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U.S. public vehicle records

2016 Ford TRANSIT problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

155 owner complaints analyzed

21 distinct recall campaigns

70,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 96 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 55 of 155 complaints (35.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior2314.8%
Transmission and shifting1811.6%
Engine operation159.7%
Electrical and battery issues53.2%
Fuel system concerns42.6%
Steering behavior31.9%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Power Train
55
Unknown Or Other
23
Engine
20
Fuel/Propulsion System
11
Electrical System
10
Seat Belts
10
Structure:Body
10
Service Brakes
8
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Power Train55
Unknown Or Other23
Engine20
Fuel/Propulsion System11
Electrical System10
Seat Belts10
Structure:Body10
Service Brakes8

Power Train: 55; Unknown Or Other: 23; Engine: 20; Fuel/Propulsion System: 11; Electrical System: 10; Seat Belts: 10; Structure:Body: 10; Service Brakes: 8

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
24
25,000 to 49,999
13
50,000 to 74,999
14
75,000 to 99,999
11
100,000 to 149,999
21
150,000 and above
13
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00024
25,000 to 49,99913
50,000 to 74,99914
75,000 to 99,99911
100,000 to 149,99921
150,000 and above13

Under 25,000: 24; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 21; 150,000 and above: 13

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (24). 59 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2016
8
2017
14
2018
13
2019
21
2020
13
2021
15
2022
6
2023
16
2024
13
2025
18
2026
18
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20168
201714
201813
201921
202013
202115
20226
202316
202413
202518
202618

2016: 8; 2017: 14; 2018: 13; 2019: 21; 2020: 13; 2021: 15; 2022: 6; 2023: 16; 2024: 13; 2025: 18; 2026: 18

Pattern summary

Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 18 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10985983 · 2017-05-16 (May 16, 2017)

AFTER ARRIVING HOME IN OUR 2016 FORD TRANSIT VAN, WE PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND PLACED THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE PARK POSITION AND SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. OUR FAMILY OPENED THE DOORS AND PROCEEDED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. OUR FOUR YEAR OLD SON, HOWEVER, HAD UNBUCKLED AND TWISTED AROUND IN HIS SEAT SUCH THAT HE BECAME TRAPPED IN HIS SEAT BELT. THE MORE HE STRUGGLED TO GET FREE THE MORE IT RATCHETED TIGHT... TO THE POINT THAT HE COULDN'T BREATH. DESPITE US TRYING EVERYTHING TO FREE HIM, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE HIM. FEARING THAT HE WAS I…

Owner-reported narrative. 18,925 miles reported. Look up ODI 10985983 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10986390 · 2017-05-18 (May 18, 2017)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 FORD TRANSIT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO FORCE THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT TO AVOID STRIKING TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 60 YARDS AND CAME TO A STOP. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL COLLAPSED AND WAS UNDER THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND TRANSFE…

Owner-reported narrative. 353 miles reported. Look up ODI 10986390 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10981385 · 2017-04-29 (April 29, 2017)

FLEX COUPLING BETWEEN TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE SHAFT ROUTINELY FAILS BETWEEN 30,000 - 35,000 MILES. THIS CAN CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE THE DRIVE SHAFT COULD BE FORCED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN IT COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE ROAD. ADDITIONALLY, THE FAILURE OF THE FLEX COUPLING COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THESE FAILURES ON FORD VEHICLE FORUMS AS WELL AS THE FAILURE THAT I HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED. AFTER READING OF THE NUMEROUS FAILURES, I INSPECTED THE FLEX COUPLING ON MY VEHIC…

Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10981385 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10888883 · 2016-07-27 (July 27, 2016)

DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET, VEHICLE RESTARTED BUT WAS IN "LIMP MODE". THROTTLE BODY FAILURE.

Owner-reported narrative. 7,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10888883 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10888884 · 2016-07-27 (July 27, 2016)

DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, VAN STALLED ON HIGHWAY, NO FORWARD MOTION. VAN RESTARTED BUT WAS IN "LIMP MODE". THROTTLE BODY ISSUE.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10888884 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11151556 · 2018-11-14 (November 14, 2018)

ELECTRICAL, WIRING HARNESS CORRODED AND SHORTED OUT DASHBOARD INDICATORS. VAN WAS PURCHASED 10/26/2016 LOOKED AT DIFFERENT WEB SITES SAYING THERE IS A RECALL BUT FORD IS SAYING THAT IT DOES NOT PERTAIN TO THIS VAN, THE DESCRIPTION ON THE WEB SITE IS THE SAME AS DEALER REPAIRED.THE WIRING HARNESS REPAIRED WAS IN THE DRIVERS FOOTWELL, IN THE RECALL NOTICE POSTED IT SAID THE WIRING HARNESS SHOULD BE REPLACED NOT REPAIRED AND THAT A DRAINAGE HOLE BE MADE IN THE FOOTWELL PLUS INSTALLATION OF A FUSE TO PREVENT FIRES. NONE OF THAT WAS DONE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11151556 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11153333 · 2018-11-23 (November 23, 2018)

ELECTRICAL THROTTLE BODY FAILED DURING DRIVING. LOST ALL POWER.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11153333 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11428554 · 2021-08-10 (August 10, 2021)

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in a parking lot, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed as an engine stall due to the fuel pump failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11428554 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11503220 · 2023-01-23 (January 23, 2023)

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side shoulder. The low engine mode message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump failed, which caused fuel, metal, and debris to enter through the fuel lines. The fuel filters were replaced but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was pro…

Owner-reported narrative. 169,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11503220 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11010675 · 2017-07-26 (July 26, 2017)

2016 FORD TRANSIT 350HD 144"WHEELBASE WITH THE EXTENDED LENGTH, HIGH ROOF, DUAL REAR WHEELS. TOOK POSSESSION OF VAN ON 05-25-17 WITH 350 MILES. HAD A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH STARTED AROUND 40 MPH AND GOT MORE INTENSE THE FASTER YOU DROVE. TOOK IT TO HAVE THE FRONT WHEEL BALANCE CHECKED AND EACH WHEEL HAS +2 OZ (06-08-17 1025 MILES) THE WHEEL BALANCE FIXED THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION PROBLEM. THEN I NOTICED UNSAFE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS, UNSAFE SWAYING AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN AFFECTED BY THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF WIND, PA…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,025 miles reported. Look up ODI 11010675 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11021524 · 2017-09-05 (September 5, 2017)

FORD TRANSIT IS DESIGNED TO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE TURNED OFF WHILE IT'S IN ANY GEAR INCLUDING WHILE IT'S IN DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. TURNING THIS KEY WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY WILL CAUSE THE POWER STEERING TO GO OUT CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVER. MY VAN HAS TURNED ITSELF OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MILES AN HOUR FOUR TIMES BECAUSE MY KNEE TOUCHED THE KEY. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, THE STEERING COLUMN IS ADJUSTABLE BUT IT ADJUST ITSELF WITHOUT ACTIVATING THE LEEVER CAUSING THE STEERING COLUMN WITH THE IGNITION KEY TO …

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11021524 at NHTSA ↗