Ford Transit Connect Recall R/2018/194: Clutch Pressure Plate May Fracture, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 16 Jul 2018
- Launched
- 199
- vehicles in the UK
- 18S07
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Ford recalled Transit Connect vehicles built between 1 August 2012 and 30 June 2016. A number of vehicles fitted with a 1.0 1.5 or 1.6 Ecoboost engine and 6-speed manual transmission could suffer clutch pressure plate fracture. The recall notice describes the fix as: to prevent the repeated heating /cooling events a new calibration has been developed for vehicles fitted with Engine Stop Start feature. The software with the additional feature sets the Instrument panel ,Wrench light, and de-rates the engine performance if prolonged clutch slip is detected. The software feature includes a drive cycle strategy for latching the wrench light and engine performance de-rate if the customer should experience repeated clutch slip events. For vehicles that do not have Engine Stop Start feature an alternative clutch kit has been released. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
A number of vehicles fitted with a 1.0 1.5 or 1.6 Ecoboost engine and 6-speed manual transmission could suffer clutch pressure plate fracture. This results in clutch smell reduced vehicle speed and performance. In the unlikely event of clutch pressure plate fracture a noise (thud / bang) could be heard from the vicinity of the transmission in extreme cases resulting in clutch / transmission fragments being released and striking under hood components creating a risk of smoke and fire from the under hood area.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE MAY FRACTURE Defect: A number of vehicles fitted with a 1.0 1.5 or 1.6 Ecoboost engine and 6-speed manual transmission could suffer clutch pressure plate fracture. This results in clutch smell reduced vehicle speed and performance. In the unlikely event of clutch pressure plate fracture a noise (thud / bang) could be heard from the vicinity of the transmission in extreme cases resulting in clutch / transmission fragments being released and striking under hood components creating a risk of smoke and fire from the under hood area. Remedy: To prevent the repeated heating /cooling events a new calibration has been developed for vehicles fitted with Engine Stop Start feature. The software with the additional feature sets the Instrument panel �Wrench light� and de-rates the engine performance if prolonged clutch slip is detected. The software feature includes a drive cycle strategy for latching the wrench light and engine performance de-rate if the customer should experience repeated clutch slip events. For vehicles that do not have Engine Stop Start feature an alternative clutch kit has been released.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could result in clutch / transmission fragments being released and striking under hood components creating a risk of smoke and fire from the under hood area.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: to prevent the repeated heating /cooling events a new calibration has been developed for vehicles fitted with Engine Stop Start feature. The software with the additional feature sets the Instrument panel ,Wrench light, and de-rates the engine performance if prolonged clutch slip is detected. The software feature includes a drive cycle strategy for latching the wrench light and engine performance de-rate if the customer should experience repeated clutch slip events. For vehicles that do not have Engine Stop Start feature an alternative clutch kit has been released. The fix is a software update, which usually takes under an hour at the dealer.
Are You Affected?
Transit Connect built between 1 August 2012 and 30 June 2016 may be included. Ford estimates 199 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Ford, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Ford.
- Book with any franchised Ford dealer, quoting the campaign code 18S07 or the DVSA reference R/2018/194. See how to get a Ford recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus, Kuga, Tourneo Connect, Transit Connect and 1 moreDiesel DV-Neo engine coolant pump update | Urgent | R/2026/237 | |
| Edge, Mustang, Transit ConnectRear-view camera distorted and/or loss of image | Low | R/2026/213 | |
| Tourneo Connect, Transit ConnectPosition lights not operating correctly | Low | R/2026/180 | |
| Tourneo Connect, Transit ConnectPotential leaky screw connection in the brake circuit | Urgent | R/2025/007 | |
| Transit ConnectTransit Connect panoramic roof | Low | R/2024/280 |
This is one of 378 Ford recalls in DVSA’s data. The Ford recall launched before it was R/2018/082 on 16 Jul 2018, for clutch pressure plate may fracture. The one launched after it was R/2018/248 on 2 Oct 2018, for lower control arm weld may not meet sepcification. You can also see every Ford recall, all recalls launched in 2018 and fire risk recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2018/194, launched 16 July 2018. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.