2018 Ford F-150 Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 2,226 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2018 Ford F-150 overview page.
What owners report
“VEHICLE WILL SOME TIMES HESITATE DURING ACCELERATION AND TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP - ENGINE RPMS WILL RISE TO ABOUT 2000 AND THEN TRANSMISSION WILL ENGAGE WITH…”NHTSA complaint 11166063 — filed 01/09/2019
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD F-150. WHILE TOWING A TRAILER AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY AND SHOOK. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE…”NHTSA complaint 11164768 — filed 01/03/2019
“4WD IWE SYSTEM IS FAILING, CAUSING HUBS AND 4WD SYSTEM TO PARTIALLY ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING. A LOUD RATTLING AND GRINDING NOISE CAN BE HEARD WHILE…”NHTSA complaint 11163055 — filed 12/21/2018
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Ford F-150 have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2018 Ford F-150: 933 of 2,226 complaints on file (41.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2018 Ford F-150 have in total?
2,226 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 64 involved a crash, 33 involved a fire, 52 reported injuries, and 3 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
