Recall 18V275 affects 25,658 2015-2017 Ford Transit vehicles with trailer tow modules that let water corrode wiring. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 25,658 2015-2017 Transit vehicles with trailer tow modules because water can enter the module and corrode wiring. The fault can cause an electrical short, fire risk, turn signal or instrument-cluster problems, or seatbelt pretensioner deployment; Ford dealers will repair it free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The trailer tow module on affected 2015-2017 Ford Transit vehicles manages the electrical connection for trailer equipment, including trailer lighting signals. It sits in the driver's door stepwell area, so the module and nearby wiring depend on that area staying dry and draining correctly.
On these Transits, water and snow can enter the stepwell and collect because drainage is limited. When pooled water splashes onto the trailer tow module or wiring, corrosion can build up. Over time, that corrosion can create an electrical short to ground, meaning current flows through the wrong path and overloads the ground wire circuit.
Owners can notice rapid flashing turn signals, a blank or lost instrument cluster display, loss of heater and air conditioning controls, loss of multimedia features such as the radio, screens, or SYNC, or the smell of overheated or melted electrical wiring. Those are warning signs that the module or wiring has started to fail.
Who's affected?
Build dates run from February 3, 2014, through August 2, 2017, while the listed model years are 2015-2017.
| 2016 Ford Transit | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2017 Ford Transit | wiring |
| 2015 Ford Transit | wiring |
| Units affected | 25,658 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
An electrical short can raise the risk of a fire. Turn signal, instrument cluster, and seatbelt pretensioner problems can also raise crash risk. Treat rapid turn-signal flashing, a blank cluster display, lost climate or multimedia controls, or overheated wiring odor as warning signs. Schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2017 Ford Transit is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free driver's-door stepwell drainage repair and wiring-harness fuse installation that protects the trailer tow module wiring from water corrosion.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one, and reference recall number 18V275 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Stop using the van if the turn signals flash rapidly, the instrument panel display drops out, or seatbelt pretensioner problems appear.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician adds a drainage hole in the driver's door stepwell so trapped water has an exit path, then installs a fuse in the vehicle's wiring harness. The work addresses water intrusion that can corrode the trailer tow module wiring. Parts and labor are free under recall 18V275. Ford's general reimbursement plan applies to remedy costs owners paid before recall notification, with reimbursement eligibility ending May 25, 2018. If you have paperwork for a related repair before that date, contact Ford customer service or ask the service desk how to submit it.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 19, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| April 30, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
| May 7, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 18, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V275?
Recall 18V275 covers 25,658 2015-2017 Ford Transit vehicles with trailer tow modules that can let water in and corrode wiring. Ford dealers will add a drainage hole in the driver's door stepwell and add a fuse to the wiring harness for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2017 Ford Transit is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 18V275. If it is, call a franchised Ford dealer and ask for recall 17S34-S1. Ford will add the drainage hole and wiring-harness fuse at no cost.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Ford to repair this safety defect at no cost. A franchised Ford dealer will add a drainage hole in the driver's door stepwell and incorporate a fuse into the vehicle's wiring harness free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is wiring corrosion in the trailer tow module. An electrical short can increase fire risk. Turn signal, instrument cluster, or seatbelt pretensioner problems can increase crash risk, according to recall 18V275.
What if I bought my Ford Transit used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2015-2017 Ford Transit is included, then reference recall 18V275 or Ford recall 17S34-S1 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V275000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V275 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V275000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →