2018 Ford F-150 body and structure problems
193 of the 2,311 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford F-150 name the body and structure (NHTSA’s “Structure” heading — body panels, frame, roof rails, trim and glass as fitted). Filed under the same heading: 33 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the body and structure
Source: NHTSA complaint database3 of the 193 reports a crash · 3 a fire · 5 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2018: 19 · 2019: 68 · 2020: 35 · 2021: 9 · 2022: 19 · 2023: 12 · 2024: 15 · 2025: 10 · 2026: 6
Half of the 111 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the body and structure problem between 5,000 and 22,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
2,311 complaints in all about the 2018 Ford F-150, 6 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Structure” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford F-150 body and structure problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the body and structure. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
When we left the house, the first left turn, my front passenger door flew open. My door would not latch. After looking on the internet this seems to be a huge problem. This is a huge safety issue I can not believe there is not a recall for this. At my niece house in north carolina 12-09-2018
Cold morning and the power door locks would not unlock with the remote or the key in the drivers door, after climbing in the back door to open the front neither the rear door or the front door would latch when the door was closed. Extremely unsafe, could not drive the truck to work because the doors would not latch shut
In cold weather the door locks freeze. The doors cannot be opened from the outside or inside. Also if the door handle opens the door from the outside the door will not latch and stay closed. The door "bounces" off the door frame
Anytime the weather is below freezing the drivers door latch is frozen shut. When it finally opens after numerous attempts then it will not latch closed again. This is apparently a well known problem that Ford refuses to fix. I've been to the dealer twice with no repair
In below freezing temperatures, drivers side front door latch fails to lock in closed position when door is closed, allowing door to open freely without using door handle. The only way to secure the door for transit is to either hold it closed manually or run a strap between the two interior door handles to keep it from flying open.
What is on file about the body and structure
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 18V568000 CriticalAug 31, 2018 · 1,619,112 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
- 17V598000 HighSep 25, 2017 · 39 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor Super Cab pick-up trucks not equipped with a moonroof. The structural roof braces may be missing rivets at the attachment of the roof rail, thereby reducing the structural integrity.
33 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the 2018 Ford F-150
Source: the same files- transmission and drivetrain problems 1,016 complaints
- engine problems 594 complaints
- electrical problems 172 complaints
- brake problems 93 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre body and structure problems common on the 2018 Ford F-150?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 193 owner complaints naming the body and structure on this model year (8% of everything owners filed about it), and 33 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the body and structure on the 2018 Ford F-150?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading: 18V568000, 17V598000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do body and structure problems show up on the 2018 Ford F-150?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 10,000 miles; half of them between 5,000 and 22,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Structure" heading cover?
Body panels, frame, roof rails, trim and glass as fitted. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.