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250 platform

2018 Ford Transit-250

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Transit.

Body VANTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2018 Ford Transit 250 van arrives with an automatic six-speed transmission and EPA ratings of 20 city, 27 highway, and 23 combined mpg. Owner-reported complaints total 55 for this model year, with the power train emerging as the top concern area and 14 recalls recorded. Across the model's complaint history spanning 2001 through 2026, the 2018 Transit sits well below the peak of 188 complaints seen in 2015 but above the single-complaint low of the 2001 debut year, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the nameplate's documented reliability experience.

Model year2025 2024 2018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacityNSOEM · verified

Engine oil typeNSOEM · verified

Lug nut torque148 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy20/27/23 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	189.4 in
Overall width	72.4 in
Overall height	70.5 in
Wheelbase	120.5 in
Curb weight	3580 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.4 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	20 / 27 / 23 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Transit of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.7–12.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.70 sec — 2020 350 Crew EcoBoost Van (148WB HR)

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2017	350 EcoBoost Van (148WB MR) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6	6.80 sec	15.30 sec	310 hp	RWD
2017	350 XLT EcoBoost Wagon (12-pass 148WB MR) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6	7.60 sec	16.00 sec	310 hp	RWD
2020	350 Crew EcoBoost Van (148WB HR) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6	6.70 sec	15.30 sec	310 hp	AWD
2015	350 XLT EcoBoost Wagon (12-pass 148WB HR) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6	7.50 sec	15.90 sec	310 hp	RWD
2015	150 XLT EcoBoost Wagon (10-pass 130WB MR) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6	7.60 sec	15.90 sec	310 hp	RWD
2015	150 XL Diesel Van (148WB LR) 3.2L Turbo Diesel I-5	10.60 sec	17.90 sec	185 hp	RWD
2015	350 HD Diesel Van DRW (148WB HR) 3.2L Turbo Diesel I-5	12.50 sec	18.70 sec	185 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds NS of NS engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 148 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	6.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	6.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	Stage 1: 30 lb.ft
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	Stage 1: 30 lb.ft

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	129.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	148 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	.028-.037 in
Spark Plug Torque	11 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	.051 in
Spark Plug Torque	11 ft-lbs

Service checks

RPM	65.0 @ Idle rpm
RPM	55.0 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 44; Rear: 23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 203; Rear: 85
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: 1.181; Rear: .591
Maximum Rotor Runout	.0039

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	Bolts 1-26	62 in
2	Bolts 27and28	35 in
3	Bolts 1-26	11 ft. lbs
4	Bolts 27and28	53 in
5	Bolts 1-26	17 ft. lbs
6	Bolts 27and28	89 in

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	71.0 inch lbs.	71 in
2	45.0

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	71.0 inch lbs.	71 in
2	45.0

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	17.0 ft. lbs.	17 ft. lbs
2	32.0 ft. lbs.	32 ft. lbs
3	90.0

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	17.0 ft. lbs.	17 ft. lbs
2	32.0 ft. lbs.	32 ft. lbs
3	90.0

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	18.0 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
2	33.0 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
3	45.0

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	7.4 ft. lbs.	7.4 ft. lbs
2	Turn 45

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Install New Manifold Studs: 13.3 ft. lbs.

1	14 ft.lbs.	14 ft.lbs
2	18

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	7.4 ft. lbs.Upper Intake Only	7.4 ft. lbs
2	Turn 45

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	14 ft. lbs.	14 ft. lbs
2	18.4

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	3.7 ft. lbs.	3.7 ft. lbs
2	9.5 ft. lbs.	9.5 ft. lbs
3	11.8

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	7.4 ft. lbs.	7.4 ft. lbs
2	14.7 ft. lbs.	14.7 ft. lbs
3	26 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs
4	26

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	53.0 inch lbs.	53 in
2	11.0 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
3	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
4	26.0 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs
5	59.0 ft. lbs.	59 ft. lbs
6	90.0

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Cap bolts

1	20.0 ft. lbs.	20 ft. lbs
2	180.0 degrees; Side bolts	180 degrees
1	33.0 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Cap bolts

1	20.0 ft. lbs.	20 ft. lbs
2	180.0 degrees; Side bolts	180 degrees
1	33.0 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 mi	Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Diesel Emissions Fluid (fill) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly Mounting Bolts (torque) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Across this generation, federal reports peaked in 2015 with 188 complaints and 26 recalls, followed by a consistent downward trend through 2018. The 2018 model year fits into this improving arc, recording 55 complaints and 14 recalls, a significant decrease from the 96 complaints and 18 recalls seen in 2017. Top complaint areas for 2018 included the Power Train (7), "Unknown Or Other" (6), Structure (5), and Electrical System (4), though the data does not specify the root causes of these issues. While complaints rose slightly to 82 in 2020, the 2018 model represents one of the lowest volumes of reported issues in the record. Because it marks a period of increased stability compared to the early years of the generation, this is a good year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

191

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 1 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Frontal★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’01 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17’18’20 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 55 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train7

Unknown Or Other6

Structure5

Electrical System4

Engine4

Power Train,Engine2

Wheels2

Back Over Prevention2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 14 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V103000Power Train:Driveline:DriveshaftReported 21/02/2019

XL Hybrids, Inc (XL) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with XL's electric hybrid system. The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the… Remedy: XL will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft with an updated one, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact XL Hybrid's customer…

19V439000Structure:Emergency:Escape/Egress/ExitReported 11/06/2019

LA West Inc. (LA West) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with glass roof hatches. Temperature and vibration stresses may cause the tempered glass roof hatch to shatter. Remedy: LA West will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hatch lids, free of charge. The recall began July 11, 2019. Owners may contact LA West customer service at 1-704-498-4940.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 191 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
25N15 S1	2026-04-20	Electrical System	Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple…
SSM 54690	2026-03-26	Engine	Some 2013-2016 Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine and 2015-2019…
25N17	2026-03-25	Unknown Or Other	Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year…
SSM 54601	2026-02-23	Electrical System	Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
25N15	2026-01-05	Visibility/Wiper	Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Transit. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking NS 250-platform vehicles

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Transit take?

NS of NS, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Transit have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Transit get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.