FordTransit2018Overview/ford/transit/2018/base/

2018 Ford Transit

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 work-focused van equipped with an S6 automatic transmission that delivers an EPA-estimated 23 combined mpg from its 20 city and 27 highway ratings. While the powertrain leads the vehicle's 55 total owner complaints and is accompanied by a substantial 14 recalls, this model year represents a clear step down from the platform's most problematic era. Contextualized within the broader 2001-2026 complaint history—which hit a low of 1 complaint in 2001 and spiked to a high of 188 in 2015—the 2018 Transit lands in a more stabilized, middle-tier reliability bracket.

Model year202520242018

Quick specs

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

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

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 in the middle of a clear downward trend in complaints and recalls since the generation launched in 2015. Complaints dropped from 188 in 2015 to 55 in 2018, recalls fell from 26 to 14, and investigations went from one to zero, while technical service bulletins also declined from 202 to 191. This suggests Ford addressed many early-production issues by 2018, though the data does not specify root causes for the remaining problems, which are concentrated in the powertrain (7 complaints), structure (5), and electrical system (4). The slight uptick in complaints for the 2020 model year (82) and a new investigation indicate that 2018 represents a relative low point in reported issues for this generation. With only one crash and one fire complaint on record, and no open investigations, the 2018 Transit is a solid buy compared to earlier model years, though buyers should still inspect the common complaint areas noted.

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

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.