2015 Ford Transit Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 78 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2015 Ford Transit, 40% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 102,052. Four related recalls cover the flexible coupling and driveshaft, tied to fractures that damaged brake lines and the transmission.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 78
- 40% of 193
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 102,053 mi
- Related recalls
- 4
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- The driveshaft flexible coupling cracks or fractures, producing a moaning noise and vibration before it separates from the transmission.
- A broken flexible coupling lets the driveshaft spin free, which can tear out brake lines and puncture the transmission case, sometimes cutting brake function.
- Owners report the transmission or torque converter is damaged when the drive line flange or coupling breaks apart at highway speeds.
- Some drivers describe a loud noise or small explosion sound followed by loss of control when the driveshaft comes apart at 65-70 mph.
- One owner reported the vehicle went airborne after the flexible coupling failed and fractured the transmission and driveshaft at 75 mph, causing injuries.
- At least one owner said dealers lacked replacement parts for the flexible coupling recall repair for months after the recall was issued.
When 2015 Ford Transit transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Sep 25, 2015, latest Jul 20, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2015 Ford Transit
- 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 19V103000Feb 21, 2019Transmission & Powertrain174 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
XL Hybrids, Inc (XL) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with XL's electric hybrid system. The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the front driveshaft to detach.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: XL will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft with an updated one, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact XL Hybrid's customer service at 1-833-953-5338.
- NHTSA 17V408000Jun 26, 2017Transmission & Powertrain372,991 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling all 2015-2017 Transit vehicles except 156" and 178" wheelbase Chassis Cab and Cut-Away bodies. In the affected vehicles, 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.
Remedy: 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. These repairs will be made free of charge. Interim notifications informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S15.
- NHTSA 15V865000Dec 22, 2015Transmission & Powertrain1,170 vehicles
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Transit vehicles manufactured May 1, 2015, to June 26, 2015, and equipped with dual rear wheels. The affected vehicles have a left or right rear axle drive shafts that may fracture, resulting in loss of drive power. Additionally, the vehicle may unexpectedly roll if it is parked without the parking brake applied.
Risk: A loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway after being parked can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right axle drive shafts, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S37.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Transit model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2015 Ford Transit have a transmission recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists four related recalls covering the Transmission & Powertrain area for the 2015 Transit, including campaigns 19V767000, 19V103000, 17V408000, and 15V865000, mainly addressing the driveshaft flexible coupling and rear axle drive shafts.
- How common are transmission problems on the 2015 Ford Transit?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 78 of the 193 total complaints filed for the 2015 Transit, or 40% of all complaints for that year.
- At what mileage do 2015 Transit transmission problems usually appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 102,052 at the time of failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2015 Transit.
- Are the transmission failures dangerous?
- NHTSA records one crash and two injuries linked to Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2015 Transit, including a case where a coupling failure caused the vehicle to go airborne.