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2018 Ford F-150: check engine light

164 of the 2,335 complaints about the 2018 Ford F-150 describe check engine light.

owner complaints
164
of this car's complaints
7%
typical repair cost reported
$3,500
typical mileage
80,000
recalls
3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 100 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Fuel system · TX

Mandatory recall 24E12 reprogrammed the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to stricter emissions monitoring standards. This caused the Check Engine light to appear within 24hrs showing code P0430. There were NO codes showing and the Check Engine light was not on before the recall was performed. Ford is denying responsibility and charging me $2,500+ out of pocket to replace the converter. I feel like they a FORCING me to purchase parts because if I don't, my vehicle wont pass emissions tests and is un-drivable (legally). Ford case#: CXH0966043220H4B3 Apparently, this has happened to THOUSANDS of F150 owners and needs to be addressed ASAP!!!!!

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Engine · NJ

My truck has the 3.5 ecoBoost twin turbo engine with the known cam phaser problem. Ford dealership replaced cam phasers 4 years ago and told they were putting in new designed cam phasers to prevent this from happening again. Last week, I changed the v v t cylinder because of a p0018 code, and found that the replacement was the old cam phasers prone to break again. Truck is just now out of warranty. And ford is doing nothing to help. Drivability is not the same has hesitation. So far, and I'm sure it's going to get worse. Check engine light just went on last week. This truck is at dealership now. My biggest problem with this situation is Ford. Dealer lied said they put in new cam phasers, which they put in old ones. I would have got an extended warranty if I knew they were the old cam phaser. Now, I will be out 3 to 5 thousand dollars because ford dealership lied to me. I have all paperwork. Service reports everything on the truck. The truck was babied. There's no reason why in 70000 miles catastrophic engine failure twice. Fixing the problem with the same problem. Parts is not a fix. It's a bandade until warranties are over. And let the people deal with it.

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · VA

2018 Ford F-150 Limited with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. At approximately 60,000 miles the engine began making a rattling noise from the front of the engine on cold start, lasting several seconds. Over the last three months the noise has become progressively worse and now occurs at every cold start and lasts longer. The check engine light is currently illuminated. The vehicle has not stalled or lost power. A Ford dealer (Wynne Ford, Hampton, VA) diagnosed the condition on September 24, 2026 at 104,661 miles as cam phaser failure, requiring replacement of the variable camshaft timing (VCT) units and associated timing components. This matches Ford's Technical Service Bulletin 23-2143, which covers 2017-2020 F-150 vehicles with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine built on or before November 30, 2019. Ford previously issued Customer Satisfaction Program 21B10 and warranty extension 21N03 for this same defect on March 2, 2021, but 21N03 expressly excluded the F-150 Limited trim, and both programs have since expired. The dealer additionally reported that it has submitted multiple other cam phaser repairs on 2017-2020 3.5L EcoBoost vehicles for manufacturer assistance in the past two months, including vehicles newer and with lower mileage than mine, and that all were denied. The quoted repair is $5,414.11 at my expense. I am filing this report because cam phaser failure in these engines can progress to timing chain damage and engine failure, and because Ford has documented this defect since at least 2021 without issuing a recall. I contacted Ford (case CXH-09424982) and was denied any financial assistance.

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shifting erratically. The contact stated that the transmission shifted from 1st gear to 7th gear and back to 1st gear. The check engine warning light and an unknown warning light was illuminated after the failure. During an oil change service, the contact described the failure to an independent mechanic, who performed a diagnostic test but found no transmission failure. The contact was advised that the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V375000 (Power Train); recall repair could repair the vehicle; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact notified the manufacturer by telephone. The manufacturer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · KY

No oil in between changes check engine light came one

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Driver assistance · CA

I was required to complete the recall 24E12 on my 2018 ford F 150 2.7L eco boost XLT. Upon completion the check engine light comes on. I looked into this and this is an ongoing problem with the emissions recall . I scanned for a code and P0430 is coming up. (Catalyst System). I contacted the dealership and ford corporate and they will not help assist in resolving this issue. I explained my vehicle was working fine until the mandatory emissions recall was completed and that under the good will assistance I should be covered for Some compensation fixing this vehicle. I was denied any additional help. I as a loyal customer for many years don’t believe that it is my responsibility to pay a full bill for a new converter when it was their recall that caused the issue on an already perfectly fine vehicle.

Filed Aug 16, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · ND

Truck starting missing gears when pulling onto highway. Rpms jumped high and truck wouldnt shift. Thankfully we made it across before the oncoming traffic or we would have been hit. Finally got it to go but it was missing gears causing it to drive sluggish. No prior engine lights warning me. When the incident happed I got a notification of a power train malfunction/ reduced power.

Filed Aug 10, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · SC

10r80 transmission CDF Failure. Had repair completed though still has issues with 4/5th gear. Truck will lose power while accelerating until it finds the gear it wants to go. Multiple re-learning processes completed with no solution. V6 ecoboost - cam phasers repaired twice. 1st time by initial owner but that was not relayed to me. 2nd time by me after multiple trips to the dealership where they couldn't reproduce the issue. Took videos and finally brought the truck in with the check engine light flashing. Required entire engine rebuild.

Filed Aug 4, 2026 · Transmission · 119,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle hesitated, decelerated unintendedly, and the transmission was slipping. The check engine and the WRENCH Icon warning lights were illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the extended powertrain warranty coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.

Filed Jul 16, 2026 · Engine · TX

Intermittent P0420 and P0430 catalytic converter efficiency code. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will turn on for a while and then turn off for a while.

Filed Jul 13, 2026 · Transmission · TX

Did Ford PCM recall, 2-3 days check engine light failed ignition coils $500, filed complaints with dealer and ford now o have another check engine light with faulty catalytic converter a recall for a faulty part from Ford should be all inclusive in its repairs it’s unfair for me to be out of pocket $2500

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · MA

COMPONENT; likely the transmission SAFETY revs went to almost zero on highway. Transmission seemed to stop the truck. Then intermittent on and off transmission. Seriously struggled to get the truck off the highway momentarily no ability to control speed: then on and off with the acceleration. Very scary! sudden drop in speed on the highway could have caused an accident with no brake lights on Problem been reproduced: Not to my knowledge. its at a dealer now. Not safe to drive BEEN INSPECTED: At dealer now Prior warning - lamps etc: NONE WHATSOEVER Oil lamp came on, then the check engine light came on well after the initial scare.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

EngineReported April 8, 2019 · 131,068 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford 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 Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.
Risk
A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S11.

Recall number 19V278000 · Recall details

EngineReported December 18, 2018 · 410,289 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford 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 Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.
Risk
When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.

Recall number 18V894000 · Recall details

EngineReported October 23, 2017 · 22 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L engines. The cylinder heads may have been machined without lubrication supply holes for the camshaft bearing journals.
Risk
Without a proper supply of lubrication, the engine will fail, causing a stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford is not aware of any affected vehicles outside of dealer control. Should owner contact subsequently be required, arrangements will be made to transport their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the engine replaced.The recall began October 24, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S37.

Recall number 17V672000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2018 Ford F-150 check engine light

Is check engine light a common problem on the 2018 Ford F-150?

164 of 2,335 owner complaints about the 2018 Ford F-150 (7%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2013.

How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the 2018 Ford F-150?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,500 (median of 16 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2018 Ford F-150?

There are 3 recalls and 100 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2018 Ford F-150

Harsh shifting 243Jerking 208Transmission failure 194Slipping 146Door locks 136Loss of power 126Hesitation 118Stalling 112Knocking 74Engine failure 65Won't shift 60Start-stop 57Oil consumption 56Backup camera 50Shudder 49Fire or smoke 41Grinding brakes 38Brake failure 27Sudden acceleration 25Adaptive cruise 23Misfire 22Power steering loss 21Overheating 20Screen failure 17Won't start 17Wipers 16Pulling 15Headlights 13Key fob 13No deployment 12Water leak 11Whining noise 10Fuel pump 9ABS 7Fuel smell 6Warning lights 5

All model years of the Ford F-150

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