2016 Ford Transit Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 Ford Transit ranks 2nd worst out of 12 model years with a complaint index of 91 and is rated Avoid. Owners reported 155 complaints, led by transmission and powertrain issues (39% of complaints), plus 21 recall campaigns including a driveshaft coupler recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 91/100
- #2 of 12 Transit years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 155
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 21
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14.5 city / 18.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 1
Top 2016 Ford Transit problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain60 (39%)
- Engine30 (19%)
- Other24 (15%)
- Brakes15 (10%)
- Fuel System14 (9%)
- Structure & Body13 (8%)
- Electrical System12 (8%)
- Seat Belts11 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (6%)
- Steering7 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Drivers report the driveshaft coupling or flexible coupler detaching from the transmission while underway, sometimes causing loss of control and airbag deployment.
- Owners describe a burning smell and vibration from the front end traced by dealers to a failed flex disc.
- Some vehicles caught fire while parked unattended, with wiring found hanging from the door panel afterward.
- Owners report the rearview camera failing or displaying upside down, in some cases contributing to a collision.
- A burning odor and breathing difficulty inside the cabin were linked to an exhaust pipe design issue soon after purchase.
2016 Ford Transit recalls
21 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V572000Sep 3, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,456,417 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
- 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.
2016 Ford Transit fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14.5 MPG
- Highway
- 18.5 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.
2016 compared with other Transit years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Ford Transit reliable?
- It ranks 2nd worst among 12 model years of the Transit with a complaint index of 91, and NHTSA data give it an Avoid verdict relative to other Transit years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Ford Transit?
- Transmission and powertrain issues dominate, accounting for 39% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 104,500 miles, including driveshaft coupler detachment.
- How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Transit have?
- NHTSA lists 21 recall campaigns for the 2016 Transit, covering areas including brakes, transmission couplers, structure/body seating, and rearview cameras.
- Does the 2016 Ford Transit have a driveshaft or coupler recall?
- Yes. Recall campaign 19V767000 covers 2015-2017 Transit vehicles for flexible coupling replacement, and complaints describe coupler detachment leading to crashes.
- Is the 2016 Transit better or worse than the 2015 model?
- The 2015 Transit has a higher complaint index of 100 and is also rated Avoid, while the 2016 model's index of 91 places it slightly better but still among the worst years.