2018 Ford Transit: owner complaints and recalls

Analysis of 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 14 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.

55
Complaints
14
Recalls
1
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
12
Injuries
192.7
Severity index

Severity index 192.7 - High. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.

Among the 121 2018 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2018 Ford Transit ranks 5 of 121 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 96% of its model-year peers. See the full 2018 ranking.

What actually fails

ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE1425.5%
POWER TRAIN1120.0%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1018.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM814.5%
STRUCTURE814.5%
WHEELS47.3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM47.3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING23.6%

The single most-reported system is ENGINE, cited in 14 of 55 complaints (25.5%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.

Complaints filed per year

2018: 32019: 92020: 42021: 52022: 52023: 102024: 72025: 92026: 3181920212223242526
YearComplaints
20183
20199
20204
20215
20225
202310
20247
20259
2026 (year to date)3
Complaint volume is rising - the last three years carry 1.9x the filings of the three before them, which usually signals a wear-related defect surfacing with age.

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
19V10300021/02/2019POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFTXL 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.
19V43900011/06/2019STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXITLA West Inc. (LA West) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with glass roof hatches. Temperature and vibration stresses may cause the tempered glass roof hatch to shatter.
19V33300029/04/2019SEATSNew England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ford Transit and 2014-2019 Ram Promaster 2500 and 3500 vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman Go-ES Foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the
19V20500018/03/2019SEATSQuality Van Sales, Inc. (Quality Van) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit and E-350 vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seat back cushions. The seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
18V78200006/11/2018SEATSNational Van Builders, Inc. (National Van) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the s
19V33200001/03/2019SEATSPrime-Time Specialty Vehicles (Prime-Time) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ram ProMaster and Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats. When the seat back cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion
19V25200028/03/2019SEATSWaldoch Crafts, Inc. (Waldoch) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Transit shuttle vans modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part number 43705. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not rema
19V32900026/04/2019SEATSFenton Mobility Products, Inc. (Fenton Mobility) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the up
21V63100011/08/2021PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLEFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Transit vehicles. An incorrect driveshaft torsional damper service kit may have been installed, which can allow the damper shield to contact the parking brake cable, possibly resulting in parking brake failure.
19V24700028/03/2019SEATSCabot Coach Builders, Inc. DBA Royale Limousine (Royale) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit-based mini-coaches equipped with Freedman GO-ES foldaway seats recalled under 18E-076. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the
19V31300018/04/2019SEATSMobility Transportation Services (MobilityTrans) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ford Transit and Ram Promaster vehicles and 2014-2015 Ford Econoline vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back se
19V22900022/03/2019SEATSTransitWorks is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit, 2018 Ford Transit Connect, and 2016 Dodge Ram ProMaster vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman Seating GO-ES seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat c
19V23800026/03/2019SEATSVantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit Van, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2007 Ford F-250-based shuttle vehicles equipped with Freedman GO-3S foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the up
25V57200004/09/2025BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERAFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera m
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.