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EnginePart report

2018 Ford Transit Engine Problems

Complaints
14about this part
Share
24%of 58 total for the year
Median mileage
78,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Ford Transit, 24% of the 58 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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”

NHTSA complaint #11385232, filed 2020-12, 78,000 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.”

NHTSA complaint #11232547, filed 2019-07, 21,000 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11579477, filed 2024-03, 200,593 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.”

NHTSA complaint #11471795, filed 2022-06

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11555253, filed 2023-11

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024518%
2023813%
202238%
202056%
201938%
20181424%
20171616%
20162013%
20153518%

Other parts of the 2018 Ford Transit

Other or unknown
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Ford Transit

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology