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I'm new to this forum, and to the trucks as well. After my long research I've decided to go with new 2018 f150, and about a year ago I've started with the leasing. After only a few months I've stared to see some rust on the truck (I live in Nova Scotia, Canada, plenty of salt on the roads during the winter months). Please see attached photos below.
Wondering if it's normal? Is it the same all other/your trucks as well?
I've planned to buy this truck after leasing period, but after numerous issues (problem with the door latches, grinding noises, 4 recalls etc.) not sure if it will be a smart idea. I think it may cost me a lot (time and money) to maintain this truck after the warranty ends.
My second question, is it a normal truck experience? I used to have different cars (VW, Suzuki, Honda...), zero issues in last 20 years.
Rust is pretty much normal, shoot it with some diesel in the fall.
As for quality...I'm afraid to tell you that you'll need to lower your expectation on a North American "made" truck.
I too have Nissan, Honda and Infinity vehicles with zero issues which run great!
Unfortunately when it comes to full size trucks our options are very limited...to five manufacturers.
I personally don't think that Ford Quality is Job 1 but thats me. Its not who makes the best truck...its more who makes the least poor truck.
The good news is you leased it. You don't have to buy it at the end of the lease. It's most likely the road salt causing the rust. Hosing off the vehicle including the under carriage in the winter helps with that.
It's normal but check out this thread if you want to do a undercoating. https://www.f150forum.com/f118/ford-...advice-423464/
Someone on that thread recommended Fluid Film to spray to protect the underside steel/iron parts
Salt simply accelerates the chemical reaction that causes rust. It's gonna rust just from clean water over time and most of those steel part you see rusting are designed to handle that. It will break down over time but probably not in the time you own it. The bigger issue not had with the newer F150's are the body panels. That thinner metal has a much short life span when it comes to rust. Haters will hate but I think aluminum body's are a brilliant idea. I traded my 2011 F150 in on the 18 I have now. With 125K miles on it both rocker panels end to end were shot. It would have cost $3500 to have those replaced...That for me was my cue to get rid of it.
It will break down over time but probably not in the time you own it.
Do you mean leasing period or in general, like 15 years or so?
From your experience, or maybe from your friends experience (mine isn't so good so far), having a ford truck, does it mean having some issue every few months in average? So far I went to the dealer six time in the first year. Wondering what will be after 3-5 years...
I mean break down to a point where it becomes a structural issue. I'd have to know what those 3-5 visits were for. Is this a recurring issue, warranty work or something else that is going on. I've been rather lucky with my Ford's mostly used. This 18 was the first new vehicle I bought in quite some time. Only 6K miles on it but haven't been to the dealer yet. The 2011 I owned for 3 years had two issues, mechanical, the transfer case was replaced and the 4WD actuator pins, a known problem were replaced. Other than that and the rust it was a very reliable vehicle. Previous to that my 11 explorer had a bad A/C cooling fan that was replaced under warranty.
I’m also in NS (HRM), and yep that’s normal. Had my 2018 undercoated before picking it up last July but still see the surface rust in the same small areas
03-19-2019, 01:40 PM
Issues with 2018 f150
