Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the steering, brakes, and wipers and visibility. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2018Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/2
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2018's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cylGas | FWD | 22 mpg |
| 2.5L 4-cylFlex fuel | FWD | 22 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Power steering assist cuts out suddenly while driving, sometimes at highway speeds, with no warning lights or messages first. That leaves the driver fighting heavy steering and raises crash risk for nearby traffic. Repairs usually mean a new power steering rack, and some vans need a second rack. Fleet owners report the same failure on several 2018 vans. One dealer could reproduce the problem but not find its cause. One failure came at 65,000 miles and cost $2,700 to fix.
A front wheel locks up, slowly or all at once, and may release only after a few seconds. Sometimes the van can't be driven at all. Owners link this to ABS module failure, and repairs include calipers, a new ABS module with programming, and in one case a brake master cylinder. Often no warning light comes on. A dragging brake can overheat until the rotor glows, which raises a fire risk. A separate report at about 114,000 miles describes sudden downshifts with the traction and ABS lights on, plus a transmission fluid leak.
The rear window glass shatters on its own with a loud pop while the heat or defrost is running in cold weather. The glass breaks into a web of cracks, stays up only because of the tint film, and can fall out when a door is opened. The other report concerns a recall repair, not a failure: the part was not yet available, and dealers had no technician able to do the work, so the wait dragged on.
The transmission drops gears hard when braking at higher speeds, so the van slows abruptly. The problem starts now and then and gets more frequent. Torque converter failure is also reported, confirmed by a dealer and with no warning indicators. Warranty repairs can take months while parts are on order. Owners also report being told the van was fine to drive in the meantime, only to learn later that driving it could damage the transmission.
Excerpts from complaints Transit Connect Wagon owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
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.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2025
Unexpected power steering failure while driving. Driver and surrounding vehicles at risk Ford Dealer has reproduced the problem but can't identify the cause There weren't any warning lamps or messages before failure I own two other Ford Transit Connect vans from 2018, each has had the same problem
Filed with NHTSA, May 2022
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.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2025
One tire locks up gradually and then completely preventing the vehicle from being driven and causing damage to the other tires. The inability to drive the vehicle on the open road is very dangerous. There are no warning lamps. The vehicle may seem sluggish to accelerate. After towing to a service station, the ABS module failed and this caused damage to the brake master cylinder which had to be replaced.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2026
Torque Converter failed. Confirmed by dealer service department. No warning indicators. Dealer repaired under warranty but it took 3 months from the first phone call. Looking online at user boards this should be a recall issue. I was told I could continue to drive it until parts came in and only found out later that the transmission could be damaged by doing so.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2021
Driving at higher speeds when going to brake, the vehicle drops gears and slows agressively. It started to do this occasionally a couple of month ago, now it happens every other day.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2024
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2018 ranks third for owner complaints among 5 Transit Connect Wagon years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2018 is the fifth model year of the Transit Connect Wagon's second generation (2014–2023).
Ford updated the Transit Connect Wagon for 2019, so a 2018 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2019 (not on a 2018)
Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
Fix: 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 May 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.
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Cars shoppers compare with the Ford Transit Connect Wagon, with their own 2018 checklists.
2018 owner complaints, side by side
