Body complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Fuel filler door hinges continues to break and the consumer has to pay for a new housing unit. The hinges can break at anytime and the fuel door can become a potential issue while driving. It can break all the way off and hit another vehicle while traveling on the road/ Highway. The problem has been confirmed by the dealerships as they always have back-stock of new units to replace. There is no warning as to when it breaks at all.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 - 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to decelerate. During the most recent failure, the contact was able to drive to the dealer before the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that water was leaking into the engine, causing a shortage with the spark plugs and other electrical systems. The #4 spark plug was replaced. The contact researched and became aware of an issue with the cowl allowing water and debris to enter the engine and causing the #4 spark plug to be short-circuited. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
August 2024: Vehicle started to grab/pull when breaking and turning to the right, especially around curves. This progressed to happening when the van weight shifted forward during breaking. Dealerships in Eugene, Oregon and Marin, CA confirmed this behavior is related to the wheel clearance. Dealership in Eugene confirmed damage to the wheel well liner. I was unable to get any support from Ford regarding a loaner or assistance getting my van home 900+ miles. September 2024: loaded excess weight into the rear of the van and drove slowly back to Southern California. For safety purposes, dealership advised "parking the van until Ford comes up with something." I have been unable to use the van since, with no updates from Ford. …
Air bag failure at 35 to 45 mph. All sensors on front end should have been activated to deploy. I am reporting this due to this vehical having prior mvc and has been serviced. I am wondering if air bag system was not repaired from prior incidents
This is not a crash. The vehicle was puchase in aug2019. Ever since I been trying to get the sliding door fix. The door does not open. Is binding, frozen. It requires knowhow and elbow grease to pry it open. My grandchildren (ages 7 to 15) cannot open the door. Either from the inside or outside. The door is the only way out and violates the warning sticker on the door. Zeck , the place I purchase this new car will not fix the problem. I have file several complaints with bbb auto line but they keep telling me that they have not receive my ccf case number frd1930985. I have sent this several times. I am getting to believe that whom ever is working my complaint might be on the Ford payroll to dispose of complaints.
The right side passenger door opens when driving. The door will not stay latched even when locked. I close the door, pull on it to ensure it is latched, but when I start driving, the door slides open. This is my family vehicle used to transport our children, and is a very dangerous situation.
When the van is stationary and running for 10-15 minutes, half of the cargo floor (behind the passenger and driver seats) reaches a temperature of 125-130 degrees. A temp gun was used to demonstrate this safety hazard. I made mention of this to an autobody shop who suggested having the dealership take a look since that doesn't sound right. When the dealership in west palm beach (al packer, [phone]) looked over this, they stated this is as designed and it matches a few other Ford transits they checked. They said nothing can be done to assist me even though this is a clear safety hazard as a temperature of 130 degrees can cause first degree burn if in contact for about 30 seconds (see attached image references). …
The sliding door does not stay closed. My 5 children are at risk when the door opens while driving. I took it recently to the dealer and they said they fixed the handle and that everything else was fine. That night it opened 3 times within 1 mile.
Related recalls (3)
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.
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.
Structure › Emergency › Escape/egress/exit
LA West Inc. (LA West) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with glass roof hatches. Temperature and vibration stresses may cause the tempered glass roof hatch to shatter.
Remedy: LA West will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hatch lids, free of charge. The recall began July 11, 2019. Owners may contact LA West customer service at 1-704-498-4940.
Structure › Body › Door
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Transit cargo vans without rear seating positions manufactured March 12, 2014, to June 24, 2014 and equipped with windowless sliding doors. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured without the epoxy reinforcement on the windowless sliding doors.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a reinforcement plate into the windowless sliding door, free of charge. The recall began in September 22, 2014.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Transit years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (13), 2015 (10), 2018 (8) and 2024 (6) model years. Body complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Ford Transit body problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 26V-061 (frame and members, Feb 3, 2026); 19V-439 (escape/egress/exit, Jun 11, 2019); 14V-483 (door, Aug 6, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Transit body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles; 64% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (46 mentions), followed by the body › door (3).
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.