Ford Transit Connect Recall R/2018/350: Vehicle Could Suffer Clutch Pressure Plate Fracture, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 22 Feb 2019
- Launched
- 554
- vehicles in the UK
- 18S39
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Ford recalled Transit Connect vehicles built between 10 July 2016 and 9 May 2018. 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: VEHICLE COULD SUFFER CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE 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 10 July 2016 and 9 May 2018 may be included. Ford estimates 554 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 18S39 or the DVSA reference R/2018/350. 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/2019/045 on 12 Feb 2019, for potential for the rear doors to open when the rear windows are lowered. The one launched after it was R/2018/351 on 22 Feb 2019, for vehicle could suffer clutch pressure plate fracture. You can also see every Ford recall, all recalls launched in 2019 and fire risk recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2018/350, launched 22 February 2019. 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.