AI Damage2018 Ford Transit: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Ford Transit filed 58 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 101 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 58
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 101
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 24% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 21% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 14% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 6 Wheels 7% of all complaints
- 7 Engine and cooling 3% of all complaints
- 8 Backover prevention 3% of all complaints
- Engine: 14 complaints (24% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Powertrain: 12 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
- Electrical system: 9 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 27.
- Structure: 8 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 4 complaints (7% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 3.7 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 58 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 14 | 0 | 4 |
| Powertrain | 12 | 0 | 20 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 | 27 |
| Structure | 8 | 0 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 23 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that while slowly driving into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into another parked vehicle. During the incident, the brake pedal was pressed, but the vehicle did not stop.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
These codes indicate that the turbine speed sensor signal is lost, forcing the transmission into limp mode, causing loss of power and erratic shifting. This is a serious safety concern, it can occur suddenly while driving and results in loss of proper gear control.
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.
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 810 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Transit has 33 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 58, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2013-2016 Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine and 2015-2019 Transit vehicles…
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…
- 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
- Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless…
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…
- Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacemen
- Special Field Action 25L02 Certain 2017-2024 Model Year California Emissions-Certified Vehicles…
Special Field Action 25L02 Certain 2017-2024 Model Year California Emissions-Certified Vehicles Transmission Control Assembly Reimbursement
- Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns …
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
- All Transit accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some…
- Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Transit Vehicles Equipped With 3.2L Diesel Engine Exhaust Gas Temperature…
Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Transit Vehicles Equipped With 3.2L Diesel Engine Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) Sensor Replacement. In affected vehicles, the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may illuminate with DTC…
NHTSA lists 101 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?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, electrical system. Total complaints: 58. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: loss of power / limp mode (10%), rear-view camera (9%), warning lights, check engine (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Ford Transit?
NHTSA lists 101 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 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.