Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle accelerated at excessive speeds. The contact aggressively depressed the brake pedal and shifted into neutral to decelerate and slow the vehicle to a stop. The failure was intermittent and occurred at various speeds. The contact's son inspected the vehicle and determined that a fuse related to the cruise control might be defective. The contact's son had replaced the fuses. While driving approximately 10 MPH and coming to a stop sign, the contact decided to come closer to the stop sign however, the vehicle accelerated past the stop sign. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal several times however, the vehicle failed to stop until approximately a block away from the stop sign. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic light with her foot depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact was able to stop the vehicle before it crashed into the rear of the vehicle in front. The contact stated that the vehicle was also slipping out of gear into a lower gear at various speeds, almost causing a crash. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle seized in first gear after coming to a full stop and failed to shift into the higher gears while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the yellow triangle with an exclamation mark (ESP Fault) and "See Owner's Manual" messages were illuminated. The contact stated that the failures were intermittent. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. …
2018 Ford F150 XLT twin turbo 4wd. Since the day I bought it. Nothing but problems with lurching jerking at stops. Clunking when truck is on AND OFF. We have video of it. Pushing gas pedal and truck hesitates before it jumps forward always the transmission been to every ford dealer in our area they refuse to help or say they DONT HEAR the knocking or feel lurching all lies we have had at least 3 close calls avoiding accidents and 2 days ago the truck would not stop the transmission skipped and I hit a deer. My bull bar absorbed most of the impact. The 10 speed transmission is the issue and no one wants to hear it but ford wants $10,000 for a new transmission after I paid $48000 for this truck and it's been in the shop half the time.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while at a four-way stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the engine revved up, but the vehicle failed to respond. The brake pedal was released, and the vehicle lunged forward, almost causing a crash. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking while driving at various speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 162,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rumbling sound detected. The vehicle was slow to accelerate, then lunged forward. While accelerating, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be overhauled. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact to upgrade the fuel. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that when the cruise control was activated and they attempted to turn off the vehicle it would fail to power off completely as expected. On the contrary, the cruise control would suddenly turn off the vehicle when active. The failure occurred intermittently and at various speeds. There were no warning lights displayed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who could not identify the failure's cause. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred them to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the transmission was shifted hard. While driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle shifted from tenth gear to first and then back to tenth. The vehicle revved up. The contact stated that the vehicle seemed to be in neutral. The vehicle was suddenly accelerated. The powertrain malfunction warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case and referred to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that when the cruise control was engaged, the vehicle accelerated to 100 MPH. The vehicle skipped gear while accelerating from a stop. The vehicle stalled and restarted. The brake pedal independently depressed without driver input. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2018 Ford F150. The contact stated while the owner was driving approximately 30 MPH and depressing on the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The driver had the vehicle towed to their residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and shifted out of gear independently. The contact also stated that the vehicle was independently accelerating. The vehicle was driven to the independent mechanic for diagnosis. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.
Acceleration complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2018 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 73 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2018 Ford F-150, 3% of the model year's 2,322 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Ford F-150 acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2018 Ford F-150, though it has 18 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Ford F-150 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 16,000 miles, and 68% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.