The Lemon Index
201720191st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: body structure
21 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2018 Ford E-Series 142018 Chevrolet Express 92018 Ford Transit Connect 18
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 19 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V572000 (back over prevention), 21V631000 (parking brake) and 19V439000 (body structure) done? It has 14 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Ford sent dealers 192 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Unique accessory drive noise characteristics”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 21 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 44K miles (7K to 72K km) on the car (19 of all 21 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Sliding door sensor indicating door open is malfunctioning I started moving vehicle not knowing door is open
2018 Ford Transit owner · NHTSA complaint 11376453
More owner reports
Fuel door broken at upper hinge. Very common part failure Ford will not acknowledge.
NHTSA complaint 11383558
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 35.8M views · 2015–2025 Ford Transit
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical710K views
Ford Transit | Radio removal 2015-2019Enfig · 308K views · 6 videos - Oil changes & service669K views
6 must-know maintenance tips for the Ford Transit 2013 to 2018Haynes Manuals · 294K views · 5 videos - Brakes & ABS451K views
2016 Ford Transit - How to Replace Rear Brake Pads - DIYDan the Fix it Man · 133K views · 5 videos - Starter, alternator & belts378K views
Urgent Timing Belt (Wet Belt) Replacement | 2019 Ford Transit at 66K Miles | The Car EditionThe Car Edition Ltd · 378K views
Show 4 more
- Gauges, lights & wiring336K views
2015-2019 FORD TRANSIT VAN OIL CHANGE REQUIRED SERVICE LIGHT RESET - DIYDan the Fix it Man · 167K views · 3 videos - Transmission & shifter277K views
How to Change the Transmission Fluid for 2015/2021 Ford Transit 250 350Less Expensive fix · 79K views · 4 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors159K views
2015 Ford Transit Mirror ReplacementAndrew Derr · 116K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank134K views
![[2/3] Ford Transit Not Starting - Fuel Pump Control Module Fix! 2015 Ford Transit Van 350 3.7L- Rd.↓](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/swpfU356yAM/mqdefault.jpg)
[2/3] Ford Transit Not Starting - Fuel Pump Control Module Fix! 2015 Ford Transit Van 350 3.7L- Rd.↓Our Family - Life Solutions · 82K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
2015-2025 Ford Transit review, 5 major problems, Ford will not. Ford Transit 15 passenger reviewrepairvehicle · 438K views
Top 5 Problems Ford Transit 250 Van 2015-2025 5th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 50K views
2016 Ford Transit T-150 Explorer Conversion Van WalkaroundPeoria Ford Commercial Fleet · 1.1M viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2018 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 192 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Unique accessory drive noise characteristics
- When replacing a 2015-2018 Transit 3.2L Duratorq-TDCi engine assembly or block, two new…
- Some 2017-2018 F-Super Duty/2016-2018 F650-750 with 6.7L diesel engines and 2015-2018 Transit…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 14
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
- Parking brake · recall issued 2021
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.
- Body structure · recall issued 2019
Temperature and vibration stresses may cause the tempered glass roof hatch to shatter.
Show all 14 recalls
- Seats · recall issued 2019
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.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
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.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
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.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
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.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
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.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
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.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
The seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
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.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2019 Hybrid only
The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the front driveshaft to detach.
- Seats · recall issued 2018
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit VAN FWD | not rated | ★★★★☆ | not rated | not rated |
| Ford Transit Connect VAN FWD | not rated | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | not rated |
| Ford Transit Connect Wagon FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,600–$3,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
Every Ford Transit year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 10 Ford Transit years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2018 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-transit/?y=2018" title="Ford Transit reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-transit/2018/">Lemon Index</a> (2018 Ford Transit reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2018 Ford Transit reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a fifth as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 15; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford Transit year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2019.
What are the most common 2018 Ford Transit problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (33%), engine (24%) and fuel system (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Transit have?
14 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Ford Transit get?
16 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Ford Transit safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2018 Ford Transit have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2018 Ford Transit cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Ford Transit have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
What Ford Transit year is better than the 2018?
Nearby, the 2019 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works