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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,329 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Ford Transit engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Ford Transit Owner Comments

problem #10

May 172023

Transit

  • 200,593 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

With this vehicle when driving on highway or interstate once you go past about 40 miles the transmission begins to overheat and when it reaches a temperature of approximately 245? it will kick down into limp mode causing the vehicle to suddenly slow down in front of other traffic. You have to get over to the side of the road and let the transmission cool down before you can continue at a safe pace. This vehicle has been taken multiple times the transmission has been replaced twice. They have replaced the transmission cooler, they have an auxiliary cooler, and the problems still persist. This is very dangerous to be operating when it kicks down tent mode and gears down suddenly. It has been in Fords service shop for over seven months now and we just got it back with the new auxiliary cooler on it and it is still having the same problem.

- Caryville, TN, USA

problem #9

Mar 012024

Transit

  • 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 old and 8 years old vomited upon arriving at the residence. The contact and her family did not seek medical assistance. The contact stated that they were able to recover after 24 hours. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the exhaust manifold bolts were fractured, causing carbon monoxide to leak inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they aware of the failure and that an improved part had been made. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Leonard, TX, USA

problem #8

Oct 182021

Transit

  • miles
The vehicle goes into "limp" mode at random and without warning. The driver loses the ability to accelerate even though the engine remains on. This poses a serious safety risk to the driver, passenger and all other drivers on the highway when the driver has lost mechanical control and has to coast to the side of the road out of traffic. This began happening only after 37,000 miles. The throttle body was replaced, however, this is a reoccurring issue on other vehicles of the same type in my fleet posing a major safety threat to my employees and bystanders.

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

problem #7

Jun 302023

Transit

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The cam phasers started giving us issues at 47,000 miles. At the time, Ford told us this was a normal thing with these vehicles and there was no concern. Now that I am at 103,000 miles, the phasers have gotten a lot worse where the vehicle stalls and misfires, along with a loud rattle at startup. Ford will not replace them under warranty now that I am out of warranty, even though I brought the vehicle in while it was in warranty and was told it was normal. This is an extremely common issue with the 3.5L Ecoboost engine, and something needs to be done about it. Ford already has a warranty extension program for the F150. They need to extend that to the other vehicles with the same engine that have the exact same defect.

- Oak Lawn, IL, USA

problem #6

May 202022

Transit

  • miles
While I am driving, the battery warning light come up first, then the break system warning light come up, then transmission warning coming up. if I keep vehicle moving after while will get back normal. only when I stop the vehicle then vehicle will shut off can not start. Only when I jump start and will running for while.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #5

Oct 122021

Transit

  • 44,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and went into limp mode. The vehicle would not accelerate above 20 MPH. The failure almost caused a collision. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

- Bessemer City, NC, USA

problem #4

May 052020

Transit

  • 78,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Diesel engine fails catastrophically on highway in motion--first a blown piston at 78K miles, turbo failed within 5K miles of engine. Prior to these failures, both this truck and it's twin(bought identically together) developed leaks in the radiators...same location. The sister truck is now at a Ford dealer with a blown engine

- Jamestown, NY, USA

problem #3

Jul 152019

Transit

  • 32,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. When it rained, water leaked inside the engine compartment and damaged the components. When the contact started the vehicle, he heard an abnormal knocking noise. The contact also noticed that the separator from the top of the hood to the windshield had separated, allowing water to flow into the engine compartment. The contact even noticed that the roof inside the driver's side of the vehicle was wet and there was water on the floor. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 32,000.

- Lakewood, FL, USA

problem #2

Jul 132019

Transit

  • 21,000 miles
Check engine light turned on and ended up being malfunctioning catylytic converter. Ford Transit ecoboost 3.5 350xlt 21000 miles approx. Not sure why or how but Ford dealership replacing parts.

- Lakewood, CA, USA

problem #1

Jan 212019

Transit

  • 67,700 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated that the vehicle wiring was worn and being eaten by rats. As a result, the engine had trouble starting, but the vehicle could still be driven. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to fairlane Ford (14585 Michigan ave, dearborn, mi 48126, (313) 846-5000) where it was diagnosed that the wiring needed to be replaced. The wires were made out of soy and organic bio plastic. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 67,700.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

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