The Lemon Index
201520175th generation
27 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Ford Transit 402016 Chevrolet Express 162016 Ford Transit Connect 61
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 19 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V401000 (equipment), 19V271000 (equipment adaptive/mobility) and 17V269000 (fuel system, other) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Ford sent dealers 28 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 27 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 10K miles (3K to 17K km) on the car (19 of all 27 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
1. Vehicle clunk and lurch forward right before it reaches complete stop. 2. With fully aligned wheels, the steering wheel can not be centered when going straight. Vehicle wanders on perfectly leveled road.
2016 Ford E-Series owner · NHTSA complaint 10993136
More owner reports
The parking brake cable is routed through the left front wheel area in such a way that the tire contacts it during normal steering/suspension movements and is chaffing the cable.
NHTSA complaint 11075774
Intermittent brake failure. Brakes feel "spongy". Car slowed slightly, however pedal was pressed to the floor, with no immediate response in braking.
NHTSA complaint 10915364
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 28 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or…
- 2009-2017 vehicles equipped with a 6r80, 6r100, 6r140 automatic transmission have an updated…
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Equipment · recall issued 2019
The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2019
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.
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2017
The fuel control valve solenoid may short circuit, shutting off the flow of propane to the engine, causing the engine to shut off.
Show all 5 recalls
- Electrical · recall issued 2016 6.8L engines only
The trailer braking system may fail, increasing the distance needed to stop the vehicle.
- Electrical · recall issued 2015 6.8L engines only
In the affected vehicles, the trailer brake controller may not actuate the trailer brakes.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Ford E-Series year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-e-series/?y=2016" title="Ford E-Series reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="698" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-e-series/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Ford E-Series reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Ford E-Series reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 50; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford E-Series year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2016 Ford E-Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (19%), brakes (15%) and steering (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford E-Series have?
5 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2016 Ford E-Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
What Ford E-Series year is better than the 2016?
Nearby, the 2019 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works