2017 Ford Transit Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 Ford Transit has 98 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 73, and 18 recall campaigns, ranking 4th worst out of 12 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, driven mainly by transmission and powertrain complaints and electrical fires.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 73/100
- #4 of 12 Transit years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 98
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 18
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14.5 city / 18.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2017 Ford Transit problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain40 (41%)
- Engine23 (23%)
- Other18 (18%)
- Electrical System14 (14%)
- Structure & Body7 (7%)
- Brakes5 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (4%)
- Fuel System4 (4%)
- Steering4 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Stereo wiring and rear electrical components have caught fire or smoked while the van was parked.
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple moderate-to-high-speed crashes, including a T-bone and a head-on impact.
- A seat belt anchor bolt pulled out of the pillar during a rear-end collision, allowing the driver's head to hit the steering wheel.
- Owners describe unsafe side-to-side swaying at highway speed when passing or being passed, especially in crosswinds.
- The instrument panel has gone blank with a 'transmission needs to be placed in park' warning tied to an electrical failure.
- A rear door lock has failed to secure repeatedly even after dealer repair.
2017 Ford Transit recalls
18 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.
2017 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
- Regular
- 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.
2017 compared with other Transit years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Ford Transit reliable?
- It ranks 4th worst among the 12 model years covered, with a complaint index of 73 and 98 NHTSA complaints, so it carries a Caution verdict relative to other Transit years.
- What are the most common problems on the 2017 Ford Transit?
- Transmission and powertrain issues make up 41% of complaints (40 complaints, median mileage 106,000), followed by engine problems at 23% and electrical system issues at 14%, including two reported fires.
- Does the 2017 Ford Transit have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 18 recall campaigns tied to the 2017 Transit, covering areas including rearview cameras, brakes, structure and body seating, and transmission-related flexible couplings.
- How does the 2017 Transit compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 73 is lower than 2015 (100) and 2016 (91), both rated Avoid, but higher than 2018 (55), 2019 (18), and 2021 (27), which is the only year rated Good.