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Ford Transit ConnectModel year report

2018 Ford Transit Connect Problems

Complaints
22filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
46,000miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect. The part named most often is brakes, with 6 complaints (27% of the total), followed by steering (5) and other or unknown (4). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 46,000 miles. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 62 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “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 stop and the tires or the one on the front is completely bald and the vehicle only has 15,000 miles on it”

NHTSA complaint #11172457, filed 2019-01, 8,000 miles

Steering: “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”

NHTSA complaint #11464032, filed 2022-05

Other or unknown: “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 not have a cargo van. it's a seven passenger seat van.”

NHTSA complaint #11523293, filed 2023-05

Transmission and drivetrain: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11631955, filed 2024-12, 170,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 8,000 and 114,000 miles.

33%0–1017%10–250%25–500%50–7517%75–10017%100–15017%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 46,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2018201920202021202252023202420252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Transit Connect · wagon FWD★★★★★4 / 4554 · 17.9% risk
Transit Connect · VAN FWDnot rated4 / 455—

Neighbouring years: 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2018 Ford Transit Connect version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Transit Connect Van 2WD2.5L 4-cyl6-speed automatic202723$2,900
Transit Connect Wagon FWD2.5L 4-cyl6-speed automatic192722$3,050
Transit Connect Wagon LWB FWD2.5L 4-cyl6-speed automatic192722$3,050
Transit Connect Van FFV FWD2.5L 4-cyl · flex-fuel6-speed automatic202723$2,900
Transit Connect Wagon FFV FWD2.5L 4-cyl · flex-fuel6-speed automatic192722$3,050
Transit Connect Wagon LWB FFV FWD2.5L 4-cyl · flex-fuel6-speed automatic192722$3,050

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 62 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 62 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford Transit Connect

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20226—1425—Not enough data
202112—4425—Not enough data
20203217,0008—2571 · MoreRising
20195130,0008—2552 · TypicalRising
20182246,0006522—Stable
20172850,000652222 · FewerRising
201610459,0001052376 · MoreFalling
20156680,0001152450 · TypicalFalling
201412860,0001552479 · MoreFalling
20133235,350422328 · FewerFalling
20122635,003122313 · FewerFalling
20112448,6681—22—Falling
20104253,0002—2338 · TypicalRising

All Ford Transit Connect model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Ford Transit Connect have?

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2018 Ford Transit Connect is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 6 complaints (27% of the total), followed by steering with 5.

Has the 2018 Ford Transit Connect been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2018 Ford Transit Connect do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 Ford Transit Connect 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Ford Transit Connect get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Ford Transit Connect (Transit Connect Wagon FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Ford Transit Connect reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 46,000 miles and the middle half falls between 8,000 and 114,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.