Is the 2016 Ford Transit a bad year?
156 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 60, 6× a quiet Transit year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 89k–136k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Transit owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 105,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 60 (38%) | 89k–136k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 21 (13%) | 43k–109k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 14 (9%) | 29k–126k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 12 (8%) | 31k–113k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 13 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 11 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 105,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 156 complaints: 7 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 6 report an injury · 21 say the car was towed.
21 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Drive train rubber coupling failure 104000 miles. Prior installation of coupling at 70,000 miles. This occurrence damaged drive shaft and coupling at rear of transmission.
The vehicle has had the ford's final fix for 17V408000. I periodically inspect the flexible coupling and during the inspection today I observed a crack in the flexible coupling.
2016 Ford transit wagon had a faulty part near the transmission that was repaired under recall warranty. However, when the parts failed, it damaged the transmission case and caused the oil's to leak out.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 105,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Ford Transit: 21
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse. A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
An incorrect driveshaft torsional damper service kit may have been installed, which can allow the damper shield to contact the parking brake cable, possibly resulting in parking brake failure. Parking brake failure can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. If the coupling fails, the vehicle will not be able to move under its own power and the disconnected driveshaft may impact and damage the brake and fuel lines.
When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height. If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inwards toward the vehicle when exiting the lift, increasing their risk of injury.
When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height. If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inwards toward the vehicle when exiting the lift, increasing their risk of injury.
When the seat back cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the front driveshaft to detach. If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle, drive power will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. The detached driveshaft may also create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash for following traffic.
When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Water can enter the tow modules and corrode the wiring causing issues such as rapidly flashing turn signals, loss of instrument panel display, an electrical short and possibly the deployment of seatbelt pretensioner. An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire. Turn signal, instrument cluster or seatbelt pretensioner problems can increase the risk of a crash.
Water can enter the tow modules and corrode the wiring causing issues such as rapidly flashing turn signals, loss of instrument panel display, an electrical short and possibly the deployment of seatbelt pretensioner. An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire. Turn signal, instrument cluster or seatbelt pretensioner problems can increase the risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, the flexible coupling connecting the transmission to the driveshaft may prematurely fail. If the coupling fails, the vehicle will not be able to move under its own power and the disconnected driveshaft may impact and damage the brake and fuel lines.
A fuel injector or the fuel volume control valve may clog due to metallic debris within the fuel system. If debris clogs the fuel system, the engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, the side curtain air bag may not deploy with the proper trajectory due to being folded and packaged incorrectly. A side curtain air bag that does not deploy as intended may increase the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
The rear seat belt buckles may be damaged if a heavy object is placed on, or impacts, the top of the buckle. The damage may prevent the buckle from latching or from remaining latched. An unlatched seat belt increases the risk of injury to the occupant in the event of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 210
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Ford Transit. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some 2013-2016 Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine and 2015-2019 Transit vehicles equipped with a 3.2L diesel engine may not pass a state…
Some vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM)…
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Zipcar Rental Concerns
Neighbouring years
2015 Transit: 192 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2017 Transit: 98 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Ford Transit year
2001 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Transit years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Ford Transit a bad year?
156 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 60, 6× a quiet Transit year. At 105,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 89k–136k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Transit?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (60), engine (21), fuel system (14), electrical system (12), body structure (13). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 89k–136k miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Transit have?
21 recall campaigns list this model year: Backup camera (NHTSA 25V-572), Parking brake (NHTSA 21V-631), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 19V-767), Seats (NHTSA 19V-333) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.