What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2016 Ford Transit

Typical pattern

8.1% of complaints about the 2016 Ford Transit came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2016 vehicle — around the middle of the 199 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.4 yr in service. The most-reported system is power train (60 complaints), typically at 7.0 yr or about 105,000 miles.

Complaints
211
Median age at failure
5.4 yr
Median mileage
70,000 n=133
Crash / fire / tow
19.9% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Power train
60 reports · 105,000 mi
7.0 yr
21.7%
Other
21 reports · 22,163 mi
5.5 yr
9.5%
Engine
20 reports · 13,025 mi
5.4 yr
25%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

25V572000 2025-09-04
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

21V631000 2021-08-11
Parking brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage and cable

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Transit vehicles. An incorrect driveshaft torsional damper service kit may have been installed, which can allow the damper shield to contact the parking brake cable, possibly resulting in parking brake failure.

Parking brake failure can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.

19V767000 2019-10-25
Power train:driveline:driveshaft

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Transit vehicles. This recall includes all full-size Transit vehicles previously recalled under 17V-408 except ones that received mechanical universal joint (u-joint) as a remedy and any 156" or 178" wheelbase Chassis Cab and Cut-Away bodies models. The flexible coupling connecting the transmission to the driveshaft may prematurely fail.

If the coupling fails, the vehicle will not be able to move under its own power and the disconnected driveshaft may impact and damage the brake and fuel lines. Additionally, the separated driveshaft may allow the vehicle to roll if the vehicle is exited when the transmission is in 'Park' but the parking brake is not applied. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

19V333000 2019-04-29
Seats

New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ford Transit and 2014-2019 Ram Promaster 2500 and 3500 vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman Go-ES Foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.

In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

19V329000 2019-04-26
Seats

Fenton Mobility Products, Inc. (Fenton Mobility) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.

In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

19V313000 2019-04-18
Seats

Mobility Transportation Services (MobilityTrans) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ford Transit and Ram Promaster vehicles and 2014-2015 Ford Econoline vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.

In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

19V271000 2019-04-03
Equipment adaptive/mobility

Mobility Specialists, Inc. (Mobility Specialists) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Ford E-150 and Transit vans modified to be equipped with Ricon S-Series and K-Series wheel chair lifts. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height.

If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inwards toward the vehicle when exiting the lift, increasing their risk of injury.

19V247000 2019-03-28
Seats

Cabot Coach Builders, Inc. DBA Royale Limousine (Royale) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit-based mini-coaches equipped with Freedman GO-ES foldaway seats recalled under 18E-076. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.

In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

19V238000 2019-03-26
Seats

Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit Van, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2007 Ford F-250-based shuttle vehicles equipped with Freedman GO-3S foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.

In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

19V229000 2019-03-22
Seats

TransitWorks is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit, 2018 Ford Transit Connect, and 2016 Dodge Ram ProMaster vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman Seating GO-ES seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.

In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

In owners’ own words

Engine 7,700 mi 9 mo in service
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE DASH DINGED AND SAID ENGINE FAULT SERVICE NOW. THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION AND HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER WHILE VEHICLES WERE GOING AROUND HIM. FORD SAYS THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE WHEN A PART GOES BAD SO THE ENGINE DOESN'T GET DAMAGED. THE THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL ACCELERATION WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH NO WARNING. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.
Engine 13,025 mi 2.7 yr in service
THE VAN STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND LOST POWER WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION AT APPROX 25MPH. THE ELECTRONIC PANEL DISPLAYED AND ERROR MESSAGE STATING, "ENGINE FAULT SERVICE NOW". WHEN RESTARTED THE VAN STARTED SHAKING WHEN PRESSING THE EXCELERATOR. VAN WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED WITHOUT ANY ISSUES
Engine mileage not reported 4.0 yr in service
I HAVE A 5 TRANSIT VANS AND ALL OF THEM ARE GIVING ME CATALYST PROBLEMS , I CAN UNDERSTAND MAYBE ONE VEHICLE WITH A PROBLEM BUT WHEN ALL HAVE THE SAME SYMPTOMS SOMETHING IS NOT WORKING RIGHT,MY TRANSIT 3.5 HAS GONE THROUGH 2 OF THEM ALREADY, THEY HAVE ISSUES WITH THE CATALYST SYSTEM AND IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX I JUST PAYED $2,500 TO REPLACE THE SECOND ONE ON MY TRANSIT 350 3.5 . THIS HAS TO BE LOOKED AT
Power train 7,200 mi 10 mo in service
DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET, VEHICLE RESTARTED BUT WAS IN "LIMP MODE". THROTTLE BODY FAILURE.

Other Transit model years

2020201720162015

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