Is the 2018 Ford TRANSIT reliable?

The 2018 Ford TRANSIT has 74 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Ford TRANSIT?

Top problems: ENGINE (16 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (11 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (10 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Ford TRANSIT?

Yes, there are 14 recall(s): POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT, STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXIT, SEATS, SEATS, SEATS, SEATS, SEATS, SEATS, PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE, SEATS, SEATS, SEATS, SEATS, 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?

The 2018 Ford TRANSIT 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?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Ford TRANSIT 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

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Ford TRANSIT has 74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 74. 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. There are 14 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 10 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

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

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Ford TRANSIT

Based on 40 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 45K 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+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 32K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

High-mileage issuemedian 90K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

High-mileage issuemedian 87K mi · 5 reports

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 (14)

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT21/02/2019

XL Hybrids, Inc (XL) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with XL's electric hybrid system. The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the front driveshaft to detach.

Risk: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle, drive power will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. The detached driveshaft may also create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash for following traffic.

Fix: XL will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft with an updated one, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact XL Hybrid's customer service at 1-833-953-5338.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Ford TRANSIT

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

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 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, 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

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
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 14 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)