2018 Ford Transit

▲ Better than typical
2018 Ford Transit
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:12:45.881Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Transit Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2018 highlighted. 2001: 1 complaints 2001 2014: 3 complaints 2015: 188 complaints 2015 2016: 151 complaints 2017: 95 complaints 2017 2018: 55 complaints 2018 2019: 36 complaints 2019 2020: 82 complaints 2021: 23 complaints 2021 2022: 36 complaints 2023: 53 complaints 2023 2024: 26 complaints 2025: 2 complaints 2025 2026: 4 complaints 2026
2018: 55 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20011
20143
2015188
2016151
201795
201855
201936
202082
202123
202236
202353
202426
20252
20264

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 25%

25% of complaints: engine — 14 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240315

POWER TRAIN 20%

20% of complaints: power train — 11 distinct reports on file.

STRUCTURE 13%

13% of complaints: structure — 7 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHEN THE VAN IS STATIONARY AND RUNNING FOR 10-15 MINUTES, HALF OF THE CARGO FLOOR (BEHIND THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS) REACHES A TEMPERATURE OF 125-130 DEGREES. A TEMP GUN WAS USED TO DEMONSTRATE THIS SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180629

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 5 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
WHEELS 7%

7% of complaints: wheels — 4 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20181116 — seats

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V332000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20181126 — seats

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 18V782000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190321 — seats

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V205000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190325 — seats

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V238000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190415 — power train

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V103000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190527 — seats

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V333000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190606 — seats

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V247000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190711 — structure

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.

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.

Campaign 19V439000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191219 — seats

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.

Remedy: TransitWorks has notified owners and instructed them to contact Freedman seats for a repair kit. The recall began December 19, 2019.

Campaign 19V229000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200519 — seats

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,...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V313000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200925 — seats

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V252000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20220314 — parking brake

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Transit vehicles.

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.

Campaign 21V631000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20260113 — back over prevention

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...

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.

Campaign 25V572000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — seats

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V329000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2018 Ford Transit — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 19V329000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V332000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V782000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V205000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V238000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V103000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V333000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V247000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V439000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V229000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V313000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V252000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V631000 (parking brake) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 25V572000 (back over prevention) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2019 ▲ 2022 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2015 ■ 2016 ◆ 2017

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2018 Ford Transit reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Ford Transit is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Transit?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Transit have?

14 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.