2016 Ford Transit Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
91/100
#2 most-complained of 12 Transit years
The 2016 Ford Transit ranks 2nd worst out of 12 model years, with a Complaint Index of 91 and 155 complaints across 21 recalls. Transmission and powertrain issues dominate, accounting for 39% of complaints, with median failure mileage of 104,500. NHTSA lists this as an Avoid year relative to other Transit years.
- Complaints
- 155
- Recalls
- 21
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14.5 city / 18.5 hwy
Top 2016 Ford Transit problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Drive shaft coupling can detach from the transmission while driving, sometimes deploying airbags and causing injury.
- Owners describe a burning odor and vibration linked to a failed flex disc in the driveline.
- A vehicle caught fire while parked unattended, with wiring found hanging from a door panel afterward.
- The rearview camera can go out or display upside down, contributing to low-speed collisions.
- Backup camera and parking collision warning intermittently fail to work, in one case leading to a collision with a parked car.
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?
- NHTSA data shows the 2016 Transit ranks 2nd worst among the 12 model years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 91 and 155 owner complaints. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Transit years.
- What is the biggest problem area for the 2016 Ford Transit?
- Transmission and powertrain complaints make up 39% of all reports for this year, with 60 complaints and a median failure mileage of 104,500.
- Does the 2016 Ford Transit have a recall for the driveshaft coupler?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 19V767000 covers 2015-2017 Transit vehicles for a flexible coupling issue on the driveshaft, requiring replacement every 40,000 miles until a permanent fix is available.
- How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Transit have?
- NHTSA lists 21 recalls for the 2016 Ford Transit, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Transit compare to the 2019 Transit?
- The 2019 Transit has a Complaint Index of just 9 and a Best verdict, versus the 2016 Transit's index of 91 and Avoid verdict, making 2019 the stronger choice among these years.