Ford Transit Best and Worst Years (2014–2025)
The 2015, 2016, and 2023 Ford Transit years rank worst, led by 2015 with a Complaint Index of 100, 193 complaints, and 9 deaths. The 2019 and 2021 model years score best, with Complaint Indexes of 9 and 18 and far fewer reported problems.
- Model years
- 12
- 2014–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 775
- Recall campaigns
- 64
- Crashes reported
- 25
- Fires reported
- 13
- Top problem area
- Transmission & Powertrain
Transit Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Ford Transit problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | No verdict | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Structure & Body | — | — |
| 2015 | Avoid | 100 | 193 | 4 | 1 | 26 | Transmission & Powertrain | 16 | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 91 | 155 | 7 | 4 | 21 | Transmission & Powertrain | 16 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 64 | 98 | 4 | 2 | 18 | Transmission & Powertrain | 16 | — |
| 2018 | Good | 45 | 57 | 1 | 1 | 14 | Engine | 16 | — |
| 2019 | Best | 9 | 37 | 2 | 0 | 9 | Brakes | 15 | — |
| 2020 | Caution | 73 | 84 | 1 | 3 | 9 | Structure & Body | 16.5 | — |
| 2021 | Best | 18 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 16 | — |
| 2022 | Good | 36 | 38 | 2 | 0 | 16 | Electrical System | 16.5 | — |
| 2023 | Avoid | 82 | 56 | 2 | 0 | 18 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2024 | Caution | 55 | 28 | 0 | 2 | 10 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 27 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 ! | Brakes | — | — |
Transit years to avoid: what went wrong
2015 Ford Transit Index 100 · 193 complaints · 26 recalls
The 2015 Transit ranks worst of all years, with a Complaint Index of 100, 193 complaints, 26 recalls, 4 crashes, and 9 deaths. Transmission & Powertrain complaints made up 40 percent of reports, with a median failure mileage of 102,052.5, including driveshaft flexible coupling failures that owners say fractured the driveshaft and transmission at highway speed. Engine complaints (23 percent) had a median failure mileage of 75,000. A recall covering 2015-2017 Transit vehicles addressed the flexible coupling issue, and another covering 2015-2020 units addressed a parking brake cable clearance problem.
2015 transmission & powertrain problems →2015 engine problems →2015 fuel system problems →
2016 Ford Transit Index 91 · 155 complaints · 21 recalls
The 2016 Transit ranks second worst, with a Complaint Index of 91, 155 complaints, 21 recalls, 7 crashes, and 4 fires. Transmission & Powertrain again led problem reports at 39 percent, with a median failure mileage of 104,500; owners describe driveshaft coupler failures, including detachment and severed fuel and brake lines. Engine complaints made up 19 percent, with a median failure mileage of 73,209.5, including a case of burning odor in the cabin from an exhaust pipe issue. The 2015-2017 flexible coupling recall and the 2015-2020 parking brake cable recall both apply to this year.
2016 transmission & powertrain problems →2016 engine problems →2016 brakes problems →
2023 Ford Transit Index 82 · 56 complaints · 18 recalls
The 2023 Transit ranks third worst, with a Complaint Index of 82, 56 complaints, and 18 recalls despite only 2 crashes and no reported deaths. Electrical System complaints led at 25 percent with a median failure mileage of 49,229.5, including brake light and blind spot monitoring failures. Transmission & Powertrain followed at 23 percent with a median failure mileage of 43,729.5, including a reported rear axle failure that locked the rear wheels at highway speed. Recalls for this year cover a steering coupler cover, an engine crossmember fastener issue, and other components.
Most common Ford Transit problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Transmission & Powertrain237 (31%)
- Engine139 (18%)
- Other114 (15%)
- Electrical System108 (14%)
- Structure & Body90 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires71 (9%)
- Brakes64 (8%)
- Fuel System63 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras46 (6%)
- Steering35 (5%)
Frequently asked questions
- What Ford Transit years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2015, 2016, and 2023 as the years to avoid. The 2015 model has the highest Complaint Index at 100 with 193 complaints and 9 deaths, followed by 2016 at 91 and 2023 at 82.
- What is the best Ford Transit year to buy?
- The 2019 and 2021 model years are rated Best, with Complaint Indexes of 9 and 18. The 2019 had only 37 complaints and the 2021 had 23 complaints, both far below the 2015 peak of 193.
- What is the most common problem with the Ford Transit?
- Across all years, Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem area, accounting for 237 of 775 total complaints, or 31 percent. Engine problems rank second at 18 percent.
- Does the Ford Transit have transmission recalls?
- Yes. A recall covering 2015-2017 Transit vehicles addressed a defective driveshaft flexible coupling that could cause the driveshaft and transmission to fracture, tied to the high complaint counts in 2015 and 2016.
- Is the 2023 Ford Transit reliable?
- The 2023 Transit is rated Avoid relative to other Transit years, with a Complaint Index of 82 and 56 complaints, driven mainly by Electrical System and Transmission & Powertrain issues.