Dossier-backed inspection brief

2018 Ford F-150 inspection checklist

Use this beside the car or hand it to a mechanic. Every check comes from a named issue in the published authority; configuration uncertainty remains visible.

Configuration: 2 reviewed 2018 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Inspect this F-150

Mark each check as you go. Progress saves on this device, works offline, and prints cleanly.

Saved on this device — no account needed. Copy link shares the safe URL only (no price, risk, or VIN).

Mark the checks to see where they point: a single Walk away outweighs the rest.

Required checks

Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.
Seatbelt Pretensioner Fire investigation: Seatbelt Pretensioner Fire On June 18, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-008) to investigate complaints alleging post-crash fires at the B pillar in the area of the seat belt pretensioners on MY 2014-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab
Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection
Pass / Concern / Walk away

Ask the seller

Has any named issue here ever been diagnosed or repaired on this car?
Can I see the maintenance and any recall-remedy records?
Will you allow an independent pre-purchase inspection?

Records to request

Service and oil-change history
Completed recall / campaign paperwork
Any dealer diagnostic reports

Why these checks are here

Seatbelt Pretensioner Fire investigation

The cited record is bound to model year 2018; no broader incidence claim is made.

Red flags: Seatbelt Pretensioner Fire On June 18, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-008) to investigate complaints alleging post-crash fires at the B pillar in the area of the seat belt pretensioners on MY 2014-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab

Pass signals: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

clm_ford-f-150-2018-investigation-investigation-pe18008-obs-334

Inspection evidence

clm_ford-f-150-2018-investigation-investigation-pe18008-obs-3342018 Ford F-150Evidence: Limited confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“Seatbelt Pretensioner Fire On June 18, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-008) to investigate complaints alleging post-crash fires at the B pillar in the area of the seat belt pretensioners on MY 2014-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab, and Super Crew Cab Vehicles. On August 24, 2018, Ford Motor Company recalled (FSA 18S27 - NHTSA #18V568) the affected population. Ford's investigation found that some front seat belt pretensioners may generate sparks during deployment in excess of Ford's specification. Sparks in the pretensioner exhaust gases inside the lower portion of the B-pillar may subsequently ignite combustible components contained in the B-pillar, such as insulation or carpet, and may cause a subsequent vehicle fire. ODI also requested relevant information from other manufacturers to assess the potential scope of post-crash pretensioner fires. Ford will notify owners and require dealers to remove B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall notification began September 28, 2018.Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.The VOQs associated with the closing of this investigation are: 11143035, 11130056, 11129828, 11128761, 11127993, 11127880, 11124717, 11123419, 11119651, 11119626, 11114065, 11113160, 11111822, 11097937, 11078447, 11014688”

NHTSAinvestigationAug 2018Open source record

Published from release rel_v4_cohort_20260726 with methodology m1-v4-authority-cohort. Check a specific candidate →