NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera may show a distorted, inverted, or blank image when you shift into reverse.
This page covers 14 recalls and 54 owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Transit.
Powertrain and engine complaints dominate what owners report for the 2018 Ford Transit. On the powertrain side, owners describe torque converter failure, transmission problems requiring full replacement, and turbocharger failures, in some cases the same vehicle experiencing turbo failure more than once. Engine complaints center on coolant intrusion leading to misfires, check engine light illumination, and in several cases complete engine failure requiring replacement. A smaller cluster of structural complaints rounds out the top reported systems. Separately, a handful of owners report the center display screen flickering on and off in hot or humid conditions, which also disables the backup camera view. One isolated report involves a rearview mirror-integrated camera failing entirely. The display-related complaints are notably harder to reproduce at the dealership, with owners describing repeated service visits without resolution.
54
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
4
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Ford Transit has 14 recalls, the most serious being a driveshaft joint failure on vehicles modified with an XL hybrid system that can cause the front driveshaft to detach and cut drive power while moving.
The largest cluster of recalls involves Freedman GO-ES and GO-3S foldaway seats installed by various specialty vehicle converters. On these vehicles, the seat back cushion can fail to lock into position when loaded, meaning it may fold forward in a sudden stop or crash and leave the occupant without proper support. This defect was identified across vehicles modified by more than a dozen different upfitters, but the underlying seat failure is the same in each case. On the mechanical side, a driveshaft torsional damper service kit may have been installed incorrectly, allowing a shield to wear against the parking brake cable and cause the parking brake to fail, leaving the vehicle free to roll. There is also a structural concern on vehicles modified with glass roof hatches, where heat and vibration can shatter the tempered glass panel and drop fragments onto passengers inside. The rearview camera can display a distorted, flipped, or blank image when reversing, reducing visibility behind the vehicle.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera may show a distorted, inverted, or blank image when you shift into reverse.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An incorrect driveshaft damper kit may allow the damper shield to contact the parking brake cable, which can cause the parking brake to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger side parking brake cable with one that clears the damper shield.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Heat and vibration can cause the tempered glass roof hatch to shatter unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the hatch lids at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The back seat cushion on Freedman Go-ES foldaway seats may not stay locked in place when rotated from stowed to upright position, especially during a crash or sudden stop.
What the fix does
Freedman will repair the foldaway seats at no cost. Contact Freedman at 1-800-443-4540 or New England at 1-800-886-9247.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The foldaway seat cushion may not stay locked in place when rotated from storage to upright position, especially during a crash or sudden stop.
What the fix does
A Fenton Mobility technician will repair the foldaway seats at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The foldaway seat cushion may not lock securely when rotated upright, potentially shifting during crashes or sudden stops.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The back seat cushion may not lock securely when rotated from stowed to upright position, risking displacement during a crash or sudden stop.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the seat to ensure it locks properly in the upright position.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The foldaway seat cushion may not lock securely when rotated to the upright position, potentially becoming dislodged during a crash or sudden stop.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat at no charge to restore proper locking function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The foldaway seat cushion may not stay locked in the upright position during a crash or sudden stop, potentially allowing it to move.
What the fix does
Freedman will provide and install a repair kit at no cost. Contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The back seat cushion may not stay locked in place when rotated to upright position, especially during a crash or sudden stop.
What the fix does
Freedman Seating will provide a repair kit to secure the seat cushion in the upright position.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Freedman GO-ES foldaway seat back cushion may not stay locked in place during a crash or sudden stop, posing a safety risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The foldaway seat back cushion may not lock securely when rotated to the upright position, risking dislodgement during a crash or sudden stop.
What the fix does
Freedman dealers inspected and repaired the foldaway seats at no charge to restore secure locking.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The universal joint connecting the front driveshaft may fail, potentially causing the front driveshaft to separate from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front driveshaft with an updated one at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The foldaway seat cushion may not lock securely when rotated to the upright position, potentially shifting during a crash or sudden stop.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.