YearToAvoid

2023 Ford Transit Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

82/100

#3 most-complained of 12 Transit years

The 2023 Ford Transit has a Complaint Index of 82 and ranks 3rd-worst of 12 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 56 complaints and 18 recalls, with Electrical System issues (25% of complaints) topping the list.

Complaints
56
Recalls
18
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2023 Ford Transit problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System14 (25%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain13 (23%)
  3. Other10 (18%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras9 (16%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (14%)
  6. Steering6 (11%)
  7. Engine5 (9%)
  8. Structure & Body4 (7%)
  9. Fuel System3 (5%)
  10. Lane Departure3 (5%)

What owners report

  • Third brake light fails to illuminate when the brake pedal is pressed, sometimes at very low mileage.
  • Blind spot detection triggers false alerts with no vehicle present, or fails to trigger when a vehicle is actually in the blind spot.
  • Rear differential or axle failure at highway speed causes both rear wheels to lock, driveshaft separation, and loss of vehicle control.
  • Dash warning lights illuminate together with intermittent, unexplained hard braking and reduced power assist while turning.
  • Rearview camera recall repairs (Back Over Prevention, campaign 23V598000) were delayed for months due to unavailable parts.
  • Recall repairs for the fuel system (campaign 23V071000) and electrical instrument cluster issues were also delayed by parts shortages.
2023 Ford Transit complaints: complaints filed per month8Mar 2023Nov 2023Mar 2024Jul 2024Feb 2025Jun 2025Oct 2025Apr 2026
79 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2023 to Aug 2026; peak Jul 2024 (8).

2023 Ford Transit recalls

18 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V061000Feb 3, 2026Structure & Body1,403 vehicles

    Structure:frame and members

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Transit vehicles. The engine crossmember may not be secured properly, which can cause the engine to shift and possibly result in a loss of drive power or brake failure.

    Risk: A loss of drive power or brake failure increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the cross member fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S04. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 4, 2026.

  2. 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.

  3. NHTSA 25V623000Sep 18, 2025Steering212 vehicles

    Steering

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Transit vehicles repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 24V226 and 24V591. An incorrect steering coupler cover and tires that were not designed for the vehicle may have been installed during a previous repair.

    Risk: Incorrect tires and an incorrect steering coupler cover can cause a loss of brake function, loss of steering control, or damage to tires, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the tires, tire placard, and certification label, and also recalibrate the vehicle. Additionally, dealers will remove the steering coupler cover. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S95. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 24, 2025.

See all 18 recalls for the 2023 Ford Transit →

2023 compared with other Transit years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Best1823416
2022Good36381616.5
2023Avoid825618—
2024Caution552810—
2025No verdict2734 !—

All Ford Transit years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Ford Transit reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2023 Transit has a Complaint Index of 82 and ranks 3rd-worst among 12 model years, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Transit years.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Ford Transit?
NHTSA data shows Electrical System complaints lead at 25% of the total, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 23% and Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues at 16%.
Does the 2023 Ford Transit have recalls?
NHTSA lists 18 recalls for the 2023 Transit, covering areas including Electrical System, Steering, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Structure & Body, and HVAC, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2023 Transit compare to other model years?
The 2023 Transit's Complaint Index of 82 is worse than the 2021 (18), 2019 (9), and 2022 (36) model years, but better than the 2015 (100) and 2016 (91) model years.
What mileage do 2023 Ford Transit problems typically show up at?
The median mileage at failure across all reported complaints for the 2023 Transit is 27,229.5 miles, though Electrical System failures had a higher median of 49,229.5 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.