The 2018 Ford Transit lasts around 250,000 miles with some average vibration and misfiring issues reported. At $24,225 to $31,200, it’s a decent value for a full size van with decent towing and hauling capabilities.
Is the 2018 Ford Transit a Good Used Van?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – 2018 is a good year for the Ford Transit, making it a nice choice for a full size passenger or cargo van, although it’s boring compared to other vehicles. Owner reviews praise the strong engines, passenger room, as well as nice technology.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 6/10 – Interior materials are utilitarian for a van, the seats offer decent support, cargo space is also outstanding for the van’s size.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no major problems for a commercial-focused van. Models from 2015 through 2022 are all good choices.
- Performance 4/10 – Performance is poor from the 2018 Ford Transit, although it’s built for cargo or passengers, making it not very exciting to drive.
- Safety 7/10 – The 2018 Ford Transit is reasonably safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. There’s a standard rearview camera while parking sensors are optional.
- Gas Mileage 6/10 – Fuel economy is poor at 16 MPG, giving 400 miles of range from the 25 gallon tank. Gas costs are average for a large van, at $314 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2018 Ford Transit is a good value for a large van since it’s similar in price to most of the competitors with good reliability ratings.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Ford Transit?
- Consumer Reports says the 2018 Ford Transit does everything a commercial van should, with average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Transit at 2.9/5, praising the strong efficient engines, but doesn’t like the very basic interior.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Transit a 3.8/5, enjoying the outstanding cargo capacity, but don’t like the lower towing rating than other vans.
What Common Problems Does the 2018 Ford Transit Have?
Common problems found on the 2018 Ford Transit include excessive vibrations, the engine misfiring, as well as exhaust fumes in the cabin of the van. Overall, these problems are similar to other large vans, with average repair costs as it ages.
Excessive vibrations are the most widespread complaint from Transit owners at around 25,000 miles. Usually the problem is caused by the rear differential. If you use the van to haul a lot of weight or tow frequently, it can cause excessive wear on the pinion bearing. Replacing the pinion bearing is around $750, depending on local labor rates.
The engine misfiring has also been reported on Transit owners in the first 10,000 miles. Misfires are typically caused by a fouled spark plug. Usually misfires which happen so early in ownership are covered by the warranty for free. If your van is out of warranty, replacing the spark plugs is around $400.
Exhaust fumes inside the cabin of the van have shown up on some Transit models in the first 30,000 miles. Usually if there are excessive exhaust fumes there is a leak somewhere in the system. Diagnosing and fixing an exhaust leak costs around $250.
There are 13 recalls on the 2018 Ford Transit, which is more than many other vans on the market. The most serious recall covers a u-joint in the driveshaft which may fail. Ford will replace the driveshaft on affected models for free. Most of the other recalls are for seat backs, which may not stay upright. Ford will replace the backs for free on affected vans as well.
How Long Will the 2018 Ford Transit Last?
A well-maintained 2018 Ford Transit can last around 250,000 miles, which is about 50,000 miles more than the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other full size vans, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $791 per year.
As a used 2018 Ford Transit reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the oil pan gasket for $500, transmission oil cooler line costing $240, as well as the emergency brake cable, which costs around $300.
No it doesn't have any problems it has 140,000 miles and still running strong it is seventeen years old and been all across the country
Yes it is very reliable and a very good van. No problems so far and I hope to continue that way. I honestly have to say this is a very reliable, comfortable, and great in general van.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is very basic in the 2018 Ford Transit with a standard 4-inch display in the dash. There’s an optional 6.5-inch touchscreen which has Sync 3.
Safety technology is also bad with a standard rearview camera. Optional advanced safety features include parking sensors and a lane departure warning system.
Is the 2018 Ford Transit a Good Value?
Yes, the 2018 Ford Transit is a good value if you’re looking for a large full size van. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $24,225 to $31,200, making it similar to a Ram Promaster or Nissan NV. When new, the price range was $33,700 to $39,900. Depreciation is similar to other vans, losing about 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Ford Transit?
There are two main versions of the 2018 Ford Transit offered including the base XL and the better-equipped XLT. The Transit also is available with either standard or long-wheelbase models. It’s also offered with single or dual rear wheels. There are three roof heights including also low, medium, and high-roof body styles.
XL is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Vinyl Upholstery
- Wheel Covers
- Dual Sliding Side Doors
- High Mount Rearview Camera
- Power Windows & Door Locks
- Keyless Entry
- Front Air Conditioning
- LED Interior Lighting
- Four-Speaker Audio System
XLT is a step up, adding:
- Cloth Upholstery
- Cruise Control
- Optional Leather Seats
- Parking Sensors
- Sync 3 Infotainment System
- 5-Inch Touchscreen
- Lane Departure Warning
- Remote Engine Start
- Rear Scuff Plate Kit
- Engine Block Heater
- Rear Air Conditioning
What Engines Come In the Ford Transit?
- The base engine is a reasonably powerful 3.7L V6 which makes 275 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque while getting 16 MPG. All transit models come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission. It can tow up to 6,400 pounds.
- An optional upgrade is the 3.2L turbodiesel 5-cylinder which produces 185 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque at 17 MPG. This motor can pull up to 7,100 pounds.
- The flagship engine is the turbocharged 3.5L V6 which generates 310 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque and gets 14 MPG. It has the highest towing capacity at up to 7,500 pounds.
What Colors Does the Ford Transit Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Ford Transit?
The 2018 Ford Transit van is a comfortable choice, with a smooth ride and plenty of room as both passenger van or cargo van. The van comes with a range of seating options, including standard front bucket seats and available bench seats that can accommodate up to 15 passengers.
There is also plenty of headroom and legroom, especially on the high roof models, so passengers should have no problem stretching out and getting comfortable during long trips.
How Much Storage Space Does the Ford Transit Have?
The 2018 Ford Transit van has a lot of different storage options depending on the configuration you choose. The standard model has a cargo volume of 246.7 cubic feet, but there are also high roof models with a cargo volume of 487.3 cubic feet and extended length models with a cargo volume of 550.9 cubic feet. The van can also be equipped with a variety of shelves, bins, and other storage options to help you make the most of the available space.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The fifth generation of the Ford Transit van was launched in 2015.
2015: First model year for the Ford Transit in the USA after being an exclusive European van.
2016: Optional Sync 3 stereo system available, tow hitch and rearview camera standard on all models.
2017: Standard 3.7L V6 engine, short wheelbase model introduced, new LED headlights.
2018: Power folding mirrors and Bluetooth standard on all models.
2019: Redesigned door hinges to open wider.
2020: New engine choices, available 10-speed automatic transmission, optional all-wheel drive available.
2021: 2.0L Diesel engine removed from lineup, electronic parking brake added to rear wheel drive vans.
How Does the Ford Transit Compare to the Competition?
The 2018 Ford Transit is a great full size van, which is a nice choice if you need to haul full pallets of cargo, or a large group of up to fifteen passengers.
The Mercedes Sprinter is another full size van available on the market. Where the Mercedes Sprinter stands out is with a more premium feel, while the Ford Transit has lower fuel and running costs as it ages. We recommend the Ford Transit, although both are very nice vans worth taking a look at.
The Nissan NV200 is a large van available on the market as well. Interior materials are nicer in the Nissan NV200, while the Ford Transit has a higher towing and hauling capacity. We recommend the Ford Transit for most shoppers since they are more affordable to own with fewer mechanical issues reported.
Do Owners Recommend the Ford Transit?
Yes it's comfortable and reliable got me all the way across the United States from Seattle to Denver safely and never broke down once
YES, I love this van. It is by far the best vehicle we have had and it feels good to have something that my whole family can fit in comfortable and feel safe. We also have room for other people to ride with us as well.
