2018 Ford Transit recalls & complaints

1. Transmission / drivetrain

What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the front driveshaft to detach.

What could happen: 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.

The 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TRANSIT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V103000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-833-953-5338.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Seats

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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.

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

The 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TRANSIT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V333000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-443-4540.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Seats

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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."

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

The 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TRANSIT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V205000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-408-8550.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Seats

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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 wi…

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

The 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TRANSIT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V782000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-508-222-2272.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

5. Seats

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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.

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

The 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TRANSIT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V332000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-443-4540.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

6. Seats

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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.

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

The 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TRANSIT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V252000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-651-464-3215.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

7. Seats

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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.

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

The 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TRANSIT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V329000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-716-484-7014.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

8. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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.

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

The 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 a…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TRANSIT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 21V631000 (manufacturer code 21S39).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

9. Seats

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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.

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

The 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TRANSIT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V247000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-544-5587.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

10. Seats

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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.

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

The 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TRANSIT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V313000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-734-453-6452.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

11. Seats

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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.

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

The 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TRANSIT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V229000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-443-4540.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

12. Seats

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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.

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

The 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TRANSIT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V238000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-443-4540.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

13. Backup camera

What's wrong, in plain English: The rear camera may not show an image when reversing. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

What could happen: 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.

The 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 25S…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TRANSIT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V572000 (manufacturer code 25S89).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

14. Body / structure

What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. 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.

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

The 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TRANSIT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V439000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-704-498-4940.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Engine (16), Unknown Or Other (12), Transmission / drivetrain (12), Electrical system (9), Body / structure (8).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.