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ProblemsByVin File / 2018-FORD-TRANSIT NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2018 · Ford

Ford Transit problems

55 owner complaints and 8 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.4 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
8
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2018 Transit?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
11 reports · fails ~85,898 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
body
8 reports · fails ~27,663 mi · avg $1,500
severe
electrical
7 reports · fails ~223,900 mi · avg $850
severe
engine
7 reports · fails ~104,841 mi · avg $3,100
severe
wheels
3 reports · avg $400
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2018 Transit's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2018 Transit?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2018 Transit · engine
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…
12/28/2020 · at 78,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11385232.0 · see engine pattern →
2018 Transit · body
Fuel door broken at upper hinge. Very common part failure Ford will not acknowledge.
12/15/2020 · at 44,640 mi · NHTSA ODI #11383558.0 · see body pattern →
2018 Transit · engine
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…
12/07/2023 · at 90,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11558976.0 · see engine pattern →
2018 Transit · powertrain
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…
View all 55 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2018 Ford Transit? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 8

severe NHTSA 19V333000 April 29, 2019

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

In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 19V252000 March 28, 2019

Waldoch Crafts, Inc

In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 19V247000 March 28, 2019

Cabot Coach Builders, Inc

In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Fix: 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.
View all 8 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2018 Ford Transit reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Ford Transit has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2018 Ford Transit?

The 2018 Ford Transit is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average; 8 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2018 Ford Transit?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 11 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 85,898 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 85,898 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Ford Transit has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Ford Transit?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 55 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Ford/Transit. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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