2018 Ford F-150: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Brakes · 114,089 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the message "Brake Fluid Level Low" was displayed. The brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the brakes failed to work properly. The contact drove to Walmart and purchased brake fluid to add to the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The contact added more brake fluid, but the failure recurred, and the engine made a knocking sound with smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V150000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 114,089.

Filed May 29, 2026 · Engine · 151,798 miles · LA · fire

The contact owns a Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving, there was an audible noise was heard and observed smoke coming from beneath the hood on the driver's side near the alternator. The contact pulled over and discovered flames coming from the engine compartment. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained and no additional property damages were reported. The vehicle was not destroyed and was later towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was ot diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted but did not diagnosed or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 151,798

Filed May 24, 2026 · Electrical · NC · fire

Body control module catastrophic failure resulting in electrical failure while driving. Horn would not turn off, hazards would not turn off, warning modules firing off messages, burning smell coming from engine compartment. Absolute safety hazard while driving.

Filed Apr 18, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · NV

I was on Spencer street at the light about to cross on Saint rose park way. When the light turned green my truck wouldn’t let me proceed and the it went into a low gear and make a lot of noise until I crossed and stoped at the Horizon ridge light. At the light I turned off the truck like I have done every time this had happened after ford said they did the recall but after they did the recall I’ve been having all these issues. I turned the vehicle back on and put into into drive and it went into reverse I immediately pressed my brakes knowing there is a car behind me. Thankfully the guy saw the truck with the hazards and going into reverse he immediately went into the next lane. I couldn’t move I was stalled. Had the shut the truck off again and then turn it back on and then I was able to go into drive and sit on the side of the road. Meanwhile I can smell like this burning smell. Now this had happened 2 days after they came out to supposedly fix the recall that was on the truck. I didn’t work the next day after they came out to fit it at my job but driving home that day it drove sort of ok I felt a little lack of going into gear. When I went to work it did a hard jerk while driving like if the transmission was going to fall out. I parked at work for my 10 hour shift and when I went to go home I turned on my truck and out it into drive and it went into reverse. Thankfully I was in park and no cars was behind me. I called ford to tell them what had happened after they came and fix it and they told me it was not part of the recall. But yet when I looked up the recall when my insurance let me know if it people was saying they was having issues going into gears and possibly stalling. This is a serious matter and they keep brushing it off and telling me that I need to pay them to look at it. I don’t feel I need to pay if it is their mistake. I took it to my warranty company and they tried to fix it and found nothing on their end. At this point I gor into almost 5accident

Filed Nov 10, 2025 · Transmission · 67,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, and the contact saw smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road, exited the vehicle, inspected underneath the vehicle, and saw automatic transmission fluid leaking onto the exhaust pipe, causing the smoke in the rear of the vehicle. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.

Filed Jul 18, 2025 · Engine · 180,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. In addition, the contact stated that the engine was running abnormally rough. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a blown head gasket and engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was due to an abnormal oil consumption. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Jun 9, 2025 · Fuel system · MO

In December 2024 I had a massive fuel leak in my system. I drove into my driveway and my neighbor said they could smell gasoline. I look and fuel was leaking onto the ground. If there was a spark It would have explodes into flames. I took it to my dealer and the diagnostic was a squirrel has chewed a hole in the fuel line because it is coated or made from a soy-based product, and it drawls rodents by its sweet smell and taste. I have spent over $3000 to replace the line because they didn't get it corrected the first time and had to replace the whole system again. I am eliminating the squirrel problem to prevent this happening again but it's not a guarantee and this fuel line material should not be make with a soy-based product.

Filed Apr 2, 2025 · CA · fire

My [XXX] daughter and friend were driving our F150 lariat super crew cab 3.0 deisel which to our knowledge was in excellent condition. The driver behind her frantically pulled them over as the rear underneath of the truck was on fire. They immediately pulled over and within several minutes the entire truck burned to the ground. Luckily the girls were safe, although very shaken. There were no warning lights on the dash and the smoke was behind the truck. Had their not been a car behind them on the country highway, who knows what could have happened to the girls. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 28, 2025 · Transmission · IN · fire

Rear wheels locked up on highway causing a skid. Vehicle was on fire when came to a stop. Vehicle was towed to a repair shop where the entire rear axle assembly was replaced.

Filed Feb 7, 2025 · Engine · 60,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the contact heard a ticking sound coming from under the hood and noticed an abnormal white smoke coming from the rear exhaust. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the cam phasers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further inspection, the VIN was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03; however, the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Jul 16, 2024 · Engine · 153,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was excessive white smoke coming from the exhaust. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

Filed May 21, 2024 · Brakes · 83,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. Additionally, the contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to drive from a complete stop, there was no pressure on the brake pedal, and the brakes became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake master cylinder was leaking brake fluid into the brake booster. The dealer determined that the brake master cylinder and the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V150000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.