Ford Transit Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Ford Transit model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2001 drew the fewest (1) and the 2015 the most (193).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Suspension | — | — |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 3 | Power train | — | — |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
4 | 4 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
5 | 1 | Wheels | — | — |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
23 | 4 | Power train | — | — |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
28 | 10 | Structure | — | — |
| 2019 | 37 | 9 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2022 | 38 | 16 | Back over prevention | — | — |
| 2018 | 57 | 14 | Engine | — | — |
| 2023 | 59 | 18 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2020 | 84 | 9 | Seats | — | — |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
98 | 18 | Power train | — | — |
| 2016 Among the most complaints |
156 | 21 | Power train | — | — |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
193 | 26 | Power train | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Ford Transit years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2015 Ford Transit: 193 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 78 (40%); Engine 35 (18%); Fuel/propulsion system 26 (13%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 1 fire, 11 injuries, 9 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,000 miles. 26 recall campaigns listed.
2016 Ford Transit: 156 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 60 (38%); Engine 20 (13%); Structure 13 (8%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 4 fires, 7 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 71,000 miles. 21 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Ford Transit: 98 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 40 (41%); Engine 16 (16%); Electrical system 12 (12%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 2 fires, 7 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 49,000 miles. 18 recall campaigns listed.
The Ford Transit years with the fewest complaints
2014 Ford Transit: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 1 (33%); Structure 1 (33%); Visibility/wiper 1 (33%).
3 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Ford Transit: 23 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 6 (26%); Wheels 5 (22%); Electrical system 3 (13%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 2 injuries. 4 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Ford Transit owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 28 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 59 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31,000 |
| 2022 | 38 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8,632 |
| 2021 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 84 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5,000 |
| 2019 | 37 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40,000 |
| 2018 | 57 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 45,000 |
| 2017 | 98 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 49,000 |
| 2016 | 156 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 71,000 |
| 2015 | 193 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 9 | 80,000 |
| 2014 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Ford Transit recalls
- Blank or Distorted Rearview Camera Image (2016–2019 model years; 1,456,417 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2025; 25V572000)
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display (2022–2025 model years; 1,076,138 vehicles across all models; filed May 2025; 25V315000)
- Distorted or Inoperative Rearview Camera/FMVSS 111 (2020 model year; 620,246 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2020; 20V575000)
- Driveshaft Coupling may Fail (2015–2017 model years; 372,991 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2017; 17V408000)
- Driveshaft Coupling May Fail (2015–2017 model years; 293,558 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2019; 19V767000)
All 65 Ford Transit recall campaigns · Ford Transit problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Ford Transit years FAQ
Which Ford Transit year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2001 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Ford Transit years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2015, 2016 and 2017 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Ford Transit problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (237 of 786 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Ford Transit have?
NHTSA lists 65 recall campaigns covering the Ford Transit. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Ford Transit recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.