005 | 28 | 13% |
| 2004 | 29 | 22% |
| 2003 | 15 | 11% |
| 2002 | 16 | 13% |
| 2001 | 20 | 13% |
| 2000 | 15 | 10% |
| 1999 | 10 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2018 Ford F-350 SD
102 complaintsSuspension
78 complaintsWheels
25 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
10 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsTires
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Ford F-350 SD
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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