Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Ford F-250 SD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally as if there was a blowout of one of the rear tires. The contact released the accelerator pedal and noticed there was no blowout. The contact then depressed the accelerator pedal and the shaking returned. The Engine Power Reduced message was displayed before the vehicle inadvertently shut off. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road and started leaking fuel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford- F-250. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal sound and the "Vehicle Powering Down" message was displayed on the instrument panel; the vehicle lost automotive power and the vehicle failed to return to normal operation. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact did research and was made aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while a trailer was attached. The contact stated that his family was inside the vehicle during the failure. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with fuel system failure. The contact was informed that the fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall repair; 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 116,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the odor of diesel fuel entered the interior of the vehicle. The contact stated that the diesel fuel was misted onto the windshield. The contact merged to the side of the road inspected the vehicle and became aware that diesel fuel had leaked into the engine compartment. The vehicle was driven to a nearby parking lot and repaired by the contact. The contact replaced the fuel filter and water separation filter. The vehicle was repaired. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle shut off unintendedly and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The message engine power reduced was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,460.
Fuel pump faulted, engine would just cut off in middle of driving whether on highway, street, or interstate. Engine would randomly shut off. Took to ford dealership, they had to replace low pressure and high pressure fuel pumps, the dealership says this model is notorious for that, the fuel pumps tear apart and send metal into the fuel rail. This caused the truck to not get diesel and shut off. An extreme safety issue. Several times it happened while driving, and nothing prepared you for it to happen. Just saw where models I believe starting with 2020 have been recalled for same issue. Don't understand why 18 models weren't.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH from a stop, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed and caused the engine failure. The contact was informed that the fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 93,348.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000. The VIN was not available.
While on vacation, driving down a major interstate, our truck suddenly lost power. The driver slowly navigated to the side of the road and by the time we stopped flames were coming out from under the engine. We quickly got ourselves and three children out of the vehicle that, within minutes, was completely engulfed in flames. It was noted by police and the wrecker company that diesel fuel was on the road behind the truck and on the trailer that we were pulling.
On a very busy freeway truck started making a noise and losing power. 18 wheelers are coming up fast behind us and honking at us not knowing we are losing power and can not pull over because we are going over a bridge. The truck continued to lose power and messages started to appear saying powering down. We made it off the freeway and the truck completed died on us. Could not start. Had to call a wrecker and be towed over 100 miles back home. Well over $450.00. The next day called a mobile diagnosis that was $175.00 to tell us it was the fuel system. Got quoted from the Ford dealership $15k to repair so we took it to CS AUTOMOTIVE. They charged us $13,0000 for the repair. Shortly after getting the repair done, Ford issued a recall on 2018 Ford F250 for the same issue as our 2018 Ford F250 but our vin # was not included in the recall. …
NHTSA investigations
Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak
The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (MY) 2015-2021 Ford Motor Company (Ford) F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. Of these complaints, 12 describe an engine compartment fire.
Fuel System complaints in other F-250 SD years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2018 Ford F-250 SD?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2018 Ford F-250 SD, 5% of the model year's 398 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Ford F-250 SD fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2018 Ford F-250 SD, though it has 9 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-250 SD fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.