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What 55 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Transit Van Bev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (55)Crash / fire / injury (5)Engine (14)Transmission & drivetrain (11)Body & structure (8)Electrical system (8)Fuel system (4)Wheels (4)Backup camera & sensors (2)Brakes (2)Engine & cooling (2)Seat belts (2)

Newest first · 55 complaints · page 3 of 3

Feb 22, 2019Electrical system

BATTERY KEPT DRAINING-FOUND OUT 2 BATTERIES UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE FUEL IS PUT IN AT THE DRIVER'S SEAT DOOR. THE DOOR MUST STAY OPENED DURING FUELING. ALSO, THE BATTERY DRAINING AND NUMEROUS REPLACEMENTS FOUND DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING AGAIN. THIS IS A CONVERSION VAN BY EXPLORER, AND WE'VE ALREADY HAD ANTIFREEZE LEAKAGE WHICH IS STILL A PROBLEM WITH THE SMELL. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT REPAIR SHOP IN MILLERSVILLE FOR ANOTHER MONTH. MVA INVESTIGATOR KEVIN CHUBB DIRECTED US TO INVESTIGATE THIS FUEL SYSTEM AND BATTERY SYSTEM PLACEMENT FOR INSPECTION. HE FELT AS WE DID THAT IT IS A HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI 11181999

Jan 22, 2019Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD TRANSIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WIRING WAS WORN AND BEING EATEN BY RATS. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE HAD TROUBLE STARTING, BUT THE VEHICLE COULD STILL BE DRIVEN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FAIRLANE FORD (14585 MICHIGAN AVE, DEARBORN, MI 48126, (313) 846-5000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WIRES WERE MADE OUT OF SOY AND ORGANIC BIO PLASTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,700.

NHTSA ODI 11171383

Sep 5, 2018Body & structure

SEVERAL SPOTS ARE OCCURRING AT JOINTS OF DOOR OPENINGS AND ALSO ON THE ROOF WHERE THE PAINT IS NOT ADHERING PROPERLY OR IS ACTUALLY BEING RUBBED OFF WHEN THE DOORS ARE CLOSED AND THE VEHICLE IS AN OPERATION. THE PAINT JOB ON THE CEILING WELDS IS NOT SMOOTH. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS SOME BUBBLING OR CHIPPING GOING ON AFTER ONLY A FEW MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI 11124467

Sep 5, 2018Airbags

CLOTH HEADLINER AT SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT STAY UNDERNEATH THE DOOR GASKET.

NHTSA ODI 11124468

Jun 29, 2018Body & structure1 injury

WHEN THE VAN IS STATIONARY AND RUNNING FOR 10-15 MINUTES, HALF OF THE CARGO FLOOR (BEHIND THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS) REACHES A TEMPERATURE OF 125-130 DEGREES. A TEMP GUN WAS USED TO DEMONSTRATE THIS SAFETY HAZARD. I MADE MENTION OF THIS TO AN AUTOBODY SHOP WHO SUGGESTED HAVING THE DEALERSHIP TAKE A LOOK SINCE THAT DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP IN WEST PALM BEACH (AL PACKER, 561-689-6550) LOOKED OVER THIS, THEY STATED THIS IS AS DESIGNED AND IT MATCHES A FEW OTHER FORD TRANSITS THEY CHECKED. THEY SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO ASSIST ME EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A CLEAR SAFETY HAZARD AS A TEMPERATURE OF 130 DEGREES CAN CAUSE FIRST DEGREE BURN IF IN CONTACT FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS (SEE ATTACHED IMAGE REFERENCES). WHEN I SPOKE TO FORD MOTORS (800-392-3673), THEY SAID IT'S UP TO THE DEALERSHIPS TO SPEAK WITH THE ENGINEERING DEPT IN ORDER TO INVESTIGATE INTO ANYTHING AND THAT THEY ALSO CANT DO ANYTHING BESIDES ADD COMMENTS TO MY CASE NUMBER (15138348) WHICH WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE SERVICE DELIVERY MANAGER I ALREADY WORKED WITH (STEVEN THOMAS). THIS IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE (2500 MILES SO FAR) AND I'VE NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF ANY WHERE IT'S EXPECTED TO WORK WITH A FLOOR SPACE THAT GETS 130 DEGREES HOT. I'M LOOKING TO GET FORD TO AGREE TO A SAFETY RECALL TO ADDRESS THE INSUFFICIENT HEAT SHIELDING WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.

NHTSA ODI 11104751

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Working with the data? Download all 55 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2018 Ford Transit Van Bev verdict →