What 55 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Transit Van - Gas

The right side passenger door opens when driving. The door will not stay latched even when locked. I close the door, pull on it to ensure it is latched, but when I start driving, the door slides open. This is my family vehicle used to transport our children, and is a very dangerous situation.

NHTSA ODI 11525723

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving into the driveway, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure was mileage 87,000.

NHTSA ODI 11521596

On March 7, 2023, at approximately 1:45 PM, Bus 437 had caught fire in the engine compartment of the vehicle while sitting in the parking lot. The bus had just came off of a route minutes before & the driver had reported the dash tell tale (warning) lights had come on. The Operator switched the engine off and then noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment area prior to the thermal event. The fire caused significant damage & the vehicle is a total loss; the engine compartment, bus body, interior as well as exterior and top cap of the bus were affected. An independent firm was hire to conduct the fire investigation ( EFI Global, Inc.) & determined the source of the fire to be a power supply from the vehicles jump box; however our history with alternator failures & consumption of these components combined with my mechanical experience leads me to believe that the root cause of this has been overlooked and the alternator failures need to be further investigated for public safety reasons. I have engage the dealer principal (Creative Bus Sales, Inc.) who we purchased the vehicle from whom is working with Ford on this matter. The Alternator is the component that I want investigated & the one in question has not been removed from the vehicle however we did break down 3 alternators from our inventory of failed cores & the findings support my theory as the alternator (diodes) being the culprit of the failures. The cause of the fire is believed to be a situation created when the single alternator overheated causing the diode bridge to fail & alternator to ignite. We have experienced alternator failures on this group of buses since the vehicles inception into the fleet going back to 2018. 38 of these model buses were purchased & placed into service in 2018 & we have replaced 283 alternators since they were placed into service (very high consumption/failure rates).

NHTSA ODI 11519262

This is an update on the same problem I reported a year ago...January 2022, it started to shudder during acceleration but it was intermittent. February 2022, it started to occur more. March 2022, it started to do it while cruising at a higher speed on the freeway. Then going up a steep hill one day, it started to shudder and could not exceed more than 30 mph up a very steep hill. The transmission is progressively getting worse...It seems to stay in 1st gear and then jump to 6th gear...and now I smell some burning...There is a recall on the Ford Focus transmission for the same reason...Although it may be a different transmission, the problem is a carbon copy of my Ford transmission...This should be a RECALL ISSUE because it is happening a lot in other documented cases. Please inform us of the steps to get this issue INVESTIGATED and RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI 11504348

I ordered 195/75R-16C Cooper Hercules Terra Trac tires for two different vendors on Ebay. Four from one vendor , two from another. The two tires I got from one vendor, had a manufacturer date code of 2622, which is good. The other four tires had NO date of manufacture code anywhere on them!!! Isn't this against the law?

NHTSA ODI 11488396

While I am driving, the battery warning light come up first, then the break system warning light come up, then transmission warning coming up. if I keep vehicle moving after while will get back normal. only when I stop the vehicle then vehicle will shut off can not start. Only when I jump start and will running for while.

NHTSA ODI 11471795

Multiple occurrences after traveling on the highway and then slowing down or when coming to a stop, the vehicle autonomously makes one or more very hard downshifts. It is enough to unexpectedly propel the occupants forward in their seats/seatbelts. ...while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and went into limp mode. The shuddering and vibrations along with the slipping of gears and the inability to go uphill before it goes into limp mode...The vehicle would not accelerate above 20 MPH. There's a recall on the Ford Focus and the problem is a carbon copy. Reading about other Transit vans having the same problem, I felt that I should make you aware of the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11466902

2018 FORD TRANSIT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE SLIDING DOOR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SLIDING DOOR WOULD BECOME STUCK. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE SLIDING DOOR ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY

NHTSA ODI 11458611

This is the second time this has occurred. The van lost sudden power causing me to almost be hit from behind a second time now. This is only 3 months after the initial occurrence. The Ford manufacturer is aware.

NHTSA ODI 11449526

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and went into limp mode. The vehicle would not accelerate above 20 MPH. The failure almost caused a collision. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

NHTSA ODI 11436563

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated that the rearview camera would inadvertently turn blue while reversing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under an unknown recall because the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while reversing. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 26,000.

NHTSA ODI 11434778

After two or three hours driving in the high way show in the dashboard panel "TRANSMISSION SERVICE REQUIRED" and lose power it means "traction" driving from 60 MPH goes under 40 MPH

NHTSA ODI 11423584

MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES AFTER TRAVELING AT FULL SPEED ON US HWY 76AND THEN SLOWING DOWN OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE AUTONOMOUSLY MAKES ONE OR MORE VERY HARD DOWNSHIFTS. IT IS ENOUGH TO UNEXPECTEDLY PROPEL THE OCCUPANTS FORWARD IN THEIR SEATS/SEATBELTS. AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE POSSIBLE REOPENING OF THE F150 RECALL AND READING ABOUT OTHER TRANSIT VANS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, I FELT THAT I SHOULD MAKE YOU AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”

NHTSA ODI 11405673

THIS VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH TWO WENT OPENING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE HOOD. THIS WENT OPENINGS ARE FOR HEAT SYSTEM TO SUCK THE AIR IN FOR HEATING OR DEFROSTING. PROBLEM WITH THIS OPENINGS THEY ARE GETTING BLOCKED WITH SNOW OR ICE IN SNOWY WEATHER AND AREN'T ALLOWING ENOUGH AIR TO ENTER IN TO A VEHICLE TO HEAT IT. YOU CAN SOLVE THIS TURNING THE SWITCH TO INTERIOR CIRCULATION BUT AT THAT TIME ON THIS OPTION DEFROST FUTURE GOING OUT AND THERE IS NO WAY TO DEFROST WINDOWS BASICALLY IF THE WENT OUTSIDE ON TOP OF THE HOOD FROZEN OR BLOCKED WITH SNOW. THIS CREATES DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. I REALIZE THIS IN THE LAST BIG SNOW STORM ON NORTHEAST WHERE WE GOT LOT OF SNOW. COMPANY LIKE FORD MOTOR SHOULD NOT MISSED SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

NHTSA ODI 11386170

DIESEL ENGINE FAILS CATASTROPHICALLY ON HIGHWAY IN MOTION--FIRST A BLOWN PISTON AT 78K MILES, TURBO FAILED WITHIN 5K MILES OF ENGINE. PRIOR TO THESE FAILURES, BOTH THIS TRUCK AND IT'S TWIN(BOUGHT IDENTICALLY TOGETHER) DEVELOPED LEAKS IN THE RADIATORS...SAME LOCATION. THE SISTER TRUCK IS NOW AT A FORD DEALER WITH A BLOWN ENGINE

NHTSA ODI 11385232

FUEL DOOR BROKEN AT UPPER HINGE. VERY COMMON PART FAILURE FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE.

NHTSA ODI 11383558

SLIDING DOOR SENSOR INDICATING DOOR OPEN IS MALFUNCTIONING I STARTED MOVING VEHICLE NOT KNOWING DOOR IS OPEN

NHTSA ODI 11376453

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD TRANSIT VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHOULDER HARNESS WAS IMPROPERLY MOUNTED TO THE SEAT AN NOT TO THE A-PILLAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DESIGN FAILED TO ALLOW THE PASSENGER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY IN THE LIKELIHOOD THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY. GAUDIN FORD (6625 ROY HORN WAY, LAS VEGAS, NV 89118, (888) 301-4776) CONTACTED THE DESIGNER OF THE CONVERSION VAN AND STATED THE CONTACT'S CONCERN. THE DESIGNER AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE. HE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,500.

NHTSA ODI 11365124

REGARDING 2018 FORD TRANSIT XLT 15 PASSENGER WITH ECOBOOST ENGINE. THE FACTORY INSTALLED AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM DOES NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO COOL DOWN THE VAN'S CABIN, IN SOUTHERN STATES LIKE SOUTH FLORIDA, WHERE THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE REACHES 85+ DEGREES FAHRENHEIT DURING A SUNNY DAY THROUGH MOST OF THE YEAR, THE VEHICLE'S A/C SYSTEM SIMPLY FAILS TO PROPERLY COOL DOWN THE CABIN. SEVERAL CASES HAVE BEEN OPENED WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE FORD DEALERSHIPS FAIL TO EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. THEY RUN THEIR DIAGNOSTICS TOOLS, AND ALL THE COMPONENTS ON THE SYSTEM ARE WORKING AS INTENDED, EXCEPT THAT IT DOES NOT PROVIDES SUFFICIENT COLD AIR TO MAKE THE PASSENGERS SAFELY AND COMFORTABLY RIDE THE VAN. UN FORTUNATELY, THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT THE OWNERS DON'T DISCOVER UNTIL AFTER THEY HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN IT FOR A WHILE. FORD IS NOT PROVIDING ANY SOLUTION WHATSOEVER TO THE PROBLEM. AND THIS ISSUE MAY BE AFFECTING ALL OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE WITH SIMILAR TRIMS AND SPECS. ADDITIONAL TESTING AND CERTIFICATION OF THE ISSUE BY INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED VEHICLE A/C TECHNICIANS AND ENGINEERS ARE BEING GATHERED. FURTHER LEGAL ACTION MAY FOLLOW.

NHTSA ODI 11253257

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD TRANSIT. WHEN IT RAINED, WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND DAMAGED THE COMPONENTS. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE SEPARATOR FROM THE TOP OF THE HOOD TO THE WINDSHIELD HAD SEPARATED, ALLOWING WATER TO FLOW INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT EVEN NOTICED THAT THE ROOF INSIDE THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS WET AND THERE WAS WATER ON THE FLOOR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA ODI 11241703

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND ENDED UP BEING MALFUNCTIONING CATYLYTIC CONVERTER. FORD TRANSIT ECOBOOST 3.5 350XLT 21000 MILES APPROX. NOT SURE WHY OR HOW BUT FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACING PARTS.

NHTSA ODI 11232547

1. RAIN SENSING WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY BARELY WHEN DRIVING. TOLD BY SALES MANAGER THAT "THEY WORK BUT IT ISN'T A PERFECT SYSTEM" 2. A.M. LIMITED RECEPTION IN WIDE OPEN AREAS IN MULTIPLE LARGE POPULATION AREAS. SITTING OR DRIVING BOTH. TRIED TO USE FOR 530 A.M. ROAD INFORMATION & WOULDN'T WORK. 3. BODY ROOF SEAL CAME LOOSE FROM ROOF DRIVING HOME IN COLD WEATHER. 4. TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT GOES OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. 5. SEAT BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT TAB ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FELL OFF. NOT COVERED BY FORD BECAUSE IT IS PLASTIC. 6. CUSTOMER CONNECTION POWER POINT ON DRIVERS SEAT PEDESTAL MISSING A MOUNTING NUT FROM FACTORY. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE POWER POINT IS NOT FACTORY BECAUSE WE CONNECTED INTO THE PORT AS IT WAS DESIGNED FOR. STUD THREADS ARE STILL UNMARKED (NEW). THIS ALLOWS THE LOWER SECTION OF CCP TO BE SLIGHTLY LOOSE. 7. AC VENTS ON MAX BLOWING OUT 65-70 DEGREE AIR AT IDLE IN 80 DEGREE OUTSIDE AMBIENT TEMP. (KNOWN ISSUE) 8. OVERHEAD A/C LOUVERED VENTS ARE BREAKING INTERNALLY WHEN ADJUSTED. ONE ENTIRE VENT FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ONTO MY CHILD'S HEAD WHO COULDN'T TOUCH IT. NOT COVERED BECAUSE THEY BROKE BUT THEY AREN'T A MECHANICAL FAILURE. DAUGHTER HAD SCRATCH ON HER FOREHEAD WHERE IT HIT HER. 10. OPENED UP HEADLAMP LENS TO UPGRADE THE LIGHTS AND THE LOW BEAM PIG TAIL ON BOTH LIGHTS ARE ALREADY DETERIORATING FROM THE LENS HEAT. LIGHTLY TOUCHED EACH OF THE LOCKING CLIPS AND WITHOUT LIFTING EITHER ONE AND THEY FELL OFF. HIGH BEAM WHICH ARE USED MUCH LESS HAVE PERFECT LOCKING TABS STILL. REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN CONTINUITY TO THESE LIGHTS. 11. LAST WEEK A PLUG IN THE DRIVERS DOOR THRESHOLD OVER FRAME BOLT TRIPPED ME WHEN IT CAME UP AS I WAS STEPPING OUT. SECOND TO FALL OUT. ALL THIS TOLD TO US UNDER THE 36K BUMPER TO BUMPER YET DEALER IS WILLING TO CHARGE ME FOR THE DEFECTIVE PARTS.

NHTSA ODI 11208107

REAR BRAKES AND TIRES FOR TWO OF OUR 2018 FORD TRANSIT VEHICLES ARE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLES. WE ALSO SEEN THIS OCCUR WITH ONE OF OUR 2016 FORD TRANSIT -- REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE WITHIN 32,000

NHTSA ODI 11207448

AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS OF 75 MPH WITH A 30 DEGREE CROSSWIND AND GUSTS EXCEEDING 40 MPH, THE FRONT DOOR ON THE LEE SIDE FLEXES AND THE TOP OF THE DOOR OPENS. THIS DEFORMATION OF THE DOOR INDICATES A POTENTIAL FOR THE WARPING OF DOORS OVER TIME OR IN THE WORSE CASE, THE DOOR COMPLETELY OPENING TO THE DETRIMENT OF DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. TRAVELING NORTH WITH GUSTY WINDS FROM THE SOUTHWEST THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR FLEXED OPEN AND TRAVELING SOUTH WITH A GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS THE DRIVER DOOR FLEXED OPEN. (OCCURRED FEBRUARY 2019 ON A SUNDAY)

NHTSA ODI 11191973

I OWN THIS CAR 3 MONTHS, AND 2 WEEKS AGO MY WILL HAB IN RATE SAIDE WAS BROKE AND AFTER 2 WEEKS MY LEFT SIDE BROKE, SO DENGER IF IS WILL GO OUT IN ROAD . PROBLEM IS MY TOO FRIEND HAVE SAME TROUBLE.

NHTSA ODI 11185097