Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2018 Ford Transit Connect: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect, most recently filed September 2025. Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (6)

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2018 Ford Transit Connect. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 25V572000 Filed Sep 3, 2025

Blank or Distorted Rearview Camera Image

Back over prevention · sensing system · camera
Official NHTSA text
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 June 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 Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
15.4% repairedof 1,456,417 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 25V572000
Listed for 2018 Ford Transit Connect. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 25V442000 Filed Jun 27, 2025

Rearview Camera Image May Not Display

Back over prevention · software
Official NHTSA text
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.
54.8% repairedof 200,237 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 25V442000
Listed for 2018 Ford Transit Connect. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 24V294000 Filed Apr 26, 2024

Panoramic Roof Panel May Detach from Vehicle

Visibility · fixed panaramic roof/sky light assembly
Official NHTSA text
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.
34.3% repairedof 1,315 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 24V294000
Listed for 2018 Ford Transit Connect. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 22V413000 Filed Jun 10, 2022

Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable

Power train · automatic transmission · gear position indication (prndl)
Official NHTSA text
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 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
70.3% repairedof 2,925,968 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V413000
Listed for 2018 Ford Transit Connect. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 21V376000 Filed May 24, 2021

Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable

Power train · automatic transmission · gear position indication (prndl)
Official NHTSA text
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.
69% repairedof 192,080 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V376000
Listed for 2018 Ford Transit Connect. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 19V229000 Filed Mar 22, 2019

Seat Back may not Stay Upright

Seats
Official NHTSA text
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.
2.6% repairedof 776 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V229000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (22)

22 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 22.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2018 compares with other Transit Connect years

Best and worst Transit Connect years →
2014201520162017201820192020202120222023
This year (2018)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 17.9%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2018 Ford Transit Connect wagon fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined

23
mpg combined
20
city
27
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,900
CO₂ tailpipe
392 g/mi
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$2,840per year
$237per month
652gallons a year

Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2018 Ford Transit Connect configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23$2,900392
2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23$2,900392
2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 22$3,050404
2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 22$3,050404
2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 22$3,050404
2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 22$3,050404

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2018 Transit Connect for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Transit Connect years

Where to next

2018 Ford Transit Connect FAQ

How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Transit Connect have?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 25V572000 (rear camera), 25V442000 (rear camera), 24V294000 (lighting), 22V413000 (power train), 21V376000 (power train), 19V229000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2018 Ford Transit Connect problems?

Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (6), Steering (5), Unknown or other (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2018 Ford Transit Connect get?

EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 20 city, 27 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2018 Ford Transit Connect get?

NHTSA rated the 2018 Ford Transit Connect wagon fwd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (17.9% rollover risk).

How does the 2018 Transit Connect compare with other years?

Among the 2014–2021 Ford Transit Connect model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (9) and the 2014 the most (127). The 2018 drew 22. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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