2018 Ford Transit recalls and problems

The 2018 Ford Transit has 14 safety recalls and 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer.

Recalls
14
Complaints
59
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
12 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2018 Ford Transit vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2018 Ford Transit recalls

Recall 25V-572: Back Over Prevention

Reported Sep 3, 2025 · 1,456,417 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 21V-631: Parking Brake

Reported Aug 11, 2021 · 30 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Risk: Parking brake failure can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-439: Structure

Reported Jun 11, 2019 · 15 vehicles affected · LA West Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the tempered glass roof hatch shatters, glass fragments may fall onto passengers, increasing the risk of an injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-333: Seats

Reported Apr 29, 2019 · 544 vehicles affected · New England Wheels

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-329: Seats

Reported Apr 26, 2019 · 360 vehicles affected · Fenton Mobility Products, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-313: Seats

Reported Apr 18, 2019 · 2,080 vehicles affected · Mobility Transportation Services

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-252: Seats

Reported Mar 28, 2019 · 15 vehicles affected · Waldoch Crafts, Inc

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-247: Seats

Reported Mar 28, 2019 · 4 vehicles affected · Cabot Coach Builders inc DBA Royale

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-238: Seats

Reported Mar 26, 2019 · 12 vehicles affected · Vantage Mobility International, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-229: Seats

Reported Mar 22, 2019 · 776 vehicles affected · TransitWorks

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-205: Seats

Reported Mar 18, 2019 · 471 vehicles affected · Quality Van Sales, Inc.

Problem: 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."

Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-332: Seats

Reported Mar 1, 2019 · 90 vehicles affected · Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-103: Power Train

Reported Feb 21, 2019 · 174 vehicles affected · XL Hybrids INC

Problem: 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.

Recall 18V-782: Seats

Reported Nov 6, 2018 · 475 vehicles affected · National Van Builders, Inc.

Problem: 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."

Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

2018 Ford Transit problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine14
Unknown or Other13
Power Train12
Electrical System10
Structure8
Wheels4
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Seat Belts2
Visibility/Wiper2
Back Over Prevention2
Tires2
Engine and Engine Cooling2

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 7
  • Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer — 2
  • Electrical System › Wiring — 1
  • Structure › Body › Door — 1
  • Back Over Prevention › Camera System — 1
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 1
  • Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera — 1
  • Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 45,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2018 Ford Transit complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · reported Nov 10, 2026
Back up camera (located in the rear view mirror) turns blue/black when you put the vehicle in reverse, making it impossible to see directly behind when backing up. This is a huge safety issue and is a known problem. This has been occurring on a constant basis since I purchased the vehicle in 2019. I have been watching for recalls since that time but my VIN has never been included, although the year, make, and model is. My vehicle is experiencing the exact failure described in NHTSA Campaign 25V-720, Ford campaign 25S89, but my VIN was excluded from the recall.
Electrical System · reported Oct 8, 2026
The rearview camera is not working. On a vehicle of this size, a functioning rearview camera is especially important for helping to prevent backing incidents. The issue occurs every time the vehicle is driven, and the display shows, “Rear View Camera not available.” Dealers have advised that they will not inspect the vehicle unless we pay a diagnostic fee. In June 2026, we purchased a used 2018 Ford Transit 150 van with 68,000 miles from a Ford dealership. Two days after the purchase, we discovered that the backup camera stops working when the temperature rises. Now that it is midsummer…
Power Train · at 85,000 miles · reported Sep 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was making an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle's differential of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic and was diagnosed with differential failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Steering · reported Aug 5, 2026
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…
Electrical System · at 364,000 miles · reported May 7, 2026
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.

Other Ford Transit years

Compare all Ford Transit years · All Ford models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Ford Transit have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 14 recalls for the 2018 Ford Transit: 25V-572 (back over prevention), 21V-631 (parking brake), 19V-439 (structure), 19V-333 (seats), 19V-329 (seats) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2018 Ford Transit?

Owners report engine problems most often (14 reports), followed by unknown or other (13). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 45,000 miles.

Are Ford recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ford dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.