KnownCarProblems2018 Ford Transit Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 58 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Transit, most often about the engine (26% of complaints, typically around 84,000 miles). It is 6th of 14 Transit model years by number of complaints and has 14 recalls.
Most common 2018 Ford Transit problems
Engine
15 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles.
Diesel engine fails catastrophically on highway in motion--first a blown piston at 78k miles, turbo failed within 5k miles of engine. Prior to these failures, both this truck and it's twin(bought identically together) developed leaks in the radiators...same location. The sister truck is now at a Ford dealer with a…
The contact's company owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the tow company mechanic, where it was diagnosed that coolant intrusion in the engine had caused the engine to seize.…
Other or unspecified
12 complaints · 21%Check engine light turned on and ended up being malfunctioning catylytic converter. Ford Transit ecoboost 3.5 350xlt 21000 miles approx. Not sure why or how but Ford dealership replacing parts.
Regarding 2018 Ford Transit xlt 15 passenger with ecoboost engine. The factory installed air conditioning system does not have the capacity to cool down the van's cabin, in southern states like south florida, where the ambient temperature reaches 85+ degrees fahrenheit during a sunny day through most of the year, the…
Transmission
12 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was making an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle's differential of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic and was diagnosed with differential failure. The vehicle was not yet…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving into the driveway, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall and referred the contact to…
Electrical
9 complaints · 16%Parts named most often: instrument panel, wiring.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated that the vehicle wiring was worn and being eaten by rats. As a result, the engine had trouble starting, but the vehicle could still be driven. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to fairlane Ford (14585 michigan ave, dearborn, mi…
Odometer fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the Ford dealer for service, the contact was informed that the vehicle was a lemon vehicle, and that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage…
Body and structure
8 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. When it rained, water leaked inside the engine compartment and damaged the components. When the contact started the vehicle, he heard an abnormal knocking noise. The contact also noticed that the separator from the top of the hood to the windshield had separated, allowing water to…
Several spots are occurring at joints of door openings and also on the roof where the paint is not adhering properly or is actually being rubbed off when the doors are closed and the vehicle is an operation. The paint job on the ceiling welds is not smooth. It appears that there is some bubbling or chipping going on…
Wheels and tires
6 complaints · 10%Fuel system
4 complaints · 7%Diesel engine fails catastrophically on highway in motion--first a blown piston at 78k miles, turbo failed within 5k miles of engine. Prior to these failures, both this truck and it's twin(bought identically together) developed leaks in the radiators...same location. The sister truck is now at a Ford dealer with a…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Ford Transit recalls
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed january 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning january 2026 and june 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25s89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25v270. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning september 8, 2025.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 lincoln mkc, mustang, f-350 sd, f-250 sd, f-450 sd, 2015-2017 lincoln navigator, expedition, 2015-2018 edge, transit connect, 2016-2019 f-550 sd, transit, 2017-2019 econoline, and 2019 ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Brakes: linkage and cable
Risk: Parking brake failure can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger side parking brake cable with a cable that provides sufficient clearance to the damper shield, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on september 24, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on march 14, 2022. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21s39.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2015-2020 transit vehicles. An incorrect driveshaft torsional damper service kit may have been installed, which can allow the damper shield to contact the parking brake cable, possibly resulting in parking brake failure.
Body and structure: escape/egress/exit
Risk: If the tempered glass roof hatch shatters, glass fragments may fall onto passengers, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix: La west will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hatch lids, free of charge. The recall began july 11, 2019. Owners may contact la west customer service at 1-704-498-4940.
Full defect summary
La west inc. (la west) is recalling certain 2018-2019 ford transit vehicles modified to be equipped with glass roof hatches. Temperature and vibration stresses may cause the tempered glass roof hatch to shatter.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: New england has notified owners, directing them to contact freedman for repairs to the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall began may 27, 2019. Owners may contact freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or new england at 1-800-886-9247.
Full defect summary
New england wheels (new england) is recalling certain 2014-2018 ford transit and 2014-2019 ram promaster 2500 and 3500 vehicles modified to be equipped with freedman go-es foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Fenton mobility will notify owners, and a fenton mobility technician will repair the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in june 2019. Owners may contact fenton mobility customer service at 1-716-484-7014.
Full defect summary
Fenton mobility products, inc. (fenton mobility) is recalling certain 2015-2018 ford transit vehicles modified to be equipped with freedman go-es foldaway seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Mobilitytrans will notify owners and freedman seating dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began may 19, 2019. Owners may contact mobility transportation services customer service at 1-734-453-6452.
Full defect summary
Mobility transportation services (mobilitytrans) is recalling certain 2014-2018 ford transit and ram promaster vehicles and 2014-2015 ford econoline vehicles modified to be equipped with freedman go-es foldaway seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Royale will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the seat. The recall began june 6, 2019. Owners may contact royale customer service at 1-800-544-5587.
Full defect summary
Cabot coach builders, inc. Dba royale limousine (royale) is recalling certain 2015-2018 ford transit-based mini-coaches equipped with freedman go-es foldaway seats recalled under 18e-076. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Waldoch will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began september 25, 2020. Owners may contact waldoch customer service at 1-651-464-3215.
Full defect summary
Waldoch crafts, inc. (waldoch) is recalling certain 2018 ford transit shuttle vans modified to be equipped with freedman go-es foldaway seats, part number 43705. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Vantage has notified owners, instructing them to contact freedman for a repair kit, free of charge. The recall began march 25, 2019. Owners may contact freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540.
Full defect summary
Vantage mobility international, llc (vantage) is recalling certain 2015-2018 ford transit van, mercedes-benz sprinter, and 2007 ford f-250-based shuttle vehicles equipped with freedman go-3s foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Transitworks has notified owners and instructed them to contact freedman seats for a repair kit. The recall began december 19, 2019. Owners may contact freedman seating customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or transitworks customer service at 1-855-337-9543.
Full defect summary
Transitworks is recalling certain 2015-2018 ford transit, 2018 ford transit connect, and 2016 dodge ram promaster vehicles modified to be equipped with freedman seating go-es seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Quality van will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began march 21, 2019. Owners may contact quality van customer service at 1-800-408-8550.
Full defect summary
Quality van sales, inc. (quality van) is recalling certain 2015-2018 ford transit and e-350 vehicles modified to be equipped with freedman go-es foldaway seat back cushions. The seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 207, "seating systems."
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Prime-time specialty vehicles has notified owners, and freedman dealers have inspected and repaired the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall began november 16, 2018. Owners may contact freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or prime-time specialty vehicles at 1-574-293-9191.
Full defect summary
Prime-time specialty vehicles (prime-time) is recalling certain 2016-2018 ram promaster and ford transit vehicles modified to be equipped with freedman go-es foldaway seats. When the seat back cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle, drive power will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. The detached driveshaft may also create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash for following traffic.
Fix: Xl will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft with an updated one, free of charge. The recall began april 15, 2019. Owners may contact xl hybrid's customer service at 1-833-953-5338.
Full defect summary
Xl hybrids, inc (xl) is recalling certain 2015-2018 ford transit vehicles modified to be equipped with xl's electric hybrid system. The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the front driveshaft to detach.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: National van will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began november 26, 2018. Owners may contact national van customer service at 1-508-222-2272.
Full defect summary
National van builders, inc. (national van) is recalling certain 2015-2018 ford transit vehicles equipped with freedman go-es foldaway seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 207, "seating systems."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2018 Ford Transit
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Transit?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (15 complaints, typically around 84,000 miles); other or unspecified (12 complaints); transmission (12 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Transit have?
- 14 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 3, 2025 (backup camera). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Ford Transit?
- It is 6th of 14 Transit model years by number of complaints, with 58 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.