2018 Ford TRANSIT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Ford TRANSIT has 74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2018 ford transit. the contact stated that the vehicle wiring was worn and being eaten by rats. as a result, the engine had trouble starting, but the vehicle could still be driven. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the vehicle was taken to fairlane ford (14585 mic. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 10 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

16 complaints

22%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD TRANSIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WIRING WAS WORN AND BEING EATEN BY RATS. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE HAD TROUBLE STARTING, BUT THE VEHICLE COULD STILL BE DRIVEN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FAIRLANE FORD (14585 MIC
• CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND ENDED UP BEING MALFUNCTIONING CATYLYTIC CONVERTER. FORD TRANSIT ECOBOOST 3.5 350XLT 21000 MILES APPROX. NOT SURE WHY OR HOW BUT FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACING PARTS.
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD TRANSIT. WHEN IT RAINED, WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND DAMAGED THE COMPONENTS. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE SEPARATOR FROM THE TOP OF THE HOOD TO THE WINDSHIELD HAD SEPAR

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD TRANSIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WIRING WAS WORN AND BEING EATEN BY RATS. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE HAD TROUBLE STARTING, BUT THE VEHICLE COULD STILL BE DRIVEN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FAIRLANE FORD (14585 MIC”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

11 complaints

15%

• MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES AFTER TRAVELING AT FULL SPEED ON US HWY 76AND THEN SLOWING DOWN OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE AUTONOMOUSLY MAKES ONE OR MORE VERY HARD DOWNSHIFTS. IT IS ENOUGH TO UNEXPECTEDLY PROPEL THE OCCUPANTS FORWARD IN THEIR SEATS/SEATBELTS. AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE POSSIBLE REOPEN
• The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and went into limp mode. The vehicle would not accelerate above 20 MPH. The failure almost caused a collision. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not d
• Multiple occurrences after traveling on the highway and then slowing down or when coming to a stop, the vehicle autonomously makes one or more very hard downshifts. It is enough to unexpectedly propel the occupants forward in their seats/seatbelts. ...while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehic

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

“MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES AFTER TRAVELING AT FULL SPEED ON US HWY 76AND THEN SLOWING DOWN OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE AUTONOMOUSLY MAKES ONE OR MORE VERY HARD DOWNSHIFTS. IT IS ENOUGH TO UNEXPECTEDLY PROPEL THE OCCUPANTS FORWARD IN THEIR SEATS/SEATBELTS. AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE POSSIBLE REOPEN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

10 complaints

14%

• BATTERY KEPT DRAINING-FOUND OUT 2 BATTERIES UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE FUEL IS PUT IN AT THE DRIVER'S SEAT DOOR. THE DOOR MUST STAY OPENED DURING FUELING. ALSO, THE BATTERY DRAINING AND NUMEROUS REPLACEMENTS FOUND DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING AGAIN. THIS IS A CONVERSION VAN BY EXPLORER, AND WE'VE AL
• CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND ENDED UP BEING MALFUNCTIONING CATYLYTIC CONVERTER. FORD TRANSIT ECOBOOST 3.5 350XLT 21000 MILES APPROX. NOT SURE WHY OR HOW BUT FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACING PARTS.
• REGARDING 2018 FORD TRANSIT XLT 15 PASSENGER WITH ECOBOOST ENGINE. THE FACTORY INSTALLED AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM DOES NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO COOL DOWN THE VAN'S CABIN, IN SOUTHERN STATES LIKE SOUTH FLORIDA, WHERE THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE REACHES 85+ DEGREES FAHRENHEIT DURING A SUNNY DAY THROUGH MOS

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

“BATTERY KEPT DRAINING-FOUND OUT 2 BATTERIES UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE FUEL IS PUT IN AT THE DRIVER'S SEAT DOOR. THE DOOR MUST STAY OPENED DURING FUELING. ALSO, THE BATTERY DRAINING AND NUMEROUS REPLACEMENTS FOUND DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING AGAIN. THIS IS A CONVERSION VAN BY EXPLORER, AND WE'VE AL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

8 complaints

11%

• 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. I MADE MENTION OF THIS TO AN AUTOBODY SHOP WHO SUGGESTED HAVING THE DEALERSHIP
• SEVERAL SPOTS ARE OCCURRING AT JOINTS OF DOOR OPENINGS AND ALSO ON THE ROOF WHERE THE PAINT IS NOT ADHERING PROPERLY OR IS ACTUALLY BEING RUBBED OFF WHEN THE DOORS ARE CLOSED AND THE VEHICLE IS AN OPERATION. THE PAINT JOB ON THE CEILING WELDS IS NOT SMOOTH. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS SOME BUBBLING OR
• AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS OF 75 MPH WITH A 30 DEGREE CROSSWIND AND GUSTS EXCEEDING 40 MPH, THE FRONT DOOR ON THE LEE SIDE FLEXES AND THE TOP OF THE DOOR OPENS. THIS DEFORMATION OF THE DOOR INDICATES A POTENTIAL FOR THE WARPING OF DOORS OVER TIME OR IN THE WORSE CASE, THE DOOR COMPLETELY OPENING TO THE D

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

“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. I MADE MENTION OF THIS TO AN AUTOBODY SHOP WHO SUGGESTED HAVING THE DEALERSHIP ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

8 complaints

11%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD TRANSIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WIRING WAS WORN AND BEING EATEN BY RATS. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE HAD TROUBLE STARTING, BUT THE VEHICLE COULD STILL BE DRIVEN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FAIRLANE FORD (14585 MIC
• BATTERY KEPT DRAINING-FOUND OUT 2 BATTERIES UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE FUEL IS PUT IN AT THE DRIVER'S SEAT DOOR. THE DOOR MUST STAY OPENED DURING FUELING. ALSO, THE BATTERY DRAINING AND NUMEROUS REPLACEMENTS FOUND DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING AGAIN. THIS IS A CONVERSION VAN BY EXPLORER, AND WE'VE AL
• While I am driving, the battery warning light come up first, then the break system warning light come up, then transmission warning coming up. if I keep vehicle moving after while will get back normal. only when I stop the vehicle then vehicle will shut off can not start. Only when I jump start

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 74 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD TRANSIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WIRING WAS WORN AND BEING EATEN BY RATS. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE HAD TROUBLE STARTING, BUT THE VEHICLE COULD STILL BE DRIVEN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FAIRLANE FORD (14585 MIC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES AFTER TRAVELING AT FULL SPEED ON US HWY 76AND THEN SLOWING DOWN OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE AUTONOMOUSLY MAKES ONE OR MORE VERY HARD DOWNSHIFTS. IT IS ENOUGH TO UNEXPECTEDLY PROPEL THE OCCUPANTS FORWARD IN THEIR SEATS/SEATBELTS. AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE POSSIBLE REOPEN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: BATTERY KEPT DRAINING-FOUND OUT 2 BATTERIES UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE FUEL IS PUT IN AT THE DRIVER'S SEAT DOOR. THE DOOR MUST STAY OPENED DURING FUELING. ALSO, THE BATTERY DRAINING AND NUMEROUS REPLACEMENTS FOUND DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING AGAIN. THIS IS A CONVERSION VAN BY EXPLORER, AND WE'VE AL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: 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. I MADE MENTION OF THIS TO AN AUTOBODY SHOP WHO SUGGESTED HAVING THE DEALERSHIP
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)