Ford Transit Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 237 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Ford Transit across 11 model years. The 2015 model year has the most (78). The words owners use most often: “flexible coupling” (10% of reports).
- 237power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 7related recalls
- $3,650typical repair cost reported by owners
- 62%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Flexible coupling: mentioned in 24 of 237 complaints (10%)
- Torque converter: mentioned in 15 of 237 complaints (6%)
- Brake lines: mentioned in 13 of 237 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Ford Transit at $3,650, and half of them between $1,200 and $5,850.
Based on 10 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2017–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 130 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 237 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 5 an injury.
Ford Transit power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Transit | 3 | 11% | — |
| 2023 Transit | 13 | 22% | 43,730 |
| 2022 Transit | 3 | 8% | — |
| 2021 Transit | 6 | 25% | 79,469 |
| 2020 Transit | 18 | 21% | 87,000 |
| 2019 Transit | 3 | 8% | 1,000 |
| 2018 Transit | 12 | 21% | 86,000 |
| 2017 Transit | 40 | 41% | 106,000 |
| 2016 Transit | 60 | 38% | 104,500 |
| 2015 Transit | 78 | 40% | 102,053 |
| 2014 Transit | 1 | 33% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (7)
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Model years: 2023, 2024
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Ford Transit vehicles previously repaired under recall number 24V-102. Incorrect bolts may have been used to attach the rear axle shaft, which can lead to the rear wheel locking up or separating from the axle.
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up or separation of the wheel from the axle shaft can result in loss of vehicle control or loss of drive power. In addition, the vehicle may roll in park if the parking brake is not applied. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle shaft bolts, replace incorrect bolts as necessary, and fill the differential fluid if needed, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S67.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2023, 2024
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Ford Transit vehicles. An inadequate amount of rear axle lubricant may cause rear axle tail bearing damage and seizure, which can result in wheel lock-up or driveshaft separation.
Risk: Wheel lock-up or driveshaft separation can result in a loss of drive power. A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a roll away when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, and replace the axle bearings or axle assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 4, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S05.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2020
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Transit vehicles equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD). The bolts that attach the rear driveshaft to the transfer case may become loose or damaged, which can result in separation of the driveshaft from the transfer case.
Risk: Driveshaft separation can result in a loss of drive power, or unintended movement while parked if the parking brake is not engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the driveshaft bolts. If any loose bolts are found, the driveshaft, attachment hardware, transfer case flange kit, and seal will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 4, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S54.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2015, 2016, 2017
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Transit vehicles. 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. The flexible coupling connecting the transmission to the driveshaft may prematurely fail.
Risk: 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. Additionally, the separated driveshaft may allow the vehicle to roll if the vehicle is exited when the transmission is in 'Park' but the parking brake is not applied. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and as an interim repair, dealers will replace the flexible coupling every 40,000 miles until the final remedy is available. The final remedy will consist of installation of a driveshaft front section equipped with a mechanical u-joint in place of the flexible coupling. These repairs will be made free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 1, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S38. Note: This recall supersedes recall number 17V-408.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft; power train:driveline:universal joint
Model years: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Problem: XL Hybrids, Inc (XL) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with XL's electric hybrid system. The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the front driveshaft to detach.
Risk: 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.
Fix: XL will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft with an updated one, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact XL Hybrid's customer service at 1-833-953-5338.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2015, 2016, 2017
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling all 2015-2017 Transit vehicles except 156" and 178" wheelbase Chassis Cab and Cut-Away bodies. In the affected vehicles, the flexible coupling connecting the transmission to the driveshaft may prematurely fail.
Risk: 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. Additionally, the separated driveshaft may allow the vehicle to roll if the vehicle is exited when the transmission is in 'Park' but the parking brake is not applied. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and as an interim repair, dealers will replace the flexible coupling on any vehicle with more than 30,000 miles. A final remedy repair of a redesigned flexible coupling or a revised driveshaft equipped with a universal joint is being developed and is expected in early 2018. These repairs will be made free of charge. Interim notifications informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S15.
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Model years: 2015
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Transit vehicles manufactured May 1, 2015, to June 26, 2015, and equipped with dual rear wheels. The affected vehicles have a left or right rear axle drive shafts that may fracture, resulting in loss of drive power. Additionally, the vehicle may unexpectedly roll if it is parked without the parking brake applied.
Risk: A loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway after being parked can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right axle drive shafts, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S37.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly lost motive power and came to a complete stop in traffic. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was making an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle's differential of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic and was diagnosed with differential failure. The vehicle…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the rubber-flexible coupling between the transmission became shredded into pieces and the vehicle swerved off the road. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic…
rear wheels lock up at highway speeds, F-150 is recalled, why is my F-250 not recalled same transmission 6r80. Please help. Thanks
The bolts holding the axle together to the driveshaft failed on the rear right wheel, nearly causing an accident but fortunately it was 6am with little traffic on the interstate. The axle came out and destroyed our driveshaft, requiring a full replacement. We have had the vehicle serviced regularly…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Transits have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 237 owner complaints about power train for the Ford Transit. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Transit power train?
Yes: 7 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Ford Transit?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,650 (half paid between $1,200 and $5,850), from 10 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Ford Transit?
The most frequent phrase is “flexible coupling”, in 24 of 237 complaints, followed by “torque converter” (15).
Other Ford Transit problems
- Engine problems (108)
- Electrical System problems (106)
See all Ford Transit problems.