2015 Ford Transit Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2015 Ford Transit ranks worst of 12 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 193 NHTSA complaints, 26 recall campaigns, and an Avoid verdict. Transmission and powertrain issues dominate, making up 40% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 102,052.5 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 12 Transit years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 193
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 26
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 11
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 19 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 11 / 9
Top 2015 Ford Transit problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain78 (40%)
- Engine45 (23%)
- Fuel System32 (17%)
- Other25 (13%)
- Brakes21 (11%)
- Electrical System20 (10%)
- Structure & Body13 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (7%)
- Steering8 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Driveshaft flexible coupling can fail at highway speed, fracturing the transmission and driveshaft and causing loss of control.
- Vehicles have shaken or vibrated violently at high speed, sometimes with the vehicle veering when the driver tries to correct it.
- Acceleration has shut down unexpectedly on the highway, forcing drivers to coast to the shoulder even though the engine kept running.
- Tires, including factory-fitted Hankook Dynapro tires, have shown tread separation and sidewall separation at relatively low mileage.
- Fuel odor has been reported inside the cabin at various speeds, with no failure found on dealer inspection despite recurring odor.
- The rear sliding passenger door latch has failed to catch properly, requiring drivers to exit and manually re-latch it.
2015 Ford Transit recalls
26 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V631000Aug 11, 2021Brakes30 vehicles
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.
Risk: Parking brake failure can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S39.
- NHTSA 19V767000Oct 25, 2019Transmission & Powertrain293,558 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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. These repairs will be made free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 1, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S38. Note: This recall supersedes recall number 17V-408.
- NHTSA 19V333000Apr 29, 2019Structure & Body544 vehicles
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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or New England at 1-800-886-9247.
2015 Ford Transit fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 19 MPG
- Combined
- 16 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,050
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2015 compared with other Transit years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Ford Transit reliable?
- Among the 12 model years of the Transit with data, 2015 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst, earning an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What problems does the 2015 Ford Transit have?
- NHTSA lists 193 complaints for the 2015 Transit, with Transmission & Powertrain problems making up 40% of them, followed by Engine issues at 23% and Fuel System issues at 17%. Median mileage at failure for transmission complaints is 102,052.5 miles.
- How many recalls does the 2015 Ford Transit have?
- The 2015 Transit has 26 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, covering areas including brakes, transmission and powertrain, and structure and body components like foldaway seats.
- Which Ford Transit years should I avoid?
- Based on complaint index and verdicts, 2015, 2016, and 2020 are rated Avoid, while 2015 has the highest complaint index of the group at 100.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2015 Ford Transit?
- The 2015 Transit is EPA-rated at 16 mpg combined (14 city / 19 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,050.