AI Damage2018 Ford Transit Connect: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Ford Transit Connect filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and steering. The maker issued 43 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 22
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 43
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 27% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 23% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 14% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 5% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 5% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 6 complaints (27% of all).
- Steering: 5 complaints (23% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Visibility: 3 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 22 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 17 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 13 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
This caused violent vehicle shuddering, extreme friction heat, and heavy, thick, acrid smoke. The vehicle was brought to a dealer shop for repair. Second Incident (April 29, 2026): Four days after delivery, the identical catastrophic brake lock-up recurred mid-transit, creating an immediate fire hazard due to friction…
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V294000 (Visibility); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
Power steering failed without warning. Rack and pinion had to be replaced. You now have 5 complaints on this but still no investigation open. This is clearly a manufacturer defect. $2,700 to fix. Vehicle only had 65,000 miles on it when it failed.
Driving at higher speeds when going to brake, the vehicle drops gears and slows agressively. It started to do this occasionally a couple of month ago, now it happens every other day.
The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, with the traction and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the failure recurred.
The transmission is having a shuddering issue, and looking online there on tons and tons of people having the same issue and stating it’s the torque converter and this is over many different years and variants of my vehicle… how is this not a recall yet?? People are having this issue right after purchase?
The contact's company owns a 2018 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while an employee was driving at 30 MPH, the rear driver side sliding door unintendedly opened. The employee could not shut the door due to a defective latch. The contact stated that a zip tie was used to secure the door.
ABS light comes on as well as loss of traction control and hill assist. Steering is more difficult, and the speed ohmmeter will not work. This is the second time this has happen.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,212 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 42% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Transit Connect has 28 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 22, below average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines…
Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
- Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines…
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
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- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
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NHTSA lists 43 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Transit Connect?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, steering, powertrain. Total complaints: 22. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (23%), warning lights, check engine (18%), jerking, harsh shifts (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect?
NHTSA lists 43 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Ford Transit Connect from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.