2018 Ford Transit Connect
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 6 of 22 complaints (27%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 28 in 2017 to 22 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,500–2,850 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,400–2,850 | 2,400–2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–25 | 22–23 | 22–23 | 22–26 | 22–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–22 / 27–29 | 19–20 / 27 | 19–20 / 27 | 20–24 / 26–29 | 20–24 / 26–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 362–407 | 392–407 | 392–404 | 344–404 | 344–404 | |
| Complaints filed | 104 | 28 | 22 | 51 | 32 | |
| Recalls issued | 10 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 8 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Transit Connect have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Ford Transit Connect?
Brakes: 6 of 22 NHTSA complaints (27%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Ford Transit Connect get?
EPA rates it 22–23 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Ford Transit Connect?
EPA estimates $2,700–$2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg (high) | 27 mpg | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 392 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD | 19 mpg (low) | 27 mpg | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD | 19 mpg (low) | 27 mpg | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg (high) | 27 mpg | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 392 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD | 19 mpg (low) | 27 mpg | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD | 19 mpg (low) | 27 mpg | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (6)
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 25V572000 · Sep 4, 2025
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · Campaign 25V442000 · Jun 30, 2025
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
VISIBILITY:FIXED PANARAMIC ROOF/SKY LIGHT ASSEMBLY · Campaign 24V294000 · Apr 26, 2024
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A roof panel that detaches while driving can create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will remove, clean, and reinstall the panoramic roof panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S29.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL); POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD · Campaign 22V413000 · Jun 13, 2022
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL); POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD · Campaign 21V376000 · May 24, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the underhood shifter cable bushing, and add a protective cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 29, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S24.
SEATS · Campaign 19V229000 · Mar 25, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: TransitWorks has notified owners and instructed them to contact Freedman seats for a repair kit. The recall began December 19, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman Seating customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or TransitWorks customer service at 1-855-337-9543.