2016 Ford Transit: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Ford Transit: 21 recalls, 156 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
21 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #16V111000 · 2016 · 48,990 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear seat belt buckles May be damaged if a heavy object is placed on, or impacts, the top of the buckle. The damage May prevent the buckle from latching or from remaining latched.
Why it matters: An unlatched seat belt increases the risk of injury to the occupant in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify or replace the seat belt buckles, depending on their location in the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2016.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V188000 · 2016 · 37,066 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the side curtain air bag May not deploy with the proper trajectory due to being folded and packaged incorrectly.
Why it matters: A side curtain air bag that does not deploy as intended May increase the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and re-orient the side curtain air bag assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016.
Fuel system (diesel), Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #16V618000 · 2016 · 2,013 vehicles
What's wrong: 2l diesel engine. A fuel injector or the fuel volume control valve May clog due to metallic debris within the fuel system.
Why it matters: If debris clogs the fuel system, the engine May stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel injection pump and associated parts and, if necessary, will replace the fuel filter and flush the fuel system, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #17V408000 · 2017 · 372,991 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the flexible coupling connecting the transmission to the driveshaft May prematurely fail.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and as an interim repair, dealers will replace the flexible coupling on any vehicle with more than 30,000 miles. A final remedy repair of a redesigned flexible coupling or a revised driveshaft equipped with a universal joint is being developed and is expected in early 2018.…
Electrical Vehicle recall #17V668000 · 2017 · 65,206 vehicles
What's wrong: Water can enter the tow modules and corrode the wiring causing issues such as rapidly flashing turn signals, loss of instrument panel display, an electrical short and possibly the deployment of seatbelt pretensioner.
Why it matters: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire. Turn signal, instrument cluster or seatbelt pretensioner problems can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will add a drainage hole in the driver's door stepwell and incorporate a fuse into the vehicle's wiring harness, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018.
Electrical Vehicle recall #18V275000 · 2018 · 25,658 vehicles
What's wrong: Water can enter the tow modules and corrode the wiring causing issues such as rapidly flashing turn signals, loss of instrument panel display, an electrical short and possibly the deployment of seatbelt pretensioner.
Why it matters: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire. Turn signal, instrument cluster or seatbelt pretensioner problems can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will add a drainage hole in the driver's door stepwell and incorporate a fuse into the vehicle's wiring harness, free of charge.
Seats Vehicle recall #18V782000 · 2018 · 475 vehicles
What's wrong: National van builders, Inc. (national van) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford transit vehicles 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply…
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The fix: National van will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began November 26, 2018.
Transmission & drivetrain, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #19V103000 · 2019 · 174 vehicles
What's wrong: The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft May fail, possibly causing the front driveshaft to detach.
Why it matters: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle, drive power will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. The detached driveshaft May also create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash for following traffic.
The fix: Xl will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft with an updated one, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019.
Seats Vehicle recall #19V332000 · 2019 · 90 vehicles
What's wrong: When the seat back 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Prime-time specialty vehicles has notified owners, and freedman dealers have inspected and repaired the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2018.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #19V183000 · 2019 · 137 vehicles
What's wrong: Fenton mobility products, Inc. (fenton) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford transit passenger vans modified to be equipped with ricon s & k titanium wheelchair 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Fenton will notify owners, and a service technician will install ricon recall parts kit ri61396, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2019.
Seats Vehicle recall #19V205000 · 2019 · 471 vehicles
What's wrong: Quality van sales, Inc. (quality van) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford transit and e-350 vehicles modified to be equipped with freedman go-es foldaway seat back cushions. The seat cushion May not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 207, "seating systems."
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Quality van will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began March 21, 2019.
Seats Vehicle recall #19V229000 · 2019 · 776 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Transitworks has notified owners and instructed them to contact freedman seats for a repair kit. The recall began December 19, 2019.
Seats Vehicle recall #19V238000 · 2019 · 12 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Vantage has notified owners, instructing them to contact freedman for a repair kit, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019.
Seats Vehicle recall #19V247000 · 2019 · 4 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Royale will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the seat. The recall began June 6, 2019.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #19V271000 · 2019 · 4 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Mobility specialists, working with ricon, has notified the owners. Ricon will provide instructions and materials for replacing defective parts.
Seats Vehicle recall #19V313000 · 2019 · 2,080 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Mobilitytrans will notify owners and freedman seating dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2019.
Seats Vehicle recall #19V329000 · 2019 · 360 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Fenton mobility will notify owners, and a fenton mobility technician will repair the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2019.
Seats Vehicle recall #19V333000 · 2019 · 544 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The fix: New england has notified owners, directing them to contact freedman for repairs to the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall began May 27, 2019.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #19V767000 · 2019 · 293,558 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and as an interim repair, dealers will replace the flexible coupling every 40,000 miles until the final remedy is available. The final remedy will consist of installation of a driveshaft front section equipped with a mechanical u-joint in place of the flexible coupling.…
Parking brake Vehicle recall #21V631000 · 2021 · 30 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Parking brake failure can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger side parking brake cable with a cable that provides sufficient clearance to the damper shield, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 24, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #25V572000 · 2025 · 1,456,417 vehicles
What's wrong: The rearview camera May display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Why it matters: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 7 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (60): the most common themes are noise or vibration (15), warning light on (10), stalls / loses power (9).
- Other / unknown (23): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (6), noise or vibration (3).
- Engine (20): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (7), electrical failure (3), warning light on (2).
- Body & structure (13): the most common themes are door / lock issues (6).
The 2016 Ford Transit has 156 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 15 Transit model years for complaints (3.0× the average Transit year). Complaints peaked in 2019 (21 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 70,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (193 complaints, 26 recalls), 2017 (98 complaints, 18 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
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 2016 Ford Transit.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2016 Ford Transit have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 21 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Ford Transit. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Ford Transit problems?
Owners have filed 156 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (60), other / unknown (23), engine (20).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Ford Transit get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (3.7 L, Automatic (S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Ford Transit repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.