The Lemon Index
201520171st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
57 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Ford E-Series 502016 Chevrolet Express 162016 Ford Transit Connect 61
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2016 Ford Transit
- Engine stalling21 complaintsmostly at 25,000–120,000 miles (40,000–193,000 km)
- Backup camera11 complaints
- Throttle body / loss of power8 complaintsmostly at 7,200–115,000 miles (12,000–185,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 157 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Ford Transit (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 6,100 and 86,000 miles (9,800–138,000 km) (the middle half of the 46 complaints, of all 57 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K miles (97K km) Right in the range where most owners reported problems.
- At 100K and 150K miles (161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V572000 (back over prevention), 21V631000 (parking brake) and 19V767000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? It has 21 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
- Ford sent dealers 233 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Coolant Concentration Adjustment In some of the affected vehicles, the engine coolant to water…”?
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 57 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 6K to 86K miles (10K to 138K km) on the car (46 of all 57 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
Driving on hiway suddenly no drive power when accelerating,inability to drive no gas pedal responding I call the Ford dealer and said that ther is no recalls on that but looking on internet found recall 17s15
2016 Ford Transit owner · NHTSA complaint 11103036
More owner reports
Dash warning lights came on vehicle stalled while driving on city street, vehicle restarted but was in "limp mode". Throttle body failure.
NHTSA complaint 10888883
Dash warning lights came on, van stalled on highway, no forward motion. Van restarted but was in "limp mode". Throttle body issue.
NHTSA complaint 10888884
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 35.8M views · 2015–2025 Ford Transit
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical710K views
Ford Transit | Radio removal 2015-2019Enfig · 308K views · 6 videos - Oil changes & service669K views
6 must-know maintenance tips for the Ford Transit 2013 to 2018Haynes Manuals · 294K views · 5 videos - Brakes & ABS451K views
2016 Ford Transit - How to Replace Rear Brake Pads - DIYDan the Fix it Man · 133K views · 5 videos - Starter, alternator & belts378K views
Urgent Timing Belt (Wet Belt) Replacement | 2019 Ford Transit at 66K Miles | The Car EditionThe Car Edition Ltd · 378K views
Show 4 more
- Gauges, lights & wiring336K views
2015-2019 FORD TRANSIT VAN OIL CHANGE REQUIRED SERVICE LIGHT RESET - DIYDan the Fix it Man · 167K views · 3 videos - Transmission & shifter277K views
How to Change the Transmission Fluid for 2015/2021 Ford Transit 250 350Less Expensive fix · 79K views · 4 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors159K views
2015 Ford Transit Mirror ReplacementAndrew Derr · 116K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank134K views
![[2/3] Ford Transit Not Starting - Fuel Pump Control Module Fix! 2015 Ford Transit Van 350 3.7L- Rd.↓](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/swpfU356yAM/mqdefault.jpg)
[2/3] Ford Transit Not Starting - Fuel Pump Control Module Fix! 2015 Ford Transit Van 350 3.7L- Rd.↓Our Family - Life Solutions · 82K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
2015-2025 Ford Transit review, 5 major problems, Ford will not. Ford Transit 15 passenger reviewrepairvehicle · 438K views
Top 5 Problems Ford Transit 250 Van 2015-2025 5th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 50K views
2016 Ford Transit T-150 Explorer Conversion Van WalkaroundPeoria Ford Commercial Fleet · 1.1M viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2016 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 233 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Coolant Concentration Adjustment In some of the affected vehicles, the engine coolant to water…
- In some of the affected vehicles, the engine coolant to water concentration may be less than…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 21
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
- Parking brake · recall issued 2021
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.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2019
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 bod…
Show all 21 recalls
- Seats · recall issued 2019
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.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
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.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
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.
- 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.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
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.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
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.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
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.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
The seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
- 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.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
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.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2019 Hybrid only
The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the front driveshaft to detach.
- Seats · recall issued 2018
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.
- Electrical · recall issued 2018
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.
- Electrical · recall issued 2017
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.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2017
In the affected vehicles, the flexible coupling connecting the transmission to the driveshaft may prematurely fail.
- Fuel system, diesel · recall issued 2016 3.2L diesel only
A fuel injector or the fuel volume control valve may clog due to metallic debris within the fuel system.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
In the affected vehicles, the side curtain air bag may not deploy with the proper trajectory due to being folded and packaged incorrectly.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2016
The rear seat belt buckles may be damaged if a heavy object is placed on, or impacts, the top of the buckle.
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
Government investigations
- ClosedZipcar rental concerns2018–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit VAN RWD | not rated | ★★★★☆ | not rated | not rated |
| Ford Transit Connect Wagon FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Transit Connect VAN FWD | not rated | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,400–$3,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
Every Ford Transit 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. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 10 Ford Transit years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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-transit/?y=2016" title="Ford Transit reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" 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-transit/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Ford Transit reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Ford Transit reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew a bit under half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 40; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford Transit year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2019.
What are the most common 2016 Ford Transit problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (28%), engine (18%) and seat belts (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Transit have?
21 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Ford Transit get?
16 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Ford Transit safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Transit problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 6,100 and 86,000 miles (9,800–138,000 km) (the middle half of the 46 complaints, of all 57 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K miles, a 2016 is right in the range where most owners reported problems. At 100K and 150K miles, a 2016 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2016 Ford Transit have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 28% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Ford Transit cost in fuel a year?
About $2,400 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Ford Transit have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
What Ford Transit 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).
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