Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 68/100 (GOOD)

2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Reliability Report

Good reliability and a 5-star crash rating, but the 2018 Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon can lose power steering without warning.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

6.6per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$775

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,700

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity71/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs60/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact65/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity80/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

A middle-ranked year with light complaints for its age and good reliability, but sudden power steering loss and six recalls to check.

Top Issues to Watch

STEERING (5)
SERVICE BRAKES (3)
VISIBILITY (2)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 5)

2018 is year 5 of the Second generation (2012).

Redesigned for the 2014 model year.
Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
A refresh arrives in 2019.
2nd generation Transit Connect Wagon (US).

What this means for buyers

Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.

2014: Second generation (2012) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2018: This Model Year

2018 is year 5 of the Second generation (2012).

2019: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

Should You Buy the 2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon?

Reliability is good, and this year sits in the middle of the six scored Transit-Connect-Wagon model years. Owners filed 21 complaints, which is light for a van in its fifth year of the generation. The 2019 also scores good but rates worse, with 46 complaints and 8 recalls. Federal crash testing gave this van 5 of 5 stars.

The steering is the problem to take seriously. Power assist can cut out suddenly, even at highway speed, with no warning light first. Repair usually means a new steering rack, and one failure at 65,000 miles cost $2,700. Some owners report a front wheel locking up, often tied to the ABS module. Others describe the rear window shattering on its own in cold weather, and hard transmission downshifts. Federal records list 6 recalls, covering seats, power train, visibility and back over prevention.

Ask for service records showing any steering rack, ABS module or transmission work. Confirm with a Ford dealer that every recall has been completed, since one owner waited a long time for parts and a technician.

Compared to the 2019 Ford Transit Connect Wagon, which scored 3 points lower.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+Complaint rate in line with Van segment average (early data)
+5-star NHTSA crash rating

Cons

−Above-average recall count
−STEERING issues reported (5 complaints)
−SERVICE BRAKES: Front wheel locks up, slowly or all at once, and may release only after a few... (3 complaints)

Compare 2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon With

2018 Dodge Grand Caravan

Reliability: 76/100

Good

2018 Chrysler Pacifica

Reliability: 51/100

Mixed

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

6 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

HIGH RISK

STEERING (5)
SERVICE BRAKES (3)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

The 2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon has 6 recalls on record, which is above average. A high count can flag multiple component concerns, though it also shows the manufacturer is actively addressing known issues.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

6.6

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 6.6

LowAvgHigh

Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Recall Details

6 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

19V2290002019-03-22

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.

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.

21V3760002021-05-24

POWER TRAIN

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.

22V4130002022-06-10

POWER TRAIN

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.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon? Check its history first

Steering problems lead owner complaints about the 2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon, and 6 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 4/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 17.9%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat, 3rd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat, 3rd row)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Not Available)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Not Available)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Not Available)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Ford Transit Connect WagonRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$775

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Example Repair Prices

National average price ranges for common repairs. These are not model-year-specific failure predictions.

Common repair costs and price estimates
Repair	Estimated Cost
Door Lock Cylinder Replacement	$167 – $210
Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement	$221 – $453
Battery Cable Battery Terminal End Service	$37 – $54
Oil Pressure Sensor Replacement	$137 – $178
Engine Oil Filter Adapter Replacement	$443 – $520
Brake System Inspect	$122 – $179
AC Evaporator Replacement	$935 – $1,334
Clutch Cable Replacement	$310 – $373
Coolant Change	$249 – $278
Variable Valve Timing Control Solenoid Replacement	$533 – $739

Estimates based on national average repair costs. Actual costs may vary by location and shop.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

22 MPG

Running cost: $3,500/yr

Fuel + repair

19 city / 27 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2018 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Transit Connect Wagon FFV 2.5L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	19	27	22	$2,700
Transit Connect Wagon FWD 2.5L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	19	27	22	$2,700
Transit Connect Wagon LWB FFV 2.5L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	19	27	22	$2,700
Transit Connect Wagon LWB FWD 2.5L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	19	27	22	$2,700

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon.

Ask for repair records showing any power steering rack replacement, and check steering effort at parking-lot and highway speeds.
Brake firmly from highway speed and note any harsh downshift or sudden, aggressive slowing.
Accelerate gently through light throttle and feel for transmission shudder.
After the test drive, feel for heat near each wheel; one much hotter than the rest suggests a dragging brake.
Watch for ABS or traction warning lights during the drive and look under the van for transmission fluid leaks.
Lock the van with the fob, then pull every door handle, including the sliding doors, to confirm each one actually locks.
Inspect the rear window for cracks, then run the rear defrost and watch for any change.
Run the VIN through federal recall records and confirm with a dealer that every open recall has been completed.

2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Common Problems by Component

21 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

STEERING (5)SERVICE BRAKES (3)VISIBILITY (2)POWER TRAIN (2)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES (1)VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1)SEATS (1)Other (4)

STEERING

5 complaints

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.

5 complaints total

SERVICE BRAKES

3 complaints

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.

3 complaints total

VISIBILITY

2 complaints

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.

2 complaints total

POWER TRAIN (2 complaints)

POWER TRAIN

2 complaints

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.

2 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

The transmission shudders, which owners attribute to the torque converter, and some say it starts soon after purchase. Separately, the power door locks stop working while still making their normal sound. That gives a false sense of security, because the van seems locked when it is not. No warning appears. In the case reported, the dealer struggled to find the cause, kept the van for weeks, and replaced the body control module while waiting on another part.

2 complaints total

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES (1 complaints)

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

1 complaint

2023-07-27

The contact's company owns a 2018 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while an employee was driving at 30 MPH, the rear driver side sliding door unintendedly opened. The employee could not shut the door due to a defective latch. The contact stated that a zip tie was used to secure the door. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer nor the dealer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints)

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

2023-06-27

ABS light comes on as well as loss of traction control and hill assist. Steering is more difficult, and the speed ohmmeter will not work. This is the second time this has happen. First time mechanic replaced bad speed sensor on drivers' side front wheel and everything went back to normal it only had around 6K miles on it. Now it has around 7.5K on it and it has happen again. Have not taken it in for repair yet.

SEATS (1 complaints)

SEATS

1 complaint

2023-05-22

hello - this is not a safety issue with my car. for the moment. inputting the VIN it states that there is only 1 row of seats (D/P). this is not accurate. there are 3 seat rows in my van. (front x2, middle x3 and rear seats x2) total of 7 seats. thus this should be corrected for my VIN. if or when i have a complaint about the safety of the seats, belts, head rests etc... it will make sense. i do not have a cargo van. it's a seven passenger seat van.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1 complaints)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

2020-12-03

DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT LOW BEAM BULB BURNS OUT CONTINUOUSLY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

2020-02-06

LOUD NOISE W/VIBRATION AND FOUL ODOR COMING FROM HEATER BLOWER. DEALERSHIP DISCOVERED A RODENT'S NEST IN THE CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWER MOTOR. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THERE IS NO REMEDY TO PREVENT RECURRENCE. DEALERSHIP ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FORD ESCAPE HAS A HISTORY OF THE SAME PROBLEM. SEE FORD'S TSB 17-0034, PUBLISHED 3/21/17 RE FORD'S RECOMMENDED PREVENTION: "...INSTALL THE NEW INLET DUCT GASKET WITH SCREEN..." (EMPHASIS ADDED).

Best & Worst Ford Transit Connect Wagon Years

Best Ford Transit Connect Wagon Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

Ford Transit Connect Wagon Years to Avoid

No Ford Transit Connect Wagon years are statistical outliers in our data.

Scores stay between 65 and 78 across 6 scored model years.

See full Ford Transit Connect Wagon years-to-avoid analysis

Ford Transit Connect Wagon Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Ford Transit Connect Wagon reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	68/100	Good
2019	65/100	Good
2020	67/100	Good
2021	69/100	Good
2022	72/100	Good
2023	78/100	Good

Ford Transit Connect Wagon Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2023	78/100	+6	Good	0	0
2022	72/100	+3	Good	1	4
2021	69/100	+2	Good	4	5
2020	67/100	+2	Good	8	27
2019	65/100	-3	Good	8	46
2018(selected)	68/100	—	Good	6	21

2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Common Questions

10 questions from 2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon owners.

Charging

My very dead battery is on charger and the parking lights are flashing quickly - why?

VisitorMar 5, 2026

Heater wont turn off

Heater wont turn off/display blank Started today

VisitorMar 5, 2026

Oil on the spark plugs underneath the boot

I went to change my spark plugs and there was oil on them when I removed the boot! 1 no oil 2 a little oil 3 more oil & 4 had about half full?! From left to rightist i First time I looked Started today

VisitorMar 4, 2026

Antifreeze leak

My antifreeze keeps leaking out after buying the car 30 day Antifreeze A few days

VisitorMar 2, 2026

2019 ford Explorer

Rough idle when stopping at light More than a month

VisitorMar 1, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2018 Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon reliable?

Yes, it rates good for reliability. It sits in the middle of the six scored model years for this van. Owners filed 21 complaints, or 6.6 per 10,000 sold. The main risks are steering, brake and transmission faults, so check the repair history before buying.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon?

Steering leads with 5 complaints, followed by service brakes with 3. Visibility and power train each have 2. The steering issue is sudden loss of power assist. Brake reports involve a locking front wheel. Owners also mention a shattering rear window and hard transmission downshifts.

Does the 2018 Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon have power steering problems?

Yes, it is the most reported problem. Assist can cut out suddenly while driving, sometimes at highway speed, with no warning light first. Repairs usually mean a new steering rack, and some vans needed a second one. One failure at 65,000 miles cost $2,700.

How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon have?

Federal records list 6 recalls. Two cover the power train and two cover back over prevention. The others involve seats and visibility. Ask the seller for proof that each one was completed, or have a Ford dealer check the VIN.

Is the 2018 Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon better than the 2019?

Based on this data, yes. Both score good, but the 2019 rates worse. It has 46 complaints and 8 recalls, against 21 complaints and 6 recalls for the 2018. The 2018 has also had less time to collect complaints than older years.

Don’t buy a 2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon does best on how many systems draw complaints (80/100) and worst on repair costs (60/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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