2018 Ford Transit Engine Problems

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

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

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle suddenly started losing power, after driving over 200 yards, the vehicle became inoperable. The check engine and service engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact merged to the side of the road as a ramp was coming up and called AAA. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with a timing chain and engine failure. The contact was informed by the dealer of an extended warranty; however, the warranty had expired two days prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The engine was replaced with a used engine, new timing chain, new gaskets, engine oil, water pump, rear sealant, coolant, and spark plugs. The vehicle was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,206.

NHTSA ID

11654711

Incident

Feb 17, 2025

Mileage

156,206 mi

Exhaust manifold warped/broken stud causing exhaust leak.

NHTSA ID

11619378

Incident

Sep 27, 2024

With this vehicle when driving on highway or interstate once you go past about 40 miles the transmission begins to overheat and when it reaches a temperature of approximately 245° it will kick down into limp mode causing the vehicle to suddenly slow down in front of other traffic. You have to get over to the side of the road and let the transmission cool down before you can continue at a safe pace. This vehicle has been taken multiple times the transmission has been replaced twice. They have replaced the transmission cooler, they have an auxiliary cooler, and the problems still persist. This is very dangerous to be operating when it kicks down tent mode and gears down suddenly. It has been in Fords service shop for over seven months now and we just got it back with the new auxiliary cooler on it and it is still having the same problem.

NHTSA ID

11579477

Incident

May 17, 2023

Mileage

200,593 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal whistling sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown sensor was replaced, and the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 60 MPH with her husband and 5 children in the vehicle, they all started having severe headaches, were dizzy and her daughter 's ears were ringing. The contact stated that she pulled to the side of the road for a moment. Then she rolled down the windows and drove to the residence. The contact stated that her 5 years old and 8 years old vomited upon arriving at the residence. The contact and her family did not seek medical assistance. The contact stated that they were able to recover after 24 hours. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the exhaust manifold bolts were fractured, causing carbon monoxide to leak inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they aware of the failure and that an improved part had been made. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11577564

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

Mileage

110,000 mi

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. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to tow the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. Additionally, the manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11558976

Incident

Nov 21, 2023

Mileage

90,000 mi

The vehicle goes into "limp" mode at random and without warning. The driver loses the ability to accelerate even though the engine remains on. This poses a serious safety risk to the driver, passenger and all other drivers on the highway when the driver has lost mechanical control and has to coast to the side of the road out of traffic. This began happening only after 37,000 miles. The throttle body was replaced, however, this is a reoccurring issue on other vehicles of the same type in my fleet posing a major safety threat to my employees and bystanders.

NHTSA ID

11555253

Incident

Oct 18, 2021

The cam phasers started giving us issues at 47,000 miles. At the time, Ford told us this was a normal thing with these vehicles and there was no concern. Now that I am at 103,000 miles, the phasers have gotten a lot worse where the vehicle stalls and misfires, along with a loud rattle at startup. Ford will not replace them under warranty now that I am out of warranty, even though I brought the vehicle in while it was in warranty and was told it was normal. This is an extremely common issue with the 3.5L Ecoboost engine, and something needs to be done about it. Ford already has a warranty extension program for the F150. They need to extend that to the other vehicles with the same engine that have the exact same defect.

NHTSA ID

11529720

Incident

Jun 30, 2023

While I am driving, the battery warning light come up first, then the break system warning light come up, then transmission warning coming up. if I keep vehicle moving after while will get back normal. only when I stop the vehicle then vehicle will shut off can not start. Only when I jump start and will running for while.

NHTSA ID

11471795

Incident

May 20, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and went into limp mode. The vehicle would not accelerate above 20 MPH. The failure almost caused a collision. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

NHTSA ID

11436563

Incident

Oct 12, 2021

Mileage

44,000 mi

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 BLOWN ENGINE

NHTSA ID

11385232

Incident

May 5, 2020

Mileage

78,000 mi

TL* 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 FLOW INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT EVEN NOTICED THAT THE ROOF INSIDE THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS WET AND THERE WAS WATER ON THE FLOOR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA ID

11241703

Incident

Jul 15, 2019

Mileage

32,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11232547

Incident

Jul 13, 2019

Mileage

21,000 mi

TL* 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 48126, (313) 846-5000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WIRES WERE MADE OUT OF SOY AND ORGANIC BIO PLASTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,700.

NHTSA ID

11171383

Incident

Jan 21, 2019

Mileage

67,700 mi