2018 Ford Transit problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (10) · Structure:body (6) · Engine (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Transit model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
30 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (14)
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2025-09-03 · campaign 25V572000 · 1,456,417 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s 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, 202
Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage And Cable 2021-08-11 · campaign 21V631000 · 30 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Structure:emergency:escape/Egress/Exit 2019-06-11 · campaign 19V439000 · 15 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Seats 2019-04-29 · campaign 19V333000 · 544 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Seats 2019-04-26 · campaign 19V329000 · 360 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Seats 2019-04-18 · campaign 19V313000 · 2,080 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Seats 2019-03-28 · campaign 19V247000 · 4 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Seats 2019-03-28 · campaign 19V252000 · 15 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Seats 2019-03-26 · campaign 19V238000 · 12 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Seats 2019-03-22 · campaign 19V229000 · 776 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Seats 2019-03-18 · campaign 19V205000 · 471 vehicles
Defect: 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."
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.
Seats 2019-03-01 · campaign 19V332000 · 90 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft 2019-02-21 · campaign 19V103000 · 174 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Seats 2018-11-06 · campaign 18V782000 · 475 vehicles
Defect: 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
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.
Service bulletins (192)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-18 · SSM 55098 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2013-2016 super duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7l diesel engine and 2015-2019 transit vehicles equipped with a 3.2l diesel engine may not pass a state smog test due to the exhaust gas system (egs) monitor that will not run after completing the exhaust gas sensor drive cycle located within sect
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-20 · 25N15 S1 · Other
customer satisfaction program 25n15 - supplement #1 certain 2015-2019 model year multiple vehicle lines rear view camera inspection for one-time replacement
Engine 2026-03-26 · SSM 54690 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2013-2016 super duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7l diesel engine and 2015-2019 transit vehicles equipped with a 3.2l diesel engine may not pass a state smog test due to the exhaust gas system (egs) monitor that will not run after completing the exhaust gas sensor drive cycle located within sect
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-25 · 25N17 · Other
advance notice – customer satisfaction program 25n17 certain 2015-2025 model year multiple vehicle lines rear view camera replacement if required after dealer evaluation
Unknown Or Other 2026-02-24 · SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford and lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the
Visibility/Wiper 2026-01-05 · 25N15 · Other
certain 2015-2019 model year multiple vehicle lines rear view camera inspection for one-time replacemen
Showing the 6 most recent of 192 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-08 · Unknown Or Other“the rearview camera is not working. on a vehicle of this size, a functioning rearview camera is especially important for helping to prevent backing incidents. the issue occurs every time the vehicle is driven, and the display shows, “rear view camera not available.” dealers have advised that they will not inspect the vehicle unless we pay a diagnos…”
2026-09-02 · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit · 85,000 mi“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 repaired. the failure mileage was appr…”
2026-08-05 · Unknown Or Other“i took my vehicle on for am oil change and the mechanic brought to my attention that the front subframe of the vehicle had serious rot and rust. this lower subframe ties the front control arms together and other structural components, which is concerning with how fast this component has degraded. when researching this online, this appears to be a…”
2026-05-22 · Unknown Or Other“back up camera works only intermittently.…”
2026-05-07 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 364,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2018 ford transit. it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a dealer sale. at the time of the purchase the mileage was 64,000 and at the time when the fraud was discovered the mileage was 364,00. …”
2026-02-25 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 90,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 ford transit. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a misfire coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine, causing engine failure. the contact wa…”
2025-12-05 · Power Train“1- the turbo has failed twice 2- currently the torque converter has failed. the mechanic has claimed this is a common problem and recommends a complete transmission replacement. this is available for inspection right now. the problem was suspected by dealer but independent center diagnosed. the vehicle made a terrible hum as if it was going to ex…”
2025-10-13 · Unknown Or Other“rear-view camera displayed on rear-view mirror quit working, creating a blind spot behind the vehicle. no accident has yet occurred, but the danger is there. the vehicle is available for inspection. ford has issued a recall for this problem for this year, make, and model vehicle, but ford says that the recall is not extended to vehicles like min…”
2025-10-11 · Electrical System“in hot or humid conditions, the 8 inch center display flashes on and off intermittently. this failure makes the backup camera unusable, which is a safety problem. it also makes controlling the navigation or radio very difficult. the dealer has looked at this vehicle problem a few times in the last five years and has been unable to duplicate the pro…”
2025-09-29 · Power Train · 480,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 ford transit. the contact stated that while driving approximately 40-60 mph, the vehicle started vibrating abnormally and was almost uncontrollable. the contact held the steering wheel tightly. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the driveshaft coupling had failed and …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.