CSR

Ford · NHTSA safety record

2018 Ford Transit

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

56

Complaints

1

Crashes

1

Fires

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2018 Ford Transit have filed 56 safety complaints with NHTSA between June 2018 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 14 of them (25%). The typical failure was reported at 44,640 miles, the median across the 29 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 14 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (14)

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

25V572000 · September 4, 2025

The defect
Ford 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 may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
The risk
A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,456,417 vehicles across all model years covered

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE

21V631000 · August 11, 2021

The defect
Ford 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.
The risk
Parking brake failure can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the passenger side parking brake cable with a cable that provides sufficient clearance to the damper shield, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 24, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S39.

Ford Motor Company · up to 30 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXIT

19V439000 · June 11, 2019

The defect
LA 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.
The risk
If the tempered glass roof hatch shatters, glass fragments may fall onto passengers, increasing the risk of an injury.
The remedy
LA West will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hatch lids, free of charge. The recall began July 11, 2019. Owners may contact LA West customer service at 1-704-498-4940.

LA West Inc. · up to 15 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

19V333000 · April 29, 2019

The defect
New 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 seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
The risk
In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
New England has notified owners, directing them to contact Freedman for repairs to the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall began May 27, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or New England at 1-800-886-9247.

New England Wheels · up to 544 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

19V329000 · April 26, 2019

The defect
Fenton 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 upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
The risk
In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
Fenton Mobility will notify owners, and a Fenton Mobility technician will repair the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2019. Owners may contact Fenton Mobility customer service at 1-716-484-7014.

Fenton Mobility Products, Inc. · up to 360 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

19V313000 · April 18, 2019

The defect
Mobility 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 seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
The risk
In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
MobilityTrans will notify owners and Freedman Seating dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2019. Owners may contact Mobility Transportation Services customer service at 1-734-453-6452.

Mobility Transportation Services · up to 2,080 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

19V252000 · March 28, 2019

The defect
Waldoch 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 remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
The risk
In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
Waldoch will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began September 25, 2020. Owners may contact Waldoch customer service at 1-651-464-3215.

Waldoch Crafts, Inc · up to 15 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

19V247000 · March 28, 2019

The defect
Cabot 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 seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
The risk
In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
Royale will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the seat. The recall began June 6, 2019. Owners may contact Royale customer service at 1-800-544-5587.

Cabot Coach Builders inc DBA Royale · up to 4 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

19V238000 · March 26, 2019

The defect
Vantage 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 upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
The risk
In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
Vantage has notified owners, instructing them to contact Freedman for a repair kit, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540.

Vantage Mobility International, LLC · up to 12 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

19V229000 · March 22, 2019

The defect
TransitWorks 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 cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
The risk
In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
TransitWorks has notified owners and instructed them to contact Freedman seats for a repair kit. The recall began December 19, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman Seating customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or TransitWorks customer service at 1-855-337-9543.

TransitWorks · up to 776 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

19V205000 · March 18, 2019

The defect
Quality 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
The risk
In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
Quality Van will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began March 21, 2019. Owners may contact Quality Van customer service at 1-800-408-8550.

Quality Van Sales, Inc. · up to 471 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

19V332000 · March 1, 2019

The defect
Prime-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 may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
The risk
In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles has notified owners, and Freedman dealers have inspected and repaired the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2018. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles at 1-574-293-9191.

Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles · up to 90 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

19V103000 · February 21, 2019

The defect
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.
The 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.
The remedy
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.

XL Hybrids INC · up to 174 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

18V782000 · November 6, 2018

The defect
National 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 seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
The risk
In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
National Van will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began November 26, 2018. Owners may contact National Van customer service at 1-508-222-2272.

National Van Builders, Inc. · up to 475 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 56.

ENGINE 14 25%
POWER TRAIN 11 20%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11 20%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8 14%
STRUCTURE 8 14%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4 7%
WHEELS 4 7%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 2 4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2 4%
SEAT BELTS 2 4%
TIRES 2 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2 4%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2023 at 10.

2018 2023 2026
2018 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE

7 injured · 110,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal whistling sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown sensor was replaced, and the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 60 MPH with her husband and 5 children in the vehicle, they all started having severe headaches, were dizzy and her daughter 's ears were ringing. The contact stated that she pulled to the side of the road for a moment. Then she rolled down the windows and drove to the residence. The contact stated that her 5 years

NHTSA complaint 11577564, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 injured · crash · towed

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while slowly driving into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into another parked vehicle. During the incident, the brake pedal was pressed, but the vehicle did not stop. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. No injuries were reported and a police report was taken at the scene. Also, the vehicle later experienced the same failure. While attempting to park the vehicle again experienced unintended acceleration and drove forward, crashing into a second vehicle. During the crash, the two front occupants of the second vehicle

NHTSA complaint 11666727, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS

2 injured · 32,000 miles

1. RAIN SENSING WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY BARELY WHEN DRIVING. TOLD BY SALES MANAGER THAT "THEY WORK BUT IT ISN'T A PERFECT SYSTEM" 2. A.M. LIMITED RECEPTION IN WIDE OPEN AREAS IN MULTIPLE LARGE POPULATION AREAS. SITTING OR DRIVING BOTH. TRIED TO USE FOR 530 A.M. ROAD INFORMATION & WOULDN'T WORK. 3. BODY ROOF SEAL CAME LOOSE FROM ROOF DRIVING HOME IN COLD WEATHER. 4. TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT GOES OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. 5. SEAT BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT TAB ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FELL OFF. NOT COVERED BY FORD BECAUSE IT IS PLASTIC. 6. CUSTOMER CONNECTION POWER POINT ON DRIVERS SEAT PEDESTAL MISSING A MOUNTING NUT FROM FACTORY. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE POWER POINT IS NOT FACTORY BECAUSE

NHTSA complaint 11208107, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire

On March 7, 2023, at approximately 1:45 PM, Bus 437 had caught fire in the engine compartment of the vehicle while sitting in the parking lot. The bus had just came off of a route minutes before & the driver had reported the dash tell tale (warning) lights had come on. The Operator switched the engine off and then noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment area prior to the thermal event. The fire caused significant damage & the vehicle is a total loss; the engine compartment, bus body, interior as well as exterior and top cap of the bus were affected. An independent firm was hire to conduct the fire investigation ( EFI Global, Inc.) & determined the source of the fire to be a power

NHTSA complaint 11519262, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
I took my vehicle on for am oil change and the mechanic brought to my attention that the front subframe of the vehicle had serious rot and rust. This lower subframe ties the front control arms together and other structural components, which is concerning with how fast this component has degraded. When researching this online, this appears to be a common issue on 2015 and later Transit vans, to the point that an investigation was started towards a class action lawsuit. My vehicle is only 8 years and has 95,000 miles, quite young for this serious of an issue to be found. Ford should be held responsible and a safety recall should be issued as other manufacturers have had similar ones in recent

NHTSA complaint 11755008, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Back up camera works only intermittently.

NHTSA complaint 11739640. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

364,000 miles

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Ford Transit. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of the purchase the mileage was 64,000 and at the time when the fraud was discovered the mileage was 364,00.

NHTSA complaint 11736268. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

90,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a misfire coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA complaint 11720498. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
1- THE TURBO HAS FAILED TWICE 2- CURRENTLY The torque converter has failed. The mechanic has claimed this is a common problem and recommends a complete transmission replacement. This is available for inspection right now. The problem was suspected by Dealer but independent center diagnosed. The vehicle made a terrible hum as if it was going to explode. We had it cleaned and it made it stop for 10 miles, then it resumed.

NHTSA complaint 11703242. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Rear-view camera displayed on rear-view mirror quit working, creating a blind spot behind the vehicle. No accident has yet occurred, but the danger is there. The vehicle is available for inspection. Ford has issued a recall for this problem for this year, make, and model vehicle, but Ford says that the recall is not extended to vehicles like mine that were manufactured in a plant not covered by the initial recall #25V270, which has recently been extended. My vehicle has not been inspected by any third party, nor has the problem been confirmed by any local dealer, althought I have spoken to my local dealer, Sarasota Ford, twice about this issue. No warning lamps or messages have been

NHTSA complaint 11693073, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford Transit

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2024 27 10
2023 53 19
2022 36 16
2021 23 4
2020 83 9
2019 36 9
2017 98 18
2016 153 21 1
2015 191 26 9

Other 2018 Ford models

Every Ford on this site — 348 vehicles, 1210 recall campaigns and 10 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst