MotorDeets

Ford Transit problems, recalls & best years

The deets on every Transit from 2001 to 2027: 787 owner complaints and 154 recalls across 15 model years.

The model years with the most owner complaints are 2015 (193), 2016 (156), 2017 (98). Best fuel economy: 26 mpg combined (2023).

Ford Transit
Photo: JoachimKohler-HB · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Problem areas across all years

Transmission & drivetrain237
Other / unknown112
Engine108
Electrical106
Body & structure55
Brakes53
Fuel & propulsion51
Backup camera42

Year by year

YearRecallsComplaintsBest mpg
200101–
20143324
20152619316
20162115616
2017189816
2018145816
201993716
202098417
202142316
2022163817
2023185926
20241028–
202544–
202615–
202710–

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Ford Transit.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check Ford Transit manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check Ford Transit manual

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FAQ

What is the worst year for the Ford Transit?

The model years with the most owner complaints are 2015 (193), 2016 (156), 2017 (98).

How many recalls has the Ford Transit had?

Across 2001–2027, NHTSA lists 154 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).