NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
This page covers 21 recalls and 146 owner complaints for the 2016 Ford Transit.
Powertrain complaints dominate the 2016 Ford Transit's owner reports, with drivetrain and transmission issues making up by far the largest share. The most consistent complaint involves the driveshaft and its coupling, where owners describe significant shaking and vibration during acceleration, often leading to a diagnosis of driveshaft coupling failure. Transmission-related concerns also come up repeatedly, with owners reporting rough or abnormal behavior under various driving conditions. Engine complaints are the second most-reported named system, and several owners describe overheating symptoms, white steam or coolant-related issues accompanied by unusual noises at highway speeds. A separate recurring pattern involves the backup camera malfunctioning: owners report the display going blank, showing a blue screen, or briefly displaying an inverted image before cutting out, making the camera effectively unusable for reversing.
146
Total Complaints
6
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Ford Transit has 21 recalls, the most serious involving the driveshaft coupling between the transmission and driveshaft, which can fail and leave the vehicle unable to move while the detached shaft damages brake and fuel lines, raising the risk of fire.
Water intrusion into the trailer tow module on equipped vehicles can corrode the wiring, causing erratic turn signals, a blank instrument cluster, electrical shorts that can ignite a fire, or unintended seatbelt pretensioner deployment. The parking brake cable can be damaged by contact with an incorrectly installed driveshaft damper shield, allowing the vehicle to roll when parked. On diesel-equipped models, metallic debris can clog the fuel injectors or fuel control valve and stall the engine. The side curtain airbags on certain vehicles were folded incorrectly and may not deploy on the right path in a crash, and rear seatbelt buckles can be damaged by impact and fail to latch.
Several recalls affect modified Transit vehicles: multiple converters installed Freedman GO-ES foldaway seats whose back cushions can unlock under load in a crash, and two separate recalls cover Ricon wheelchair lifts whose positioning cam can fail and allow the platform to rise above floor level, tipping a wheelchair user inward on exit. There is also a rearview camera recall where the image can appear distorted, inverted, or blank while reversing.
At a glance
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The rearview camera may show a distorted, inverted, or blank image when you shift into reverse.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An incorrect driveshaft damper kit may allow the damper shield to contact the parking brake cable, which can cause the parking brake to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger side parking brake cable with one that clears the damper shield.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The flexible coupling that connects the transmission to the driveshaft may wear out prematurely and fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the flexible coupling with a driveshaft section that has a mechanical u-joint. Until the final fix is available, interim replacements occur every 40,000 miles.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The back seat cushion on Freedman Go-ES foldaway seats may not stay locked in place when rotated from stowed to upright position, especially during a crash or sudden stop.
What the fix does
Freedman will repair the foldaway seats at no cost. Contact Freedman at 1-800-443-4540 or New England at 1-800-886-9247.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The foldaway seat cushion may not stay locked in place when rotated from storage to upright position, especially during a crash or sudden stop.
What the fix does
A Fenton Mobility technician will repair the foldaway seats at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The foldaway seat cushion may not lock securely when rotated upright, potentially shifting during crashes or sudden stops.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wheelchair lift's positioning input cam can fail during use, causing the platform to rise above the vehicle's floor level.
What the fix does
Ricon will provide replacement parts and instructions. Contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884 for details.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The back seat cushion may not lock securely when rotated from stowed to upright position, risking displacement during a crash or sudden stop.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the seat to ensure it locks properly in the upright position.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The foldaway seat cushion may not stay locked in the upright position during a crash or sudden stop, potentially allowing it to move.
What the fix does
Freedman will provide and install a repair kit at no cost. Contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The back seat cushion may not stay locked in place when rotated to upright position, especially during a crash or sudden stop.
What the fix does
Freedman Seating will provide a repair kit to secure the seat cushion in the upright position.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Freedman GO-ES foldaway seat back cushion may not stay locked in place during a crash or sudden stop, posing a safety risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wheelchair lift's positioning input cam may fail during use, causing the platform to rise higher than the vehicle floor, creating a gap hazard.
What the fix does
A technician will install the Ricon Recall Parts Kit RI61396 to correct the positioning mechanism at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The foldaway seat back cushion may not lock securely when rotated to the upright position, risking dislodgement during a crash or sudden stop.
What the fix does
Freedman dealers inspected and repaired the foldaway seats at no charge to restore secure locking.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The universal joint connecting the front driveshaft may fail, potentially causing the front driveshaft to separate from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front driveshaft with an updated one at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The foldaway seat cushion may not lock securely when rotated to the upright position, potentially shifting during a crash or sudden stop.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can seep into the trailer tow module, corroding internal wiring. This may cause rapidly flashing turn signals, loss of instrument panel display, electrical shorts, or unintended seatbelt pretensioner deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will add a drainage hole to the driver's door stepwell and install a fuse in the wiring harness to prevent water damage.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can enter the trailer tow module, corrode the wiring, and cause flashing turn signals, loss of instrument display, electrical shorts, or unexpected seatbelt pretensioner deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will add a drainage hole in the driver's door stepwell and install a fuse in the wiring harness to prevent water entry and corrosion.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The flexible coupling that connects your transmission to the driveshaft may wear out prematurely and fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the flexible coupling. A permanent fix using a redesigned coupling or revised driveshaft is being developed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Metallic debris in the fuel system can clog the fuel injector or fuel volume control valve, potentially affecting engine operation.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel injection pump and related parts, and flush the fuel system if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side curtain air bag may not deploy along the correct path because it was folded and packaged incorrectly during manufacturing.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the side curtain air bag assembly and re-orient it as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear seat belt buckles may become damaged when heavy objects press on or strike the top of the buckle, preventing it from latching or staying latched.
What the fix does
Dealers will modify or replace the affected seat belt buckles at no cost, depending on their location in the vehicle.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.