2021 Ford Transit Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
18/100
#10 most-complained of 12 Transit years
The 2021 Ford Transit has a complaint index of 18, the second-lowest among the 12 model years with data, ranking 10th worst (meaning it's among the better years). NHTSA lists 23 complaints, 4 recalls, 2 crashes, and 2 injuries for this year.
- Complaints
- 23
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14.5 city / 18.5 hwy
Top 2021 Ford Transit problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (39%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (26%)
- Other4 (17%)
- Electrical System3 (13%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (13%)
- Seat Belts2 (9%)
- Airbags1 (4%)
- Brakes1 (4%)
- Structure & Body1 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report front or rear hub bolts shearing off, in one case causing a tire to detach from the axle while driving about 30 MPH.
- Owners describe front drive axle failures requiring replacement under warranty, sometimes occurring twice on the same vehicle.
- Owners report broken valve stems causing slow tire pressure loss that was hard for tire shops to diagnose.
- Owners describe tire belts shifting or separating, causing steering vibration before the problem was caught.
- Owners report the rear cargo door failing to latch, leaving a visible gap and triggering the door-ajar warning light.
- One owner reported a rollover crash after the vehicle veered off the road in high wind, with side curtain and passenger airbags deploying but not the driver-side airbags.
2021 Ford Transit recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V876000Dec 17, 2025Other86 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility:wheelchair restraints/securement:latch/anchor:
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
- NHTSA 25V442000Jun 27, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras200,237 vehicles
Back over prevention:software
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
- NHTSA 23V499000Jul 19, 2023Fuel System10 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Quality Vans (Quality Vans) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ford Transit vans equipped with Onan QG 2800i EVAP generators, part number 2.8HGLAA-8303A. The fuel hose between the inline fuel filter and the Injection Pump Module (IPM) may not be properly secured, which can cause a gas leak.
Risk: A gasoline leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel hose and clamps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2023. Owners may contact Quality Vans customer service at 1-480-464-7007.
2021 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.
2021 compared with other Transit years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Ford Transit reliable?
- Among the 12 Transit model years with data, 2021 has a complaint index of 18, one of the lowest, and carries a 'Best' verdict relative to other Transit years.
- What problems does the 2021 Ford Transit have?
- NHTSA data shows the top problem area is Suspension, Wheels & Tires with 9 complaints (39% of the total), followed by Transmission & Powertrain with 6 complaints (26%). Median mileage at failure across all complaints was 79,469.
- Does the 2021 Ford Transit have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Transit, including a front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor issue, a rearview camera software update, a fuel hose recall on certain conversion vans, and a wheelchair retractor recall by an upfitter.
- How does the 2021 Transit compare to other years?
- 2021 ranks 10th worst out of 12 years with a complaint index of 18, well below higher-complaint years like 2015 (index 100) and 2016 (index 91), which are rated 'Avoid.'
- What is the top complaint category for the 2021 Ford Transit?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires is the top problem area, accounting for 9 of 23 complaints (39%), with a median failure mileage of 90,107.5.