FordTransit-1502018Overview/ford/transit-150/2018/base/
150 platform

2018 Ford Transit-150

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Transit.

Body VANTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2018 Ford Transit is a full-size van built on the 150 platform, offering EPA-estimated fuel economy of 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined when paired with its six-speed automatic transmission, and while detailed engine specifications remain outside the scope of this data, this model year arrives with a reliability profile showing 55 total owner complaints—with the Power Train category leading the complaint areas—alongside 14 recall campaigns, positioning it well below the model's peak complaint year of 2015 (188 complaints) yet considerably above its lowest recorded year of 2001 (1 complaint), suggesting a moderate but notably improved reliability standing within the broader Transit model history spanning from 2001 through 2026.

Model year202520242018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacityNSOEM · verified
Engine oil typeNSOEM · verified
Lug nut torque148 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/27/23 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.4 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height70.5 in
Wheelbase120.5 in
Curb weight3580 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 27 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Transit of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.7–12.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.70 sec — 2020 350 Crew EcoBoost Van (148WB HR)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017350 EcoBoost Van (148WB MR) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.80 sec15.30 sec310 hpRWD
2017350 XLT EcoBoost Wagon (12-pass 148WB MR) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V67.60 sec16.00 sec310 hpRWD
2020350 Crew EcoBoost Van (148WB HR) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.70 sec15.30 sec310 hpAWD
2015350 XLT EcoBoost Wagon (12-pass 148WB HR) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V67.50 sec15.90 sec310 hpRWD
2015150 XLT EcoBoost Wagon (10-pass 130WB MR) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V67.60 sec15.90 sec310 hpRWD
2015150 XL Diesel Van (148WB LR) 3.2L Turbo Diesel I-510.60 sec17.90 sec185 hpRWD
2015350 HD Diesel Van DRW (148WB HR) 3.2L Turbo Diesel I-512.50 sec18.70 sec185 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds NS of NS engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 148 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)Stage 1: 30 lb.ft
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)Stage 1: 30 lb.ft

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)129.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts148 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.028-.037 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.051 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs

Service checks

RPM65.0 @ Idle rpm
RPM55.0 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 44; Rear: 23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 203; Rear: 85
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.181; Rear: .591
Maximum Rotor Runout.0039

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 6 stages
1Bolts 1-2662 in
2Bolts 27and2835 in
3Bolts 1-2611 ft. lbs
4Bolts 27and2853 in
5Bolts 1-2617 ft. lbs
6Bolts 27and2889 in
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
171.0 inch lbs.71 in
245.0
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
171.0 inch lbs.71 in
245.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
117.0 ft. lbs.17 ft. lbs
232.0 ft. lbs.32 ft. lbs
390.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
117.0 ft. lbs.17 ft. lbs
232.0 ft. lbs.32 ft. lbs
390.0
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
233.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
345.0
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
17.4 ft. lbs.7.4 ft. lbs
2Turn 45
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Install New Manifold Studs: 13.3 ft. lbs.

114 ft.lbs.14 ft.lbs
218
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
17.4 ft. lbs.Upper Intake Only7.4 ft. lbs
2Turn 45
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
114 ft. lbs.14 ft. lbs
218.4
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
13.7 ft. lbs.3.7 ft. lbs
29.5 ft. lbs.9.5 ft. lbs
311.8
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 4 stages
17.4 ft. lbs.7.4 ft. lbs
214.7 ft. lbs.14.7 ft. lbs
326 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
426
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 6 stages
153.0 inch lbs.53 in
211.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
315.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
426.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
559.0 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
690.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Cap bolts

120.0 ft. lbs.20 ft. lbs
2180.0 degrees; Side bolts180 degrees
133.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
290.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Cap bolts

120.0 ft. lbs.20 ft. lbs
2180.0 degrees; Side bolts180 degrees
133.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
290.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Diesel Emissions Fluid (fill) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miDrive Axle Assembly Mounting Bolts (torque) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Ford Transit sits on the downward slope of this generation's federal-record arc, with 55 complaints and 14 recalls marking a continued decline from the 2015 peak of 188 complaints and 26 recalls and lower volumes than 2016 (151/21) and 2017 (96/18). Complaints and recalls trended downward from 2015 through 2018, while 2020 saw a modest rebound to 82 complaints though with only 9 recalls. The 2018 model's top complaint categories were Power Train (7), Unknown or Other (6), Structure (5), and Electrical System (4), and it recorded one crash-related complaint and one fire-related complaint, with no federal investigations. It is also the first year in this dataset with zero investigations, and its 191 TSBs continue a downward trajectory from 2016's high of 232. The data does not specify root causes for these reports. Given its position after the peak-problem years and its declining complaint, recall, and TSB volumes with no open investigations, 2018 appears to be a comparatively safer used-van choice within this generation.

14
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
191
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
55
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Frontal★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 55 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train7
Unknown Or Other6
Structure5
Electrical System4
Engine4
Power Train,Engine2
Wheels2
Back Over Prevention2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 14 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V103000Power Train:Driveline:DriveshaftReported 21/02/2019

XL Hybrids, Inc (XL) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with XL's electric hybrid system. The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the… Remedy: 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…

19V439000Structure:Emergency:Escape/Egress/ExitReported 11/06/2019

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. Remedy: 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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 191 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25N15 S12026-04-20Electrical SystemCustomer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple…
SSM 546902026-03-26EngineSome 2013-2016 Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine and 2015-2019…
25N172026-03-25Unknown Or OtherAdvance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year…
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
25N152026-01-05Visibility/WiperCertain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Transit. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Transit take?

NS of NS, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Transit have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Transit get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.