2018 Ford F-150 Problems

When the headlight switch is moved from Autolamps to Headlamps On, the daytime running lights may stay at full brightness instead of dimming to parking lights as required by federal lighting rules. Bright lights that don't dim can make the car harder for other drivers to judge, raising the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will reprogram the body control module software free of charge.

Quickly moving the shift lever from Park to Drive can make the gear display drop out and briefly select an unintended gear, such as Reverse or Neutral. The vehicle can then move in an unexpected direction, raising the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: The dealer will update the powertrain control module software at no charge.

The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster. A brake fluid leak can cause reduced brake function and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced.

The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge.

5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster. A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced.

The tailgate latches may release unexpectedly during driving, so the tailgate can open on its own. Cargo can then fall out onto the road and become a hazard that raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: A dealer will replace the left-hand and right-hand tailgate latches at no cost to you.

Some ball joints were installed with a misaligned dust boot and are missing an alignment hole and warning tag, so the joint may be improperly aligned. This can cause the ball joint stud to break, which can compromise front wheel control and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will inspect the ball joint and replace it if needed, free of charge.

Some tires may have been cured (baked) too long during manufacturing, which can cause a sidewall break or belt separation. This can cause sudden air loss or tread loss and a loss of vehicle control, raising the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will inspect the tires and replace any that need it, free of charge.

When the light switch is turned from Autolamps to Headlamps On, the daytime running lights can stay bright instead of dimming to parking lights. This can make the car harder for other drivers to judge, raising the chance of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the body control module at no cost to you.

Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems." A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge.

During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged. A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used.

Water and contaminants can enter the block heater cable's splice connector, causing corrosion. When the heater is plugged in, the corrosion can create a resistive short that overheats and melts wiring, which can start a fire.

Fix: The dealer will disable the block heater cable free of charge now, and once parts are available, will replace the cable free of charge.

In a crash that triggers a front seat belt pretensioner, the sparks it produces can ignite nearby carpeting or insulation in the B-pillar area. This could start a fire inside the vehicle.

Fix: The dealer will remove the B-pillar insulation and wiring harness tape and install heat resistant tape, free of charge.

5L GTDI V6 engines. These vehicles have high pressure fuel pump assemblies with welds that can fracture, which may cause an oil or fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump and associated components, free of charge.

A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function. Despite the transmission shift lever being placed in 'Park' and the instrument panel display indicating 'Park,' the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission to make sure it has the roll pin, installing one if it is missing, free of charge.

The gear shift cable clip may not be properly seated, allowing the transmission to be in a different gear than indicated by the gear shift lever position. If the gear shift cable clip becomes unseated or dislodged, the gear shift lever position may indicate that the transmission is in 'Park' when it may be in a different gear. Additionally, despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied before the vehicle is exited, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the shift cable locking clip and properly seat it, if necessary, free of charge. Ford's number for the recall is 18S10.

5L engines. The cylinder heads may have been machined without lubrication supply holes for the camshaft bearing journals. Without a proper supply of lubrication, the engine will fail, causing a stall and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford is not aware of any affected vehicles outside of dealer control.

Moving the column shifter quickly from Park to Drive can briefly drop the gear display and select Reverse or Neutral instead of Drive. The car can then move in a way the driver did not intend, raising the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: The dealer will reprogram the powertrain control module at no charge.

Some roof braces may be missing rivets where they attach to the roof rail, which weakens the roof's structure. In a rollover crash, this raises the risk of injury to occupants.

Fix: Dealers will install the missing rivets on the roof brace attachments free of charge.