Most common 2016 Ford Transit problems
Share of the 156 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Transit complaints by model year
Best Transit years: 2014, 2021, 2025. Years to avoid: 2023, 2020, 2015. Compare all years →
2016 Ford Transit recalls (21)
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Seats
New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ford Transit and 2014-2019 Ram Promaster 2500 and 3500 vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman Go-ES Foldaway seats.
Remedy: New England has notified owners, directing them to contact Freedman for repairs to the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall began May 27, 2019.
Seats
Fenton Mobility Products, Inc. (Fenton Mobility) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719.
Remedy: Fenton Mobility will notify owners, and a Fenton Mobility technician will repair the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2019.
Seats
Mobility Transportation Services (MobilityTrans) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ford Transit and Ram Promaster vehicles and 2014-2015 Ford Econoline vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719.
Remedy: MobilityTrans will notify owners and Freedman Seating dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2019.
Show 15 more recalls
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Mobility Specialists, Inc. (Mobility Specialists) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Ford E-150 and Transit vans modified to be equipped with Ricon S-Series and K-Series wheel chair lifts.
Remedy: Mobility Specialists, working with Ricon, has notified the owners. Ricon will provide instructions and materials for replacing defective parts. Owners may contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.
Seats
Cabot Coach Builders, Inc. DBA Royale Limousine (Royale) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit-based mini-coaches equipped with Freedman GO-ES foldaway seats recalled under 18E-076.
Remedy: Royale will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the seat. The recall began June 6, 2019. Owners may contact Royale customer service at 1-800-544-5587.
Seats
Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit Van, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2007 Ford F-250-based shuttle vehicles equipped with Freedman GO-3S foldaway seats.
Remedy: Vantage has notified owners, instructing them to contact Freedman for a repair kit, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540.
Seats
TransitWorks is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit, 2018 Ford Transit Connect, and 2016 Dodge Ram ProMaster vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman Seating GO-ES seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when…
Remedy: TransitWorks has notified owners and instructed them to contact Freedman seats for a repair kit. The recall began December 19, 2019.
Seats
Quality Van Sales, Inc. (Quality Van) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit and E-350 vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seat back cushions. The seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Remedy: Quality Van will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began March 21, 2019. Owners may contact Quality Van customer service at 1-800-408-8550.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Fenton Mobility Products, Inc. (Fenton) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Transit passenger vans modified to be equipped with Ricon S & K Titanium Wheelchair Lifts. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height.
Remedy: Fenton will notify owners, and a service technician will install Ricon Recall Parts Kit RI61396, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2019. Owners may contact Fenton Mobility customer service at 1-716-484-7014.
Seats
Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles (Prime-Time) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ram ProMaster and Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats. When the seat back cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load,…
Remedy: Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles has notified owners, and Freedman dealers have inspected and repaired the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2018.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
XL Hybrids, Inc (XL) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with XL's electric hybrid system. The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the front driveshaft to detach.
Remedy: XL will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft with an updated one, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact XL Hybrid's customer service at 1-833-953-5338.
Seats
National Van Builders, Inc. (National Van) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719.
Remedy: National Van will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began November 26, 2018. Owners may contact National Van customer service at 1-508-222-2272.
Electrical system › Wiring
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Transit vehicles, equipped with a trailer tow module. Water can enter the tow modules and corrode the wiring causing issues such as rapidly flashing turn signals, loss of instrument panel display, an electrical short and possibly the deployment of seatbelt…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will add a drainage hole in the driver's door stepwell and incorporate a fuse into the vehicle's wiring harness, free of charge.
Electrical system › Wiring
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Transit vehicles, equipped with a trailer tow module. Water can enter the tow modules and corrode the wiring causing issues such as rapidly flashing turn signals, loss of instrument panel display, an electrical short and possibly the deployment of seatbelt…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will add a drainage hole in the driver's door stepwell and incorporate a fuse into the vehicle's wiring harness, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling all 2015-2017 Transit vehicles except 156" and 178" wheelbase Chassis Cab and Cut-Away bodies. In the affected vehicles, the flexible coupling connecting the transmission to the driveshaft may prematurely fail.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and as an interim repair, dealers will replace the flexible coupling on any vehicle with more than 30,000 miles.
Fuel system, diesel
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Transit vehicles manufactured July 15, 2015, to April 14, 2016 and equipped with a 3.2L diesel engine. A fuel injector or the fuel volume control valve may clog due to metallic debris within the fuel system.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel injection pump and associated parts and, if necessary, will replace the fuel filter and flush the fuel system, free of charge.
Air bags › Side/window
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Transit vehicles manufactured March 12, 2014, to March 18, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the side curtain air bag may not deploy with the proper trajectory due to being folded and packaged incorrectly.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and re-orient the side curtain air bag assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016.
Seat belts › Rear/other › Buckle assembly
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Transit vehicles manufactured February 13, 2014, to January 13, 2016 and equipped with rear passenger seats. The rear seat belt buckles may be damaged if a heavy object is placed on, or impacts, the top of the buckle.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify or replace the seat belt buckles, depending on their location in the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2016.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2016 Ford Transit:
Zipcar Rental Concerns
NHTSA opened this audit query to determine whether Zipcar, Inc. (Zipcar) complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act). The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a rental car company not rent, lease, or sell a recalled vehicle until the safety defect or noncompliance is remedied. 49 U.S.C. 30120(i).
What 2016 Ford Transit owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 60 →
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that there was a rubbing burning order coming from inside the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle also had a vibration sensation whenever the vehicle was being driven. There were no warning lights on the vehicle. The contact contacted the dealer who stated that the flex disc had failed. The contact stated that this was a known issue for the vehicle. There was a recall and lawsuit involving the vehicle's rubber cupper between the transmission and driveshaft was made of plastic was causing severe failures. The manufacturer was made aware of the matter and had since been looking into the matter and informed the contact that their research was being furthered along regarding parts before something was to be done. …
The contact is a lawyer whose client owned a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the drive shaft coupling detached from the transmission. The contact stated that the air bags deployed in his vehicle. The contact stated that he sustained head and back injuries. Medical attention was required. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The contact mentioned the seat belt retracking was unknown. The contact mentioned the vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related to the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V767000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine & cooling all 24 →
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. During the failure, the warning message "Reduced Power" was displayed. The contact stated that after restarting the engine, the vehicle operated as intended; however, the failure reoccurred later. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who replaced the fuel injector, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the fuel system. The dealer determined that the entire fuel system needed to be replaced, including the fuel pump, the fuel valves and the fuel injector. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V618000(Fuel System, Diesel, Engine and Engine Cooling), which the contact related to the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the message "High Temperature - Pull Over Safely" was displayed. The contact stated that upon decelerating, the temperature gauge dropped, then started fluctuating from normal to high temperature. The contact was able to drive to the nearby residence. The contact stated while driving to the dealer the following day, the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the EGR was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact of Ford Campaign Number: 18M06; which the contact related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the campaign had expired. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Fuel & propulsion system
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. During the failure, the warning message "Reduced Power" was displayed. The contact stated that after restarting the engine, the vehicle operated as intended; however, the failure reoccurred later. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who replaced the fuel injector, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the fuel system. The dealer determined that the entire fuel system needed to be replaced, including the fuel pump, the fuel valves and the fuel injector. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V618000(Fuel System, Diesel, Engine and Engine Cooling), which the contact related to the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side shoulder. The low engine mode message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump failed, which caused fuel, metal, and debris to enter through the fuel lines. The fuel filters were replaced but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 169,000.
2016 Ford Transit engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 29 / 25 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 27 / 23 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 18 / 16 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Van.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Ford Transit a good car?
Based on 156 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Transit rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Transit at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Ford Transit?
The transmission & drivetrain — 60 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the engine & cooling (24) and fuel & propulsion system (14).
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Transit have?
There are 21 recalls for the 2016 Ford Transit, the most recent from September 3, 2025 (camera). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Transit?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2021 and 2025. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023, 2020 and 2015. See the full Ford Transit years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Transit problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 71,000 miles; 39% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.