2018 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
46,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 22 complaints (22.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 31.8% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 27.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 13.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Visibility | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
Service Brakes: 5; Steering: 5; Unknown Or Other: 4; Electrical System: 2; Power Train: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Visibility: 2; Engine: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 16 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 5; 2023: 3; 2024: 3; 2025: 3; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11172457 · 2019-01-28 (January 28, 2019)
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... FORD HAS SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG.. NOT SURE WHAT ELSE TO DO BUT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T WANT TO STOP AND THE TIRES OR THE ONE ON THE FRONT IS COMPLETELY BALD AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 15,000 MILES ON IT
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11172457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11529508 · 2023-06-29 (June 29, 2023)
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 around 6K miles on it. Now it has around 7.5K on it and it has happen again. Have not taken it in for repair yet.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11529508 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11464032 · 2022-05-10 (May 10, 2022)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11464032 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11464044 · 2022-05-10 (May 10, 2022)
Power steering failure while driving Driver safety at risk as well as surrounding vehicles yes yes no warning lights, messages or other symptoms prior to failure
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11464044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11431800 · 2021-09-05 (September 5, 2021)
Torque Converter failed. Confirmed by dealer service department. No warning indicators. Dealer repaired under warranty but it took 3 months from the first phone call. Looking online at user boards this should be a recall issue. I was told I could continue to drive it until parts came in and only found out later that the transmission could be damaged by doing so.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431800 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11582928 · 2024-04-14 (April 14, 2024)
The transmission is having a shuddering issue, and looking online there on tons and tons of people having the same issue and stating it’s the torque converter and this is over many different years and variants of my vehicle… how is this not a recall yet?? People are having this issue right after purchase?
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11582928 at NHTSA ↗