2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT Complaints and Recall Information
The 2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT has 3 complaints and 16 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues with the ABS brakes locking up unpredictably and problems with power steering failure. One complaint involves a delayed recall repair with parts and technician availability for a visibility-related recall.
Common Issues
- ABS brake locking. The ABS brakes lock up and only release after several seconds. Some vehicles have needed replacement of the ABS module and its programming. One owner reported no warning lights before the front rotor glowed red, posing a fire hazard.
- Power steering failure. The power steering stopped working without warning, requiring replacement of the rack and pinion. Repairs cost around $2,700 and occurred under 65,000 miles. Five complaints of this issue exist without an open investigation.
- Recall repair delays. A customer received notification of a recall but reported parts were unavailable and dealers lacked trained technicians to perform the recall service. The manufacturer referred the customer back to the dealer with no resolution yet.
There are 16 recalls involving various systems including visibility features, powertrain components, seating safety, and rearview camera functionality. The recalls affect a large number of vehicles and address several critical safety risks such as roof panel detachment, gear selection failures, and rearview camera malfunctions.
Recalls
- Rearview camera software (25V442000). About 200,186 vehicles have a software error causing the rearview camera to display a blank image or remain on after shifting out of reverse. This reduces rear visibility and distracts the driver, increasing crash risk. Dealers will update the software free of charge.
- Rearview camera sensing system (25V572000). Affecting approximately 1,456,417 vehicles, the rearview camera may show distorted, inverted, or blank images in reverse. This impairs driver visibility and raises crash risk. Dealers will inspect and replace cameras as needed at no cost.
- Panoramic roof panel bond (24V294000). Around 1,315 vehicles have an improper bond between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body. This may cause the roof panel to detach while driving, creating road hazards. Dealers will remove, clean, and reinstall the roof panel free of charge.
- Shift linkage bushing (22V413000, 21V376000). Over 2.9 million vehicles have a bushing that may degrade or detach, preventing proper gear shifts and causing unexpected vehicle movement or rolling when parked. Dealers will replace the bushing and add a protective cap at no cost.
- Seat cushion lock (19V229000). Approximately 776 vehicles modified with Freedman Seating GO-ES seats may have back seat cushions that fail to stay locked under load. This increases injury risk during crashes. Owners are instructed to obtain repair kits from the seat manufacturer.
Owners dealing with multiple repairs related to power steering failure, ABS brake lockups, or unresolved recall repairs may have rights under state lemon laws. Those affected by repeated safety defects or ongoing recall issues should consider reviewing their legal options.
2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT Summary
2018
Model Year
3
Total Complaints
6
Total Recalls
4776742
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT
200186 vehicles affected
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT
1456417 vehicles affected
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT
1315 vehicles affected
VISIBILITY:FIXED PANARAMIC ROOF/SKY LIGHT ASSEMBLY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Transit Connect vehicles. An improper bond may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body, which can result in the panel detaching from the vehicle.
Risk: A roof panel that detaches while driving can create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT
2925968 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT
192080 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2021 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, causing the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT
776 vehicles affected
SEATS
TransitWorks is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit, 2018 Ford Transit Connect, and 2016 Dodge Ram ProMaster vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman Seating GO-ES seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Complaints
2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT
ID: 2083083VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit Connect. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V294000 (Visibility); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that two dealers were made aware of the issue and informed the contact that there were no technicians at the dealer capable of performing the recall repair. The contact was promised a call back once a technician was able to service the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact back to the dealer. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT
ID: 2061242STEERING
Power steering failed without warning. Rack and pinion had to be replaced. You now have 5 complaints on this but still no investigation open. This is clearly a manufacturer defect. $2,700 to fix. Vehicle only had 65,000 miles on it when it failed.
2018 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT
ID: 2061237SERVICE BRAKES
ABS brakes are locked up and only release after a few seconds. I have replaced the driver front caliper and now the passenger front is locking. After a quick search online, I have found several cases of the ABS module malfunctioning on this vehicle requiring a new module and programming. The first time the driver side locked, there were no warning lights and when I arrived home, the rotor was glowing red. Could have caused a fire.