2018 Ford Transit Power Train
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-60 MPH, the vehicle started vibrating abnormally and was almost uncontrollable. The contact held the steering wheel tightly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the driveshaft coupling had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a related recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 480,000.
My 2018 Ford Transit 250 experienced a failure of the Input/Turbine Speed Sensor in the 6R80 transmission’s mechatronic lead frame at approximately 60,000 miles. The failure was confirmed by an authorized Ford service department, which retrieved DTC codes P0715-00 and P0717-00. These codes indicate that the turbine speed sensor signal is lost, forcing the transmission into limp mode, causing loss of power and erratic shifting. This is a serious safety concern, it can occur suddenly while driving and results in loss of proper gear control. Relation to Recall 19S07 Ford has already acknowledged this same defect in other vehicles using the 6R80 transmission. In Safety Recall 19S07, Ford recalled certain 2011–2013 F-150, Expedition, and Navigator models due to failure of the Output Shaft Speed (OSS) sensor in the 6R80 lead frame. The failure mode, symptoms, and remedy (lead frame replacement and PCM update) are identical. In my case, the failure is of the Input/Turbine Speed Sensor rather than the OSS sensor, but both are housed in the same lead frame assembly and both result in sudden sensor failure, limp mode, and unsafe driving conditions. Why Action Is Needed Despite the identical defect, Ford has refused coverage because my VIN is not included in Recall 19S07 and my vehicle is just outside the 5 year / 60,000 mile powertrain warranty. This exclusion leaves Transit owners unprotected even though we are experiencing the same premature failure Ford already acknowledged. Given the safety implications, I am requesting NHTSA to investigate whether Recall 19S07 should be expanded to include Ford Transit vehicles equipped with the 6R80 transmission. Summary Vehicle: 2018 Ford Transit 250, 60,000 miles DTCs: P0715-00, P0717-00 (Input/Turbine Speed Sensor failure) Component: 6R80 mechatronic lead frame (same part as in Recall 19S07) Symptoms: Limp mode, loss of shifting, unsafe drivability Ford refuses coverage despite identical failure acknowledged in other model
Randomly down shifts on its own while driving
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.
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.
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.
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).”
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Quick Summary
The 2018 Ford Transit has 7 Power Train complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.