Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On March 11, 2026, a 2024 Ford Transit (VIN: [redacted] ) was being operated under normal driving conditions when the check engine light began intermittently activating. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of dashboard functionality. While attempting to safely maneuver to the shoulder, the operator experienced loss of power steering and reduced braking capability. During this time, flames were observed originating from the engine compartment. The operator was able to safely pull the vehicle over, exit, and contact emergency services. The vehicle subsequently became fully engulfed in flames and was completely destroyed. No injuries were reported. A preliminary fire investigation determined the area of origin to be the passenger side of the engine compartment, with evidence of possible electrical involvement. The specific failed component has not yet been identified. …
While traveling straight at approximately 30 miles per hour, the front differential locked, causing the front wheels to lock and abruptly stopped the vehicle. Vehicle was towed to a Ford dealership, which verified the differential failed, and not due to lack of lubricant. There were no symptoms prior to failure. The abruptness of the stop caused the operator to suffer whiplash like symptoms.
Rear differential or axle suffered catastrophic failure on highway, causing both rear wheels to lock up and the driveshaft to shear off/separate from the differential housing. Locking rear wheels at 55mph caused the vehicle to lose traction and spin out. Vehicle crossed multiple lanes of interstate highway, colliding with a snow bank facing the wrong direction. Fortunately traffic was light (incident occurred approx. 5:30AM on Sunday) and snow prevented the vehicle from colliding with the median wall. Had the incident occurred at another time or another place, injuries or fatalities would have been considerably more likely. Only advance warning was approx. 5 seconds of loud noise and intense vehicle shuddering from the rear before the wheels locked and control was lost. Once traction was lost, multiple driver-assist indicators lit up, but shut off after motion stopped. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while making tight left or right turns, the driver's side rear wheel seized as if the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving approximately 75 MPH. The contact also heard an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle with an abnormal vibration in the steering wheel. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V102000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
My 2022 Ford E-Transit 350 has had repeated safety and performance failures. The vehicle has an open recall on the rearview camera, which caused a police incident when I hit another car because the camera was not working properly. On several occasions, the vehicle has also completely shut down and would not start at all, leaving me stranded. The van often loses acceleration, gets stuck at 20 mph, and becomes unsafe to drive. The brakes, electrical system, and propulsion system have all malfunctioned. Despite multiple visits to Ford dealers, the problems remain. I have had to rent vehicles at my own expense since no loaner was provided. These failures put my safety and the safety of others at serious risk. I have police reports, medical certificates (including 12 days of medical leave), dealer invoices, and photos fully documenting everything.
My 2022 Ford E-Transit has experienced repeated electrical, propulsion, and powertrain failures that cause the vehicle to become completely inoperable. On September 8, the van displayed multiple critical alerts including powertrain malfunction, brake system failure, vacuum pump failure, and full electrical system fault, and it would not start. The next day, the same failure occurred again and the van had to be towed. The dealer replaced the 12V battery without proper diagnosis and returned the vehicle with all warning lights still on. A technician privately stated that the issue was more complex than the battery and that the system had only been reset, not repaired. No written authorization for the repair was requested, and the underlying electrical/propulsion failure was never addressed. Five days later, the vehicle became fully inoperable again with the exact same failures. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH in the middle lane, the vehicle lost motive power with the "WRENCH" warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over, turned off, and was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. Two days later, the "WRENCH" light illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Subsequently, the vehicle was taken to a transmission center, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, and requested the vehicle maintenance records. The failure mileage was approximately 79,469.
Per Mr. [redacted]: My daughter and members of our church's high school youth group were on their way to a summer missions project in western Virginia/eastern Tennessee in an Enterprise rental van when the [DRIVERS' SIDE] rear tire started to separate from the vehicle as they were driving south on [redacted] near Staunton! Fortunately, the dad who was driving was able to safely steer the van to the side of the road, where the kids and their suitcases were re-distributed among the other vehicles in the caravan. They called Enterprise, but they had no vehicles to spare, so they told the driver to leave the van by the side of the road and they would dispatch a wrecker to pick it up. Have you seen this happen before with Ford Transit axles? But for the driver's alertness, this could have been a headline-making event!
Related recalls (7)
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Ford Transit vehicles previously repaired under recall number 24V-102. Incorrect bolts may have been used to attach the rear axle shaft, which can lead to the rear wheel locking up or separating from the axle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle shaft bolts, replace incorrect bolts as necessary, and fill the differential fluid if needed, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2024.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Ford Transit vehicles. An inadequate amount of rear axle lubricant may cause rear axle tail bearing damage and seizure, which can result in wheel lock-up or driveshaft separation.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, and replace the axle bearings or axle assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 4, 2024.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Transit vehicles equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD). The bolts that attach the rear driveshaft to the transfer case may become loose or damaged, which can result in separation of the driveshaft from the transfer case.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driveshaft bolts. If any loose bolts are found, the driveshaft, attachment hardware, transfer case flange kit, and seal will also be replaced.
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.
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.
Show 2 more recalls
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.
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Transit vehicles manufactured May 1, 2015, to June 26, 2015, and equipped with dual rear wheels. The affected vehicles have a left or right rear axle drive shafts that may fracture, resulting in loss of drive power.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right axle drive shafts, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA investigations
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).
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Transit years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2015 (78), 2016 (60), 2017 (40), 2020 (18) and 2023 (14) model years. Transmission complaints make up 40% of all complaints for the 2015.
Is there a recall for Ford Transit transmission problems?
Yes — 7 recalls, including 24V-805 (axle shaft, Oct 25, 2024); 24V-102 (driveshaft, Feb 9, 2024); 21V-978 (driveshaft, Dec 16, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Transit transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 101,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the driveline › driveshaft (10 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission (2).
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.