Ford Transit reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 786 complaints about the Ford Transit with NHTSA since 2014, most often about transmission and drivetrain and other or unspecified. Ford has filed 4 warranty extensions and 10 service campaigns for it, and there are 65 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Ford Transit? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Transit a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2014 on.
- Owner complaints
- 786
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 4
- Filed by Ford
- Service campaigns
- 10
- Filed by Ford
- Safety recalls
- 65
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Transit with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 | 5 | Wheels (60%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 4 | Brakes (50%) | 4 | 2 |
| 2024 | 28 | Body and structure (21%) | 10 | 6 |
| 2023 | 59 | Electrical system (24%) | 18 | 4 |
| 2022 | 38 | Electrical system (29%) | 16 | 5 |
| 2021 | 23 | Transmission and drivetrain (26%) | 4 | 3 |
| 2020 | 84 | Seats (32%) | 9 | 3 |
| 2019 | 37 | Other or unspecified (19%) | 9 | 7 |
| 2018 | 58 | Engine (24%) | 14 | 6 |
| 2017 | 98 | Transmission and drivetrain (41%) | 18 | 6 |
| 2016 | 156 | Transmission and drivetrain (38%) | 21 | 6 |
| 2015 | 193 | Transmission and drivetrain (40%) | 26 | 6 |
| 2014 | 3 | Transmission and drivetrain (33%) | 3 | 0 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Transit model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Ford
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Ford filed with NHTSA for the Transit, in its own words. A warranty extension means Ford pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionMar 2021· Equipment and accessories· model years 2015–2019
Certain 2013-2016 Model Year F-Series Super Duty 6.7L Diesel and 2015-2019 Model Year Transit 3.2L Diesel Vehicles â Front NOx Sensor Warranty Extension In all of the affected vehicles, the onboard diagnostic (OBD) system initially contained a software error that prevented…
- Warranty extensionMar 2021· Equipment and accessories· model years 2015–2019
Certain 2013-2016 Model Year F-Series Super Duty 6.7L Diesel and 2015-2019 Model Year Transit 3.2L Diesel Vehicles â Rear NOx Sensor Warranty Extension In all of the affected vehicles, the onboard diagnostic (OBD) system initially contained a software error that prevented…
- Warranty extensionMar 2021· Electrical system· model years 2015–2019
Certain 2013-2016 Model Year F-Series Super Duty 6.7L Diesel and 2015-2019 Model Year Transit 3.2L Diesel Vehicles Selective Catalyst Reduction System Warranty Extension In all of the affected vehicles, the onboard diagnostic (OBD) system initially contained a software error…
- Warranty extensionFeb 2020· Engine and cooling· model years 2015–2019
This program extends the warranty coverage of the reductant heater and sender assembly to 11 years of service or 120,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first.
- Service campaignAug 2026· Engine· model years 2022, 2024
Customer Satisfaction Program 26L01 Certain 2018-2024 Model Year Various Vehicles 2.0L Panther Diesel Engine Timing Belt and Tensioner Interval Change
- Service campaignApr 2026· Other or unspecified· model years 2016–2019
Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
- Service campaignApr 2026· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2020–2025
Customer Satisfaction Program 25N12 Certain 2020-2025 Model Year Transit All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) Vehicles Transfer Case Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Service campaignMar 2026· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2015–2025
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Service campaignMar 2026· Other or unspecified· model years 2022–2024
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh 3-4, 4-5 upshifts * Harsh 5-3, 4-3 downshifts * Harsh reverse engagements These symptoms may be worse when cold.
- Service campaignOct 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2021–2024
Customer Satisfaction Program 25B47 Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Transit All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) Vehicles Transfer Case Replacement
- Service campaignMar 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2024
Customer Satisfaction Program 24P28 Certain 2025 Model Year F-650/F-750, 2024 Model Year Super Duty, Transit and Escape Vehicles A/C Compressor Inspection
- Service campaignDec 2019· Visibility· model years 2020
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Customer Satisfaction Program 19B42 Certain 2020 Model Year Transit Vehicles With All Wheel Drive and Rear Climate Control Rear Heater Coolant Lines Inspection and Repair
- Service campaignJun 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2019
Customer Satisfaction Program 19B15: Certain 2019 Model Year F150, Expedition, Navigator and Transit Vehicles Equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost Engine - Cam Cover Torque
- Service campaignMar 2015· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2015
Ford 2015 Police interceptor sedan vehicles: Customer satisfaction program regarding enable police mode trunk release. The program will be in effect through may 31, 2016.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Transit model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Transmission and drivetrain234 (30%)
- Other or unspecified112 (14%)
- Engine108 (14%)
- Electrical system106 (13%)
- Body and structure51 (6%)
- Fuel and propulsion45 (6%)
- Brakes44 (6%)
- Backup camera and rear sensors27 (3%)
Safety recalls
65 recalls cover at least one Transit model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The wireless seat belt reminder system (SBR) within the rear seat belt buckles may malfunction and fail to show a change in buckle status.
The brake pedal may disconnect from the brake booster pushrod, causing a loss of brake function.
The engine crossmember may not be secured properly, which can cause the engine to shift and possibly result in a loss of drive power or brake failure.
The rearview camera supplied in the Rear Video Camera and Prep Kit may not function when installed by the final stage manufacturer (upfitter), resulting in a blank rearview image.
Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
An incorrect steering coupler cover and tires that were not designed for the vehicle may have been installed during a previous repair.
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
The connecting rod and rod bearing components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
The Instrument Panel Cluster may not properly illuminate warning lights or gauges. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays.
A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
The heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system's controls, including those for defog and defrost, may become inoperative.
Incorrect bolts may have been used to attach the rear axle shaft, which can lead to the rear wheel locking up or separating from the axle.
The front gross axle weight rating may be labeled incorrectly on the vehicle B-pillar label and the owner's manual label, which can result in an overloaded vehicle.
And 50 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- RQ21002Recall query· opened Aug 2021, still open· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2020
Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance
Led to recall 26V104.
- AQ18001Audit query· opened Apr 2018, closed Sep 2024· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2015–2017
Zipcar Rental Concerns
NHTSA's own page for the 2027 Ford Transit has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Ford Transit reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2014 on: 786 owner complaints, 4 warranty extensions and 10 service campaigns Ford filed, and 65 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2015 (193), 2016 (156), 2017 (98). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Ford Transit?
Across every model year since 2014, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name transmission and drivetrain (30%), other or unspecified (14%), engine (14%). Ford has filed 4 warranty extensions covering the Transit, listed on this page.
Which Transit model years have the most complaints?
2015 (193), 2016 (156), 2017 (98). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Transit with each other rather than with other models.
Has Ford extended the warranty on the Transit?
Yes: equipment and accessories (model years 2015–2019); equipment and accessories (model years 2015–2019); electrical system (model years 2015–2019), and 1 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Transit?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 65 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.