2018 Ford F-150: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Aug 26, 2026 · Transmission, Wheels · WI

I own a 2018 Ford F-150 4WD with approximately 24,600 miles. While traveling approximately 70 MPH on the highway in 2H with cruise control operating, I suddenly heard an extremely loud metal-on-metal grinding/ratcheting noise from the driver's-side front wheel area. The noise caused immediate concern about a possible front wheel or drivetrain failure. I disengaged cruise control and the grinding stopped. Within approximately 50 miles on the same trip, the grinding occurred a second time while again traveling approximately 70 MPH in 2H without cruise engaged. Because of the severity of the noise, I pulled over on the side of the highway and inspected the vehicle. I found nothing visibly wrong and resumed driving. The condition has since occurred two additional times while accelerating from a stop in 2H. These incidents were less severe but involved the same metal-on-metal grinding/ratcheting from the driver's-side front wheel area. I have also noticed a brief air/vacuum-type "whoosh" immediately before the grinding occurs. My Ford service manager directed me to Ford TSB 24-2188, which addresses grinding/clicking/ratcheting from the front wheel area associated with partial engagement of the Integrated Wheel End (IWE). The truck is scheduled for diagnosis but has not yet been formally diagnosed. I contacted Ford Customer Satisfaction, case CXH-090-0329-26-V5R9-P-5. Ford declined assistance due to vehicle age despite the low mileage. I am reporting this because the condition has occurred four times, including twice unexpectedly at 70 MPH. I am concerned about the safety implications of a front wheel-end component potentially partially engaging at highway speed and believe this warrants the federal safety agency review.

Filed Apr 28, 2026 · Transmission · AZ

Hard/Delayed shifting up and down shifting. Transmission slipping, jumps into neutral with high revs, no movement. The warning light illuminated yesterday, shifting/neutral was worse. Turning into traffic, transmission went into neutral for seconds then hard shift squealing the tires.

Filed Apr 6, 2026 · Transmission · TX

I was accelerating from a red light and felt like I had lost power. The RPM's of the engine increased, but I was slowing down. After about 5 seconds, the transmission engaged harshly and the wheels started spinning/squealing like burning out. I almost lost control of the vehicle. If the road would have been slippery, I would have lost control, in heavy traffic. I took my F150 into the Ford Dealership to be inspected. Afterwards, I was told I need a new transmission. The cost would be over $11,000.00 with tax for a new transmission! My truck had 75,000 miles on it, just out of warranty. There is no reason for my transmission to go out at such low mileage. I have not hauled or pulled anything heavy. I take care of my vehicles and have scheduled maintenance performed. As I researched this problem, I discovered it is a known issue on the 2018 Ford F150 vehicles. I found where people documented the same problem on YouTube and the internet. I went through dozens of cases by people with the same problem. There are probably 100's but I stopped after confirming the issue. Even Ford personnel said they were aware of it. When a customer walked up and stated they had a problem with their 2018 F150, their first thought was the transmission. This is an extreme hazard. Like in my case, the issue reveals itself while driving. There are no warning lights or indication. It is known to happen in lower gears, so usually on takeoff. There are so many scenarios where people are depending on the vehicle to accelerate, like when turning and other vehicles are approaching. If the vehicle stalls in front of the oncoming traffic, or if you lose control, the results could be catastrophic. I hope this is addressed before someone is severely hurt or killed.

Filed Feb 24, 2026 · SC

2018 Ford F-150 Platinum. Issues with the 10R80 10-speed transmission. Harsh shifting such as rough and jerking shifts or delayed shifts, jerking, shuddering, and occasional loss of power. Delayed Engagement when shifting from park to drive. Hearing clunking or grinding sounds during gear changes.

Filed Feb 15, 2026 · NV · fire

Front Driver and Passenger side Wheel Bearing Failure 2 Separate incidents on same vehicle described below Hello, We have a 2018 F-150 Ford Limited and at approximately 50k/60k miles our front passenger Wheel Bearings went bad causing a loss of brakes and then proceeded to catch a fire within the brakes as a result. At approximately 80k miles we are now replacing the driver side Wheel Bearings as they are now currently at risk of failing. We have owned many vehicles and have not had to replace Wheel Bearings on any of them regardless of how we used them, the age of the vehicle and the type. We find that it is oddly unusual for this type of failure to occur let alone on both Wheel Bearings. The only indication of the second failure has been a grinding sound that can be easily mistaken for brakes or rotors needing attention. At the time of the first failure while the truck was in motion on the freeway exceeding 65mph, there was no indication of the failure other than loss of brakes and smell from the fire. The problem was seen by a licensed mechanic for the first failure who did confirm the Wheel Bearing failed. We have a scheduled appointment for 2/23/26 to confirm the same issue for the driver side. We did not maintain and keep the first component that failed however we will request to keep the failed parts upon replacement. This failure absolutely put my life at risk, my passengers lives at risk and those that were on the roadways during the time the failure occurred.

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Engine · 96,700 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and then went off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with solenoid valve failure. The contact was informed that the solenoid valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was informed that the oil needed to be changed at 3,000 miles instead of 5,000 miles. The contact stated that in 2024, the camshaft, seals, gaskets, and four VCT solenoids were replaced. In addition, an oil consumption test was performed; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,700.

Filed Aug 22, 2025 · MN

Iwe system failure, this has been worked on multiple times. Yes it's distracting when it grinds all the time putting everyone safety at risk. The only way it stops is to turn it to 4H which need to slow down for. Yes dealership and shops are aware. Total 4 wheel drive failure and warning on dash (little wrench).

Filed Jun 18, 2025 · Transmission · FL

know 10 speed transmission failure, hard shifts lunging at red lights,load grinding noise. ford dealer diagnosis was need new transmission.

Filed Mar 24, 2025 · Engine · 23,000 miles · NH

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon depression of the accelerator pedal, an abnormal grinding sound was coming from the front wheel of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was discovered that failure was caused by partial engagement of the integrated wheel ends (IWE), which needed to be repaired. The contact stated that the engine actuator and various other engine parts were replaced to repair the vehicle. The contact reached out to the manufacturer online and was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for further assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Transmission · VT

My 2018 Ford F150 with the 2.7L V6 Ecoboost and 10R80 10 speed automatic transmission was purchased used with around 50k miles on it. At approximately 100K miles the transmission started acting funny. After taking off from a stop with the transmission in 1st gear, as it went to shift up to the 2nd gear, the truck would rev as if it was in neutral with no power, then eventually slam violently into gear to the point where the tires would squeal. This is obviously dangerous as it is unpredictable and could cause the vehicle to lurch and hit another object uncontrollable. Especially in low speed areas such as parking lots. The truck had several CEL lights on including P0761. My research found several TSB's for the transmission usually indicated the CDF drum was the failure. I made an appointment with a local ford dealer and explained the circumstances to recreate the issue as it mostly occurred when the vehicle was cold. After $150 fee they told me they could not recreate it and no issue was obvious to them. I eventually went to a transmission specialist who confirmed the CDF drum was slipping and ended up paying $7,000 out of pocket to get it fixed.

Filed Jan 2, 2025 · Transmission · MI

I recently purchased a 2018 F150 from Taylor Ford in Taylor, Michigan. The vehicle had 61,000 mi. The other day I was driving from Chicago to my hometown of Michigan. While driving at 70mph on the expressway the transmission dropped down into first gear, my yellow wrench light came on saying check manual. I drove a few more miles and pulled over at a gas station and as I was pulling in, it dropped into first gear and I heard horrific noises/ clunking /grinding and my vehicle would not go forward. It would not engage any gear past first gear and would not move forward. I was able to put it in reverse and come to a stop. This was a very dangerous situation and if I wasn't able to pull over at that time, it could've ended in tragedy. I was also inconvenienced because it happened 110 mi from my home and I ended up stranded.

Filed Dec 6, 2024 · Engine · 60,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while cold starting the vehicle, the engine was making a grinding noise and the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03 - Cam Phaser Replacement (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.