Is the 2018 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT reliable?

The 2018 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT has 32 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT?

Top problems: BRAKES (6 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (5 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL), SEATS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL), VISIBILITY:FIXED PANARAMIC ROOF/SKY LIGHT ASSEMBLY, BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT?

The 2018 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT is approximately $1,607/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT has 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 38. The most common issue is brakes problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: have taken our vehicle to ford at least 12 times and have the extended warranty, they have said nothing is wrong with it. we bought brand new and have three sets of brake pad placed on the fron and two pairs on the rears.. we have gone through two sets of tires and the front drivers side is clicking. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

6 complaints

19%

• HAVE TAKEN OUR VEHICLE TO FORD AT LEAST 12 TIMES AND HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, THEY HAVE SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. WE BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND HAVE THREE SETS OF BRAKE PAD PLACED ON THE FRON AND TWO PAIRS ON THE REARS.. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO SETS OF TIRES AND THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE IS CLICKING
• 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. First time mechanic replaced bad speed sensor on drivers' side front wheel and everything went back to normal it only had
• The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit Connect. 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 contact also stated that w

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“HAVE TAKEN OUR VEHICLE TO FORD AT LEAST 12 TIMES AND HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, THEY HAVE SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. WE BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND HAVE THREE SETS OF BRAKE PAD PLACED ON THE FRON AND TWO PAIRS ON THE REARS.. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO SETS OF TIRES AND THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE IS CLICKING”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT

Based on 10 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 46K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)24/05/2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2021 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, causing the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the underhood shifter cable bushing, and add a protective cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 29, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S24.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,607

Full coverage / month

$134

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1607

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford TRANSIT CONNECT Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2018 TRANSIT CONNECT, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 32 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: HAVE TAKEN OUR VEHICLE TO FORD AT LEAST 12 TIMES AND HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, THEY HAVE SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. WE BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND HAVE THREE SETS OF BRAKE PAD PLACED ON THE FRON AND TWO PAIRS ON THE REARS.. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO SETS OF TIRES AND THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE IS CLICKING
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: Unexpected power steering failure while driving. Driver and surrounding vehicles at risk Ford Dealer has reproduced the problem but can't identify the cause There weren't any warning lamps or messages before failure I own two other Ford Transit Connect vans from 2018, each has had the same problem
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: My vehicle is less than 5 years old, 10 months out of warranty. The LOCKS stopped working. They made the noise, but no action. So, I thought the locks were still working. The dealership had no idea what the issue was - they've had my vehicle for almost a month trying to figure it out. So far the
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED (STANDARD EQUIPMENT, NOT AN OPTION) WITH AUTOMATIC FOLDING SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ON DRIVERS DOOR AND PASSENGER DOOR. SAFETY FAULT IS THAT VEHICLE CAN BE STARTED AND DRIVEN WITH THE VEHICLE IN FOLDED POSITION. FORD DEALERSHIP AND FORD'S CUSTOMER HOTLINE ARE CLAIMING THAT THIS IS NOR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)