A quieter late-gen-5 year that still carries the water-pump and PTU risk — check the 3.5L before you buy.

All-wheel-drive 2018s carry the same PTU leak as the rest of the generation: the pinion seal weeps oil at modest mileage, the sealed-for-life fluid overheats, and the unit can fail — a job a shop mechanic says he has done 'over 20' times. The fix that heads it off is a fluid change every 15,000-20,000 miles with a fresh drain plug. Look underneath for oil around the PTU and ask about service history.

A 2018-specific recall: on 2.3L and 3.5L GTDI cars an assembly error can let the fuel-pressure sensor leak fuel — a fire risk in the presence of an ignition source (recall 18V-807). The remedy is a free fuel-line-assembly replacement. This is exactly the kind of item that hides on a used car, so verify by VIN that 18V-807 was completed before you buy.

Transmission complaints are lighter on the 2018 than on the 2016-2017 cars, but the gen-5 automatic's slip-and-shudder character is the same. On 2.3L cars, Ford's Customer Support Program 20N07/20B27 still extends transmission coverage and adds a torque-converter reflash. On a test drive, feel for harsh shifts or slip; on a 2.3L car ask whether the program work was done.

The 2018 carries the rear toe-link fracture recall (26V-101, the 2017-2019 expansion), the A-pillar trim-detachment recall (24V-031), and a seat-back recliner recall (19V-633) covering a missing recliner pawl that reduces seat-back strength. All are free repairs. On a salt-belt car especially, confirm the toe-link work; on any car, verify the recliner and A-pillar recalls.