Ford Transit years to avoid and best years
Newer Ford Transit years have about the same owner complaints per year as the older ones. 2023 has the most complaints per year, at 15 (56 complaints). Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2021 at 3 (from 23 complaints), 2019 at 4 (from 37 complaints), and 2018 at 5 (from 57 complaints). The Ford Transit 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet. On the 2023 Ford Transit, 7 of 56 complaints name Powertrain.
Data as of .
2021
2019
2018
2025–26
Ford Transit reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Ford Transit. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Too early | 5 | 5 | 1 | Service brakes, Electrical system, Wheels | — |
| 2025 Too early | 2 | 3 | 4 | Electrical system | — |
| 2024 → | 9 | 28 | 10 | Structure, body | — |
| 2023 → Most | 15 | 56 | 19 | Powertrain | — |
| 2022 → | 7 | 38 | 16 | Back-over prevention | 16.5 |
| 2021 → Fewest | 3 | 23 | 4 | Powertrain | 16 |
| 2020 → | 7 | 84 | 9 | Seats | 16.5 |
| 2019 → Fewest | 4 | 37 | 9 | Service brakes | 15.3 |
| 2018 → Fewest | 5 | 57 | 14 | Powertrain | 16 |
| 2017 → | 11 | 98 | 18 | Powertrain | 16 |
| 2016 → | 12 | 155 | 21 | Powertrain | 16 |
| 2015 → | 13 | 192 | 26 | Powertrain | 16 |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- Cargo van, Passenger van
- Oil
- 3.7L V6, 5W-20 · 6 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 235/65R16C (varies with vehicle options)
Known issues for this generation
Safety recall 19S38 (NHTSA 19V-767) covers certain 2015-2017 Transit vans whose flexible coupling between the transmission and driveshaft may prematurely fail. If the coupling fails the van cannot move under its own power, the disconnected driveshaft can strike and damage the brake and fuel lines, and the van can roll away if it is left in Park without the parking brake applied. As an interim repair Ford's dealers replace the flexible coupling every 40,000 miles; the final remedy fits a driveshaft front section with a mechanical universal joint in place of the coupling, free of charge. This recall supersedes 17S15 (NHTSA 17V-408) and carries over the vans covered there, except those that had already received a mechanical u-joint and any 156-inch or 178-inch wheelbase chassis cab and cutaway bodies.
- Body styles
- Cargo van, Passenger van, Crew van
- Oil
- 3.5L V6 (PFDI), 5W-30 · 6 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 235/65R16C (varies with vehicle options)
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA recall 21V-978 (Ford 21S54) covers certain 2020 model-year Transit vans equipped with all-wheel drive, on which the bolts attaching the rear driveshaft to the transfer case may become loose or damaged and let the driveshaft separate, causing a loss of drive power or unintended movement while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Ford's dealers inspect and replace the driveshaft bolts free of charge, and if any loose bolts are found they also replace the driveshaft, attachment hardware, transfer case flange kit and seal. Owner notification letters were mailed February 4, 2022.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Transit years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2021 at 3 (from 23 complaints), 2019 at 4 (from 37 complaints), and 2018 at 5 (from 57 complaints).
Which Ford Transit year has the most owner complaints?
2023 has the most complaints per year, at 15 (56 complaints). On the 2023 Ford Transit, 7 of 56 complaints name Powertrain.
How do Ford Transit owner complaints compare by year?
Newer Ford Transit years have about the same owner complaints per year as the older ones.
Which Ford Transit years are too early to compare?
The Ford Transit 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet.
What did the Ford Transit replace in the US lineup?
The Transit replaced the Ford E-Series (Econoline) full-size van starting with the 2015 model year.
Was the 2020 Ford Transit a full redesign?
No, it was a mid-cycle facelift with a new front fascia, dashboard, base engine, and available all-wheel drive, not a new platform.