2018 Ford Transit Connect Safety Report

2018 Ford Transit Connect Safety Report

21Complaints
6Recalls
5/100Reliability Score
Most reported components: Steering (5)Service Brakes (2)Visibility (1)Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control (1)Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Power Train (1)Unknown Or Other,Engine (1)Latches/Locks/Linkages (1)Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes (1)Seats,Unknown Or Other (1)Unknown Or Other (1)

Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect

This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Ford Transit Connect. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.

2018 Ford Transit Connect Safety Signal Summary
SignalValueWhat to inspect next
Recall burdenHigh (6)Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below.
Owner complaintsModerate (21)Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates.
Crash and fire reports0Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item.
Primary component hubSteeringCompare steering issues across vehicles.
Cleaner nearby model year2021Compare against the 2021 Ford Transit Connect with 5 complaints and 4 recalls.
Riskier nearby model year2016Check the 2016 Ford Transit Connect before buying across this generation.

Ford Transit Connect Year-by-Year Comparison

The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Ford Transit Connect years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.

Nearby Ford Transit Connect Model Years
Model YearComplaintsRecallsUse case
2019 Ford Transit Connect 47 8 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2017 Ford Transit Connect 27 6 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2020 Ford Transit Connect 27 8 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2016 Ford Transit Connect 102 10 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2021 Ford Transit Connect 5 4 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2015 Ford Transit Connect 65 10 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.

2018 Ford Transit Connect Complaint Theme Map

Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Ford Transit Connect, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.

Steering

5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Steering issues Ford only

Service Brakes

2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Service Brakes issues Ford only

Visibility

1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Visibility issues Ford only

Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control

1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control issues Ford only

Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Power Train

1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Power Train issues Ford only

Unknown Or Other,Engine

1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Unknown Or Other,Engine issues Ford only

AI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect

The 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT has accumulated 21 complaints and 6 recalls in the NHTSA database. The most frequently reported problem areas are steering (5 complaints), service brakes (2 complaints), visibility (1 complaints). Steering issues and power train problems are common, with multiple complaints about gear position indication and power steering failures. Visibility issues, particularly with panoramic roof assemblies, have also been reported. The vehicle has been recalled for back over prevention sensing systems and software issues, as well as visibility problems with the fixed panoramic roof/sky light assembly. Key known issues to be aware of include Power Train, Gear Position Indication (PRNDL), Steering System, Visibility. Be cautious of potential steering and power train issues, and check for recalls related to visibility and back over prevention systems.

Reliability Score

The 2018 Ford Transit Connect receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.

NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.

Frontal Crash
★★★★☆
4/5
Side Crash
★★★★★
5/5

Known Issues for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Power Train, Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Complaints about gear position indication issues, leading to unexpected downshifting and transmission shuddering.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles
Steering System
Multiple reports of power steering failure without warning, requiring replacement of the power steering rack.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles
Visibility
Problems with the fixed panoramic roof/sky light assembly, leading to improper bonding and potential visibility issues.
Low Occasional 30k-60k miles
Back Over Prevention
Recalled for back over prevention sensing systems and software issues, affecting certain models.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Ford Transit Connect:

Steering System 23% of complaints

23% of complaints involve steering system failures.

Power Train 23% of complaints

23% of complaints involve power train issues.

Visibility 11% of complaints

11% of complaints involve visibility issues.

Back Over Prevention 11% of complaints

11% of complaints involve back over prevention issues.

Recall Details for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect

The following 6 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect by NHTSA:

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Campaign #25V572000 04/09/2025

Summary: 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.

Consequence: 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.

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 May 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 Identificatio...

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Back Over Prevention:Software
Campaign #25V442000 27/06/2025

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

Consequence: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Visibility:Fixed Panaramic Roof/Sky Light Assembly
Campaign #24V294000 26/04/2024

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Transit Connect vehicles. An improper bond may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body, which can result in the panel detaching from the vehicle.

Consequence: A roof panel that detaches while driving can create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will remove, clean, and reinstall the panoramic roof panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S29.

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Campaign #22V413000 10/06/2022

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-73...

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Campaign #21V376000 24/05/2021

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2021 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, causing the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the underhood shifter cable bushing, and add a protective cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 29, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S24.

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Seats
Campaign #19V229000 22/03/2019

Summary: 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.

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

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.

Manufacturer: TransitWorks

NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect

Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Ford Transit Connect with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Service Brakes
01/27/2026

One tire locks up gradually and then completely preventing the vehicle from being driven and causing damage to the other tires. The inability to drive the vehicle on the open road is very dangerous. There are no warning lamps. The vehicle may seem sluggish to accelerate. After towing to a service station, the ABS module failed and this caused damage to the brake master cylinder which had to be rep...

ODI #11713637
Visibility
04/16/2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit Connect. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V294000 (Visibility); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that two dealers were made aware of the issue and informed the contact that there...

ODI #11655051
Steering
01/31/2025

Power steering failed without warning. Rack and pinion had to be replaced. You now have 5 complaints on this but still no investigation open. This is clearly a manufacturer defect. $2,700 to fix. Vehicle only had 65,000 miles on it when it failed.

ODI #11639976
Service Brakes
01/31/2025

ABS brakes are locked up and only release after a few seconds. I have replaced the driver front caliper and now the passenger front is locking. After a quick search online, I have found several cases of the ABS module malfunctioning on this vehicle requiring a new module and programming. The first time the driver side locked, there were no warning lights and when I arrived home, the rotor was glow...

ODI #11639972
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control
12/21/2024

Driving at higher speeds when going to brake, the vehicle drops gears and slows agressively. It started to do this occasionally a couple of month ago, now it happens every other day.

ODI #11631955
Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Power Train
08/05/2024

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, with the traction and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the failure recurred. The contact also stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that transmission fluid was leaking from the t...

ODI #11606483
Unknown Or Other,Engine
04/14/2024

The transmission is having a shuddering issue, and looking online there on tons and tons of people having the same issue and stating it’s the torque converter and this is over many different years and variants of my vehicle… how is this not a recall yet?? People are having this issue right after purchase?

ODI #11582928
Latches/Locks/Linkages
07/27/2023

The contact's company owns a 2018 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while an employee was driving at 30 MPH, the rear driver side sliding door unintendedly opened. The employee could not shut the door due to a defective latch. The contact stated that a zip tie was used to secure the door. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer nor the dealer had been notified of th...

ODI #11534789
Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes
06/29/2023

ABS light comes on as well as loss of traction control and hill assist. Steering is more difficult, and the speed ohmmeter will not work. This is the second time this has happen. First time mechanic replaced bad speed sensor on drivers' side front wheel and everything went back to normal it only had around 6K miles on it. Now it has around 7.5K on it and it has happen again. Have not taken it in f...

ODI #11529508
Seats,Unknown Or Other
05/22/2023

hello - this is not a safety issue with my car. for the moment. inputting the VIN it states that there is only 1 row of seats (D/P). this is not accurate. there are 3 seat rows in my van. (front x2, middle x3 and rear seats x2) total of 7 seats. thus this should be corrected for my VIN. if or when i have a complaint about the safety of the seats, belts, head rests etc... it will make sense. i do ...

ODI #11523293
Steering
06/06/2022

Power steering failed without warning while vehicle was being driven at highway speeds. Vehicle required replacement of power steering rack. This is the 4th time this has happened with my Ford Transit Connect vans

ODI #11467735
Steering
06/06/2022

Steering system failed while driving put driver at risk of crash. The problem still exists. It appears that the power steering rack has failed for the second time and will need to be replaced. There was no warning prior to failure

ODI #11467730
Steering
05/10/2022

Power steering failure while driving Driver safety at risk as well as surrounding vehicles yes yes no warning lights, messages or other symptoms prior to failure

ODI #11464044
Steering
05/10/2022

Unexpected power steering failure while driving. Driver and surrounding vehicles at risk Ford Dealer has reproduced the problem but can't identify the cause There weren't any warning lamps or messages before failure I own two other Ford Transit Connect vans from 2018, each has had the same problem

ODI #11464032
Unknown Or Other
05/09/2022

My vehicle is less than 5 years old, 10 months out of warranty. The LOCKS stopped working. They made the noise, but no action. So, I thought the locks were still working. The dealership had no idea what the issue was - they've had my vehicle for almost a month trying to figure it out. So far they've changed the Body Control Module and are getting another part. Ford will do nothing even though...

ODI #11463851
Visibility,Structure
11/01/2021

I had been driving my car for a few minutes when I heard a loud pop and my rear window glass shattered. Covered in spider glass cracks and only held in place by the tint. No point of impact visible to show that it had been hit by an object. It was chilly, 43 F, and I had the heat/defrost on. Unfortunately, when arriving to work, I opened my sliding door look at the damage from the inside and doing...

ODI #11438866
Power Train
09/05/2021

Torque Converter failed. Confirmed by dealer service department. No warning indicators. Dealer repaired under warranty but it took 3 months from the first phone call. Looking online at user boards this should be a recall issue. I was told I could continue to drive it until parts came in and only found out later that the transmission could be damaged by doing so.

ODI #11431800
Exterior Lighting
12/03/2020

DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT LOW BEAM BULB BURNS OUT CONTINUOUSLY

ODI #11377779
Electrical System
02/12/2020

LOUD NOISE W/VIBRATION AND FOUL ODOR COMING FROM HEATER BLOWER. DEALERSHIP DISCOVERED A RODENT'S NEST IN THE CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWER MOTOR. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THERE IS NO REMEDY TO PREVENT RECURRENCE. DEALERSHIP ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FORD ESCAPE HAS A HISTORY OF THE SAME PROBLEM. SEE FORD'S TSB 17-0034, PUBLISHED 3/21/17 RE FORD'S RECOMMENDED PREVENTION: "...INSTALL THE NEW INLET DUCT ...

ODI #11308754
Suspension,Wheels,Service Brakes
01/28/2019

HAVE TAKEN OUR VEHICLE TO FORD AT LEAST 12 TIMES AND HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, THEY HAVE SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. WE BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND HAVE THREE SETS OF BRAKE PAD PLACED ON THE FRON AND TWO PAIRS ON THE REARS.. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO SETS OF TIRES AND THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE IS CLICKING... FORD HAS SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG.. NOT SURE WHAT ELSE TO DO BUT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T WANT TO ...

ODI #11172457

Showing 20 of 21 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Ford Transit Connect

Has the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT been recalled?

Yes, the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT has 6 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.

How many complaints does the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT have?

The 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT has 21 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.

What is the safety rating for the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT?

The 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT involve steering (5 complaints), service brakes (2 complaints), visibility (1 complaints). Other affected components include power train,vehicle speed control, service brakes, hydraulic,power train, unknown or other,engine.

How many crash reports does the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT have?

There are no crash reports associated with the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT in the NHTSA database.

How many fire reports does the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT have?

There are no fire reports for the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT in the NHTSA database.

Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT?

No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT.

How many injuries are reported for the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT?

No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT.

Should I buy a 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 21 complaints, 6 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.

What components fail most on the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT?

The components with the most failures on the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT are: 1. STEERING (5 complaints), 2. SERVICE BRAKES (2 complaints), 3. VISIBILITY (1 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints), 5. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN (1 complaints). STEERING is the single most-reported problem area with 5 complaints.

What should I know before buying a 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT?

Be cautious of potential steering and power train issues, and check for recalls related to visibility and back over prevention systems. The 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT has 21 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record.

How reliable is the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT?

The 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 21 owner complaints, 6 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Power Train, Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) and Steering System.

What are the known issues with the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT?

Known issues with the 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT include: Power Train, Gear Position Indication (PRNDL), Steering System, Visibility, Back Over Prevention. These are based on patterns found across 21 NHTSA complaints. 6 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.

Are there any recalls for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect?

Yes, there are recalls for back over prevention sensing systems and software issues, as well as visibility problems with the fixed panoramic roof/sky light assembly.

What are the most common complaints about the 2018 Ford Transit Connect?

The most common complaints are related to steering system failures and power train issues, such as gear position indication problems and power steering failures.

Is the 2018 Ford Transit Connect safe to drive?

While the vehicle has some known issues, it is generally safe to drive. However, be aware of potential steering and power train problems and check for recalls.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential steering and power train issues, and check for recalls related to visibility and back over prevention systems.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Ford Transit Connect

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect. The data includes 21 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 6 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.

Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.

Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16