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Going to look at a '18 Ford Raptor today what should I keep an eye out for?

Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:19 am
Posted by DeoreDX
Member since Oct 2010
4317 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:19 am
There seems to be a lot of Ford guys on here. I'm a Toyota guy so I don't know much about modern Turbo Fords. 2018 Ford Raptor with 3.5l Ecoboost Crew cab with "Equipment Group 802A" and twin panel moon roof. Outside of cam phasers anything else I should look at? Unfortunately the original owner passed away so I won't be able to get in depth history. Only 60k miles so I'm guessing the phasers haven't gone out yet. Is '18 a good year for the 3.5l and Ford in general?
Posted by Schmelly
Member since Jan 2014
16008 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:20 am to
Recalls
Posted by ShoeBang
Member since May 2012
22162 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:20 am to
quote:

Going to look at a '18 Ford Raptor today what should I keep an eye out for?


Trailer women looking for child support victims
Posted by OweO
Plaquemine, La
Member since Sep 2009
121412 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:24 am to
AIDS
Posted by White Bear
Deer-Thirty
Member since Jul 2014
17461 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:24 am to
Heater hoses, water pump, other coolant leaks, transmission shudder, camphasers,
Posted by N2cars
Member since Feb 2008
38711 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:25 am to
Look at/for frame damage, repaired or un repaired.

If the truck has been lifted beyond factory lift, avoid.

Make sure all 4 doors open and close smoothly.

Posted by Potchafa
Avoyelles
Member since Jul 2016
4343 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:26 am to
quote:

what should I keep an eye out for?


Turning gay the moment you sit in that truck!
Posted by Sharlo
Van down by the river.
Member since Oct 2021
1387 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:26 am to
Fix

Or

Repair

Daily
Posted by SquatchDawg
Cohutta Wilderness
Member since Sep 2012
19729 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:29 am to
If you’re looking at an older truck, look for the V8 in the 16-18 year. The ecoboost was problematic back then. If you’re looking at the ecoboost with the 10sp tranny you almost need to look at ‘23 or newer to avoid common problems. It’s like threading a needle with Ford on year, engine and transmission. Or, find one that has been babied and maybe they fixed all of the issues and changed oil religiously.

I’m sure 90% of trucks don’t have problems but that 10% out of warranty can be black holes based on my research into it. I ended up with a ‘23 Lariat that was meticulously maintained and still new enough to get expended full warranty.
This post was edited on 3/10/26 at 8:37 am
Posted by RolltidePA
North Carolina
Member since Dec 2010
5410 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:30 am to
There are no issues specific to '18 with the 3.5. 2013-2019 was about as good as modern Ford has been. They were still in production with the products that were developed during Alan Mulally's run at CEO.

Definitely listen for the phaser rattle on a cold start. Make sure the owner hasn't run the engine before you get there, because once it's warm, the phaser rattle won't be as prevalent. Check the oil pan and see if it's leaking. Not a big deal, but it's plastic and somewhat of an issue. The 10 speed transmission can be problematic. Drive it and see if there are any surges, hard shifts or strange behavior.

Hope it goes well, those are fun trucks.
Posted by cubsfan5150
NWA
Member since Nov 2007
18273 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:33 am to
Look for it doing cool shite like jumping dunes or driving through deep mud

Oh who am I kidding… raptors are the new concrete queen
Posted by prplhze2000
Parts Unknown
Member since Jan 2007
57658 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:39 am to
Ecoboost? Uh oh.
Posted by Them
Metry
Member since Nov 2008
11358 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:49 am to
quote:

Heater hoses, water pump, other coolant leaks, transmission shudder, camphasers


this and do what you can to make sure the moonroof is right. I used to sell used cars and I saw a lot of Expeditions, Navigators and Ford trucks traded in that had moonroof problems. Cracked rear panes, messed-up sunshades, front pane slightly off-track so it doesn't open or close at all.

Really really watch that transmission too. Pay particular attention to the way it shifts from 3rd to 4th. If that shift is weird or slurred or hard, that's basically a smoking gun that the transmission is on its way out.
Posted by Chucktown_Badger
The banks of the Ashley River
Member since May 2013
36408 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:50 am to
quote:

Unfortunately the original owner passed away so I won't be able to get in depth history.


Believe it or not the most common way the history of a vehicle is passed along is not verbally, rather it's with receipts and other service records (or vehicle history reports).
Posted by SallysHuman
Lady Palmetto Bug
Member since Jan 2025
18516 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:52 am to
quote:

Is '18 a good year


Posted by Chingon Ag
Member since Nov 2018
4061 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:54 am to
quote:

Definitely listen for the phaser rattle on a cold start. Make sure the owner hasn't run the engine before you get there, because once it's warm, the phaser rattle won't be as prevalent.


Best advice so far. Walk away if the engine is warm or ask to come back again.
Posted by lsufan1971
Zachary
Member since Nov 2003
24045 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:56 am to
If you want to haul a heavy load buy a Chevy Silverado if you want to swallow a heavy load buy a Ford.

Posted by VooDude
Member since Aug 2017
2767 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:59 am to
quote:

There seems to be a lot of Ford guys on here. I'm a Toyota guy so I don't know much about modern Turbo Fords. 2018 Ford Raptor with 3.5l Ecoboost Crew cab with "Equipment Group 802A" and twin panel moon roof. Outside of cam phasers anything else I should look at? Unfortunately the original owner passed away so I won't be able to get in depth history. Only 60k miles so I'm guessing the phasers haven't gone out yet. Is '18 a good year for the 3.5l and Ford in general?


Ever thought about a Subaru hatchback? Too many baws here with trucks.
Posted by The Torch
DFW The Dub
Member since Aug 2014
28913 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 8:59 am to
Posted by Roy Curado
Member since Jul 2021
1500 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 9:07 am to
quote:

If you’re looking at an older truck, look for the V8 in the 16-18 year.


Do not trust this guy because he is unaware that Gen2 Raptors only come with the ecoboost V6.

I traded my 18' Raptor in about 6 months ago with 60k miles and got a trade value of $40k on it. What is the mileage and price of the one you are looking at?
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