RoadVitals

2018 Ford Transit

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
56
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
14
Latest Sep 3, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
12 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 56 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Ford Transit, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and electrical categories. 14 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 191 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

14 campaigns cover this model year

View all 14

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
25V572000

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Sep 3, 2025
1,456,417 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 25S89View on NHTSA.gov
21V631000

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE

Aug 11, 2021
30 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: Parking brake failure can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: 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.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 21S39View on NHTSA.gov
19V439000

STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXIT

Jun 11, 2019
15 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: If the tempered glass roof hatch shatters, glass fragments may fall onto passengers, increasing the risk of an injury.
The remedy: 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.
LA West Inc.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 56
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 5, 2026

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 common issue on 2015 and later Transit vans, to the point that an investigation was started towards a class action lawsuit. My vehicle is only 8 years and has 95,000 miles, quite young for this serious of an issue to be found. Ford should be held responsible and a safety recall should be issued as other manufacturers have had similar ones in recent years.

NHTSA ID
11755008
Incident
Aug 4, 2026
Filed May 22, 2026

Back up camera works only intermittently.

NHTSA ID
11739640
Incident
Oct 1, 2025
Electrical
Filed May 7, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID
11736268
Incident
May 7, 2026
Mileage
364,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 25, 2026

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 was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID
11720498
Incident
Feb 25, 2026
Mileage
90,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 5, 2025

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 explode. We had it cleaned and it made it stop for 10 miles, then it resumed.

NHTSA ID
11703242
Incident
Oct 1, 2025
Filed Oct 13, 2025

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 mine that were manufactured in a plant not covered by the initial recall #25V270, which has recently been extended. My vehicle has not been inspected by any third party, nor has the problem been confirmed by any local dealer, althought I have spoken to my local dealer, Sarasota Ford, twice about this issue. No warning lamps or messages have been displayed in my vehicle. The camera just goes to a blue screen, especially when the weather is warm or in the heat of the day.

NHTSA ID
11693073
Incident
Sep 1, 2025
Electrical
Filed Oct 11, 2025

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 problem. I cannot force this to occur at the dealership service department. Because the weather condition needed to duplicate this problem rarely occur near my home getting service for this is very difficult. Once the heat or humidity has subsided via using the air conditioning, the problem goes away after an hour or so.

NHTSA ID
11692745
Incident
Sep 22, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 29, 2025

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 needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a related recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 480,000.

NHTSA ID
11690253
Incident
Jun 29, 2025
Mileage
480,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

25N15 S1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement

SSM 54690

ENGINE

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 Section 2 of the Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnostics (PC/ED) Manual > Drive Cycles. This may be due to the vehicles diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) age counter being under the 120-minute requirement. Engineering is investigating this issue and working on a solution.

25N17

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING; BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS; LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation

SSM 54601

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

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 vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k

25N15

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacemen

25N15

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Transit by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026500—
2025240—
20242610062.3
20235318054.4
20223616057.9
2021234057.4
2020839158.6
2019369055.1
2018Viewing5614061.6
20179818164.9
201615321167.2
201519126159.4
2014330—
2001100—
2000000—
1999000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.