NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
This page covers 23 recalls and 51 owner complaints for the 2023 Ford Transit.
Powertrain and back-over prevention draw the most owner complaints on the 2023 Ford Transit. On the drivetrain side, owners frequently report erratic or hard shifting, clunking during gear changes, and in some cases a more severe failure where the transmission, driveshaft, or rear axle stops functioning and the vehicle shuts down, often without any dashboard warning light beforehand. A recurring pattern involves the shifter or transmission behaving unexpectedly, with several owners reporting the gear selector moving to reverse while the vehicle was in drive, sometimes preceded by a "Hill Assist" message on the display. Back-over prevention complaints are equally numerous, with owners describing the rear camera system as unreliable or inoperative. The electrical system rounds out the top three, with owners reporting check engine lights, unexpected deceleration, and power loss at a range of speeds.
51
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
By System
The 2023 Ford Transit has 23 recalls, the most serious involving structural and drivetrain failures that can cause brake failure, loss of steering, or a wheel separating from the vehicle while driving.
The drivetrain concerns form the largest cluster. An unsecured engine crossmember can allow the engine to shift, cutting drive power or causing brake failure. Insufficient rear axle lubricant can cause the driveshaft to break free, leaving the vehicle without drive power or able to roll away when parked. Prior repair attempts for the rear axle issue did not fully resolve the problem, and incorrect bolts installed during dealer repairs can cause a rear wheel to lock up or detach. The steering column intermediate shaft can also separate from the steering gear, causing complete loss of steering. On Trail package trims, the power steering ground connection can corrode and cut out assist, and tires can contact the wheel arch liner and suffer damage leading to sudden pressure loss.
Two fuel system concerns raise fire risk: a poorly welded fuel tank vent valve can separate and leak fuel, and Transit vans with an Onan generator have a fuel hose that can loosen and leak gasoline. Several recalls address HVAC systems that stop working on upfitted vehicles, leaving drivers without defrost or defog capability. Rearview cameras on certain trims can fail to display an image when reversing. There is also a wheelchair restraint concern on mobility-equipped vehicles where an unsecured wheelchair can shift during transit, and a seat recline mechanism that can release under seatbelt load in a crash.
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 engine crossmember fasteners may not be tight enough, allowing the engine to shift position. This can reduce driving power or cause brake failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the crossmember fasteners at no charge to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wheelchair restraint retractors may fail to lock, leaving wheelchairs unsecured in the vehicle.
What the fix does
Rollx will inspect and replace the retractors at no cost. Contact Rollx customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During previous repairs under recalls 24V226 and 24V591, some 2023-2024 Transit vehicles received an incorrect steering coupler cover and tires not designed for the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace tires, tire placard, and certification label if needed, recalibrate the vehicle, and remove the steering coupler cover at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image or fail to clear the image after backing up.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the rearview camera software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument panel cluster may fail to properly light up warning lights or gauges, making it difficult to see important vehicle information.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the instrument panel cluster software at no cost to restore proper illumination of warning lights and gauges.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
What the fix does
The accessory protocol interface module software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera or 360-degree view camera may fail to display an image when you shift into reverse, due to incorrect repair from a previous recall.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the camera software at no cost to restore the rearview image display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The HVAC system controls, including defog and defrost functions, may stop working in certain Transit vehicles that received an incorrect repair under a previous recall.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the remote climate control module software at no cost to restore HVAC functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Wrong rear axle shaft bolts may have been installed during a previous recall service. These bolts could loosen, causing a rear wheel to lock up, separate from the vehicle, or the vehicle to move unexpectedly when parked.
What the fix does
A dealership will inspect the rear axle shaft bolts and replace them if needed. The dealer will also inspect and refill the differential fluid as necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear axle shaft may have been attached with incorrect bolts, which can cause the rear wheel to lock up or separate from the axle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear axle shaft bolts, replace any incorrect bolts, and refill differential fluid as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering column intermediate shaft may be attached to the steering gear with an incorrect bolt, which can cause the steering components to separate and result in loss of steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the steering column intermediate shaft bolt at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The reclining mechanism on certain GO-ES Space Saver Foldaway Seats may fail to lock when the seat back is fully reclined.
What the fix does
A&J will inspect your seats and repair them if needed at no cost. Call A&J customer service at 920-775-9333.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electronic power steering system's ground connection may corrode, causing loss of power steering assist.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new electronic power steering ground pigtail kit at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tires on certain 2023-2024 Transit vehicles with the Trail package may rub against the front wheel arch liner and body flange, potentially damaging the tires.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the tires, tire placard, and certification label, then recalibrate the vehicle at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear axle oil level is insufficient, which can cause tail bearings to seize and the pinion stem to break. This may lead to driveshaft separation from the axle, resulting in loss of power to the wheels and potential vehicle movement when in Park without the parking brake engaged.
What the fix does
Dealership will inspect the rear axle and repair it and/or replace parts as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear axle may not have enough lubricant, causing the tail bearing to become damaged and seize. This can lock up the wheels or separate the driveshaft.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear axle and replace the bearings or axle assembly as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera or 360-degree view camera may fail to display an image when you shift into reverse.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the camera and update software and wiring as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel hose connecting the inline fuel filter to the injection pump module may be improperly secured, potentially allowing gasoline to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the fuel hose and clamps, replacing them as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The HVAC system may fail on vehicles with an upfitter-installed auxiliary wire harness, preventing defrosting and defogging of the windshield and windows.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you instructions to visit a dealership for inspection and repair of the auxiliary wire harness as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The auxiliary wire harness in the accessory kit disables the heating, air conditioning, ventilation, defrost, and defog systems.
What the fix does
Dealers will modify the auxiliary wire harness to include a twisted loop, restoring HVAC and defrost function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank vent valve may not be properly welded to the fuel tank. In a crash, the valve could separate and cause fuel to leak.
What the fix does
Ford will send you a notice and have you bring your vehicle to a dealership to replace the fuel tank.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank vent valve may not be properly welded to the fuel tank, which can cause fuel to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel tank at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The HVAC system controls, including defog and defrost functions, may stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the remote climate control module software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
