Ford›Transit-350 HD›2018›Overview/ford/transit-350-hd/2018/base/

2018 Ford Transit-350 HD

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Transit-350 HD.

Transmission Manual 6-spd

The 2018 Ford Transit-350 HD occupies the heavy-duty end of Ford's full-size commercial van lineup, offering enhanced capability for demanding work applications through its substantial platform and powertrain. Power routes through a standard 6-speed manual transmission, with EPA fuel economy estimates of 14 city, 21 highway, and 16 combined mpg reflecting the real-world consumption drivers can anticipate. Reliability tracking for this model year reveals a relatively modest complaint picture—just three owner complaints logged overall, with power train and service brake concerns cited most frequently among those submissions. This complaint rate, combined with four associated recalls, positions the 2018 Transit-350 HD as a model year where known issues remain uncommon rather than widespread, suggesting that while attention to the noted problem areas during pre-purchase inspection is prudent, the vehicle presents a generally dependable option for commercial use.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018

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 economy14/21/16 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Manual 6-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	14 / 21 / 16 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

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 Nuts	148 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	.028-.037 in
Spark Plug Torque	11 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	.051 in
Spark Plug Torque	11 ft-lbs

Service checks

RPM	65.0 @ Idle rpm
RPM	55.0 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 44; Rear: 23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 203; Rear: 85
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: 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

1	Bolts 1-26	62 in
2	Bolts 27and28	35 in
3	Bolts 1-26	11 ft. lbs
4	Bolts 27and28	53 in
5	Bolts 1-26	17 ft. lbs
6	Bolts 27and28	89 in

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	71.0 inch lbs.	71 in
2	45.0

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	71.0 inch lbs.	71 in
2	45.0

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	17.0 ft. lbs.	17 ft. lbs
2	32.0 ft. lbs.	32 ft. lbs
3	90.0

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	17.0 ft. lbs.	17 ft. lbs
2	32.0 ft. lbs.	32 ft. lbs
3	90.0

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	18.0 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
2	33.0 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
3	45.0

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	7.4 ft. lbs.	7.4 ft. lbs
2	Turn 45

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Install New Manifold Studs: 13.3 ft. lbs.

1	14 ft.lbs.	14 ft.lbs
2	18

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	7.4 ft. lbs.Upper Intake Only	7.4 ft. lbs
2	Turn 45

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	14 ft. lbs.	14 ft. lbs
2	18.4

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	3.7 ft. lbs.	3.7 ft. lbs
2	9.5 ft. lbs.	9.5 ft. lbs
3	11.8

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	7.4 ft. lbs.	7.4 ft. lbs
2	14.7 ft. lbs.	14.7 ft. lbs
3	26 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs
4	26

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	53.0 inch lbs.	53 in
2	11.0 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
3	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
4	26.0 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs
5	59.0 ft. lbs.	59 ft. lbs
6	90.0

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Cap bolts

1	20.0 ft. lbs.	20 ft. lbs
2	180.0 degrees; Side bolts	180 degrees
1	33.0 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Cap bolts

1	20.0 ft. lbs.	20 ft. lbs
2	180.0 degrees; Side bolts	180 degrees
1	33.0 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
2	90.0

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 mi	Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Diesel Emissions Fluid (fill) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly Mounting Bolts (torque) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Drive 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.

Owner complaints about the 2018 Ford Transit-350 HD dominate in one area — the power train,service brakes, 1 of 3 reports (33%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 4 recall campaigns target the power train,service brakes, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 1 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the power train,service brakes pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Power Train,Service Brakes1

Suspension,Electrical System1

Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V205000SeatsReported 18/03/2019

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… Remedy: 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…

19V466000EquipmentReported 18/06/2019

SVO Group Inc. (SVO Group) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford E-350 and E-450-based shuttle buses equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The affected monitors may… Remedy: SVO Group will work with ASA to notify owners, and ASA will provide a harness relay capacitor module to eliminate the image reversal, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 15 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
SSM 54601	2026-02-23	Electrical System	Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
SSM 53040	2024-10-10	Unknown Or Other	While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a…
SSM 52476	2024-04-24	Equipment	All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 52314	2024-03-01	Power Train	During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or…
SSM 51854	2023-08-10	Power Train	Various 2013-2019 vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)…

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-350 HD. 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.

Vehicles taking NS

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Transit-350 HD take?

NS of NS, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Transit-350 HD have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Transit-350 HD get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 21 highway / 16 combined mpg.