2018 Ford TRANSIT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
57 owner complaints analyzed
14 distinct recall campaigns
44,820 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 57 complaints (24.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 10.5% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 7.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 5.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 14 |
| Power Train | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 |
| Structure:Body | 7 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Wheels | 4 |
| Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer | 2 |
Engine: 14; Power Train: 11; Unknown Or Other: 11; Structure:Body: 7; Electrical System: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Wheels: 4; Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 6
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 27 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 | 3 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2018: 3; 2019: 9; 2020: 4; 2021: 5; 2022: 5; 2023: 10; 2024: 7; 2025: 9; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 11423584 · 2021-07-06 (July 6, 2021)
After two or three hours driving in the high way show in the dashboard panel "TRANSMISSION SERVICE REQUIRED" and lose power it means "traction" driving from 60 MPH goes under 40 MPH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423584 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11471795 · 2022-06-30 (June 30, 2022)
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 and will running for while.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11471795 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11207448 · 2019-05-14 (May 14, 2019)
REAR BRAKES AND TIRES FOR TWO OF OUR 2018 FORD TRANSIT VEHICLES ARE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLES. WE ALSO SEEN THIS OCCUR WITH ONE OF OUR 2016 FORD TRANSIT -- REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE WITHIN 32,000
Owner-reported narrative. 9,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11207448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11593003 · 2024-06-07 (June 7, 2024)
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal squeaking sound would be emitted from the vehicle without warning. The contact stated that the sound went away upon the depression of the brake pedal. Since owning the vehicle, the contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer for an oil change, each time, the contact was informed that both the brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the clips needed to keep the brake pads in place fractured approximately 20-50 m…
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11593003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11171383 · 2019-01-22 (January 22, 2019)
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 MICHIGAN AVE, DEARBORN, MI 48126, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WIRES WERE MADE OUT OF SOY AND ORGANIC BIO PLASTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…
Owner-reported narrative. 67,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11171383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11181999 · 2019-02-22 (February 22, 2019)
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 ALREADY HAD ANTIFREEZE LEAKAGE WHICH IS STILL A PROBLEM WITH THE SMELL. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT REPAIR SHOP IN MILLERSVILLE FOR ANOTHER MONTH. MVA INVESTIGATOR KEVIN CHUBB DIRECTED US TO INVESTIGATE THIS FUEL SYSTEM AND BATTERY SYSTEM PLACEMENT FOR INS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11181999 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11529720 · 2023-06-30 (June 30, 2023)
The cam phasers started giving us issues at 47,000 miles. At the time, Ford told us this was a normal thing with these vehicles and there was no concern. Now that I am at 103,000 miles, the phasers have gotten a lot worse where the vehicle stalls and misfires, along with a loud rattle at startup. Ford will not replace them under warranty now that I am out of warranty, even though I brought the vehicle in while it was in warranty and was told it was normal. This is an extremely common issue with the 3.5L Ecoboost engine, and something needs to b…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11529720 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11681679 · 2025-08-19 (August 19, 2025)
My 2018 Ford Transit 250 experienced a failure of the Input/Turbine Speed Sensor in the 6R80 transmission’s mechatronic lead frame at approximately 60,000 miles. The failure was confirmed by an authorized Ford service department, which retrieved DTC codes P0715-00 and P0717-00. These codes indicate that the turbine speed sensor signal is lost, forcing the transmission into limp mode, causing loss of power and erratic shifting. This is a serious safety concern, it can occur suddenly while driving and results in loss of proper gear control. Rel…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11681679 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11690253 · 2025-09-29 (September 29, 2025)
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-60 MPH, the vehicle started vibrating abnormally and was almost uncontrollable. The contact held the steering wheel tightly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the driveshaft coupling had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a related recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The fa…
Owner-reported narrative. 480,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11690253 at NHTSA ↗